So up to now I’ve listed the following Fixit issues I feel are present at Walt Disney World.
Let’s recap:
#10 Wonders of Life Pavilion – What’s Up?
#9 Imagination Pavilion – It’s Time
#8 Magic Kingdom’s Noodle Station Enigma
#7 Carousel of Progress – The Diorama Dilemma
#6 Peter Pan’s Bump… erh Flight
#5 Spaceship Earth’s Rude Paperboy
#4 Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular Props (Fixed!)
#3 Alien Non-Encounter in The Great Movie Ride (Fixed!)
Let’s continue:
There have been very few attractions at Walt Disney World that have been received with so much attention as has Soarin’. I was one of those fortunate to experience that EPCOT attraction when it first opened and I immediately pegged it as a “mild thrill ride” that would become endearing to those guests who were not into the shaking, turning, jiggling, and dropping that other WDW attractions offer.
I know of at least a dozen friends of mine who were not into thrill rides yet loved Soarin’ after they allowed me to drag them onto the attraction. For many of them it is now their most favorite Walt Disney World attraction.
It’s one of mine too…but lately I’ve been having an issue. If you have ridden Soarin’ over the last few years you may have noticed that, for some reason or another, there seem to be dust particles that appear on the screen during the ride.
Most of these dust particles seem to occur during the first two to three minutes of the film…well for a film that runs only 4:45 minutes, that’s a significant part of the film.
I remember the first time I saw a dust particle I thought, “Hey a Hidden Mickey!” I was wrong.
What’s that? A snake on the Golden Gate Bridge? Oh wait…just a piece of hair.
The attraction is just over six years old yet it looks older because of this dust issue. I am not an expert on the technology being used for Soarin’, oh sure I know about the Erector Set part of the ride but not the workings of the film. Yet it would seem to me that anyone would notice this issue and do whatever it would take to keep the film clean.
Remember, this is a simulation attraction and anything that takes away from that willful suspension of disbelief should be taken care of immediately. Maybe we can use a huge can of compressed air to clean the film, like the can I use to dust my keyboard.
Okay, here is #1 and my guess is that a large percentage of you will agree with this choice.
So if you were fortunate enough to ride Expedition Everest within the first month or two of the ride opening then you saw the Yeti audioanimatronic figure swoop down and try to grab you from your ride vehicle.
Since then, not so much. Since then, is he moving? Well, it sure looks that way. Oh wait a minute….the strobe lights and the fans make him look like he’s moving…but he’s not. He hasn’t moved for a looong, looong, time.
Is he broken? What is wrong? Why hasn’t he been fixed?
These are questions that have been asked over the last few years and it would seem that, since the biggest draw to this attraction was supposed to be the Yeti. that much would be done to fix this machine. But why is it still idle?
Well, there have been many theories and different stories as to why this portion of Everest has not been fixed.
Of all the stories I have heard, recently several sources have shed some light as to what happened. There may be some credence to what I’ve been told so I’d like to share this with you and have you decide whether or not you believe it.
First and foremost the Yeti is not broken….at least that is what I have been led to believe.
Okay, so if it’s not broken then what is the deal?
Well the problem is a bit complicated. In the first place, the Yeti is a first of its kind audioanimatron…pretty big…pretty heavy…and it was designed to move in a certain way.
Knowing what this machine was to do, WDI had to be concerned with several issues, one of which was how this machine was going to work within the attraction and that means coordinating the construction of the machine along with the venue upon which it would reside.
Apparently, the coordination was off quite a bit.
You see, the Yeti audioanimatronic, when finished, not only weighed more than the original estimate, but that the additional weight meant more force would be exerted when the machine moved.
Now let’s think about this. If you are installing a heavy machine that exerts strong forces onto an area you would take a lot of care in making sure the machine was securely fastened to whatever it needs to be fastened to…right?
One would think…but sometimes theory and number crunching does not come as close to reality as you would hope.
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During the first few weeks of operation, Expedition Everest was operating fine. Sure there may have been a few tweaks needed but noone expected the problem that would surface with the pride and joy of Expedition Everest…the Yeti.
You see, the weight of the machine, plus the forces exerted every time it lunged for the guests, caused some weakening and cracks in the footings that were especially designed to hold this machine in place.
I have heard from a source or two that the footings have been severely damaged and that they have actually started coming out of their perches…not good.
Again, it appears that the number crunching to determine footing structure such as width, depth, size, etc. were off. In many cases it’s a guess and in Disney’s case one would assume that whatever the calculations were, that for safekeeping…they were upped a bit. Still there were problems.
So here’s the problem. To fix the footings they must…you guessed it…remove the Yeti.
Once the Yeti is out of the way the old footings can then be removed, the area prepared for larger, stronger footings, and then the Yeti can be brought back and set in place.
This would not be an easy task….let’s look at the steps:
- Expedition Everest would have to be closed for an extended period of time. My guess would be that it would be closed for at least six months.
- Part of Everest would have to be opened or cut out to remove the Yeti.
- A huge crane would be brought in to remove the Yeti. This would have to be done without the guests seeing this so it would probably be done at night.
- The current footings would have to be removed and an analysis would have to be done to insure that all weakened areas have been identified and fixed
- New footings would have to be installed.
- The Yeti would then be brought back and placed onto the new footings and a significant amount of time would be taken to effectively simulate the daily operation of the audioanimatron to see if the footings work.
- Once there is assurance that all is right then the “mountain” will be put back together and other portions of the ride system as well.
- The attraction reopens.
So that is the latest scuttlebutt on the Yeti. Please note that this information is not official and is based on some “unofficial” information.
So there’s my list.
(first time; long time)
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I had read this post before we went to WDW for our (mostly) annual ‘hurricane trip’ at the end of Aug thru Labor Day, 2011.
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And besides sitting at the end of the center section, row A (prime, ehh?) I DID notice the rather frequent and large dust bunnies that seemed to fly between our seats and the California landscape (within our I-Max-like theatre in Florida).
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I mentioned the mite-y dust flecks to the CM’s as I exited, and they claimed they never noticed them as they watch the video monitors and not the screen. What a crock, ehh?
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5 Dole Whips to 1 EpCot pickle that those dust specks are still on the screen when we get to Epcot this Friday. Happy New Year indeed?
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LOL Doug…ya think that with all the technology it took to build Soarin’ that perhaps, just perhaps…someone would have figured out how to build in some type of a dust buster or blower to blow on the film prior to it hitting the projector light.
Mike
We just returned from a visit to WDW. We were disappointed again, in not seeing the real Yeti. The strobe light doesn’t quite do it. Most people on the ride were not even aware they were missing the actual Yeti.
I would like to know if there are plans for the abandoned restaurant in Epcot located between Futureworld and the World Showcase. I think it was called “Odyssey”.
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You’re right on the name MaryAnn. Currently that space is used for private events.
GREAT blog! I loved the list and I had to laugh, because I thought the Yeti was the shadow. I never even saw the actual one!!!
I agree with everything on your list (except for Carousel of Progress). Being one of the top vacation destinations in the United States, Disney needs to be aware that they are held to higher standards. 99% of the time they deliver HIGH above standard….but it’s time to fix these items.
Why do I not agree w/ Carousel of Progress? Personally, because this was WALTS original design, and I can’t imagine it being any different. I agree, updating attractions is ALWAYS needed, but for some reason, updating this ride for me would take away from the charm. It’s one attraction that is the same, old faithful, year after year. I love it the way it is 🙂
I agree about the dust on Soarin, but they have to fix that Yeti. I find it hard to believe that the Imagineers would have built Expedition Everestt without making it possible to remove the Yeti without touching the main building structure. But I think you’re right about what the problem is…I mean, if they can keep a big running dinosaur anamatronic going, surely they can keep a Yeti that moves from the waste up going; it must be the support structure it sits on.
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Yes…it may not only be dangerous to continue using the Yeti but also to work on him inside the mountain.
Mike
Hi Mike,
I was fortunate to see the Yeti move, it was terrifying! EE is one of my favorite rides at WDW and the ONLY reason I go to AK. In fact DH and I were there in May, got on the AK bus in the early morning, went on EE and left. I heard the same explanation as to why the Yeti no longer moves and am saddened that he may never move again! I agree that if they do decide to fix this, it would be a lengthy project, but well worth it. I mean they closed Space Mountain for 18 months (I think) and to be honest, I see nothing new or exciting about the que or the ride itself. In fact it’s downright boring waiting in line. But we weren’t talking about SM where we? LOL!
As for Soarin’, this too is one of my favorite rides there and I think one of the explanations as to why it flies over DL is because, well, it is from California. But I agree that it should show some sights on the East Coast, such as the Appalachian Mountains, the Statue of Liberty, and of course WDW. I honestly don’t know if I ever noticed the dust on the screen though. I go back in Nov, I’ll have to check it out!
Thanks for the great blogs!
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I would like to believe that there is some effort or plan in place to bring the Yeti back.
I also hope that we see a new Soarin’ film in the next three years.
Mike
Mike,
The film is cleaned every night and usually a few times a day when I last worked there. Has anyone ever noticed the carriages creak? I was told they were built first and they were rained on during a hurricane. The buildings were built around them. There is room to add a third theater and if sponsorship generates enough revenue this is an option to solve the line and issue of fastpass distribution quickly being all given out.
I also worked at Drew Carey’s “Sounds Dangerous” before my time at Star Tours and then transfering over to EPCOT. I’ve hosted the show hundreds of time. Disney should have known better than to give me a stage and a microphone since I am a total “ham”. “Sounds” is really there to help with crowds. No more than a “B” ticket, but many like the temp control on hot or even cold days. You’d also be amazed at what people do in that total darkness…it would curl your hair! For us CM’s working over at Indy it provided a nice relaxing spot to our days. My tenure started after Monsters but I know it required more CM’s to run and that is probably one of the reasons the current show stays in place, it paid for and is really cheap to run.
I do miss it!
Greg
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Greg,
Yes I had heard a few years back about the room for another Soarin’ theater but I don;t expect it to ever happen.
I miss both Monster Sound Stage and Superstar Television and think it was a huge mistake to remove both attractions.
Mike
Oh wow… I had not heard there was so much damage with the Yeti.
But there might be another solution that would be slightly easier. Replace the Yeti with a newer, lighter, more flexible model, one that could be carried into and assembled within the mountain itself so you don’t have to open up the mountain. Old Yeti could be dismantled and carried out. Possibly, a lighter Yeti would be able to make use of the existing (but repaired and re-inforced) footings. Worst case scenario, new footings would have to be installed, but don’t bother removing the existing footings – just put in the new ones that are designed for the new Yeti; the old ones can be covered over with “rocks” if they need to be hidden. This solution might be do-able, if well-planned, during a routine refurbishment, which Disney usually does on every attraction every few years anyway. It would still be pricey, but it’s less down time, and no tearing apart the mountain.
It’s still a fantastic ride, even with a frozen Yeti.
A.D. Johnson
-Littleton, CO
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I think, unfortunately, that to achieve the effect that the imagineers wanted from this machine, that the number of working parts add weight.
M
In reading your steps required to fix the Yeti, I couldn’t help but think “what would Walt do?”. Given his perfectionism, I would think he’d fix the Yeti.
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Michelle, that is a good question. I wish I knew how Walt handled stuff like that in DisneyLand.
Mike
In regards to Chris’s comment about Kilimanjaro, the bridge has been working recently. I had noticed the same problem for quite a while, but we have been there quite a bit in the last couple of months and it has worked every time. 🙂
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Thanks Kristen.
Mike
Soarin definitely needs to be upgraded. Why would one in Disney WORLD want to be flying over DisneyLAND? THey could fly over all 4 parks in Disney World and add more adventurous scenes.
Farm Country… HMMM. smell the fertilizer? lol.
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Megan,
Before Soarin’ opened a friend of mine was told by Dave Smith that the film would be Soarin’ over America…that may come some day.
Mike
As a former CM at Soarin I have to comment on the “dust” on the film. The CM assigned to launch the theater is also in charge of movie quality. If there are issues in projection they have the power to call for a film cleaning into maintenence and it will be resolved. There is a parodox though, a film cleaning take time and that slows the line. During my tenure there, we were always feeling pressure to get guests launched to lower wait times.
Getting the theater launch is a complex ballet of CM and guests that often don’t want to, or because of language understand loading directions. Still, it was fun and the CM there are a great crew!
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Thanks Greg,
I understand the work involved in getting certain attractions “online.” One of my closest CM friends tells me stories of how long it takes to get Splash Mountain rolling.
Still, it seems like even cleaning the film once a month would be nice. Any idea how long that process takes?
Mike
Great list — but I have to add the one that bugs me the most — it’s “Sounds Dangerous” at Hollywood Studios. This is a big waste of space — a non-attraction. Half of it is in the dark!
I remember with fondness the “Monster Sound Show” — it’s time to put something new in this spot.
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Cathy,
I long for the days of Superstar Television and Monster Sound Stage.
Mike
I think possibly the best time to fix the Yeti might be right after the New Year. I realize that would be very unfair to visitors coming during that time of year. But doesn’t Disney do most of their fixing during down times? Possibly these economic times have affected Disney too.
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Connie,
With all the promotions that WDW has come up with over the last ten years there doesn’t seem to be a slow time for the resort. I would, however, agree with you that perhaps late January to late March might work…the question is would 60-90 days be enough time to do the repair?
Mike
To the above poster–as of two months ago the shaking bridge on the Safari was fixed! It really surprised me because it had been broken for so long–I almost got tossed from my seat!
Couldn’t agree more on the Yeti, we’re skipping DAK on our next trip to the world as a “protest” . . . when he worked, it would literally take my breath away, the speed and realism was unbelievable!
Now I would add the monorails to my list for operating for two hours after park close including evening EMH.
Chris – the rocking bridge effect worked when we were there last October, there is a reset time period that if the trucks don’t space out right it will not work, and it has been down for refurb intermittently
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Y’know Dale, you are not the only person who has mentioned to me they were not planning to visit DAK…never heard that said about other parks except young families…they avoid EPCOT.
Mike
Loved your list, Mike. I would suggest an “honorary” addition for Splash Mountain. More often than not, something is non-functional inside this top attraction. Often it is the hopping Br’er Rabbit, or the water spurts that shoot across the tracks in front and in back of each log.
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Rich,
You’re right…too many moving parts. There is only one other attraction I can think of in all of WDW that is more complicated to keep running 100% and that is Test Track.
I have been told by an Imagineer who works at EPCOT that Test Track’s cars are all “mini-attractions” themselves and are challenging to keep running on all cylinders.
Mike
Hey Mike,
Hasn’t the Yetti been moved? I swore when we were there for Marathon Weekend last year he appeared closer to the end of the ride instead of where we remember him being. Also, we noticed him A LOT more than in times past. I remember times where I didn’t even see him but like I said he seemed, to me, to have been moved.
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Tracy,
Have not noticed.
Mike
I agree with Maria on Everest. Would the attraction be better with the origional Yeti? Of course. However, I have never seen it and this is still my favorite Orlando coaster. I have also been on all 4 major Universal coasters and enjoyed them but nothing beats the thrill of going backwards on Everest. Obviously, if Disney feels the cracked footings are a safety hazard they have to fix that but it would be a waste a time to also install another A-mode Yeti unless they can assure it will function properly. If this isn’t the case, they can either keep the B-mode Yeti/shadow or install one like the Matterhorn at DL has. Anyway, great blog series Mike!
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Thanks Andrew.
The thing is that Disney markets the attraction using the Yeti “carrot.” If you are in Orlando, and especially in a WDW resort you will see the commercials where you hear, “He waits…” so why not fix our boy?
Mike
My guess is that the dust in Soarin is not dust on the film but dust on the camera when the film was shot? The only way to remove the dust would be to edit it out, by altering the film, not cleaning the dust off the film. Just a thought.
I would love the Yeti to work but also love the rollercoaster ride itself. But that dust or whatver it is on the screen of Soarin’ is in my opinion inexcusable. Why wouldn’t they fix that? This is an extremely popular ride and that dirt kills the illusion. It’s gotten worse every time I go back and ride. Thanks for the list! Maybe someone will listen.
Nice list Mike. What happened to the bridge at the Kilimanjaro Safari? It used to shake as the safari vehicle would cross, but it hasn’t worked in the last several years that we’ve been. Has it not worked at all, or just intermittently?
The Yeti problems you mention sound like the most logical explanation. I recently watched one of the behind-the-scenes videos that discussed the making of the attraction. Can’t remember the name of the Imagineer (the one who wears the long earrings) but he was talking about how difficult the construction is because the ride is three separate structures — the mountain, rollercoaster and the Yeti, and how they all have to interact without “touching” each other as the mountain has to remain stationary while the rollercoaster has to allow the track to move and the Yeti was its own structure that has to allow for the movement of the Yeti. Unfortunately I do not see the Yeti being fixed for many years, at least not until the popularity of it goes way down. I am going to WDW in 3 weeks so hopefully they don’t start fixing it right away as I would prefer to at least be able to ride even if he doesn’t move. 🙂 The Yeti goes by so quick that it doesn’t destroy the enjoyment of the ride, but it would be nice if it worked.
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Marc,
You must be referring to Joe Rhode.
Don’t worry, I’m sure that if the day comes when repairs begin on the Yeti that we will have plenty of advanced notice.
Mike
Well done…..I must say that the fans give you a little impression like he is moving.
However, as you said, if you were one that rode this early on you saw how he swooped down and swung at you and I do miss that.
Oh and I know you breifly mentioned it with the Noodle station, but I will again ask “what the heck” when it comes to El Pirata, or should I say Tortuga Tavern.
Oh, my goodness! I’ve been complaining about the dust on Soarin’, too! My husband told me I was just being picky, but I would think they could clean in there a little better. 🙂
Hello Mike, thanks for showing us what the Yeti actually looks like. We have ridden this ride most years since its debut and to this day have never seen the Yeti. We all thought that it was just that shadow image on a back projection screen that you see in part of the ride and always wondered what the big deal was. So thanks for sharing and showing us what we have been missing. I would like to see it sorted along with many others, Wonders of life would be my number one and upstairs above Figment. Nostagia is always rose tinted but we all feel the best time for us was our first trip in 2000. Best wishes from Yorkshire and ps, I still have the pin that you gave us in the American Pavillion