20 Things That Are Gone But Not Forgotten From Walt Disney World

3. Dressed Up Icons

Over the years Walt Disney World has added decorations to their park icons to celebrate different occasions. Some were ok, others were just weird and wacky.

One of the strangest costumes that the parks have ever given their icons was the Birthday Cake Castle at Magic Kingdom. In 1996 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, Cinderella Castle was fully decorated to look like a birthday cake.The castle looked like a giant pink cake for just over a year.

Spaceship Earth at Epcot also had an accessory for a while. In 2000 a huge Mickey Mouse hand and wand was added to the side of the ball. The hand and wand stayed for 7 years before it was dismantled.

2. Streets Of America

Streets of America Hollywood Studios Disney
Wikipedia

Part of Hollywood Studios, Streets of America was originally a set on the working backlot.

Recreating the streets of both New York and San Francisco, the area was a photo opportunity heaven. With the fantastic street facades and home to the Studio Backlot Tour, there was a lot to take in.

Streets of America, although great all year round, really came to life at Christmas... but more on that next.

The area was shut in 2016 to make way for the Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

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Jen has been a writer and video editor at WhatCulture for over 10 years. She has a BA Hons in History from Newcastle University and in a past life worked at Beamish Open Air Museum and was a corporate trainer (BTC Award in Education and Training). Jen joined WhatCulture to discuss all things Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World, as well as her love of all things movies. She has worked closely with Universal and Disney, giving WhatCulture readers breaking news and exclusives. Her knowledge of Disney parks has lead her to be published by The Sun. If you've ever completed a Disney movies or Friends quiz on WhatCulture it was probably written by Jen. Jen's love of all things Universal's Halloween Horror Nights brought her to WhatCulture's Horror Channel as a video editor. Her video edits can be found across WhatCulture's Film & TV and Horror channels, along with WhatCulture's Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts.