After a long absence, the beloved Cinderella statue has finally returned to Walt Disney World Resort, much to the delight of Disney Parks fans. This iconic figure has long been a centerpiece outside the World of Disney store at Disney Springs, but disappeared earlier this month.
Earlier this month, Disney Fanatic reported that the Cinderella statue had disappeared from outside the World of Disney store. The removal of the statue came less than a year after Walt Disney World Resort had completed lengthy refurbishments on both Cinderella and an Aurora statue that stands across from her. This month, though, only Cinderella disappeared.
However, it was not just Cinderella who vanished. A few days later, a Mr. Potato Head statue was also removed from outside Once Upon A Toy, another store located just steps from the World of Disney. A nearby Buzz Lightyear statue was left standing, just like in the case of Cinderella and Aurora. The disappearances caused some concern among Disney Parks fans about whether more nostalgia-themed decor would be permanently removed from Disney Springs.
From 2017 to 2018, World of Disney underwent a major renovation, and much of the previous, more vintage Disney theming was replaced with a more minimalist and modern aesthetic. The Cinderella and Aurora statues are among the last remnants of the original design.
Thankfully, the confusion was short-lived. On July 22, the Cinderella statue made her grand return to Disney Springs, right where she belonged outside the World of Disney store. @Attractions shared on X (formerly Twitter):
She’s back!
She’s back! https://t.co/HDd8d9ixvV pic.twitter.com/OZp9hxC6wC
— Attractions Magazine (@Attractions) July 22, 2025
As of now, the Mr. Potato Head statue has not returned to Once Upon A Toy. If it follows the same timeline as Cinderella, it is expected to return soon, potentially in the coming week. The Aurora and Buzz Lightyear statues are untouched, and whether they will undergo similar refurbishments remains unclear.
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