Expedition Everest effects status watch

[Mr. Sullivan]

I have to ask though is the interest in getting it fixed really just a matter of principle? Because I rode it when it worked perfectly and there was very little noticeable difference to what we have now. It went by so fast that you couldn’t really appreciate anything about it’s movement. It isn’t like the Kong animatronic where you linger by it.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Because I rode it when it worked perfectly and there was very little noticeable difference to what we have now.

The yeti was definitely lit better and more noticeable- I would agree that the large movement of the yeti was not particularly noticeable because of how fast you traveled.

It’s a bit surprising they don’t play around with lighting fixtures that imply motion (not strobes…. Animation wheels, even projection) to fix the illusion better

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

The yeti was definitely lit better and more noticeable- I would agree that the large movement of the yeti was not particularly noticeable because of how fast you traveled.

It’s a bit surprising they don’t play around with lighting fixtures that imply motion (not strobes…. Animation wheels, even projection) to fix the illusion better

In theory there’s a lot they could do with lighting yeah. I imagine they think along similar lines to what I was saying though (does anyone really notice) so I guess that makes me a bit of the problem lol

I’d say the vast majority of people who’ve been on Everest have never experienced a fully working yeti since the permanent alt mod happened so early in the attraction’s life so at this point they probably have decided it isn’t worth it just to please the relatively small, niche group of folks who remember it when it opened. Disco yeti seems to only be something big park fans really know about.

Not to say that is the CORRECT point of view, but all this time later I have to guess that’s the point of view they have.

 

[EagleScout610]

I went back in time and read the first dozen pages of this thread, and it's quite tragic to see the initial hope that the yeti would be fixed.

@wdwmagic I do have a question, though. You said way back then that there were three modes (A, B, & C), but is the current mode the "C-mode?" I never realized there was ANY limited movement mode, and I would assume the B-Mode hasn't been in play for a very, very long time.

I think this is the closest we'll get to seeing footage of that limited movement mode of the yeti, primarily at 11:00 - 12:45 when they seem to be testing having him do most of his A Mode movements without the structure behind him/his torso moving. Unless someone comes forward with footage of it on the ride.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I was saying though (does anyone really notice) so I guess that makes me a bit of the problem lol

I agree and disagree. Let me try to explain. Here are the three levels of yeti.

1. - as opened yeti - fully lit - with large impressive movements. It really looks like he’s reaching for the train. (Agreed that the train was moving fast and it wasn’t always obvious how impressive it was.)

2. - the version in my mind - properly lit - projectors and / or lighting gives the illusion of motion while fully lighting the scene to be impressive.

3. - the lights off put a strobe on him mode we have now.

I agree that the attitude towards brings #1 back is most likely “not enough people noticed to spend the $$$”. But #3 is not good show and #2 is relatively easy to accomplish.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

I agree and disagree. Let me try to explain. Here are the three levels of yeti.

1. - as opened yeti - fully lit - with large impressive movements. It really looks like he’s reaching for the train. (Agreed that the train was moving fast and it wasn’t always obvious how impressive it was.)

2. - the version in my mind - properly lit - projectors and / or lighting gives the illusion of motion while fully lighting the scene to be impressive.

3. - the lights off put a strobe on him mode we have now.

I agree that the attitude towards brings #1 back is most likely “not enough people noticed to spend the $$$”. But #3 is not good show and #2 is relatively easy to accomplish.

Agreed! I've got no qualms with the idea of them going route #2.

 

[Professortango1]

Agreed! I've got no qualms with the idea of them going route #2.

Its been #2 for awhile.

Ohhh, as in the options. Not a *poop*y example of Walt Disney Imagineering and dedication to show.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Its been #2 for awhile.

Ohhh, as in the options. Not a *poop*y example of Walt Disney Imagineering and dedication to show.

You don’t trust an assessment of show quality made in first grade?

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Its been #2 for awhile.

Ohhh, as in the options. Not a *poop*y example of Walt Disney Imagineering and dedication to show.

I mean, I think the option that that user was proposing would be a better option, but I also don’t think what we have now is particularly bad.

We don’t spend near enough time with it for it to be noticeable as really anything. If it was like a major show element we spent a lot of time with I’d probably feel stronger about it, but the first time I road it back when the ride was new I didn’t even know that there was a yeti in there until I was told when I got off because I just never saw it even when it was working perfectly.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

I mean, I think the option that that user was proposing would be a better option, but I also don’t think what we have now is particularly bad.

We don’t spend near enough time with it for it to be noticeable as really anything. If it was like a major show element we spent a lot of time with I’d probably feel stronger about it, but the first time I road it back when the ride was new I didn’t even know that there was a yeti in there until I was told when I got off because I just never saw it even when it was working perfectly.

It was a big disappointment for me. I was expecting something Carnotaurus-like in presentation, and it was way too short an encounter to comprehend the size of the animatronic.

 

[Professortango1]

I mean, I think the option that that user was proposing would be a better option, but I also don’t think what we have now is particularly bad.

We don’t spend near enough time with it for it to be noticeable as really anything. If it was like a major show element we spent a lot of time with I’d probably feel stronger about it, but the first time I road it back when the ride was new I didn’t even know that there was a yeti in there until I was told when I got off because I just never saw it even when it was working perfectly.

Its pretty underwhelming as it is right now. But I've often found EE to be a big beautiful-looking mess in terms of storytelling and impact. The current yeti is way too easy to miss and feels like when you go through a mediocre haunted house and they just have a guy in a mask at the end saying "rawr!" right before the exit.

"Huh? Oh. was that a thing back there? Nevermind, its over I guess."

 

[osian]

I think this is the closest we'll get to seeing footage of that limited movement mode of the yeti, primarily at 11:00 - 12:45 when they seem to be testing having him do most of his A Mode movements without the structure behind him/his torso moving. Unless someone comes forward with footage of it on the ride.

Not sure which exact mode this is, but it's definitely moving at this point.

This is a friend of mine filming on a RCCGB (coaster club) trip in November 2006. I'm in the seat in front, looking like my profile pic...

 

[EagleScout610]

Not sure which exact mode this is, but it's definitely moving at this point.

This is a friend of mine filming on a RCCGB (coaster club) trip in November 2006. I'm in the seat in front, with the bald head...

That seems to be his full range of motion, I'm talking about where they only have the arm swinging down without the overhead part of the grab.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

It was a big disappointment for me. I was expecting something Carnotaurus-like in presentation, and it was way too short an encounter to comprehend the size of the animatronic.

Yeah I feel you completely. It’s why I’ve always kind of wondered why fans care about it getting fixed so much beyond just the basic principle of they should. That argument I fully can get behind.

But people seem to be mourning for an effect or an experience that never really existed in the first place. I have wondered for quite a long time if people’s memories are making that moment of the ride in it’s opening couple of years more spectacular than it was in reality.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Its pretty underwhelming as it is right now. But I've often found EE to be a big beautiful-looking mess in terms of storytelling and impact. The current yeti is way too easy to miss and feels like when you go through a mediocre haunted house and they just have a guy in a mask at the end saying "rawr!" right before the exit.

"Huh? Oh. was that a thing back there? Nevermind, its over I guess."

I have a lot of love for Everest in my heart but what you’re describing is kind of how I feel it always has been. Like I was saying, I missed the Yeti the first time I rode back when the ride was brand new and he worked as intended.

And I’ve sort of reconfirmed watching old videos too. It was not really ever that noticeable that he was moving that much, and it doesn’t feel really any grander or more spectacular than it does right now.

It’s a cool effect idea, but it’s also an effect I feel they never really got right to begin with. Fixing it for the principle of it makes sense, but even if they did fix it I do think people are misremembering how amazing it was during the actual ride.

 

[fractal]

I have a lot of love for Everest in my heart but what you’re describing is kind of how I feel it always has been. Like I was saying, I missed the Yeti the first time I rode back when the ride was brand new and he worked as intended.

And I’ve sort of reconfirmed watching old videos too. It was not really ever that noticeable that he was moving that much, and it doesn’t feel really any grander or more spectacular than it does right now.

It’s a cool effect idea, but it’s also an effect I feel they never really got right to begin with. Fixing it for the principle of it makes sense, but even if they did fix it I do think people are misremembering how amazing it was during the actual ride.

Bad take and couldn't disagree more. I saw it A mode in 2007 about 10 times and just scroll up to @osian video and watch starting at the 2 minute mark. It was in your face and threatening and marvelous. Today's version is a shadow of that.

 

[Mike S]

Bad take and couldn't disagree more. I saw it A mode in 2007 about 10 times and just scroll up to @osian video and watch starting at the 2 minute mark. It was in your face and threatening and marvelous. Today's version is a shadow of that.

I only ever saw it once (also 2007) and it’s still burned into my memory.

 

[Dragonman]

At this point they’re more than likely to replace it with a smaller scale version of the same design but more maintenance friendly. After all we’re close now to 20 years since it’s been in A mode and probably a headache for those dealing with everyone’s pleas.

As much as I like the original and what it was capable of it clearly wasn’t totally thought out hence 18 years of Disco Yeti. At this point I’m just sick of the tug of war and want at least some sort of solution.

Given today’s technology they could still make something really impressive, perhaps even using forced perspective/lighting techniques to make it appear larger.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I’d say the vast majority of people who’ve been on Everest have never experienced a fully working yeti since the permanent alt mod happened so early in the attraction’s life so at this point they probably have decided it isn’t worth it just to please the relatively small, niche group of folks who remember it when it opened. Disco yeti seems to only be something big park fans really know about.

This.
Dis knows that enough years have gone by that the number of guests who ever rode the perfect EE and remember it are minuscule in comparison to those who rode the imperfect one. Guests aren't coming off the ride saying this wasn't worth doing. They may have heard about a working Yeti and even seen the video clip but the ride is worth doing as is and they don't care about a perfect Yeti. EE is working with a large hourly number of guests and that's what Dis counts on. Spending a ton of $$ with no guarantee that it would remain fixed long term just isn't worth it.
I rode the perfect EE and remember a working Yeti. When we have ridden it on return trips I know what Im going to get but that doesn't stop me from having an enjoyable experience. For the time a working Yeti moves and what it would cost to get it there, Dis is never going to justify the expense.
So those of us who remember it will remember it fondly. And all the future discussions about them fixing it will just be an endless group of posts that will go nowhere.