In a recent incident at Walt Disney World Resort, a group of guests found themselves unexpectedly stranded on Expedition Everest, the renowned roller coaster at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The situation unfolded when the ride temporarily ceased operations, leaving the riders suspended approximately 80 feet in the air before the attraction’s highest drop.
For some, the prospect of being stuck in an amusement park could spark fear or anxiety.
However, other Disney Parks fans embrace the moment, reveling in the unusual perspective of being high above the theme park.
Guests were instructed to remain calm as team members were deployed to assist them. The staff facilitated a methodical descent, ensuring all riders were safely escorted down the attraction’s stairs.
As the guests descended, they received a rare glimpse into the backstage operations that many Disney park-goers never see. The journey offered insights into the mechanics of Expedition Everest and an opportunity to appreciate the engineering marvel from an entirely new angle. The thrill of the ride transformed into a unique backstage tour, with guests catching sight of maintenance areas and employee-only pathways.
Redditor u/queenith21 shared this photo of guests climbing out of their roller coaster cars:
Disney’s taking immersion to the next level. Yeti broke the track so we had to be evacuated. Expedition Everest
Disney’s taking immersion to the next level. Yeti broke the track so we had to be evacuated. Expedition Everest
byu/queenith21 inDisneyWorld
“Kudos to the staff who sprinted up 17 flights of stairs to rescue us,” they wrote. “We were stuck on the ride for about 20 minutes and had to walk down 17 flights.”
Disney cast members employed established safety protocols throughout the evacuation process. Trained team members quickly responded to the situation, guiding each guest and providing instructions on safe descent. Riders were led to emergency exits and stairwells.
“The staff knew exactly what to do and were keeping the kids calm,” the Disney Park guest wrote.
Impacted guests received a complimentary bottle of water and Lightning Lane Pass.
It’s unclear what caused this Expedition Everest breakdown, but the roller coaster reopened shortly after the incident. At the time of this article’s publication, the ride was operating normally.
Have you gotten stuck on a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort ride? In the comments, share your story with How to Disney.
