Roy and Minnie statue moved from Town Square this Halloween season

The Roy O. Disney and Minnie Mouse iconic park bench statue that normally sits in Town Square at Magic Kingdom Park has been moved for the Halloween season.

The statue is now located to the left side of the square between City Hall and the Fire Station available for people to have their photos taken. The area where the statue normally sits is now being used for Disney Photo Pass with pumpkins.

Entitled “Sharing the Magic,” the Roy and Minnie statue was sculpted by Blaine Gibson, who also created the famed “Partners” statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse located in the hub area in front of Cinderella Castle.

In October 1999, the statue featuring Roy O. Disney seated next to Minnie Mouse debuted. Gibson described the reason behind the pose like this: “Roy is sitting back in the bench which indicates he was there first and Minnie came to him, not that he came up to her to ask why she was sitting down and not working (laughs). Also he is holding her hand underneath so he is supporting it, just like he always supported Walt’s dreams. Roy was very underrated.”

After Walt Disney died on Dec. 15, 1966, Roy O. Disney postponed his retirement to oversee construction of the Disney World. During the resort’s dedication he declared it would be known as “Walt Disney World”, in his brother’s honor.

I”Everyone has heard of Fordcars. But have they all heard of Henry Ford, who started it all? Walt Disney World is in memory of the man who started it all, so people will know his name as long as Walt Disney World is here,” Roy O. Disney said. Less than three month after the resort open, Roy Disney died at the age of 78.