3. YETI!

The mythical Yeti (aka the Abominable Snowman) can be spotted on two different Disney rides...the Matterhorn at Disneyland and Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom at Disney World.

The Matterhorn dates back to 1959 and is one of the oldest attractions in a Disney theme park and is the first Disney roller coaster.  The Yeti was not part of the original ride but was added in the mid-1970s when other updates made the ride feel even more like a trip around the Matterhorn.   He now makes two appearances during the ride, in addition to some growls and a set of red eyes that shine out at you at one point.

The Yeti at Expedition Everest unfortunately hasn't had a very successful life span.  The ride opened in 2006 with a Yeti encounter at the top of Everest.  Unfortunately, it's a very complicated design and a very heavy animatronic character that broke a few months after the ride debuted.  He was designed to move 5 feet horizontally and 2 feet vertically.  But early on, the framing split preventing it from operating and moving properly.  So instead, Disney uses a strobe light to make it look like he's moving.  As the damage is within a concrete base structure, it can't easily be fixed and most likely will remain motionless until they can do a major rehab for the ride, which would result in closing it for an extended time.

So which ride showcasing a Yeti is better?  The Matterhorn, hands down.

The Matterhorn has been my all-time favorite ride at Disneyland for years.  Riding low to the ground, it really is exhilarating!  The views are amazing and it's even wilder and more fun at night.  The theming, complete with waterfalls, makes this one of Disney's best, in my opinion.

I had really high hopes for Expedition Everest.  When it was announced, I envisioned it being a wilder and better version of the Matterhorn.  I couldn't wait to ride it when it finally opened.  But I must say I was disappointed.  Yes, it's a great coaster and sure, there's a good view at the top.  But I think the theming throughout the actual ride is weak.  And I think they could play up the search for the Yeti more  because you see it relatively early on, and then that's it.

Will I go on Expedition Everest when visiting Animal Kingdom?  Sure.  But would I go on it multiple times or purposely visit that Park so I can ride it?  No.  With the Matterhorn, it was one of the big reasons I wanted to return to Disneyland this past summer even though we live on the East Coast.

I've never understood why they haven't put the Matterhorn in the other Disney parks...