Credit: Disney WorldIf you’ve been going to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for any amount of time, you know there are certain things in that park that just feel permanent. Like no matter how many expansions happen, no matter how much construction shows up, and no matter how many attractions come and go… some icons stay exactly where they are.
And one of the biggest ones is Gertie the Dinosaur.
She’s not just a random decoration sitting by the water. She’s one of the most recognizable landmarks in the entire park, especially for longtime fans who remember when Hollywood Studios was still Disney-MGM Studios. You don’t even have to be a hardcore Disney history person to know her. Guests spot her from across Echo Lake, use her as a meeting point, take pictures with her, and of course grab ice cream from her stand.
But now, it looks like Gertie is dealing with a pretty noticeable issue.
Because according to recent reports, Gertie the Dinosaur has developed a visible crack, and it’s not something you have to squint to see.
Gertie Has Been Part of Hollywood Studios Since the Beginning
What makes this such a big deal is the fact that Gertie isn’t new. She’s not a modern addition or a temporary statue Disney can swap out whenever it feels like it.
Gertie has been sitting in Echo Lake since 1989, back when the park first opened. That means she has been part of Hollywood Studios for decades, surviving every era of the park—from the old-school MGM Studios days, through the Pixar wave, the Star Wars takeover, the rise of Toy Story Land, and now the continued evolution of the entire park.
She’s basically been watching the park change around her for nearly 40 years.
And honestly, that’s why so many guests have such an attachment to her. She feels like one of the last remaining pieces of the “classic” version of Hollywood Studios that still exists.
The Crack Is Near Gertie’s Tail—and Guests Can See It Clearly
The damage being reported isn’t something hidden behind a fence or tucked away where only Cast Members would notice. It’s apparently a significant V-shaped crack located at the base of Gertie’s tail.
And what makes it look even worse is that the crack appears to run across part of the structure and even extend under the waterline.
That detail is important, because if the crack goes under the water, it’s not necessarily just a cosmetic issue that Disney can patch up in a few minutes.
It raises bigger questions.
Is it just plaster damage? Is it deeper than it looks? Is water getting into the structure?
And if so… how long has it been there?
Cold Weather May Have Made the Damage More Noticeable
One reason this crack suddenly caught attention is because of the recent cold weather Florida experienced. With vegetation removed after the freezing temperatures, guests and reporters had a clearer view of areas that normally aren’t as easy to see.
So it’s possible the crack didn’t just magically appear overnight.
It may have been there already, but the park’s landscaping and greenery helped disguise it. Once that was gone, the damage became much more obvious to anyone standing across Echo Lake.
And that’s what makes this feel like one of those situations where Disney might have already known about it, but now it’s become harder to ignore because guests can see it more clearly.
Disney May Need to Take Repairs Seriously
At the moment, nobody knows exactly how severe the crack is.
The report notes that it’s unclear if the damage is serious enough to require immediate action, but it certainly looks concerning from a guest perspective.
And that’s the thing—Disney fans are used to seeing small wear and tear around the parks. Scuffed paint, faded signs, and minor cracks happen.
But when you’re dealing with something as iconic as Gertie, even a “small” crack becomes a big deal.
Because if Disney lets it get worse, it’s not just damage to a structure. It becomes damage to a piece of Hollywood Studios history.
Will Disney Have to Drain Echo Lake?
Here’s where things get interesting.
One of the biggest questions being raised is whether Disney might need to drain Echo Lake in order to properly repair the crack.
That sounds dramatic, but it’s not impossible.
If the crack goes below the waterline and affects more than just the outer layer, a simple patch job might not cut it. Disney could need access to the entire base of the structure to reinforce it, repair deeper issues, or prevent further deterioration.
And draining Echo Lake wouldn’t just be a small maintenance project. That would be a noticeable operational change in a highly trafficked area of the park.
It would also likely spark a huge reaction online, because Echo Lake is one of those areas that gives Hollywood Studios its “classic” vibe.
The Ice Cream Stand Is Still Open… For Now
For guests who are immediately worried that Gertie is about to be removed or shut down, there is at least one piece of good news.
The ice cream stand is reportedly still operating normally, meaning the crack does not appear to have caused any immediate safety or functional problems.
So for now, you can still walk up, order your ice cream, and enjoy the area like usual.
But still… Disney doesn’t usually allow visible damage like this to sit for too long once it becomes widely noticed.
Why Gertie Matters More Than People Realize
It might sound silly to some people. Like, okay, it’s a big dinosaur statue. Who cares?
But Disney fans know better.
Gertie represents a version of Hollywood Studios that doesn’t really exist anymore. Back when the park leaned more into old-school movie-making, classic Hollywood theming, and quirky landmarks that didn’t feel like they were part of a giant franchise machine.
That’s what makes her special.
She’s not tied to Marvel. She’s not part of Star Wars. She’s not connected to a modern IP push.
She’s just… Gertie.
And she’s been quietly holding her place as one of the park’s most recognizable icons.
Another Sign Disney’s Older Park Icons Need More Attention
This situation also points to something bigger.
Disney World has a lot of attractions, structures, and iconic features that are aging. And while Disney is investing billions into new expansions and major projects, things like Gertie can sometimes feel like they get pushed aside until the damage becomes too obvious to ignore.
That’s why fans always react strongly when they see visible wear on something like this. It’s not just a crack—it feels like Disney letting the “classic” park elements fade away.
And with so many long-time Hollywood Studios staples already gone over the years, guests are even more sensitive to anything that looks like it might be neglected.
Disney Fans Are Hoping This Gets Fixed Fast
Right now, it seems like the damage is still in the “wait and see” stage. It might be a quick fix. It might require bigger work. It might even require draining Echo Lake.
But no matter what happens, the crack is real, it’s visible, and guests are absolutely noticing it.
And if Disney knows what it’s doing (which it usually does when it comes to park appearance), this is the kind of thing they’ll probably want to address sooner rather than later.
Because if there’s one thing Disney fans love almost as much as new rides…
It’s the icons that remind them why they fell in love with the parks in the first place.