Disney’s Hollywood Studios has changed a lot over the years, but there are still a few things that feel like they’ve survived every era of the park.
And Gertie the Dinosaur is one of them.
Sitting in Echo Lake, Gertie has been one of Hollywood Studios’ most recognizable landmarks since the park opened back in 1989. For longtime Disney fans, she’s basically part of the scenery in the best way possible. You see her across the water and instantly know exactly where you are.
But recently, guests have started noticing that something looks… off.
New reports say that Gertie has a visible crack near the base of her tail, and it’s not a small one. The damage has been described as a V-shaped crack that runs across part of the structure and appears to continue down under the waterline.
That’s the part that has fans a little uneasy.
If the crack is only on the surface, Disney could probably patch it up fairly quickly. But if it goes deeper, it could be the kind of repair that takes more time, more planning, and possibly a bigger project than anyone expects.
What makes this situation even more noticeable is that recent freezing temperatures in Florida caused vegetation around Echo Lake to die back or be removed. Without the greenery blocking the view, guests can now clearly see the damage from across the lake.
So while some people may assume this crack is new, it’s also possible it’s been developing for a while and is only now becoming impossible to miss.
Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like the damage has impacted operations yet. Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction stand is still open, and guests can still grab their treats like normal.
But if Disney decides the crack needs major repairs, that could change quickly.
Some fans have even wondered if Disney would need to drain Echo Lake to properly access the affected area, especially if the crack extends far below the surface.
Either way, it’s a reminder that even the most beloved Disney icons aren’t immune to time. Gertie has been part of Hollywood Studios for decades, and while guests love seeing the park evolve, they also don’t want to see the classics slowly fall apart in the process.
Because for a lot of people, Gertie isn’t just an ice cream stand.
She’s a piece of Hollywood Studios history.
