If Someone Could Explain to Us What's Happening With This Disney's Animal Kingdom Ride, That'd Be Great

What’s going on with the Yeti in Expedition Everest? Seriously, we’d love some answers.

Expedition Everest has been one of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s crown jewels since it opened in 2006. But for nearly two decades, the ride’s headline animatronic – the massive Yeti – has been, well, not exactly functional. So, what happened? Why hasn’t it been fixed? And will it ever go back to the jaw-dropping figure it was hyped to be? Let’s dive into the mystery of Disco Yeti.

A Quick Recap of Expedition Everest

For those who might be unfamiliar, Expedition Everest is a pretty thrilling roller coaster at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The ride invites guests to embark on an “expedition” through the Himalayan mountains, weaving through icy peaks and plummeting down steep drops, all while being pursued by a mythical Yeti determined to protect its territory.

When the ride opened, it was celebrated not just for its exhilarating coaster design, but for its incredible storytelling and theming. The Himalayan village you wander through in the queue, the dramatic ascent to the top of the mountain, and the sudden backward plunge into darkness is all crafted to make you feel like you’re part of an adventure straight out of a movie.

At the center of it all was the Yeti animatronic, which was supposed to be the ultimate climactic moment. Towering at 25 feet tall, this beast was designed to swipe at riders as they sped through its cavern, and it was touted as the most advanced animatronic Disney had ever built. But here’s the thing: that jaw-dropping encounter didn’t last long.

The Rise (and Fall) of the Yeti

When Expedition Everest opened, the Yeti wowed guests with its size, movement, and realism. The animatronic could move five feet vertically and 18 inches horizontally, creating a lifelike “swiping” motion that made it feel like the beast was genuinely coming for you. The pre-opening hype was massive – Discovery Channel even aired documentaries showcasing the Yeti as a technical marvel.

©Discovery Networks

Unfortunately, this marvel turned out to have a major design flaw. Just a few months after the ride’s debut, the Yeti’s movements were scaled back dramatically. Soon after, the animatronic stopped moving altogether. Instead of scrapping the Yeti entirely, Disney activated what they call “B-Mode.” In this mode, the Yeti remains stationary while strobe lights flash around it, creating the illusion of movement. This is how the nickname “Disco Yeti” was born.

What’s the Problem?

So, what went wrong? Why can’t Disney just fix the Yeti? The problem boils down to the ride’s structural design.

The Expedition Everest attraction is essentially built as three separate structures: the mountain exterior, the roller coaster track, and the Yeti’s support tower. When the animatronic was operating in full A-Mode (with its full range of motion), it reportedly caused stress and damage to the ride’s foundation. In short, the Yeti was too powerful for its own good.

The Yeti in flashing light action

Fixing this issue isn’t as simple as flipping a switch or replacing a part. According to Disney Imagineering legend Joe Rohde (the creative mind behind Expedition Everest and much of Animal Kingdom), repairing the Yeti would require a massive refurbishment. This would involve dismantling parts of the mountain, accessing the animatronic’s tower, and reworking its foundation – a process that would likely require closing the ride for an extended period of time.

At a 2013 fan expo, Rohde addressed the issue, saying, “You have to understand, it’s a giant complicated machine sitting on top of a 46-foot tall tower in the middle of a finished building. It’s really hard to fix, but we are working on it.”

While Rohde assured fans that fixing the Yeti was on his list of priorities, he retired from Disney in 2021, leaving the Disco Yeti unresolved.

Why Hasn’t Disney Fixed It?

The decision not to repair the Yeti likely comes down to cost and logistics. Closing Expedition Everest for months (or even years) would be a major disruption for Animal Kingdom, a park that already has a smaller lineup of major attractions compared to other Disney parks.

There’s also the question of whether the investment would be worth it. While the Disco Yeti has become something of a running joke among Disney fans, it hasn’t stopped guests from flocking to Expedition Everest. The ride remains one of Animal Kingdom’s most popular attractions, with wait times often hovering around an hour or more on busy days.

Disney seems to have decided that the ride is still successful enough in its current state, and that the cost and downtime required to fix the Yeti just don’t make sense.

The Big Question: Is It Worth Fixing?

This brings us to the big debate: Should Disney invest the time and money to fix the Yeti? On one hand, repairing the animatronic would bring Expedition Everest back to its original vision, giving guests the climactic, immersive encounter they were promised when the ride opened. It would also be a major win for Disney fans who’ve been rooting for the Yeti’s comeback for nearly two decades.

Disco Yeti!

On the other hand, the ride is still wildly popular in its current state, and fixing the Yeti would likely require a long closure that could frustrate guests and disrupt the park’s operations.

It’s a tough call, and there’s no clear answer. But one thing’s for sure: the Disco Yeti has become a beloved (if unintentional) part of Disney history, and its story is far from over.

So, what do you think? Should Disney go all-in on fixing the Yeti, or is the Disco Yeti charming enough as-is? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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