Walt Disney World Resort is erasing decades of visual history as the final purple and red directional signs disappear from the resort after a four-year replacement campaign.
The nostalgic signage that guided guests to parks, hotels, and attractions since the property’s early decades is being systematically removed and replaced with blue-and-white versions.
X (formerly Twitter) user @FiBelleFi recently captured one of the last surviving purple signs:
Last purple sign! 😝
Last purple sign! 😝 pic.twitter.com/XjDsXQUVpq
— Belle (@FiBelleFi) January 28, 2026
The post shows directional markers for Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Animal Kingdom Resort Area. Echoing many sentimental Disney Park guests, @AliciaStella responded:
End of an era
End of an era https://t.co/Me4ghJqNpS
— Alicia Stella (@AliciaStella) January 28, 2026
Systematic Removal Since 2022
Walt Disney World Resort began replacing the purple and red signs—some featuring Mickey Mouse ear-topped posts—in 2022. The project initially focused on faded signage but expanded to include vintage signs in good condition.
For many guests, the distinctive purple markers represented the threshold between everyday life and Disney vacations. The signs appeared after passing through the iconic archway entrance, signaling arrival at the 25,000-acre resort.
Fans Mourn Lost Nostalgia
In several Reddit discussions, Disney Parks fans shared strong emotional connections to the disappearing signs. U/Dragonturtle_63 wrote:
“As a kid Purple road signs meant you were close to having the best few days of your life!”
“I miss the purple,” said u/novomyjogo. “It was a small detail I really liked.”
U/thatguygreg added:
“Same—the purple was the new colors when I had my time as a CM; it’ll be sad to see them gone.”
Visibility Concerns With New Design
Some guests criticize the blue replacements for poor readability. U/tampaflusa argued:
“Actually they’re a little hard to read compared to the previous ones. They’re blue and sometimes blend in with the sky. Maybe I’m getting old IDK..”
“I feel the same,” u/spongebob226 echoed. “The text is also more bold on the purple signs.”
Defenders of Modernization
Some guests support the update. One unknown Reddit user argued:
“I think the purple signs were a relic of the 90s and we’re past their sell by date. I’m as nostalgic as anyone, and have lived the parks since my first visit in 1973. There were signs before the purple ones and will be signs after the blue ones. The kids growing up with the blue ones will miss them when they are changed out too! …Time for the purple signs to go and enjoy the freshened up changes!”
“What bugged me the most is how faded and awful some of the purple signs looked, like you could hardly read them,” U/kgaviation said.
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t announced when the replacement project will finish. Crews have been installing new signage since 2022 across the resort’s roads, parking areas, and property entrances.
Do you prefer the new or old road signs at Walt Disney World Resort? Share your thoughts with Disney Dining in the comments!
