A newly revealed photo shows the disturbing appearance of a Disney animatronic figure after a thief allegedly stole his clothing and accessories in one of the strangest crimes at Walt Disney World Resort.
The Disney Animatronic Mystery
Cranium Command opened in 1989 inside EPCOT’s Wonders of Life Pavilion. It used advanced audio-animatronics to educate guests on how the human brain functions. The attraction operated for nearly two decades but, along with the rest of the pavilion, closed permanently on January 1, 2007.
Although Wonders of Life never reopened, much of Cranium Command’s set and its main animatronic, Buzzy, remained intact for years. But in 2018, everything changed.
The Shocking Theft at EPCOT
As Disney prepared to demolish Wonders of Life to make way for the now-delayed Play! Pavilion, crews allegedly labeled Buzzy with a “do not destroy” tag. However, in December 2018, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Buzzy’s hat, jacket, and hands had been stolen.
The case took an even wilder turn when authorities began investigating Patrick Spikes, a former Disney cast member who ran the infamous “BackDoorDisney” social media accounts. Spikes was accused of sneaking backstage and stealing thousands of dollars in Disney props and costumes. When officials searched his phone, they allegedly found photos of Buzzy’s stolen clothing.
Spikes was arrested in 2019 and later convicted after being linked to over $7,000 in stolen Disney memorabilia, including items from The Haunted Mansion. He was sentenced to probation, ordered to pay restitution, and banned from Walt Disney World Resort.
One of the most bizarre twists in the case involved NBA player Robin Lopez, a known Disney superfan. Authorities discovered that Lopez had unknowingly purchased some of Buzzy’s stolen clothing from Spikes. Once he learned the items had been stolen, he cooperated fully with law enforcement and returned the pieces.
The New Photo and Stolen Kingdom Documentary
Now, years later, a new image of Buzzy post-theft has surfaced. According to a Reddit post from u/TheFatYoshiMemer, the documentary Stolen Kingdom (2025) includes an unreleased photo showing Buzzy without his stolen costume.
New photo released of buzzy after clothes were stolen
byu/TheFatYoshiMemer inWaltDisneyWorld
The film, which recently premiered at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Montana, dives into the underground world of Disney crime, theft, and illegal memorabilia trading. The next screening of Stolen Kingdom is set for April 11, 2025, at the Florida Film Festival, with more showings expected soon.
What do you think happened to Buzzy? Share your theories with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
