Echo Lake Drained as Disney Begins Structural Repairs on Dinosaur Gertie’s Detached Tail

Gertie the Dinosaur Gets a “Band-Aid” as Echo Lake is Drained for Repairs at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

One of Disney’s most charming prehistoric residents is currently getting a little extra TLC. Gertie the Dinosaur, the beloved ice cream stand at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, has temporarily received what looks like a scrim “band-aid” after part of her tail broke off.

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The issue began in mid-February when a noticeable crack appeared along Gertie’s tail. The damage became easier to spot after nearby landscaping was removed following Florida’s recent cold snap, exposing parts of the structure that are normally hidden from guest view. Crews initially attempted to repair the crack by patching and repainting it, but the fix didn’t hold. By February 27, the crack had reopened, and shortly afterward, the damaged section of Gertie’s tail fell off completely.

To address the problem, Disney has now placed construction scrim over the area on Gertie’s back where the tail once connected. The broken end of the tail can still be seen protruding from the ground nearby while work continues. From a distance, the scrim covering the repair area is clearly visible to guests walking around Echo Lake.

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As part of the repair process, much of Echo Lake has also been partially drained. The lowered water level now reveals sections of Gertie that are normally hidden beneath the waterline, including an unpainted portion of the structure and the visible stripe marking where the water level usually sits.

Despite the tail trouble, Dinosaur Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction remains open and serving guests as usual. The giant dinosaur-shaped building is inspired by the 1914 animated short film “Gertie the Dinosaur” by Winsor McCay, widely considered one of the earliest animated characters ever created. Over a century later, this iconic dino still greets guests in Echo Lake, though right now she’s taking a brief moment for a little structural “prehistoric surgery.”

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