Woody has lost one of his longtime Disney locations.
The cowboy has been the face of Toy Story since Pixar introduced audiences to Andy’s bedroom in 1995. Across four sequels, theme park attractions, merchandise, and character appearances, Woody (Tom Hanks) has remained one of Disney’s most recognizable animated characters.
But the franchise’s focus has started to shift. Toy Story 5 (2026) puts Jessie (Joan Cusack) in a more prominent position, with Woody and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) taking smaller roles in the latest chapter.
The film follows the toys as they face Lilypad, a frog-shaped tablet voiced by Greta Lee. Jessie leads their efforts to help Bonnie (Scarlett Spears) make friends as the child becomes increasingly distracted by technology.
Now, Disney has made a similar change inside one of its theme parks.
Jessie Takes Over Woody’s Regular Location
Disneyland Paris has removed Woody from his regular meet-and-greet at Animation Celebration and replaced him with Jessie moving forward.
The character meeting takes place in World Premiere Plaza at Disney Adventure World, the park formerly known as Walt Disney Studios Park. Jessie is currently scheduled to appear there each day from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Disney has not confirmed whether Woody will return to the location at a later date. For now, however, Jessie occupies the cowboy’s former regular spot and is being presented as the area’s featured Toy Story character.
The switch reflects Jessie’s larger role in the franchise following the release of Toy Story 5. Although Woody remains an important part of the movie, Jessie has been pushed to the front of its story and marketing.
Woody was reportedly absent from an early version of the sequel. Director Andrew Stanton drafted the story without him to test whether a Toy Story movie could work without the franchise’s original lead character.
The filmmakers eventually decided that Woody was still needed. The movie reportedly felt incomplete without him and lacked the emotional center that the cowboy had provided throughout the earlier films.
He was brought back into the story, but Jessie remained its central figure. Woody and Buzz instead support her as she attempts to protect Bonnie and keep the toys together.
The Disneyland Paris character change now gives Jessie an even more visible position outside the film.
Woody Remains Elsewhere at the Resort
Woody has not been removed from Disneyland Paris altogether. The resort still features several attractions, shows, and entertainment offerings connected to Toy Story.
Toy Story Playland remains open at Disney Adventure World. The themed area places guests inside an oversized version of Andy’s backyard and includes RC Racer, Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, and Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin.
Large figures of Buzz Lightyear, Rex, and other familiar characters also appear throughout the land. Woody imagery remains part of the wider Toy Story setting, even though he no longer hosts the regular Animation Celebration meet-and-greet.
At Disneyland Park, guests can ride Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, an interactive attraction in which riders use laser cannons to help Buzz defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg.
Woody, Jessie, and Buzz are also featured in Disney Stars on Parade. Some costumed characters have occasionally been removed from recent performances during periods of extreme heat, but the trio remains part of the parade’s advertised lineup.
The characters additionally appear in TOGETHER: A Pixar Musical Adventure at Disney Adventure World. The stage show brings together stories and music from several Pixar films, including Toy Story.
The production is scheduled to pause from August 3 through September 30, 2026. The closure is listed as a temporary break rather than the permanent removal of the show.
Disneyland Paris is also continuing its limited-time Toy Story 5 celebration through September 30. The resort is offering special character encounters, themed snacks, exclusive collectibles, and a Pizza Planet truck hunt.
Those experiences mean Woody may still appear elsewhere as part of the promotion. His departure from Animation Celebration does not amount to a full removal from the resort.
Still, the regular meet-and-greet change is another clear sign of Jessie’s growing importance. After years of standing alongside Woody, the cowgirl has officially taken over one of his Disney park spots.
What do you think of Disney scrapping Woody for Jessie?
