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As we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, attention turns 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 the Park that has always drawn the attention of Disney fans since its debut: the Yeti of the Forbidden Mountain.
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:
It's a good day to watch this clip about the INSANE original mechanics of the Expedition Everest Yeti (RIP).
The video features Joe Rohde and is from "Building A Thrill Ride: Expedition Everest," which aired on Discovery Channel on April 10, 2006. pic.twitter.com/g5SMFBSxqs
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 23, 2023
“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.
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.
We at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on Disney Parks news and stories as more developments come to light.
