Finally - Some Media Discussion of the Yeti

[BriarRosie]

I don't get all the fuss. I was just their in April and just getting a look at it, and going by so quickly it was still an amazing site. I got to ride it when it worked and many times while it hasn't, and honestly I still got the desired effect. I think this is more of an issue to people who ride it 50-100 times a year or more. They see every detail of everything and pick away at it if it isn't 100%. People say, if Walt were alive this wouldn't happen. Well Disneyland opened far from finished, and things broke down, and things were nowhere near as technologically advanced as things are today. Walt didn't have a 20,000 pound animatronic which could lift a jumbo jet off the ground.

What I don't understand is how many people don't enjoy going to Disney Parks, but still do multiple times a year. I have seen posts of people showing gum on sidewalks, or areas where paint is peeling. If it bothers you so much why go so often and report on these "major show issues." I would imagine more than 90% of visitors to Disney World don't worry about or see these minor details, and instead enjoy themselves.

If I am lucky I am going to see that Yeti every year or two. And I imagine I will, like many be wowed by it. Even when it moves, it only moves 5 feet one way and 2 the other. That isn't a large swing by any means. What creates the effect is the speed of the train whizzing by this enormous monster, while you are shaking in your seat from the vibrations. Does a non swinging arm really ruin it? I don't think so because if we saw that thing swing at us on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover, would we be in awe? I don't think so, but I could be wrong.

I disagree. The only times I've seen the Yeti, he's been in "disco" mode, aka "B Mode", meaning he's not moving and they flash a strobe light on him. I have friends who've been to the passholder preview and trips in early 2006 where they have seen him working properly, moving like a real animatronic, and they tell me that A Mode is much more impressive.

I didn't have any trips in 2006, so I missed out on seeing him move. During trips I have had in 2007, 2008, 2009, and now in 2010, and I have always hoped to see him work properly. I don't think it's too much to ask to see it work the way it was designed.

 

[TheBig2na]

It would be nice if it worked, but honestly, it isn't that big of a deal in terms of show. Unless you ride it frequently enough to know every twist and turn and when exactly the yeti is coming and what he is supposed to be moving. for someone who goes once every year or two, it's not a huge change. Like i said, that thing is huge and scary looking as is. The movement although cool and a nice added feature, isn't that big of a deal. Supposed purists see it's issues as the death of the company. If all everyone looks at are the problems that others find, then where does the fun come in?

 

[mytripsandraces]

I've seen it in all three modes (dynamic, static and shrouded) and, while it is much more impressive when it's moving, the static Yeti is still pretty impressive. When I saw the Yeti move, it was like getting a sprinkle of pixie dust on the ride. Seeing the static Yeti did not ruin the ride for me. The shrouded Yeti just confused me, because I didn't understand why I hadn't seen the Yeti, but, again, did not ruin the ride for me. It's a really fun coaster and I'll ride it as often as I can no matter which Yeti is on the job that day!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I think part of the problem is that most people at this point don't even know the Yeti is capable of doing something more than it currently is. The window it actually was operating correctly wasn't very long. My mother who only rode it for the first time about 2 years ago, never and even saw Disco Yeti at the end. It's a real shame.

 

[SamIAm21]

I have to admit, I've ridden EE several times in the past few years and have never seen the Yeti. By that time, my eyes are firmly glued shut and usually don't open until I hear the air-brakes go off at the station.

 

[cxcelica]

I think part of the problem is that most people at this point don't even know the Yeti is capable of doing something more than it currently is. The window it actually was operating correctly wasn't very long. My mother who only rode it for the first time about 2 years ago, never and even saw Disco Yeti at the end. It's a real shame.

I have seen it all three ways, and with the fully functional Yeti, it was definitely the best.

However, I think your point is spot on. I just don't think people know or care. The fact that these two "fan" facebook pages had only a few hundred followers (they may have more now, I haven't looked), just showed a disinterest or lack of knowledge about the problem.

If there was really that little interest in the problem and 1) who knows if disney even thinks they can get a permanent fix since they struggled so much with this animatronic 2) who knows how much it will cost 3) who knows how long they would have to shut down the "flagship" ride in AK for an unscheduled refurbishment to get it done. You can see why there would really be an incentive for Disney to run the ride as it is for now.

Not saying if it is right or wrong, or even touching on the whole philosophical issue of whether this is a microcosm of how the Disney touch is gone, just saying I can see why there was an incentive not to shut the ride down.

 

[ScotteHansen]

Did anyone else notice in the youtube video of the yeti in disco mode that when the ride pauses where one sees the shadow yeti rip up the track, the projector menu has been activated? Look for the blueish menu box toward the end of the effect.

By the way... go back to the link on the original post. That contains the youtube video I am referring to.

Scotte

 

[MaryJ]

I have seen the Yeti in both "A" and "B" mode, and "A" is much better. The article states that one possible reason for not repairing the attraction is that it would have to be closed for a lengthy period of time. So what?! Disney closed Space Mountain in DL for more than a year to refurb and update it. Sure, it was inconvenient and some people may have missed out on their first (or only) chance to see it, but it's an improved attraction because of it.

I realize that EE is THE "E" ticket attraction at AK, but come on! People are still going to come to the park, just like they did before EE opened. If it means getting the Yeti moving again, I'm all for a temporary shut down, no matter how long it takes.