There are certain sights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that instantly transport guests back in time. Long before Galaxy’s Edge, before Toy Story Land, and even before the park dropped the MGM name, one friendly green dinosaur quietly became one of the park’s most recognizable landmarks.Credit: Patrick McGarvey, FlickrNow, that beloved icon has unexpectedly become the center of attention — for reasons no Disney fan wanted to see.After weeks of visible structural concerns, Gertie the Dinosaur has officially lost part of her tail, marking a surprising escalation in what began as a relatively minor maintenance issue near Echo Lake.For longtime Disney fans, it’s more than cosmetic damage. It’s a reminder that even the most familiar pieces of Walt Disney World history occasionally need serious care.A Problem Guests First Started NoticingThe situation didn’t begin overnight. Guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios earlier in February started spotting something unusual along Gertie’s tail — a deep crack running horizontally near the waterline.Normally, that section of the structure is partially hidden by landscaping. However, colder Florida weather earlier this year led to vegetation being removed around Echo Lake, unintentionally exposing areas guests don’t typically see. Once the greenery disappeared, the damage became easy to spot from across the lagoon.Credit: Lee (myfrozenlife), FlickrWhat initially looked like a cosmetic flaw quickly raised bigger questions. The crack appeared large enough that some guests wondered whether it extended below the water’s surface, which could make repairs significantly more complicated. Online discussion picked up quickly as photos circulated, with fans debating whether Disney might need a larger restoration effort to protect one of the park’s oldest icons.Despite the visible damage, operations continued as normal. Guests were still lining up for ice cream, and the area around Echo Lake remained open and busy.Still, something clearly wasn’t right.Disney Responds Quickly — But the Repair Doesn’t HoldDisney maintenance teams moved fast once attention focused on the issue. Within days, crews patched the crack and repainted the affected portion of the tail.For a short time, it looked like the problem had been solved. Observant guests noticed the repair due to a slight color difference between the new paint and the older surface, but overall the dinosaur appeared restored.