Finally - Some Media Discussion of the Yeti

[ADP]

Jason Garcia discusses the challenges with Disney's Animal Kingdom's signature attraction and animatronic and why it's been broken for so long.

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/07/disney-fans-dismayed-with-disco-yeti/

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I saw that this morning too, and thought it was a good article. Maybe we could get Joe Rohde on the show to discuss it?

 

[bellaDisneydncr]

I saw that this morning too, and thought it was a good article. Maybe we could get Joe Rohde on the show to discuss it?

That would be awesome.

 

[derekburgan]

Jim Hill had a good discussion on this very topic on his podcast not too long ago. Very informative.

I think it speaks volumes though that right after saying the ride puts through 2000 guests an hour, the two social network groups devoted to "fixing the Yeti" have less than 400 people combined. It's just simply not an issue to the vast majority of Disney park guests.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Wow. I'm shocked that it finally hit the big news. I'm even more shocked that it took so long.

I was bold (or naive, take your pick lol) enough to ask our Imagineer last November during the Dine with an Imagineer experience about this issue. She definitely skirted around it and even denied there was a problem. I asked other CMs as well and got the same response. If Disney is actually admitting that there is an issue, I'd be surprised. It sounds that way from the article though.

 

[ADP]

Jim Hill had a good discussion on this very topic on his podcast not too long ago. Very informative.

I think it speaks volumes though that right after saying the ride puts through 2000 guests an hour, the two social network groups devoted to "fixing the Yeti" have less than 400 people combined. It's just simply not an issue to the vast majority of Disney park guests.

It's not an issue because they don't know it's an issue. Some, if not most guests don't even see the Yeti in the final scene. They think the Yeti made it's one and only appearance right before the large hill (the shadow of him breaking the track).

The Yeti not working properly has diminished the attraction in my opinion. For as much as Disney publicized the animatronic before the ride was completed you would think it would be working in top form up until now. Having it lay lifeless and aiming a strobe light at it just isn't Disney standards in my opinion.

 

[mainegal]

I saw that this morning too, and thought it was a good article. Maybe we could get Joe Rohde on the show to discuss it?

I am pretty sure that the DIS Senior Correspondent could get an interview with Joe Rohde. Ain't much that guy can't do. And he does great interviews!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

If Dave gets that interview, Lyn, I will gladly hold his equipment for him.

If it's done via phone, I'll listen in and mute myself. ROFL

 

[ragtopday]

I was on the ABD Backstage Magic trip last week, and the Imagineer who gave us the tour at Imagineering said, when talking about various animatronics at the attractions, "And the Yeti, which works.....sometimes." He said the size of it means extra challenges for them. I hope they get it working again soon as Expedition Everest is one of my favorite rides.

 

[Spaceace5150]

Jim Hills also told the story of how the Yeti only works when Disney execs are in the park... I'll have to go back and listen to that episode. Anyone know what episode of MDP it is on?

 

[dpuck1998]

If Dave gets that interview, Lyn, I will gladly hold his equipment for him.

If it's done via phone, I'll listen in and mute myself. ROFL

Umm....did you just volunteer to hold Daves "equipment"?

 

[mainegal]

Umm....did you just volunteer to hold Daves "equipment"?

Nikki is trying "new things".

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Umm....did you just volunteer to hold Daves "equipment"?

Nikki is trying "new things".

Oh good grief!

 

[Merry Mousketeer]

When I brought it up with an Expedition Everest cast member during our last visit she had a cute scripted response about the Yeti being elusive and hard to spot.

It worked beautifully on our visit before that one, but we later found out Joe Rhode was in the park and the execs made sure it was working for him. That was allegedly the last time it worked properly.

 

[disneygirl 17]

Nikki is trying "new things".

Umm....did you just volunteer to hold Daves "equipment"?

Oh good grief!

LOL!!!!

 

[Cyrano]

Interesting article. Thanks for the heads-up Aaron

 

[wishspirit]

I am pretty sure that the DIS Senior Correspondent could get an interview with Joe Rohde. Ain't much that guy can't do. And he does great interviews!

 

[TheBig2na]

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.

 

[DVCsince02]

ADP - Nice tag.

 

[dpuck1998]

ADP - Nice tag.

Hey! Whats he doin' with my tag?