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Remember When This Animal Kingdom Attraction Still Worked Properly?

Just a year ago, we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park; and our attention turned to its greatest attributes. From the trails of Kilimanjaro Safaris to the towering mountains of Pandora – The World of Avatar.

But there has always been one part of Animal Kingdom that has always drawn the attention of Disney fans since its debut: the Yeti of the Forbidden Mountain.

expedition-everest-yeti
Credit: Disney

The mythical beast that guests meet face to face when they embark on Expedition Everest was one of the biggest animatronics and most realistic ever devised. But when it first opened, the creature actually moved.

Shortly after opening, though, the animatronic broke the Yeti has remained still in its freeze frame position as strobe lights flashed around him–giving him the nickname the “disco yeti.”

But many fans still remember that it once moved. And theme park Insider Scott Gustin shared a clip from Discover Channel.

Check it out:

“This yeti,” Former Imagineer Joe Rodhe said in 2006, “is the single biggest dynamic figure that has ever been built. There is nothing that is this big, that moves this fast in the world of animation. It’s really pretty cool.”

The clip also shared some cool facts about the machine, about how the thrust of the motor controlling the Yeti was greater than a 747 airliner.

The Yeti
Credit: Disney

Unfortunately, it has been reported that most of the Expedition Everest roller coaster would have to be taken apart in order to fix the animatronic, and cost way more than what it would be worth.

However, fans are still holding out hope that the dynamic, lifelike actions we see in this clip from 2006 will be enjoyed once again. Only time will tell what will happen.

A close-up of a character resembling neytiri from avatar, with vibrant blue skin and tribal markings, beside an image of a large, lush, twisting tree in a tropical landscape under a partly cloudy sky.
Credit: Disney Fanatic

We at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on Disney Parks news and stories as more developments come to light.

T.K. Bosacki

Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, TK Bosacki is a professional writer, amateur adventurer, and lifelong Disney Fanatic. His Disney Park days include Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Nomad Lounge. He believes in starting at the Canada pavilion (IYKYK), and the Monorail is superior to all Ferry Boats.

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