Another Classic Disney Character Sandpapered for Modernization

in Hotel, Walt Disney World

A scene from "The Jungle Book" featuring Mowgli, Baloo the bear, and Bagheera the panther standing together in a lush jungle, surrounded by monkeys loose in Florida, expressing

Credit: Walt Disney Animation Studios

Walt Disney World Resort is continuing its efforts to modernize two The Jungle Book (1967) character statues at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. The refurbishment comes amid other updates to the Value Resort hotel, including the renovation of the Everything Pop Shopping & Dining area.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort has undergone a makeover in recent years. Before the food court and gift shop renovation, the Value Resort hotel modernized its rooms in preparation for increased demand due to the Disney Skyliner.

In the late 2010s, Disney’s Pop Century Resort ditched carpeted, outdated rooms for contemporary designs with pull-down Murphy beds that convert into tables and chairs to give guests more space.

A brightly colored, retro-themed popular hotel at Disney World features large decorative flowers and peace signs on its walls. A giant red yo-yo structure stands prominently beside it. The building’s vibrant hues of yellow, orange, and green are set against a blue sky and trees, embodying a lively charm.
Credit: Inside the Magic

Despite all these changes, Disney’s Pop Century Resort has retained its oversized, nostalgic theming. Each section is themed after a different decade, from the 1950s to the 1990s, with oversized statues of Disney characters and other icons from their respective eras.

Last month, Inside the Magic covered guests’ concerns about the Jungle Book statues at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Baloo and Mowgli have long defined the 1960s section, overlooking the Hippy Dippy pool.

The exterior of one of the 70s buildings at Walt Disney World Resort's Pop Century Resort hotel at nighttime.
Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the Magic

In December, guests first noticed holes in Baloo’s paint job. Later, patchy coats of a spackle-like material appeared on the beloved Disney character. At the end of January, Inside the Magic visited Disney’s Pop Century Resort to check up on the refurbishment.

As of January 29, Baloo’s entire surface appeared to have been sanded down and primed for a final paint job.

The sanded-down Baloo statue next to Mowgli.
Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the Magic

Although it’s not visible in these photos, Disney cast members also patched part of Mowgli’s head with the white spackle-like material.

Baloo at Disney's Pop Century Resort during his refurb.
Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the Magic

It’s unclear if crews will refurbish any other statues around Disney’s Pop Century Resort or the other Value Resort hotels: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, and Disney’s All-Star Music Resort—all feature oversized outdoor statues like Baloo and Mowgli.

Have you spotted any maintenance work at Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments. 

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