At Cryptomundo, Loren Coleman talks about his cryptid-related contributions to Disney's new Expedition Everest ride that officially opens on Thursday at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando.
(Previous Expedition Everest posts here and here.) From Loren's post:
I supplied information, a photograph and background data on the Tom Slick Yeti cast for their exhibition, and pointed them to others who owned the rights on expedition photos from the Himalayas. I look forward to seeing my mostly invisible contributions in the future, when I can visit their entryway "museum."I have been taken aback but mildly surprised by how seriously Disney is detailing this attraction, to make it so authentic. Good for them.
And from an ABC News article, titled "Yeti Officially Joins Animal Kingdom":
While Disney – the parent company of ABC News – isn't officially endorsing the existence of the Yeti, the fabled beast has an honored spot that goes back centuries as a protector of the Himalayas against unwelcome intruders, and that fits Animal Kingdom's spirit as a sanctuary, said Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering executive designer.
"The Yeti's legend is very real, and very important in understanding the history and culture of the people," said Rohde, who has led several expeditions to Nepal – spending weeks at the foot of Everest – to build an ancient Himalayan village in the Orlando park.
