New Disney Store Billboard Visibly Damaged After Just Five Months

in Merchandise, Walt Disney World

left: Figment on the billboard, with black bars cutting off parts of the animation. Middle: A sad emoji with a tear running down its face. Right: Concept art for the billboard - undamaged- featuring golden statues of Minnie and Mickey.

In May, Disney Parks Blog announced that the first-ever Walt Disney World store would open on International Drive in Orlando, Florida. The store opened on May 31 with a massive digital billboard advertising the Resort’s 50th Anniversary.

Outside of the Orlando International Airport (MCO), this is the only Walt Disney World Resort merchandise location off Disney property. Those very airport store displays inspired the massive, gleaming billboard on top of the Hollywood Plaza parking garage on I-drive.

Concept art for the exterior of the Walt Disney World store.
Credit: Disney

“We took a lot of knowledge from setting up the 50th art installations in our parks and the Orlando International Airport and wanted to spread a little of that magic out into the world,” Will Gay, design director with Disney’s Yellow Shoes Creative Group, told Disney Parks Blog. “It all started with a little idea and a question – could we do this? Could we turn this into a dynamic art display bigger than anything we’ve ever done before?”

Related: Guests Topple One Another For New Disney Park Merchandise

Unfortunately, the glimmering billboard isn’t holding up. @GregInORL shared a photo of the billboard this week on Twitter:

Off with his head

The advertisement features a golden statue of Figment, EPCOT’s iconic purple dragon. However, two giant black bars cut through the golden statue, text, and navy blue background. The Walt Disney Company hasn’t commented on the reported damage to the digital billboard.

According to Disney Communications and Public Affairs Manager Kathleen Prihoda, the billboard is meant to be an “impressive ribbon-like Disney art display that enwraps the outside of Hollywood Plaza garage.”

Concept art for the billboard on Hollywood Plaza parking garage.
Credit: Disney

Over time, the interactive display will change, advertising new products and experiences at Walt Disney World Resort. The 50th Anniversary Celebration is slotted to end early next year, so new art is expected soon!

Related: New Elements Emerge at Magic Kingdom Gift Shop

The Walt Disney World Store features merchandise, ticket sales, and an interactive Disney Vacation Club Virtual Discovery Station with floor-to-ceiling screens that transport Central Florida visitors to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line destinations worldwide.

Have you noticed damage to the Walt Disney World store billboard? 

 

in Merchandise, Walt Disney World

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