Disney to embark on Mount Everest expedition to promote upcoming Expedition Everest roller coaster

©EverestNews.com

Scientific and cultural journey to support ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World

Disney is embarking on an extraordinary expedition to the mountains of the Himalayas to explore the legendary "realm of the yeti." Conservation International and Discovery Networks will join Disney on Expedition Everest: Mission Himalayas in the search for new species and ancient legends. The scientific and cultural journey to China and the eastern Himalayas is planned for August through October 2005.

"This extraordinary expedition, in collaboration with Conservation International and Discovery Networks, is another example of the lengths to which Walt Disney Imagineering will go to research subject matter in developing our story lines," said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts President Jay Rasulo. "Our passion for bringing great stories to life has taken Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to amazing places over the past 50 years. Over the next 50 years, we will continue to scale new heights in our ongoing quest to create great experiences for our guests."

Scientists from global conservation leader Conservation International and Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park will search for undiscovered species likely to live in these remote regions known as biodiversity hot spots, Earth's biologically richest and most threatened places. The team of internationally renowned biologists, botanists and technical experts will conduct a scientific inventory of plant and animal species in areas that are little-known but potentially important conservation sites. "Due to the fact that this region has gone largely unexplored, we believe that, in all likelihood, new species of plants and animals not yet known to science will be discovered," according to Dr. Russell Mittermeier, the world's foremost primatologist and president of Conservation International.

Imagineers are joining the unique journey to investigate the powerful legend of the yeti, bringing a new level of authenticity to Expedition Everest, the massive attraction under development at Disney's Animal Kingdom. "Imagineers are renowned for our passionate approach to creating the legendary experiences guests have come to expect from Disney," said Imagineering Creative Executive Joe Rohde. "We are going to incredible lengths to tell this story to our guests. The creators of Disney parks will research cultural and spiritual legends through local people who have reported sightings of the yeti, and governments who preserve pristine lands in the name of the creature known as 'protector of the mountains'."

Discovery Networks, renowned for compelling, real-world storytelling, will track the expedition to share the unique adventure story with audiences throughout the globe. "The unusual exploration for new species and ancient legends is the kind of story that both Disney and Discovery can create and tell so well," said Clark Bunting, executive vice president, Discovery U.S. Networks Group. "We look forward to collaborating with Conservation International and Walt Disney Imagineering to inspire, educate and entertain millions around the world about all things Everest."

The expedition furthers the commitment to wildlife conservation that is a hallmark of Disney's Animal Kingdom and its long-time relationship with Conservation International. Established in 1995 with the opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Wildlife Conservation Fund sponsors global programs for the study and protection of the world's wildlife and ecosystems, including a number of significant projects led by Conservation International. The Fund has awarded more than $8 million to non-profit conservation projects in global areas rich in plant and animal life at risk of imminent destruction.

Expedition Everest: Mission Himalayas is headed to regions of China and the eastern Himalayas that harbor a wealth of biological, cultural and spiritual treasures. Findings and results of the expedition -- including any new species discoveries -- will be shared with the scientific and conservation community as well as be incorporated into Expedition Everest.

Expedition Everest, the attraction, is a high-speed adventure that combines coaster-like thrills with the folklore of the yeti. Guests will depart from a Tibetan village on a train journey into the snowy heights of the vast Himalayan peak. Yet a run-in with the yeti -- the guardian of the mountain -- will send travelers on a forward and backward hair-raising escape. At nearly 200 feet high, Expedition Everest will open in 2006 in the Asia section of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Built to handle a myriad of different climbing pursuits, the Ultralight Universal is our best selling crampon. This crampon lives for trekking, glacier travel, or steep couloirs and snowfields. Totally adjustable Zytel straps make this crampon durable and easy to use. Fits everything from moon boots to flip-flops, our lightest crampon available. Weight: 590g Points: 10. See more here.

   Ascenders

   Atlas snowshoes

   Atomic

   Black Diamond

   Botas

   Brunton

   Carabiners

   CaVa Climbing Shoes

   Chaco

   Clearance

   Clif Bar

   Cloudveil

   CMI

   Crampons

   Edelweiss ropes
   Eureka Tents

   Exofficio

   Featured

   FoxRiver

   Garmin

   Granite Gear

   Harnesses
   Headlamps

   Hestra
   Helmets

   HighGear

   HornyToad
   Ice Axes

   Julbo

   Kavu Eyewear

   Katadyn

   Kelty

   Kong

   Lekisport

   Life is Good

   Lowa

   Lowe Alpine

   Lowepro

   Millet

   Motorola

   Mountain Hardwear

   Mountainsmith

   MSR

   Nalgene

   New England Ropes

   Nikwax

   Omega

   Patagonia

   Pelican

   Petzl

   PowerBar

   Princeton Tec

   Prescription Glacier

   Glasses

   Primus

   Rope Bags

   Salomon

   Scarpa

   Seattle Sports

   Serius
   Sleeping Bags

   Stubai

   Suunto

   Tents

   Teva

   Thermarest

   Trango

   Tool Logic

   Trekking Poles
   Yaktrax
   and more here