Disney recently revealed more details about various ride updates and new additions in progress as its theme parks continue to expand globally. Disney World in particular is seeing changes at all four theme parks. Much of this news included more concrete details for previously announced large-scale additions. However, some of these announcements were surprise changes coming to the parks.
One of those surprise changes announced was a refurbishment to a key portion of a fan-favorite ride at Animal Kingdom. One of the original Imagineers behind the project has commented on this upgrade. Keep reading to see the statement and what exactly this change will entail! Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including new details for the replacement of a Disneyland dining location and the best hotel breakfast near Disneyland that guests miss.
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Original Animator Comments on Fixing the Yeti Animatronic
The Yeti animatronic inside of Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom has been stationary for years. The figure was originally supposed to lunge towards guests as they sped past in the final scene of the roller coaster. This animation, however, came with a plethora of technical issues that left Imagineers stumped. To create the illusion of movement, they installed strobe lights around the Yeti figure. This effect has led to an endearing nickname for the 25-foot animatronic: the Disco Yeti.
At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney announced that they would finally fix the animatronic with some upgraded technology so that the Yeti can move as was originally intended. The original animator, Ethan Reed, released a statement on his Instagram following the news:
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“I’m genuinely thrilled to hear that the original Yeti figure at WDW will finally be animated again.
I was fortunate to be the animator on the figure during development and pre-programming, so l spent a lot of time with this beast. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the attraction for final installation and integration because I was busy helping get the cast of characters for Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue finished up. But the Yeti was still a pretty big part of my life for a while, and I did get to see him functioning beautifully in the attraction once.
It’s been strange for nearly 20 years, knowing that the Yeti was sitting there, essentially waiting for its chance to come back to life. I’ve also carried a little regret about suggesting the strobe effect for the B-show, which ultimately replaced the motion our team created.
So I’m really happy to see the Walt Disney World and Walt Disney Imagineering teams bringing our Yeti back to life. Huge kudos to everyone involved in making it happen.
And an even bigger shout out to whoever had the genius idea to have Gloria Gaynor sing “I Will Survive” for the big reveal.
There’s a fun little full circle moment for me in all of this. I distinctly remember sitting there in 2005 with my Sony Discman, animating this beast and listening to the Man on the Moon soundtrack, including Tony Clifton’s wonderfully bizarre version of “I Will Survive.”
I’m really looking forward to seeing the Yeti move again.”
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As beloved as the Disco Yeti is to Disney World fans, it will be fantastic to see the animatronic working as Imagineers first intended in the future. Disney has not yet released a timeline for this refurbishment.
Once the Yeti animatronic is fully functioning as designed, the roller coaster will truly be able to fully embody the storyline it lays out for guests. Riders board a train that goes both forwards and backwards into Mount Everest, hoping to get a glimpse of the infamous Yeti, only to come face to face with him at the very end. Adding the animation to the animatronic will enhance that final encounter by finally having the Yeti jump towards guests.
You can see our coverage of all D23 announcements and news here.
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