Guests at Walt Disney World Resort were disappointed after two beloved Cars (2006) character statues at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort were found damaged. Photos shared on social media revealed missing pieces from the Fillmore and Lightning McQueen statues, sparking frustration among Disney Parks fans and leading to speculation about how the damage occurred.
On Sunday, Redditor u/sandy_shark903 posted photos of the statues, showing both vehicles missing their decorative headlights. “Fillmore and Lightning were missing a headlight,” the Redditor wrote:
Fillmore and Lightning were missing a headlight
byu/sandy_shark903 inWaltDisneyWorld
Disney Parks Fans React to the Damage
The images quickly gained traction online, with Disney Parks fans pointing fingers at unruly guests for the damage. Many speculated that guests might have ripped off the pieces deliberately. Redditor u/mcamuso78 expressed frustration: “This is why we can’t have nice stuff. I’m sure some kid peaked off the headlight and popped Fillmore’s off. While the parents watched and probably recorded their darling child expressing themselves.”
Others echoed the sentiment, urging guests to show more respect for Disney’s property. “Souvenirs are available in the Ink and Paint shop and do not need to be stolen from characters!” said u/opthomas_prime_21.
Some Disney Parks fans noted that the damage wasn’t new.
“Lightning also only had one headlight when we were there in early December,” u/Bauer_Hockey10 commented.
Another user, u/butterscotchpine, replied, “Just double checked my photos from the end of December because I thought ‘no way!’ but turns out yes way, I didn’t notice the missing [headlight] at all.”
Future of the Cars Franchise at Walt Disney World Resort
Despite the disappointment surrounding the damaged statues, the Cars franchise has a bright future at Walt Disney World Resort. Walt Disney Imagineering has announced plans to bring new Cars attractions to Magic Kingdom Park as part of its Frontierland reimagining.
The expansion will include two Cars-themed rides, set to replace Rivers of America, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Tom Sawyer Island. This project is part of a larger transformation that also features a Villains Land beyond Big Thunder Mountain.
Have you noticed unaddressed damage at Walt Disney World Resort? Disney Fanatic would love to hear from you in the comments.