The last of the four main theme parks to get added to the Disney World in Orlando in 1998, Animal Kingdom quickly became one of visitors’ fan favorites due to unique experiences like the 18-minute open-air safari ride and Expedition Everest Himalayan roller coaster.
While more modern and tech-forward rides like the Avatar Flight Of Passage and Na’vi River Journey were later built inside Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest is the park’s original and most iconic thrill ride.
The snow-capped mountain peak of an imaginary Himalayan “forbidden mountain” guarded by the Yeti is the central piece visible from every corner of the park. The ride itself mimics a bumpy train going up the mountains with a 12-foot main ascent and several drops and helix turns including a “broken track” that briefly takes the riders backwards.
Disney confirms plans for Expedition Everest renovation
But as with many of the parks’ oldest and most iconic rides, time brings the need for significant renovations. Since 2008, the 25-foot-tall Yeti Animatronic figure that greets guests during the ride has been kept in stationary mode due to risk of cracking.
Inside The Magic is now reporting that Disney has confirmed plans to repair the Yeti Animatronic and will likely close Expedition Everest for a wider refurbishment in the eventual future.
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“Based on everything happening around the park, a late 2027 or early 2028 closure appears to be a logical window,” Andrew Boardwine writes. “However, that timing remains an expectation rather than an officially announced Disney date.”
Disney has not, beyond confirming intent to fix the Yeti at the 2026 D23 Ultimate Fan Event last August, provided further details or an official statement on the closure or refurbishments.
But as the project is a difficult one that involves not just the statue but multiple intertwined coaster tracks, a full renovation and modernization of the ride that will require a lengthy closure appears likely.
As has also been reported by several Disney World watchdog sites, the line section that allowed single riders to pass through faster by filling seating gaps created by groups has been taken down as of Sept. 21.
Disney
What is happening with Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom in 2026
This is not connected to the looming renovations but part of a new queue-sorting method in which the park is experimenting with sorting odd and even parties as they arrive at the ride gates rather than letting them get up to the front on their own.
Animal Park has been part of Disney’s wider efforts to rework certain ride and park sections that have started to show signs of age. In February 2026, the park permanently closed the DinoLand U.S.A. section to build a new “Pueblo Esperanza” land inspired by the 2021 film “Encanto.”
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Certain rides in this land, including the DINOSAUR, the TriceraTop Spin, and the Primval Whirl had already been closed down earlier as Disney World slowly begun construction for new rides inspired by a more modern film.
The last timeline Disney had set for the opening of the new Encanto land had been for mid-2027.
Related: Another 119-year-old American theme park closes forever
