In a sudden overnight update, Buzz Lightyear has been removed from the Once Upon A Toy entrance at Disney Springs, leaving Walt Disney World Resort guests without one of their favorite photo-op spots. Visitors will notice the blue platform is empty, with potted plants now surrounding the location where the iconic Tim Allen character typically stands.
Toy Story (1995) is one of the most popular franchises at Walt Disney World Resort. At Magic Kingdom Park, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is currently being updated to add more interactive and technical features for guests to enjoy. Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Toy Story Land invites visitors to shrink down to the size of Woody, Buzz, and the rest of Andy’s friends for adventures on Toy Story Mania!, Slinky Dog Dash, and Alien Swirling Saucers.
The entrance to the Once Upon A Toy store at Disney Springs has long featured Buzz Lightyear and Mr. Potato Head figures. These larger-than-life statues have become familiar landmarks for returning Walt Disney World Resort guests; they’re popular repeat photo-ops to mark growth milestones and family changes over the years.
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This summer, Walt Disney World Resort removed and refurbished the Mr. Potato Head statue, as well as a nearby Cinderella sculpture outside World of Disney. Weeks after Mr. Potato Head returned, Buzz Lightyear has now been taken down, likely for a similar refurbishment project.
Photos shared by @Attractions on X (formerly known as Twitter) show the empty post at Once Upon A Toy, with clear outlines of where the character’s feet and supports once attached to the base.
It’s now Buzz Lightyear’s turn for a refurb at @DisneySprings
It’s now Buzz Lightyear’s turn for a refurb at @DisneySprings. https://t.co/jZhBRjquHA pic.twitter.com/1ytK9pBK1R
— Attractions Magazine (@Attractions) October 1, 2025
Refurbishment projects like this one typically last several weeks. Mr. Potato Head returned after just under two months, suggesting that Buzz Lightyear may be back in place by November, just in time for Toy Story 5 (2026).
Do you have a favorite photo-op at Walt Disney World Resort? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!
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Another reason to never go to this place, and spend thousands of dollars to wait in line and be miserable…
My phone would be with my whole family in front of the castle. And were Walt and Mickey statue is, at that’s the best one I can ever think of that. I think of a lot, but I don’t think about Disney probably at all since they took out this splash mountain and the liberty part and frontier land