Disney Prepares to Fix 'Disco Yeti' on Expedition Everest, Plans Major Shutdown
Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park is planning to shut down its Expedition Everest attraction in late 2027 or early 2028 for a major renovation. The coaster has been plagued by issues with its Yeti animatronic, which was initially intended to move vertically and horizontally as riders passed underneath it.
The Yeti's movement became severely limited only months after the attraction opened in 2006, leading Disney to illuminate the stationary figure with strobe lights, creating the 'Disco Yeti' effect. Now, nearly two decades later, Disney is finally addressing the issue.
The company confirmed plans to fix the Yeti at its 2026 D23 Ultimate Fan Event, where Gloria Gaynor even helped give the 'Disco Yeti' a farewell performance. The renovation will likely coincide with the opening of Tropical Americas, which is currently under construction and replacing DinoLand U.S.A.
The timing allows Disney to temporarily remove Expedition Everest from the lineup without leaving Animal Kingdom dangerously short on major attractions. However, it's unclear how long the coaster will remain closed or whether the existing animatronic will be repaired, rebuilt, or replaced.