MousePlanet staff writer Mark Goldhaber answers reader mail in response to his coverage of the opening of Walt Disney World’s newest ride, Expedition Everest, (link) and his analysis of the ride’s potential impact on Disney’s Animal Kingdom (link).
Ken writes:
I was wondering who is the heavyset man in your last picture of your recent Everest update? And did he ride the ride? The reason I’m asking is because I’m a heavy person of 240 pounds and was wondering do you think I will fit in the Everest train? Do the seats run small or are they larger? I’m scared I wont fit!
The heavyset guy is me. I’m heavier than you, and I rode seven times. If you’re not sure, go to the test seat to the left of the Serka Zong Bazaar. Sit down and see if you can pull the safety bar into the green zone. If it’s green, it’ll latch on the ride.
A sample seat near Expedition Everest allows visitors to ensure that they will fit. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Terri Ann Blax writes:
Just wanted to say that I went to the Florida Passholder Preview for Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom. Awesome ride! The queue is done up like an old Tibetan village. You walk through a museum with lots of stuff to look at. There is a tea garden that smells wonderful. Then you get to the ride. Looks just like the Matterhorn at Disneyland, but way bigger. This is no bobsled ride. That is all I am going to say because I don’t want to spoil it for you. By the way, the Yeti is incredible!
Heard a rumor down there speaking of Incredible. Have you heard anything about an Incredibles ride coming to Walt Disney World? Thought you would be the person to ask.
Everest was absolutely amazing. If I wasn’t so overtired and dehydrated, I would’ve ridden it many more than the seven times I managed over the preview weekend.
I haven’t heard anything about an Incredibles ride, but I would think that all Imagineering projects are getting reviewed right now by John Lasseter, and there’s no telling what will have the green light when he’s done.
Choya Walling writes:
Hey, great to meet you Saturday morning before rope drop at Animal Kingdom. Aaron and I rode Expedition Everest three times before 9:55am and then left to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris and Kali River Rapids before leaving to visit the other three parks. We came back Sunday to ride Expedition Everest four times before going to Epcot to catch Soarin’ before flying home and going back to work. In all we rode all four “Mountain” rides and all the Walt Disney World coasters including Barnstormer. Four times on EE was about all I could take at one time. It is a great ride and has staying power beyond Mission Space. Animal Kingdom will never be the same and I’ll have to re-do the ride strategy for AK attractions now. Thanks for the MP buttons. You’re articles told me a lot more than I was able to comprehend last weekend. Keep up the good work.
PS: I think Aaron and I made the background picture on row 13 of the picture of you posing in front of the drop.
It was great to meet you and Aaron that morning. I rode Everest seven times that weekend, as well. I’m already looking forward to riding it again on our next trip.
Thanks for your kind words on my stories.
Alan Cranford writes:
I think that Disney’s Animal Kingdom won’t surpass the Disney-MGM Studios because of the latter park’s extended operating hours and Fantasmic! Is a fireworks display appropriate for a zoo? Plus, what is the profile of the Disney’s Animal Kingdom guest compared to the Studios guest? Studios used to have an attendance slump because the Magic Kingdom had better night-time activities (and because when most people think of Walt Disney World, they think MK). Epcot is “themed for adults” and Illuminations keeps that park packed during the dinner hour. Plus there’s competition from Disney Village to consider.
I’m sure that the new Disney’s Animal Kingdom thrill ride will improve attendance. It may even pay for itself. If you had only one day to spend at Walt Disney World, and you were buying the full-price one-day, single park ticket, which park would you visit for the day? I’m afraid that even with the new Everest Adventure, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is number 4 on my short list. When I first visited Walt Disney World in 1986, I had only a single day–and I spent it at Epcot.
You’ve got a valid point, and I’ve heard it expressed by many people. I’m wondering if that’s going to hold, however. One thing to remember is that the Studios really doesn’t get hopping until later in the day, while Disney’s Animal Kingdom starts off big because of the safari. If Everest creates an additional 5% increase in traffic beyond the regular annual increase that will also hit the Studios, then Disney’s Animal Kingdom can grab the number 3 spot, even if they do leave early. We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.
Carol Kelley writes:
My theory why the crowds may have dropped off Saturday afternoon is like us, many Passholders and DVC members (per posts I’ve read on RADP and DISBoards) came for a “very” quick weekend for the Previews. While I loved Everest and will ride many times in the future, we were on property for less than 36 hours and there is lots and lots of favorites to visit at Walt Disney World. We arrived late Friday night and made it a point to have an early breakfast at Donald’s Breakfastosaurus, then got FastPasses, and took a quick ride in the standby, we then rode Dinosaur, then used our FastPasses, then went to Deb’s meet, the rode the Safari. We then left Animal Kingdom to do a few other things at Disney Studios, and Magic Kingdom. We then finished the evening off at DTD. Sunday morning we only had time to go to Soarin’ at Epcot, then drive home (We had a 10 1/2 hour drive).
In May, we have an 8-day trip planned, and our touring habits will be quite different. So once Everest is open full-time for all guests, I’m pretty sure the ride levels will extend further during the day.
I just think for the previews, the folks there for quick weekends were just maximizing their time on property.
It was great to run into you at the preview, and to meet your husband.
That’s a really good theory about the drop-off, and I’m disappointed not to have thought of it for the story. I guess I was going on the assumption that everybody going down for the preview would be like me, spending all possible time at the attraction since it was a special trip just to ride it. I’ll be interested to see the crowd levels after it’s been officially open for a few months and visitors have time to work it into their touring plans.
See you at MouseFest in December!
Masaru writes:
I enjoyed your article on the impact of Expedition Everest on the Animal Kingdom. I was wondering, since you mentioned interest in making Animal Kingdom a 3-meal park, if there were concrete or rumored plans to build more restaurants there (including a full-service, sit-down eatery). I’ve always felt that it would be exciting if they would build restaurants along the themes that they have (such as Africa/Asia… don’t know about Dinoland)—even though this would seem very Epcot-like. Thanks again for all the Disney insight! I love the site!
A full-service restaurant was rumored for the area that currently houses Gupta’s Gear and the Yeti Palace Hotel. Obviously, it was not built. However, I would not be surprised to hear of plans to build a restaurant if the attraction is indeed as successful as it hoped. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.
Leon writes:
Just a short message: yes, Animal Kingdom has a new ride. However, they also lost one show—so for many people the total number of things to do will still be the same. If the “Nemo show” is opened, there really will be more to do.
If a few more rides are built, Animal Kingdom will become a real full day park. Thanks for reading my e-mail, and I am looking forward to your next article!
It’s true that the park is down one attraction until the new Nemo show opens. However, because Everest is capable of handling 1800 guests per hour, it gives people more time to see the other attractions. The loss of Tarzan Rocks may put a temporary damper on attendance increases due to there being one less thing to see. However, as we get close to capacity it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.
This past Monday, May 1, saw the kickoff of sales for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World, inspiring readers to get going on their holiday travel planning. Mark Goldhaber answers readers’ questions about travel to Walt Disney World during the Halloween and Christmas holidays.
David writes:
I had heard about the possibility of a Halloween party, possibly at Disney-MGM Studios, with a more adult theme than Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Any updates on this?
I’ve heard rumors as well, but I’ve gotten nothing from any reliable source at this time. If I ever get anything solid, I’ll get it into the Park Update.
Bob Williams writes:
First, thanks for all the good info, your site has enabled us to make the most of our past trips. This year will be the 1st time going in October (need to be there 20-21 for our kids karate tournament). We have the ability to spend several extra days and am not sure whether to go before or after. I noticed that the Funai Classic is that week and the following week has a paintball and soccer tournament.
Lastly, is the Halloween party worth it? I think Annual Passholders get a discount the day of, or is that too risky? I have a 5- and 7-year-old. We’ve always done Christmas and liked that.
Thanks for your kind words about MousePlanet. We do our best to put out
the information that you need.
I think that the sporting events will have little effect on the crowds at the parks. People that are there for the golf tournament will largely be hanging around the courses, and the paintball and soccer crowds shouldn’t be big enough to create much additional havoc in the parks. The Food & Wine Festival over at Epcot will be running both weeks, as will the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Halloween party dates around the time of your visit are October 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31. Advance purchase discounts are not available for October 27, 30 and 31. Passholders get an additional 10 percent discount on October 16, 17, 23 and 24. The Halloween Party is fun, as you’ve got the characters out in costume, special holiday fireworks, trick-or-treating throughout the park, storytelling, dance parties and so on. There are several articles on the site about the party, and many threads on our MousePad discussion forums on the subject, as well, if you’re looking for more information from many sources.
Enjoy the trip, and good luck to your kids in the karate tournament!
[Editor’s Note: for additional information on dates and prices for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, see the April 24 Park Update (link)]
Glenn Vines writes:
Always look forward to Monday to see the latest from your column at Walt Disney World. Have you heard of a refurb for the Haunted Mansion this year? Also, a year or so ago, I recall some rumor discussing the possibility that Walt Disney World’s Mansion would get an overlay similar to Disneyland with the Nightmare Before Christmas. Any truth, or rumor you’ve heard along this line?
Good to hear from you again. I’ve heard that the Mansion will likely get a major overhaul next year (since Pirates is getting one this year, and you can’t have them both down at the same time). The last I heard about the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay was that Walt Disney World was offered it and Al Weiss turned it down, which is why Tokyo got a Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay instead.
I’m thinking that Walt Disney World should not get the overlay. More than any other Disney destination, Walt Disney World has a high percentage of once-in-a-lifetime or infrequent visitors, and for people who have been waiting years to ride the Haunted Mansion — only to find that it’s not what they’ve been looking forward to — would be a huge guest recovery effort. The Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay is much better suited to parks with a huge percentage of Annual Passholders, as there is a much greater need to change things in order to give regular visitors a reason to come back again and again during the year. We’ll have to see whether or not Walt Disney World is able to resist the lure of Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Bill writes:
Would you know if they are doing a Happy Haunts Ball for 2006? I know there wasn’t one for 2005. Can you let me know?
I haven’t heard anything, but I’m guessing that they probably won’t do it. Of course, if I find out anything to the contrary, it’ll end up on the Park Update.
Derek May writes:
If my memory serves me correctly, the Candlelight Processional has a celebrity reading the Christmas Story with a full orchestra and a dinner with priority seating. I am taking my wife, parents, brother and sister to Disney World this Dec. 4-12th. Will this event be happening again? When will the schedule of celebrities be posted? If I am wrong about the event could you please provide the accurate information. Thank you in advance for the time in answering this, and I love the update and website.
Yes, the Candlelight Processional features a celebrity reading the Christmas Story, backed by full orchestra and a massed choir of local choir groups and cast members. There is a dinner package, but you can also just get in line for the show without the dinner package.
As far as I know, there’s no reason that Disney would not continue this popular event. Narrators are usually announced in August or September and packages generally become available around the same time.
Thanks for your kind words about the site. Hope this information helps!
Andrew Green writes:
I am interested in going to see the Christmas parade in Disney Florida on November the 14th. What I was wondering was, does the ticket that allows you to see the parade allow you entry to the park to ride the rides? If it doesn’t then can you just buy the tickets for the parade and go in and watch it?
Also can you tell me where in the U.K. I can order my tickets in advance? Can you buy them off the Disney website on May 1st?
I’m sorry to tell you that the Christmas parade will not be running on November 14. It will run as part of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) on November 13 and 17, though. There is no special parade-only ticket. There are only tickets to get you into the park, and the parade is part of the value of that ticket. The MVMCP tickets go on sale Monday, May 1. Tickets cost $42.55 for adults (ages 10+) and $34.03 for children (ages 3-9) when purchased in advance. If tickets are still available on the day of the event, it’ll be $48.94 for adults and $40.42 for children.
Louise Hogg writes:
We live in Florida, near Disney World. I was wondering if you ever get inside info as to when the Christmas parade is put on. We know some people who work at Disney, but no one ever knows when the parade is on with Regis and Kelly. Also we went to a Disney Liquidation sale for the public and it was great. Do you ever get info as to when and where these sales are held or other discontinued items on sale?
The taping of the Christmas parade usually takes place on the first or second weekend in December. Starting some time in November, there should be some information available on the web site of the company that is producing the telecast, www.lightshiptv.com.
I don’t have any information about liquidation sales held by Disney. However, much of the salvage from Disney is sold at MouseSurplus, which is near the Orlando airport. You can get more information about them at www.mousesurplus.com.
