One of Disney’s most famous Audio-Animatronics figures is finally getting a major update.
During D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum announced that the Yeti inside Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be brought back to life.
For longtime Disney fans, this is a big one.
The massive Yeti figure has been one of the most talked-about elements of Expedition Everest since the attraction opened. Disney did not share technical details or a timeline for the update, but the announcement confirms that work is planned to restore more movement to the legendary creature.
Expedition Everest’s Yeti Returns to the Spotlight
The Yeti is central to the story of Expedition Everest, which sends guests deep into the Forbidden Mountain after boarding an old tea train.
Throughout the queue and attraction, guests encounter signs that something is not quite right, from torn tracks to evidence of the mythical creature hidden throughout the mountain.
The ride builds toward the final encounter with the Yeti, making the figure one of the most memorable pieces of the entire attraction.
Disney even gave the longtime Yeti a fitting D23 send-off, with Gloria Gaynor performing “I Will Survive” during the announcement.
It was a fun way to reveal something Disney fans have been hoping to hear for years.
What We Know So Far
Disney has only confirmed that the Yeti is being “brought back to life” and has not yet revealed exactly what changes will be made or when guests can expect to see the updated figure.
Still, seeing Disney invest in one of Animal Kingdom’s most iconic attractions is exciting, especially as the park continues to evolve with Tropical Americas and other major projects on the way.
Expedition Everest remains one of our favorite attractions at Walt Disney World, and having a more dynamic Yeti encounter should make that final race through the mountain even better.
More details are expected as Disney moves forward with the project.
Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she’s been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she’s not at a theme park, she’s probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.