Disney's Pop Century Resort has spent nearly 23 years wrapping guests in oversized, colorful nostalgia — but on September 23, one of its most familiar pieces suddenly vanished. Goofy's red hot rod, which had been parked between the resort's 1960s and 1970s areas since the hotel's earliest days, was lifted from its longtime spot and hauled away, leaving only temporary barriers behind.

One of Disney World's Most Nostalgic Hotels

Disney's Pop Century Resort opened in December 2003 with a simple but irresistible concept: celebrating decades of American pop culture in the most over-the-top way possible. As a Value Resort, it takes guests on a walk through the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s — and Disney didn't go subtle. Enormous yo-yos, bowling pins, Rubik's Cubes, and rollerblades are just some of the giant objects that define the property's personality. Disney characters appear throughout as well, turning what could have been a straightforward budget hotel into something genuinely playful.

That distinctive identity has helped Pop Century remain a fan favorite even as Disney has modernized portions of the resort over the years. Today, the Disney Skyliner also connects Pop Century with EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios, giving guests a scenic alternative to buses for those park trips.

But for many returning guests, the hotel's charm lives in its smaller nostalgic details — which is exactly what makes the sudden disappearance of Goofy's hot rod so noticeable.

An Opening-Day Staple Is Gone

Video shared on social media on September 23 showed crews lifting Goofy's red hot rod from its longtime location near the edge of the courtyard, within walking distance of the Everything POP main building, before towing it away. A second video later showed temporary barriers surrounding the now-empty spot.

According to social media account @DashDestinations, a damaged windshield was the reason for the removal. If that's the case, there's reason for optimism — a windshield repair or replacement could mean the hot rod eventually returns to its familiar home.

However, Disney has not publicly confirmed that plan. There is currently no announced return date and no official word on whether the vehicle will be reinstalled at all.

Goofy's hot rod was never a ride or a headliner attraction. Guests didn't build itineraries around it. But it was precisely the kind of quirky, character-filled detail that gave Pop Century its personality — and after more than two decades, plenty of returning visitors recognized it as part of the resort's scenery. Its absence is hard to miss.

Pop Century's Recent Refresh

The removal comes after Disney completed a broader series of updates around Pop Century. Guest rooms received a soft-goods refresh that brought more color and visual character into the existing design. The updated rooms feature warm wood-toned flooring with a geometric inset that creates the look of an area rug, accented with blue, gray, green, and orange tones. Soft blue hues also appear around portions of the bed wall and bathroom area.

Curtains and upholstery were updated as well. Chairs now feature retro-inspired patterns with Hidden Mickey details worked into the fabric. Familiar Disney artwork remains — the pull-down bed features Pluto sleeping and dreaming of bones, while Mickey Mouse artwork continues the room's pop art feel.

Beyond the rooms, Disney also refreshed the lobby with bold artwork inspired by different decades and the Fab Five. Everything POP Shopping & Dining and Petals Pool Bar have received attention too. In short, Pop Century has been actively evolving while Disney works to preserve the colorful identity that made the hotel distinctive from the start.

Is the Removal Permanent?

That remains the big question. A broken windshield is a reasonable explanation for why the hot rod needed to go, and the temporary barriers could suggest crews expect additional work in the area. But without an official statement from Disney, there's no guarantee the vehicle will return.

Pop Century is set to celebrate 23 years of operation in December 2026. Goofy's hot rod came remarkably close to reaching that milestone before disappearing from its longtime spot. Here's hoping this turns out to be a short trip to the repair shop rather than a permanent farewell.

Until Disney puts the car back — or shares more information — one of Pop Century's most recognizable nostalgic staples remains noticeably absent.