Update: As of 16 hours ago, Orlando Theme Park Zone reader Collin Unruh confirmed that the animatronic has returned and is operating as usual.
Original Article: It’s fair to say that Na’vi River Journey is one of the most popular attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Located in Pandora : The World of Avatar, this dark ride takes guests on a whimsical journey through the world of Pandora.
One of the most anticipated parts of the attraction is when guests come face to face with Na’vi, Shaman of Songs, pictured below:
However, it would appear that the huge animatronic has now been removed from the attraction and yet again replaced with a video screen. This is proven in the video below, courtesy of Instagram user @disneymom2.0:
According to comments on the above video’s Instagram post, the Na’vi animatronic was sitting in her rightful position the day before.
Cast Members aren’t sure why the animatronic has been taken away, Inside The Magic reports.
This particular scenario has happened in previous years when an animatronic needs maintenance, which is why the screen was installed in the first place.
It’s not uncommon for advanced animatronics to need maintenance from time to time, though we’re not sure why this particular one needed to be removed.
Furthermore, we cannot confirm when it will be returning to its normal place in Na’vi River Journey but this happens quite regularly, just a heads up for new visitors who were looking forward to seeing Big Toe “in person”.
Stay tuned to Orlando Theme Park Zone for further updates
H/T Inside the Magic
For a theme park blog you would think you lnow about B mode and that’s not permanent. It was being fixed and probably back up later. This isn’t the first time this happened.
This happens all the time with this ride.
Where does this big toe name come from? And why is today so special? She goes away from time to time for a day…
I was just there on Friday and the animatronic was definitely there
LOL She isn’t “taken away” it’s just B mode. All animatronics go into B mode from time to time because they need maintenance. It isn’t a reason to write a WHOLE ARTICLE
At least it can be removed for maintenance whearas the yeti in Expedition Everest is too much of a logistical nightmare to be removed .It remains broken to this day.Now a strobe light is used to make it appear the yeti is moving. Now he has been dubbed Disco Yeti.
The animatronic is now back in place. Rode the ride today.