With the opening of Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom almost here, I have read some of the early reviews from people who have attended previews and almost all of them are giving thumbs up to the steam outline engines that serve as a themed part of each ride vehicle.

Anyone here ride it yet? I'd be interested in seeing pictures of them if anyone has a link.

Matt

To add to this...yep, went on Everest about a total of seven times over the weekend. The "steam donkeys" as they're referred to look great; when the train takes off from the station, steam pours out of the stack and the whistle blows! The ride itself is *amazing*...I won't spoil it for everyone here

Expedition Everest must not "translate" to video very well. I've seen movies of the attraction and it just didn't look too interesting on a video screen. All of the reviews I've read though, are all thumbs up.

As always, I'll definitely have to ride it myself and find out first hand.

Pictures anyone

My only complaint with the Donkey is that the smoke and sound effects are not quite synced properly to what an actual engine / brake pump would do. Ok so I had a LOT of time to kill last week (5 hours) waiting around to ride. I'm going again this coming weekend so maybe it will make more sense with a little more sleep (or any sleep for that matter).

Overall this is an A++++ attraction. I have a picture to post, though it is not exactly from the ride, however my SD card and I are not together right now so look for it here tomorrow afternoon.

I won't ruin the ride for anyone (including my wife) either. There are plenty of other websites out there ready and willing to do that for me.

The fake locomotive can just barely be seen in the train plunging down the coaster's big drop in this photo:



Expedition Everest

so the "engine" pushes the coaster. I see the last car going up the mountain has a cab and guests are able to ride inside the forward portion where the boiler would be. Far cry from the concept painting depicting a BTMRR style engine.

Actually, that *is* the "boiler" on the back end of the train. The "cab" is on the right side in the very back, and the "boiler" on the left, right next to it. Wish I had a better pic of the trains to show

here's a model:




the real thing:

[img::]http://www.wdwmagic.com/thumbnails/everest/AK%20Everest%201st%20day%20Andy%2001-18-2006%20025_small.jpg[/img]

wow that is a crystal clear picture of copyright infringement freaked! Thanks for sharing

and in 2 languages!!! WOW. INTERPOL should be knocking on your door real soon.....