Disney Fans Hold Their Breath for a Big Expedition Everest Overhaul After Major Fixes

When Animal Kingdom first opened its doors in 1998, it was a revelation for Disney fans. With its lush landscapes and close-up encounters with giraffes, zebras, and gorillas, it was clear that Disney had redefined the theme park experience. But Animal Kingdom wasn’t just about wildlife—it was about immersing guests in thrilling adventures, too.

By the time Pandora: The World of Avatar arrived in 2017, things were looking even brighter. Still, many visitors still view Animal Kingdom as a “half-day park,” with some wondering if it’s possible to spend an entire day there, even if you hit a few long lines.

Related: 10 Q&A’s for Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom

While the park has plenty to offer, one attraction has remained a fan favorite from the very beginning: Expedition Everest.

A Wild Ride Through the Himalayas

When Expedition Everest was announced in 2003, fans were hyped. Disney promised an adventure through the Himalayas where guests would come face-to-face with a terrifying and mythical creature—the Yeti. It wasn’t just the thrill of the coaster that had everyone buzzing, but the cutting-edge technology behind it.

Imagineers went all-out, designing one of their most sophisticated animatronic figures yet: a Yeti that could move and interact with riders as the coaster raced through the mountainside.

On April 7, 2006, Expedition Everest opened to much fanfare, quickly becoming one of the park’s most exhilarating attractions. The combination of thrilling drops, intense twists, and, of course, the Yeti made it a must-do on many guests’ vacation itineraries.

However, after just two years, something went terribly wrong.

The Yeti’s Disappearance

Despite the early excitement, the Yeti animatronic malfunctioned, and it has been “broken” ever since. Fans have been eagerly waiting for the day when this iconic feature will return to its former glory, but after years of inaction, it feels like a distant dream.

Related: Discovering the Secrets Hiding Within Disney’s Terrifying Everest Roller Coaster

Yet, recent events have reignited hope among fans that the Yeti might finally make a comeback.

In recent years, Disney has made headlines for fixing some of its most notorious broken attractions. At Disneyland, Imagineers managed to restore the broken moving cannon feature on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance after nearly six years of downtime.

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, they even revived the dripping water feature on the Tower of Terror, a nostalgic touch that had been absent for over 20 years.

Related: Tower of Terror vs. Haunted Mansion: Which is Better?

With these fixes, fans are starting to wonder—could the Yeti be next?

The Challenges of Fixing the Yeti

While fans’ hopes are high, fixing the Yeti is no simple feat. According to Imagineers, restoring this massive animatronic would require a complete overhaul of the ride.

The Yeti, originally designed to be a huge and heavy animatronic, was too powerful for the structure of the roller coaster. Its movement actually started to affect the ride’s integrity, making it unsafe to operate.

Former Imagineer Joe Rohde, the visionary behind Animal Kingdom and Expedition Everest, shared that fixing the Yeti would require a perfect alignment of factors—financing, operational planning, and marketing strategies.

Unfortunately, with so many elements involved, Rohde has stated that the chances of the Yeti returning are slim. It’s not that there aren’t solutions, but rather that the right opportunities have never aligned.

Rohde, who left Disney in 2021, was the one who helped bring Expedition Everest to life, so his departure has left many wondering if we’ll ever see the Yeti in action again.

Disney has a history of surprises, and though it may seem like a long shot, there’s always a glimmer of hope that the Yeti could return. The thrill of Expedition Everest just isn’t the same without it—its mythical presence has become a symbol of Animal Kingdom’s wild adventures.

But is it time for Disney to finally give the Yeti the attention it deserves?

Some fans believe the ride is still just as thrilling without the Yeti, while others feel that its return would elevate the experience to new heights. Could fixing the Yeti be a priority for Disney in the near future? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure—Animal Kingdom’s guests won’t stop dreaming of the day when the Yeti roars again.

What do you think — should Disney invest in restoring the Yeti, or should they focus on other improvements? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!