Yeti temporary fix begun

[Strmchsr]

Unannounced, the Yeti at the end of EE was covered by a large screen on Friday. I spoke to my aunt who works in DAK and was told it'll be that way through at least mid-June. So, those of you going in the next few weeks, you won't see the final Yeti at all. I called my Imagineer friends and they said it's not a full fix back to the "A" status (which hasn't been seen consistently in some time). They are just trying to restore some movement to the head and arm. So, basically, it's a patch job for now. I asked about going back to full A status and was told EE would probably have to close for 4-6 months for a major refurb for that to happen and they're not ready to do that yet, though it will probably happen in the not too distant future.

[#1donaldfan]

I'd love to see him go back to the "A" mode, but any movement is cool....I sure hope when they plan the "big overhaul" it's not during one of our visits....we just love that ride...everything about it !!!!

[i'm grumpy]

Yikes! Our fast pass was near closing time and we couldn't get back to it.

[AJ Springfield]

Drats!! We will be there in a couple weeks and this is a ride we had never been on before. I am glad that it is not closed, though.

[WDWdriver]

With the scrim now in place engineers can finally get a detailed look at the yeti's foundation and movement mechanisms. They expect to restore movement to the head and the arm that reaches out toward the trains. But movement at the waist and upper torso will have to wait for a more permanent fix.

[LudwigVonDrake]

About time they've made an attempt to fix the Yeti. It's been broken for too long

[DisneyLuver91]

If it's any consolation to first-time riders, you are going waaaaay to fast to really see the Yeti.

[Ian]

I need to don my flame retardant suit for this comment, but here goes anyway ...

You see that silly yeti for such a ridiculously short period of time that I'd rather they not spend a significant amount of cash that could be spent elsewhere reparing it.

There. I said it. Flame away!

[Brownie54]

No flames here Ian. I have to say I agree.

[Fastpasssteve]

I have to admit, the first few times I rode EE, I didn't even see the darned thing! Everything moves so fast.

[DizneyRox]

I need to don my flame retardant suit for this comment, but here goes anyway ...

You see that silly yeti for such a ridiculously short period of time that I'd rather they not spend a significant amount of cash that could be spent elsewhere reparing it.

There. I said it. Flame away!

You see, they spent so much money hyping the darn thing though, it really should work as expected. If memory serves me right, there were 4 shows produced about the Yeti on Discoery/Travel channel, etc. It's the only real e-ticket in AK...

The Yeti should be seen more than it's designed for I think, that the main element is out of commission is pretty sad. It's more about Disney standards at this point, let this go, and they might as well conceed they are no longer a high end brand (which is true, but they won't admit it)...

[DisneyorBust]

I agree with DisneyRox, with all of the hype it really should work as designed.
As far as the cash expenditure for repair, do we know who is responsible? Design flaw? Engineering failure? Construction mistake?
If the problem does not belong to WDW, perhaps the costs will be funded by the responsible party.

[Goofy4TheWorld]

If the problem does not belong to WDW, perhaps the costs will be funded by the responsible party.

The company that made the mistake has gone out of business.

[Strmchsr]

Well, after spending the weekend looking at it they decided to delay things for a while (didn't specify "a while.") They took the scrim down for now. No word on when/if they will do the patch job for now or if they will wait to do the full refurb. I guess they're going to spend the next week or so debating that. So, that means you'll see "frozen Yeti" until further notice.

[Belle_0717]

The company that made the mistake has gone out of business.

Wonder if that is WHY they went out of business. You really have to look for the Yeti and I have to say I have always seen him. Those who don't know what to expect from the ride probably are anticipating too much and miss him. This is my favorite ride - can't wait to get on in 151 days. Haven't ridden since Oct 08 - it was down in May 09 and I was PREGO in Nov 09. Can't wait to get back.

[Ms. Mode]

Well, I agree that you only see him for a second..BUT...the first time we were on EE the Yeti just reached out so far it was GREAT!

While I miss that, I would miss the ride even more if they closed it down while I was at WDW.

[ERJDriver]

I need to don my flame retardant suit for this comment, but here goes anyway ...

You see that silly yeti for such a ridiculously short period of time that I'd rather they not spend a significant amount of cash that could be spent elsewhere reparing it.

There. I said it. Flame away!

Ian,

While I agree that you only see the Yeti for a few seconds, this is a dangerous path to start down. This same arguement could be made for any of the little details that make disney disney. The fact that they're willing to spend money on small details, that many people never even notice, is why we all love it so much.

[TikiLounger]

Way back when, seeing the Yeti in A mode was the best! I'm just glad they're holding off on covering him up for just a bit longer. We'll be there in a couple of weeks and we'd rather see him doing nothing than not at all. I hope they take a while to decide what to do...just think on it for at least a few more weeks...please.

[MaxPower]

Maybe the recent smoke and mirrors version of the Yeti in B mode is making people forget that in A mode, you have a theatrically-lit, HUGE monster hanging over you, tilting his roaring head back and swiping at your car as you ride by. It's a great effect.

Yes, you are moving quickly, but I'm surprised at the posts claiming that you "barely see him." I think a lot of them must have their eyes closed.

[#1donaldfan]

I see both sides of this "debate"....

1. spend, to keep up with the "little details"

2. save, to allot somewhere else....

both sides have great arguments.....I'm torn on this one........???