“Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”
The above quote may be one of the most well-known quotes by the creator of Disneyland, Walter Elias Disney. Mr. Disney believed that things should never stay the same. Creativity should be allowed to grow and blossom, and Disney parks would grow and blossom along with it. That is why Disney Imagineers are always looking for ways to make Disney theme parks new and exciting.
Related: Imagineer Shares Truth Behind Disney’s Donald Trump Animatronic
Guests who have visited Walt Disney World Resort in the past few years may have noticed that The Most Magical Place on Earth has been undergoing some big transformations. The biggest transformation is no doubt happening at EPCOT.
For decades, EPCOT was divided into two distinct areas — Future World and the World Showcase. Now, the park will be divided into four distinct neighborhoods — World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery, and the World Showcase.
Related: Is Drinking “Around the World” Ruining EPCOT?
The World Celebration area will be found at the front of the theme park and will feature Dreamers Point. It is at Dreamers Point that guests will soon be able to see a statue honoring the man whose imagination and innovation changed the world. The statue will be called “Walt the Dreamer”, and there is no better place for the dreamer than his Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.
Here’s a first look at the Walt the Dreamer statue coming to EPCOT.
Here’s a first look at the Walt the Dreamer statue coming to EPCOT. #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/qRAEPdld35
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) September 9, 2022
To celebrate the creation of “Walt the Dreamer”, a figurine is being sold at both Disneyland Paris and EPCOT’s Creations Shop. It is also reportedly available for purchase at Disneyland Resort. While many loved the statue of Walt, a lot of people noticed one thing that was a little off-putting.
They think that it looks like Walt is using the bathroom.
Gotta love the new pooping Walt statue available at @WaltDisneyWorld
#disney #WaltDisney
Gotta love the new pooping Walt statue available at @WaltDisneyWorld #disney #WaltDisney pic.twitter.com/yU9HWnvEwv
— Joe Luna (@joeluna33) September 19, 2023
Disney has been on the receiving end of a lot of negative posts lately, but even big Disney fans felt the need to speak up.
I’m sorry. I’m not a Disney hater, but those look like he’s sitting on a toilet.
https://twitter.com/truckle4evr/status/1705297786109911071
Despite the unfortunate pose, guests were lighthearted in poking fun at it.
I am sitting on the toilet reading this post, just like Walt
https://twitter.com/mjl1126/status/1703840603409387557
It was even suggested that Disney could team up with the Ghostbusters for a fun toy mashup.
The Walt statue would look awesome paired with Fearsome Flush from The Real Ghostbusters toy line.
The Walt statue would look awesome paired with Fearsome Flush from The Real Ghostbusters toy line. pic.twitter.com/THYmaXEQou
— Guy Selga (@guyselga) September 22, 2023
This is not the first time that Disney fans have pointed out Walt’s familiar pose. Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle shared a first look at the statue right before the D23 Expo, which took place in September 2022 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Many commented on the situation in the comments, but it looks like Disney did not decide to change anything about it.
The D23 Expo starts tomorrow, with lots of things to check out at the Disney Parks and Experiences pavilion. Here’s a sneak peek of “Walt the Dreamer,” going into a new area of EPCOT called Dreamers Point and inspiring the dreamer in all of us.
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Disney has not shared the exact date that “Walt the Dreamer” will be installed at EPCOT. They have said that it will be at the heart of a new entrance point guests can walk through. It is scheduled to open later this year.
In addition to “Walt the Dreamer”, guests will also be able to experience a brand-new attraction before the year ends. Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, is set to open on October 16. The new attraction will allow guests to take a beautiful self-guided tour and teach them more about water and how it affects our planet. There will be an interactive-wet path and a separate path for those who wish to stay dry.
