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Good News: Cast Member Provides Update on ‘Everest’ Reopening

Expedition Everest
Credit: TK Bosacki/Disney Fanatic

In the Asia corner of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain still sits closed. Closing earlier this year, the attraction is expected to remain shuttered until May 1 as Guests’ chance to embark on an Everest expedition and come face-to-face with the Yeti undergoes deep maintenance. But it appears there is a chance that the E-Ticket attraction will reopen much sooner.

Expedition Everest

While visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, this writer stopped to talk to a Cast Member standing guard at the queue’s “base camp” entrance. He told me that while there have been some downtimes, this was the first major round of maintenance Expedition Everest has undergone since it opened. Attention is being paid to several aspects, from touching up the impressively immersive queue to updating ride software and safety measures.

On its website, the Walt Disney World Resort tells Guests to expect Expedition Everest to remain closed for at least the first half of April. But, a Disney World Cast Member told me that Walt Disney Imagineers are aiming for a reopening in mid-April (April 10 – 17, 2022), saying that if progress is kept on schedule, Disney World Guests could see Expedition Everest reopening Easter Weekend.

Yeti, Expedition Everest

Credit: Disney

Related: CONFIRMED: Fan-Favorite Show Segment Returning to Animal Kingdom

For those still hoping for Yeti refurbishments, the Cast Member shot down our hopes that the mountain’s guardian will regain his movement. Echoing that such an undertaking would take six months to a full year.

More on Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest

Credit: Disney

From Walt Disney Imagineering icon Joe Rohde, Disney fans take in the thrill of an expedition to Mt Everest without having to spend the time and money of a real climber and avoiding the very real dangers like climbing at high altitude and the Khumbu Icefall. The attraction takes its place along other iconic “Mountain” attractions like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom and the Matterhorn at Disneyland Park. Its centerpiece is a massive and ultra-realistic yeti animatronic that has been unable to move for years. Due to the strobe lights that surround it, it has been nicknamed “Disco Yeti” by Disney fans.

Closing in January for refurbishment, The Walt Disney World Resort describes Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain as the following:

Yeti or Not, Here He Comes!

Wander into a Tibetan village at the base of Mount Everest and board a train to the “top of the world.” Beware: Some say a legendary snow monster lives deep in the mountain.

After a steep ascent, your train picks up speed and races into the darkness. Without warning, a broken and twisted track appears in front of you. Brace yourself as you plummet backward into total darkness. Inside the cavern, the mythical tale comes true as you see the shadow of a massive, growling beast!

Race to escape the cursed mountain—before the Yeti claims another expedition.

It should be noted that this new projected timeline remains just that: projections. We at Disney Fanatic will continue to stay on this story and will update our readers as more official information comes to light.

About 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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