Is the Yeti still not working?

I'll let those more knowledgeable than I explain why the arm of the Yeti stopped working and why they haven't been able to fix it. They've installed clever strobe-like lighting to make it appear that he's moving, but I can confirm that as of last month, the Yeti is still down.

I watched the same thing this morning on the history channel. They mentioned something about building everything at the same time. So I assumed since the built the Mountain around the yeti they had no way to get it out. But why repairs can't be made I don't really understand. That clip made it look really cool and we went shortly after it first opened and my husband said it did actually look like that. Its a shame they don't get it back up and running.

Yeti is not fixed... There are plans to fix it, but no one wants to pay for it... And the plans they have actually involves no down time.. Imagine that huh?

DizneyFreak2002;2454634 wrote: Yeti is not fixed... There are plans to fix it, but no one wants to pay for it... And the plans they have actually involves no down time.. Imagine that huh?
Ya know if it was up to me (assuming I was a Disney executive) I would have it fixed for Avatar opening. Just think Avatar, night time show and Yeti that works AK would be packed. :mickey:

Three years in Connecticut and loving it
Next trip in Jan 2017 I hope!

 

From what I remember reading, the Yeti itself is actually operable. The problem is the steel frame structure and foundation that supports the Yeti was not designed substantial enough for the constant forces of the moving Yeti which led to stress fractures. If you had seen it in motion, you would realize it swings its arms and moves fairly quickly which creates substantial forces, especially since the yeti is quite massive.

There are 3 structures in expedition everest: the ride, the yeti and the mountain that covers it all and they are all separate. The yeti being surrounded by the web of steel supporting the other structures makes it difficult to access for repairs and upgrades.

They should be able to make the repairs without shutting down the ride if they can get to the areas necessary without having to remove pieces or affect the other two structures. I have no idea if that is possible or not so we would have to wait and see. My guess is, they are at least concerned that they might possible have to shut the ride down for an undetermined amount of time once they got in and started working. With Animal Kingdom not having much else to offer and being skipped over by guests already, they don't want to risk having to close Expedition Everest.

I would think that at this point, they are waiting to get Avatar Land open and running so guests will have their attention drawn in that direction and won't miss EE if it does have to go down.

1DisneyNut;2454651 wrote: The yeti being surrounded by the web of steel supporting the other structures makes it difficult to access for repairs and upgrades.

Not true... They can access it easy...

They should be able to make the repairs without shutting down the ride if they can get to the areas necessary without having to remove pieces or affect the other two structures.

As stated, they have a plan, a plan which would require not shutting down the ride...

Thanks for all the replies, everyone!!! I guess it makes sense that they may not be able to get to it to make the repairs it needs, and it also makes sense that they're waiting until Avatar Land opens to divert attention elsewhere. I remember riding it right after it opened and it was such a cool feature of the ride, so hopefully they can get it fixed at some point soon!!! :mickey:

DizneyFreak2002;2454654 wrote: Not true... They can access it easy...

As stated, they have a plan, a plan which would require not shutting down the ride...

Hmmmm. I'm going with 1DisneyNut on this one. He is essentially correct in his description of the mountain structures. The three structures (mountain, ride track and yeti base) are each massive, and do not touch each other.

Most of the interior is a cavernous space containing a network of steel support beams and columns (I've been in there many times). There are several access platforms and metal stairways at the upper levels. There is a single enclosed stairway going up 14 flights from the floor level to a level near the top of the "B" lift. There is no elevator.

While most of the interior appears spacious, the portion of the ride path containing the yeti structure is relatively narrow. In that area there is only room for the huge yeti structure, the track, and a walkway. The yeti itself looms above.

So if the yeti base has to be rebuilt, which seems to be the case, then there must access for heavy equipment and vehicles. There would also likely be a considerable amount of debris associated with the removal of the old base, followed by the building of a new steel and concrete structure (I'm not an engineer, so one of you engineers out there might want to comment on this).

I don't see how all of this can be accomplished without shutting down the ride for an extended period of time. And the ride CMs are being told the same thing unofficially (no one is saying anything offically). EE is obviously a major attraction with high appeal for AK visitors. The thinking among the CMs is that the ride shutdown and repairs will have to wait until Pandora is open.

WDWdriver;2454764 wrote: Hmmmm. I'm going with 1DisneyNut on this one. He is essentially correct in his description of the mountain structures. The three structures (mountain, ride track and yeti base) are each massive, and do not touch each other.

Most of the interior is a cavernous space containing a network of steel support beams and columns (I've been in there many times). There are several access platforms and metal stairways at the upper levels. There is a single enclosed stairway going up 14 flights from the floor level to a level near the top of the "B" lift. There is no elevator.

While most of the interior appears spacious, the portion of the ride path containing the yeti structure is relatively narrow. In that area there is only room for the huge yeti structure, the track, and a walkway. The yeti itself looms above.

So if the yeti base has to be rebuilt, which seems to be the case, then there must access for heavy equipment and vehicles. There would also likely be a considerable amount of debris associated with the removal of the old base, followed by the building of a new steel and concrete structure (I'm not an engineer, so one of you engineers out there might want to comment on this).

I don't see how all of this can be accomplished without shutting down the ride for an extended period of time. And the ride CMs are being told the same thing unofficially (no one is saying anything offically). EE is obviously a major attraction with high appeal for AK visitors. The thinking among the CMs is that the ride shutdown and repairs will have to wait until Pandora is open.

This analysis matches what I've heard as well. All of us would love for it to be working properly and are disappointed it was possibly constructed in a way that would create future problems. However, considering this is the premier ride-based attraction at DAK right now, I just don't see them shutting it down for a refurbishment until Pandora is up and running.

BKBrinkman;2454788 wrote: . However, considering this is the premier ride-based attraction at DAK right now, I just don't see them shutting it down for a refurbishment until Pandora is up and running.

That is essentially what I have heard.

DizneyFreak2002;2454654 wrote: Not true... They can access it easy...

As stated, they have a plan, a plan which would require not shutting down the ride...

As far as accessing it easy, walking in and putting your hands on it is one thing, getting equipment such as fork lifts and cranes is another if required.

WDWdriver;2454764 wrote: Hmmmm. I'm going with 1DisneyNut on this one. He is essentially correct in his description of the mountain structures. The three structures (mountain, ride track and yeti base) are each massive, and do not touch each other.

Most of the interior is a cavernous space containing a network of steel support beams and columns (I've been in there many times). There are several access platforms and metal stairways at the upper levels. There is a single enclosed stairway going up 14 flights from the floor level to a level near the top of the "B" lift. There is no elevator.

While most of the interior appears spacious, the portion of the ride path containing the yeti structure is relatively narrow. In that area there is only room for the huge yeti structure, the track, and a walkway. The yeti itself looms above.

So if the yeti base has to be rebuilt, which seems to be the case, then there must access for heavy equipment and vehicles. There would also likely be a considerable amount of debris associated with the removal of the old base, followed by the building of a new steel and concrete structure (I'm not an engineer, so one of you engineers out there might want to comment on this).

I don't see how all of this can be accomplished without shutting down the ride for an extended period of time. And the ride CMs are being told the same thing unofficially (no one is saying anything offically). EE is obviously a major attraction with high appeal for AK visitors. The thinking among the CMs is that the ride shutdown and repairs will have to wait until Pandora is open.

Some say they have a plan to make the repairs without closing the ride, others say it has to be closed.

From an engineering standpoint, it depends on what the damage is that must be repaired and how extensive. Like most things, it will most likely be worse than expected once they dig into it and start removing. If it is fractured steel members, it might require temporary support while structural members are replaced and repaired. This would require heavy machinery and perhaps a temporary structure.

If it is the foundation, it could get really ugly requiring the structure to come down or at least some sort of temporary support while the foundation is removed, repaired or replaced.

Either way, I would prefer they let us know they are working on it if it stays open so I will know not to get within about 1000 yards of the mountain. You guys you can ride if you want but I am not getting on or near any steel structure while structural members or the foundation is being worked on.

I can't imagine there is any way on earth they would actually allow people to ride while the repairs are being made.

1DisneyNut;2455072 wrote: As far as accessing it easy, walking in and putting your hands on it is one thing, getting equipment such as fork lifts and cranes is another if required.

I had a paragraph written about accessing the yeti, the room he is in, accessing the foundation, etc... I rather leave it deleted... As I noted below, I'm calling the person I got the info from last time... As per my original post:

I put a call into someone who has knowledge of the situation... the same person I originally got this info from... I'll confirm with him or her once again...

:rolleyes: Surely they must have planned for a way to get equipment in. Everyone in that type of work that I know plans for these things ahead of time. No one believes that anything lasts forever.

I'm not able to ride EE, but I know a lot of people like the yeti. To me, it seems more like the mindset is "well, people are going to ride Expedition Everest anyway. Why shell out the money?"

Cinderelley;2455154 wrote: :rolleyes:

To me, it seems more like the mindset is "well, people are going to ride Expedition Everest anyway. Why shell out the money?"

I think it is more that the yeti not working does not substantially change the ride. Similar to how they do not shut down small world when one of the dolls get stuck.

I mean it is not like the yeti not moving is the same as the projector not working on in Soarin'.