We’ve been keeping a close eye on all the decorations going up around Disneyland for the big 70th Anniversary celebration. From new banners and bunting on Main Street, U.S.A. to updates on Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disney has been decking the resort in all things platinum and nostalgic.
But one new detail—part of the castle sculpture going up in the Esplanade between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure—had fans raising eyebrows this week. Specifically, a decorative weather vane that appeared to be a nod to the Partners statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse.
Here’s the thing: once photos of the topper started circulating online, fans were quick to point out that the figure of Walt didn’t look like Walt. At all.
Some said the hairstyle was way off. Others said it looked suspiciously like… former President Donald Trump.
And it didn’t take long for the posts to go viral.
“You cannot tell me that doesn’t look like Trump,” one comment read.
“This is unreal,” another said. “It has the suit and the hair—it’s not Walt.”
While Disney didn’t officially respond, actions speak louder than press releases—and by the next day, the topper was gone.
Guy Selga wrote, “The Walt and Mickey icon on Disneyland 70 decoration in the esplanade has been removed.”
The Walt and Mickey icon on Disneyland 70 decoration in the esplanade has been removed. pic.twitter.com/na9zxAaX5J
— Guy Selga (@guyselga) May 12, 2025
What Happened to the Sculpture?
If you head to the Esplanade now, you’ll still see the in-progress Sleeping Beauty Castle display that’s part of Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary celebration. The base and side elements are still in place, including weather vanes themed to different lands: a carousel horse for Fantasyland, and Space Mountain for Tomorrowland, for example.
But the centerpiece weather vane, meant to honor the Partners statue, has been completely removed. There’s no replacement as of yet—just an empty spot where it used to sit.
It’s unclear if Disney will attempt to revise the piece and reinstall it later, or if the design has been scrapped entirely.
Why It Matters
Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary is a major milestone. The actual birthday falls on July 17, but celebrations officially begin on May 16, with new entertainment, decor, and photo ops around the park.
This sculpture in particular was supposed to be one of the first visual centerpieces guests would see when approaching the parks. So, having one of its features pulled after online backlash definitely raises questions about how it made it through the design process in the first place.
Given the ongoing friction between The Walt Disney Company and President Trump’s current administration—plus multiple regulatory investigations underway—it’s not hard to see why Disney moved quickly to remove anything that could cause confusion or controversy.
The Rest of the Celebration Is Still On Track
Aside from that one sculpture element, everything else remains on schedule. On July 15, a brand-new temporary show called Walt Disney—A Magical Life will debut at the Main Street Opera House, replacing Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln for a limited time. According to Disney, the show will feature “the most lifelike animatronic Walt ever created.”
We’ll continue to track all the changes as the 70th Anniversary kicks off—including if Disney decides to update or replace the removed weather vane.
In the meantime, if you’re headed to the parks, you might want to swing by the Esplanade for a look at the evolving display—and to see what’s missing for yourself.
