But this visit to the Animal Kingdom brought us face-to-face with an all new beast: the Yeti! On Disney's newest thrill attraction, Expedition Everest.

"Ancient legend holds that high in the Himalayan Mountains lives an enormous creature that fiercely guards the route to Mount Everest. The story begins when guests are transported to the mythical village of Serka Zong. Despite forewarnings of the Yeti, the proprietors of Himalayan Escapes tour company entice explorers to embark on a rugged train journey to the mystical Everest.

"Trekkers board the Anandapur Rail Service. This aging 34-passenger industrial railway, which was once used to transport tea, is now destined for the foot of Mount Everest.

"As the steam train rolls through thick bamboo forests and fern groves up the first hill through a fortress, a cluster of sacred Yeti totems and a massive Yeti mural crafted on the rockwork gives warning to turn back.

"The train continues across a teetering bridge into the mountain, dives into shimmering glacier valleys and then climbs up through the snow-capped peaks. Skulking silhouettes and shadows of the lurking Yeti enhance the attraction as the steam train darts in and out of the picturesque mountain range.

"But suddenly the train screeches to a halt near a gnarled mass of twisted metal. In a fit of rage, the Yeti has torn apart the track. The thrills intensify as the runaway train moves both forward and backward through darkened mountain caverns and icy canyons and guests head for an inevitable face-to-muzzle showdown with the towering Yeti — known to some as the abominable snowman."

I had been eagerly anticipating our encounter with Expedition Everest and the Yeti ever since we saw the attraction being built over a year ago, before we left Florida for Virginia. Sarah was a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of climbing the mountain's heights and the expedition's unknown thrills, but nevertheless, we went to stand in the long line for Expedition Everest.

The Disney theme parks offer a Fast Pass to certain major attractions which, essentially, saves your place in line so that you don't have to stand in the queue. Unfortunately, all of the Fast Passes for Expedition Everest had already been distributed for the day, so Sarah and I prepared ourselves for the 70-minute wait to ride the attraction.

However, just as we got in line, another guest came up to us with two extra Fast Passes that they did not need. Suddenly, our 70-minute wait time was cut down to nothing. We switched to the Fast Pass line, and suddenly found ourselves almost instantly boarding the train for our expedition to the top of Mount Everest!

What a remarkable ride! Expedition Everest has the feel of a classic Disney attraction. The attention to storyline and detail help to make the ride more than just a simple rollercoaster. The unique twists and turns of both the storyline ("The tracks ahead are broken! Now we're going backwards!") and the ride itself ("An 80-foot drop!") make Expedition Everest a one-of-a-kind attraction.

The thrills of the ride left Sarah a little shaken by the end, but we both were immensely impressed with Expedition Everest and will, undoubtedly, dare to face the Yeti once again!