Expedition Everest Refurbishment Work Begins at Disney's Animal Kingdom

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Expedition Everest Refurbishment - January 12, 2026

Posted: Monday January 12, 2026 11:40am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Refurbishment work is now underway at Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom, with scrims installed at the load and unload stations.

Expedition Everest Refurbishment - January 12, 2026

The protective barriers block most of the theming that runs along the station area, while the ride continues to operate normally despite the ongoing work.

Expedition Everest Refurbishment - January 12, 2026

Disney has not announced any planned downtime for Expedition Everest. The work appears focused on station areas rather than the ride system itself.

Expedition Everest Refurbishment - January 12, 2026

No timeline has been provided for completion of the station work.

Expedition Everest overview

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HMF24 days ago

I am perfectly aware the first yeti encounter in the attraction is indeed a projection, though it is admittedly a well-done projection unlike many other WDI projects where it is obvious they are using projections instead of AAs to save money.

jeanericuser00124 days ago

You do realize to a certain extent it already is using screens. The projection effect for when the yeti tears up the track is a screen projection. The difference is when we finally see the yeti its for a very short period of time. So short in fact that the animatronic is wasted just sitting there. Even at this point it could be disassembled in pieces and reassembled for usage else where as opposed to the former plan of trying to fix the existing animatronic which is alas unfixable according to many sources. In its place you simply make the interior darker while installing a screen and a projection of the yeti. The difference between this and many other attractions is again the period of time we see the actual yeti. So short is that period that the eye barely has time to register movement properly. By installing even a 3 second looping animation you create a far more genuine scare factor especially compared to just seeing a tarp over the yeti as does occur from time to time. Even when the projection is not working what do you see? Nothing but darkness and a distant roar as if its chasing you.

Disstevefan124 days ago

Glad to know, the ride will keep operating during this. I wonder what they are doing?

eddie10424 days ago

I think that’s somewhat of cop out response. Certain attractions like FOP really only work because of excellent screen utilization. Everything can’t just be a physical prop just for the sake of realism.

Smiley/OCD24 days ago

Absolutely it’s waaaay too short…but it’s lush, breathtaking scenery and even with only the one giant AA as the centerpiece, it works…

HMF24 days ago

I agree, though I think it is far too short. It feels like if the entirety of Disneyland's POTC was just the grotto portions.

Smiley/OCD24 days ago

The ONLY ride that IMHO the screens work and actually compliment the attraction is NRJ…I really think that’s done well…(of course, it’s Joe Rhode!)

HMF24 days ago

Screens have already been way over-utilized as a cheap way to avoid building AAs for far too long. I was actually surprised the Potter attraction in IOA actually had any physical aspects at all.

Splash4eva24 days ago

Hahahah. Listen the ride imo is great. Even without a fully working Yeti. I was lucky enough to ride it when it was working way back when and still ride to this day. The ride still is awesome in B mode. One of few that can still be impressive w/o its featured AA working.

jeanericuser00124 days ago

Or even better yet. Make it a dance party with disco yeti. You gotta admit though it has survived a lot longer than most rides. At this point I think it might be better to just change it with some new screen effects. Put up a few screens, add some decent projections, and it could work out.

Biff21524 days ago

No closure. The park couldn’t afford it honestly with Dinosaur gone soon.

Splash4eva24 days ago

They should remove altogether and have a new Meet & Greet outside the ride… “brand new experience”

HMF25 days ago

To be honest, the fact that it is even operating with it's key feature broken and has been since dubya was president is unforgiveable in my book.

PianoWithSam25 days ago

Going in a couple of weeks. Does anyone know if the ride is actually closing or if this work is going to happen around the ride operating? I know know closures listed on calendar.