Overview
- Disney told fans at D23 in August 2026 that it would “fix” the Expedition Everest Yeti, a figure that has run in nonmoving 'B mode' with strobe lights since soon after the ride opened in 2006.
- Former Imagineer Joe Rohde said on the Welcome Home Podcast that Disney plans to replace the existing Yeti rather than repair the original animatronic.
- Rohde said the decision reflects a cracked foundation and other mechanical problems that make in‑place repair impractical, plus high costs and tight installation windows on a very popular operating ride.
- Neither Rohde nor Disney has outlined what movements or behaviors a new Yeti will have, and Disney has not announced ride closure dates or a debut timeline for the replacement.
- If carried out, the replacement would close a two‑decade-running issue that fans and creators have long pressed to resolve, but the project still faces major engineering, financial, and scheduling challenges.