Overview
- Disney confirmed the restoration at D23 on Saturday, announcing the long-dormant 25-foot Yeti will be returned to active status after operating in a stationary “B‑mode” since 2007.
- Company speakers staged a celebratory reveal at the Disney Experiences showcase and did not provide a schedule, dates for ride closure, or say whether the original animatronic will be repaired or replaced.
- The Yeti stopped full-motion operation after its original hydraulic movements damaged the ride’s internal support structure, a problem that forced Imagineers to use a strobe-based illusion for nearly two decades.
- Trade and fan outlets report that Imagineering has explored modern composites, advanced servomotors, and localized dampers as possible fixes, but those technical approaches have not been confirmed by Disney.
- Restoring the figure will likely require significant structural work and ride downtime, and the announcement sets expectations that Disney will issue further engineering and timeline details before guests are impacted.