Credit: DisneyOne of Disney World’s biggest headliner rides is suddenly catching some severe heat from guests—and not the good kind. This is the type of attraction that used to anchor vacations, the ride people would build their day around, and the one guests couldn’t stop talking about once they got home.
But lately, something feels different.
Instead of walking away thrilled, guests are leaving with that quiet sense of disappointment that’s honestly worse than outright frustration. The ride still draws crowds. It still has a legendary reputation. But more and more fans are saying the same thing: it doesn’t feel like the same experience it once was.
And what makes this situation even more noticeable is that Disney World has been raising the bar across the entire resort. When you compare this attraction to the newest heavy hitters, it’s easy to see why guests are suddenly asking a question that used to feel unthinkable.
Does this ride still deserve its iconic status?
Disney World’s Biggest Headliners (Organized by Park)
Disney World has no shortage of blockbuster attractions that dominate wait times and define vacations.
At Magic Kingdom, guests line up for TRON Lightcycle / Run, one of Disney’s most futuristic coasters, and Space Mountain, the classic thrill ride that still draws huge demand decades later.
At EPCOT, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has quickly become one of the most talked-about rides on the property. EPCOT also pulls massive crowds with Frozen Ever After, which continues to be one of the park’s most competitive family attractions.
Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the park is packed with headliners. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance remains one of Disney’s most ambitious attractions ever built, while Slinky Dog Dash remains one of the most in-demand rides for families and coaster fans alike.
And at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the biggest modern crowd magnet is Avatar: Flight of Passage, an attraction that still feels like a true “bucket list” ride for many visitors.
These rides set the standard for what guests expect from a Disney World headliner: smooth thrills, immersive storytelling, and unforgettable moments.
Which is precisely why one Animal Kingdom ride is starting to stand out for all the wrong reasons.
Animal Kingdom Still Feels Like Disney World’s “Least Popular” Park
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a gorgeous park, but it has always felt different from the other three. Even fans who love it admit it’s often the park people cut first when they don’t have enough vacation days.
That’s mainly because the park has fewer rides. Animal Kingdom leans heavily into walking trails, animal exhibits, and atmosphere. Those things are great, but they don’t always satisfy guests who want a nonstop day of attractions.
That’s why Pandora – The World of Avatar changed everything. It gave Animal Kingdom a land that instantly boosted demand and made the park feel like a “must-visit.”
Now, Disney is also preparing to add the upcoming Tropical Americas land, which should give the park even more traction and help spread crowds.
But long before Pandora existed, Animal Kingdom already had a major thrill ride that carried the park’s reputation for years.
Expedition Everest Was Once Animal Kingdom’s Signature Ride
For a long time, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain was the ride that defined Animal Kingdom. It wasn’t just a roller coaster. It was a whole adventure story built into a mountain.
The queue was packed with details that made it feel like you were actually joining a Himalayan expedition. Then the ride launched into a mix of intense drops, sharp turns, and high-speed sections, delivering one of Disney’s best thrill experiences.
For years, guests didn’t just like Everest—they considered it one of the best coasters Disney had ever built.
And the reason was simple.
The ride had a payoff that felt unmatched.
The Yeti Was the Ride’s Most Famous Moment
The biggest reason Expedition Everest became legendary was the Yeti animatronic.
When the ride originally operated as designed, the Yeti didn’t just sit there. It lunged forward and swiped at riders, creating a genuinely intense moment that felt shocking for a Disney attraction. It made the final section of the ride unforgettable and gave Everest its signature “wow” factor.
But the Yeti began malfunctioning, and Disney eventually made a significant change: they shut off the animatronic’s full movement.
Today, the Yeti still appears, but instead of aggressively reaching toward riders, it remains stationary primarily with strobe lighting used to create the illusion of motion.
Longtime fans notice the difference instantly, and many feel like the ride lost the most exciting part of its entire storyline.
Guests Say the Ride Feels Rougher Than It Used To
The missing Yeti movement is the most famous issue, but it’s not the only complaint.
More and more guests have pointed out that Expedition Everest feels rougher than it used to. Roller coasters naturally wear down over time, but when a ride feels less smooth, the experience changes fast.
Instead of feeling like a polished Disney thrill ride, some guests say it now feels more aggressive and uncomfortable, especially in the sharper turns.
And when you combine that with the missing Yeti moment, it creates a frustrating reality: Everest still looks like a headliner, but it doesn’t always feel like one anymore.
Fans Want Disney to Restore Everest
What makes this even more frustrating is that Disney has proven it can still build incredible animatronics and modern ride effects. The company has the technology and the resources.
That’s why fans keep saying the same thing: fixing Everest shouldn’t be impossible.
Yes, restoring the Yeti could require a significant refurbishment. Disney might need to shut the ride down for an extended period. But many guests believe it would be worth it, especially since Everest remains one of Animal Kingdom’s most important attractions.
Fans also want Disney to smooth the ride out again and bring back the polished thrill experience that made Everest feel elite.
Because if Animal Kingdom is trying to compete with Disney’s newest headliners, it can’t afford for one of its signature rides to feel outdated.
A Disney Legend Deserves Better
Expedition Everest is still a great attraction. The story is strong, the mountain is iconic, and the coaster layout remains exciting.
But it’s also easy to understand why guests are calling it a “shell of its former self.”
The ride lost its most famous moment when the Yeti stopped swiping at riders, and the rougher ride experience has only made the decline more noticeable.
Disney has the tools to fix it. And if Animal Kingdom is truly entering a new era with Tropical Americas and continued expansion, then restoring Everest to its former glory would be one of the smartest moves Disney could make.
Because a ride this legendary shouldn’t feel like it’s slowly being left behind.