Credit: PixarWalt Disney World Resort has officially erased one of its popular Toy Story (1995) character photo ops. This change comes just days after the Central Florida Disney park removed another Cinderella-inspired photo op nearby.
Last week, Inside the Magic covered a missing Cinderella statue outside the World of Disney store at Disney Springs. Many Disney Parks fans assumed it was a temporary change that was done for maintenance purposes. However, just days ago, Walt Disney World Resort abruptly overhauled the exterior of World of Disney, leaving many fans wondering whether the nostalgic statue would ever return.
Now, another beloved statue has gone missing from Disney Springs. On Saturday, July 19, WDWNT reported that the Mr. Potato Head statue had disappeared from its post outside the Once Upon A Toy store. Walt Disney World Resort installed a planter in its place, as it often does during construction or refurbishment projects.
Here’s a look at how the statue typically looks, courtesy of X (formerly known as Twitter) user @oneheavytitan:
Mr Potato Head at Once Upon a Toy, Disney Springs | #Disney | #disneyworld | #disneyparks | #disney100 | #magickingdom | #epcot | #animalkingdom | #hollywoodstudios
Mr Potato Head at Once Upon a Toy, Disney Springs
| #Disney | #disneyworld | #disneyparks | #disney100 | #magickingdom | #epcot | #animalkingdom | #hollywoodstudios pic.twitter.com/9iUL5kUdxP
— One Heavy Titan (@oneheavytitan) October 21, 2023
The Play-Doh tub on which the Toy Story character rests has also been removed, leaving only its purple base behind. Stanchions surround the base, which appears to have been recently repainted.
Interestingly, the Buzz Lightyear statue on the other side of Once Upon A Toy remains untouched. Similarly, the Aurora statue, opposite Cinderella outside World of Disney, has not been removed. Walt Disney World Resort may be doing maintenance in stages to leave some photo op opportunities for guests while Cinderella and Mr. Potato Head are missing.
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t issued any public statements about these changes at Disney Springs, which isn’t abnormal. Disney rarely makes public comments about minor changes and refurbishment projects throughout Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney Springs.
Have you noticed any other changes around Disney Springs? Inside the Magic would love to hear from you in the comments!