Disney Reveals That Expedition Everest's Yeti Will Get Fixed

Disney has confirmed that the Yeti animatronic inside Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom is finally being repaired, ending a run of almost 20 years stuck in a flashing, strobe-lit "B-mode" - AKA Disco Yeti. No closure date or repair timeline has been confirmed yet.

What Has Disney Announced About The Expedition Everest Yeti?

The reveal happened on the "Horizons: A Carousel of Progress" stage at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, presented by Visa. Neil Patrick Harris was mid-segment as host when Thomas Mazloum stepped in with the announcement.

"We're bringing the Yeti back to life inside Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom."

- Thomas Mazloum, Chairman, Disney Experiences, D23, 15th August 2026

To mark the moment, disco legend Gloria Gaynor appeared on stage to perform her 1978 hit "I Will Survive" as a send-off to the strobe-lit version of the Yeti that riders have known for two decades.

Why Has The Expedition Everest Yeti Not Moved Since 2006?

Expedition Everest opened at Disney's Animal Kingdom on 7th April 2006, and the Yeti animatronic inside it was, at the time, the largest and most complex Audio-Animatronic figure Walt Disney Imagineering had ever built. It was designed to lunge at passing trains as they raced through the mountain.

Within months of opening, reports at the time described structural stress building up in the framing that holds the figure in place, caused by the sheer force of the animatronic's own movement. Rather than risk damage to the ride structure, Disney switched the Yeti to what's known internally as "B-mode", where the figure stays still and a strobe light effect is used instead, giving the impression of movement to riders speeding past in the dark. Fans nicknamed it "Disco Yeti".

If you've ridden Expedition Everest any time in the last 20 years, the strobe-lit Yeti might well be the only version you'll have experienced.

What Is Expedition Everest At Disney's Animal Kingdom?

For anyone who hasn't ridden it, Expedition Everest sits inside a nearly 200-foot mountain built to resemble the northwest face of Mount Everest, with design details drawn from geology found in Tibet and Nepal.

It's one of the more atmospheric attractions at Walt Disney World, Yeti fully working or not. Planning your visit? See the latest Walt Disney World holiday deals here and build Disney's Animal Kingdom into your itinerary.

When Will The Expedition Everest Yeti Repair Happen?

Disney hasn't confirmed a repair timeline, a closure date, or how long Expedition Everest will need to shut for. Given the scale of the original animatronic and the structural issues that caused the switch to B-mode in the first place, a project of this size would typically need proper engineering time. However, we speculate that it won't be closed until Tropical Americas (including the new Encanto ride) is open in 2027 or 2028.

What we do know is that this is the first time Disney has publicly committed to fixing the figure rather than just discussing the idea, which past comments from Imagineers suggest has been on the table for years without ever quite getting the green light.

What Does This Mean For UK Visitors Booking Walt Disney World?

If you've already got a Walt Disney World holiday booked, or you're planning one for 2026 or 2027, there's nothing you need to change right now. No closure has been announced, so Expedition Everest should keep running as normal, strobe-lit Yeti and all, until Disney says otherwise.

Comparing flight and package options for your Orlando trip? See Virgin Holidays Walt Disney World packages here, or check TUI's Orlando options here as an alternative.

For more on getting the best price on your trip, our Walt Disney World offers guide for UK guests and Disney World tickets guide for Brits are both worth a read before you book.

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Expedition Everest Yeti: Your Questions Answered

Is the Expedition Everest Yeti definitely being fixed?
Yes. Thomas Mazloum, Chairman of Disney Experiences, confirmed the repair live on stage at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on 15th August 2026.

When will Expedition Everest close for the Yeti repair?
Disney hasn't confirmed a closure date or repair timeline. We'll update this article as soon as more details are announced.

Why has the Yeti not moved since Expedition Everest opened?
The animatronic caused structural stress on the mountain when it operated at full motion, leading Disney to switch it to a static "B-mode" with strobe lighting shortly after the ride opened on 7th April 2006.

What is "Disco Yeti"?
It's the nickname fans gave to the static Yeti figure, since strobe lighting was used instead of movement to suggest the creature was lunging at passing trains.

Where was the Yeti repair announcement made?
At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, on the "Horizons: A Carousel of Progress" stage, presented by Visa.

Did anything else happen at the announcement?
Yes. Disco singer Gloria Gaynor performed her 1978 hit "I Will Survive" as a send-off to the strobe-lit Yeti era.

Does this affect Walt Disney World bookings for UK visitors right now?
No. Since there's no confirmed closure date, current or planned trips to Animal Kingdom aren't affected.

Keep an eye on this space as we find out more about when Disco Yeti finally hangs up its strobe light for good. In the meantime, if you're planning your own Walt Disney World trip, check the latest Walt Disney World holiday prices here.