Disney World Guests Call Legendary Ride “A Complete Failure”

Disney World has plenty of attractions that guests treat like vacation priorities. The kind of rides people plan their entire day around. But right now, one of the resort’s most famous headliners is catching unexpected criticism from fans—and it’s not just random complaining.

This attraction still pulls long lines and still carries a legendary reputation. But instead of walking away thrilled, more and more guests are leaving with that quiet disappointment that feels worse than outright frustration. The experience doesn’t feel as sharp as it used to, and longtime fans are noticing.

What makes it even more noticeable is that Disney World has been raising the bar across the entire resort. When guests compare this ride to newer blockbusters, they’re starting to ask a question that used to feel impossible.

Does it still deserve its iconic status?

Disney World’s Biggest Headliners

Disney World has built its reputation on blockbuster attractions that dominate wait times and define vacations.

At Magic Kingdom, TRON Lightcycle / Run delivers one of the resort’s most futuristic coaster experiences, while Space Mountain continues to draw massive demand decades after it opened.

At EPCOT, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has become one of the most talked-about rides on the property. Frozen Ever After remains a primary crowd magnet, consistently drawing long waits due to its popularity with families.

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the park is packed with headliners. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance remains one of Disney’s most ambitious attractions ever built, while Slinky Dog Dash remains one of the most in-demand rides for guests looking for a family-friendly thrill.

And at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Avatar: Flight of Passage continues to feel like a true bucket-list experience for many visitors.

These attractions set the modern standard for Disney headliners: smooth thrills, immersive storytelling, and memorable moments that feel worth the wait.

Animal Kingdom Still Feels Like Disney World’s “Odd One Out”

Animal Kingdom has always felt different from the other parks. It’s beautiful, and the atmosphere is unmatched, but even fans admit it’s often the park that guests cut first when they don’t have enough vacation days.

The reason is simple: fewer rides. Animal Kingdom leans heavily into animal exhibits, walking trails, and immersive environments. Those experiences are great, but they don’t always satisfy guests who want nonstop attractions all day long.

Pandora – The World of Avatar helped change everything. It gave the park a major boost in demand and instantly made Animal Kingdom feel more like a must-visit destination.

Now Disney is preparing to add the upcoming Tropical Americas land, which should bring even more energy and help spread crowds.

But before Pandora ever existed, Animal Kingdom already had a thrill ride that carried the park for years.

Expedition Everest Was Once Animal Kingdom’s Signature Attraction

For a long time, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain was the ride that defined Animal Kingdom. It wasn’t just a coaster. It was a full adventure experience built into a towering mountain.

The queue alone felt like its own storyline, packed with details that made guests feel like they were joining a Himalayan expedition. Then the ride launched into intense drops, sharp turns, and fast pacing, delivering one of Disney’s most thrilling coaster experiences.

For years, Everest wasn’t just popular. Many fans considered it one of the best coasters Disney World had ever built.

The Yeti Was the Ride’s Most Famous Moment

The biggest reason Expedition Everest became legendary was the Yeti animatronic.

When the ride originally operated as designed, the Yeti didn’t just appear in the finale. It lunged forward and swiped at riders, creating a moment that felt genuinely intense. That scene became the ride’s signature payoff and the reason guests talked about it for years.

But after the Yeti began malfunctioning, Disney shut off the animatronic’s full movement. Today, the Yeti still appears, but it remains mostly stationary, with strobe lighting creating the illusion of motion.

Longtime fans immediately notice the difference, and many feel the ride has lost its most exciting part of its storyline.

Guests Say the Ride Feels Rougher Than It Used To

The missing Yeti movement is the most talked-about issue, but it’s not the only complaint.

More and more guests have pointed out that Expedition Everest feels rougher than it used to. Roller coasters naturally wear down over time, and when a ride loses smoothness, it changes the entire experience. Instead of feeling like a polished Disney thrill ride, some guests say it now feels more aggressive and uncomfortable, especially in the sharper turns.

That combination has led many fans to describe the attraction as a shell of its former self.

Disney Fans Want Everest Fixed

That’s why so many guests want Disney to restore Expedition Everest. Disney has proven it can still build incredible animatronics and modern ride effects, and fans believe fixing Everest shouldn’t be impossible.

Yes, restoring the Yeti could require a significant refurbishment and extended downtime. But many guests argue it would be worth it, especially since Everest remains one of Animal Kingdom’s most important attractions.

Fans also want Disney to smooth the ride out again and bring back the thrill experience that once made Everest feel elite.

An Icon That Deserves Better

Expedition Everest is still a great attraction. The mountain is iconic, the story is strong, and the coaster layout remains exciting. But it’s easy to understand why guests are calling it a shell of its former self.

The ride lost its most famous moment when the Yeti stopped swiping at riders, and the rougher ride experience has only made the decline more noticeable. If Animal Kingdom is truly transforming with Tropical Americas and continued expansion, restoring Everest could be one of the smartest moves Disney could make.

Because a ride this legendary shouldn’t feel like it’s slowly being left behind.