After 66 Years, Disney Officially Removes Fantasyland Area From Theme Park

Disneyland Resort just removed one of the most popular destinations in Fantasyland, perhaps the most famous part of Disneyland Park. Concerned guests spoke out on social media after noticing the change.

Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park have undergone countless changes in the last few decades, including the additions of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Cars Land.

Still, there’s more to come, as Chairman of Disney Experiences Josh D’Amaro recently revealed a first look at the Avatar (2009) and Coco (2017) experiences coming to the Southern California Disney parks.

In November, the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure retheme of Splash Mountain will open in the newly renamed Bayou Country land.

An image of a lush, green landscape with a tall water tower labeled "Tiana's Foods" prominently standing amidst the foliage. The sky is clear with a few scattered clouds, adding to the vibrant and scenic environment. — Credit: Disney

Even with all the changes coming to the theme parks, Walt Disney Imagineers have found time to refurbish some older elements of the decades-old theme parks. This follows years of complaints about declining technical upkeep at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

On Sunday, Disney Park guests noticed that Walt Disney Imagineering quietly removed a beloved statue of Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland (1951). In a photo that u/TheDisneyScoopGuy posted on Reddit, the cavern where the Disney character usually sits is empty:

The Cheshire Cat has vanished

The Cheshire Cat has vanished
byu/TheDisneyScoopGuy inDisneyland

This Cheshire Cat statue sits in Fantasyland outside of Disneyland Park’s Alice in Wonderland ride.

Alice in Wonderland opened in 1958, 66 years ago. Though the slow-moving attraction has undergone thematic changes and lengthy refurbishment periods over the years, Disney Park guests say that many of its elements are looking worse for wear.

The Cheshire Cat statue in Fantasyland at Disneyland Park. — Credit: HarshLight, Flickr

“He’s needed some TLC for a while,” u/FairyRebelsWild commented. “Hopefully he returns soon.”

“A much needed refurb!” u/Phased5ek agreed. “His colors were getting so faded.”

According to other Disney Park guests, Cheshire Cat has been missing since at least Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Disneyland Resort rarely makes announcements about minor maintenance projects like this one, but hopefully, this curious feline will return to entertain Fantasyland guests soon!

Which areas of Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and Downtown Disney desperately need maintenance? In the comments, share your opinion with Inside the Magic.