This reminds me of the deleted 'soup' scene from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, that Ward Kimball spent months on- only to have Walt cut it from the film. If I recall correctly, Ward met with Walt about his disappointment from having the scene cut- with Walt assuring him his animation and design would be used more prominently in the next animated film, leading to his work on Jiminy Cricket.
For those who haven't read it, Todd James Pierce's wonderful book
The Life and Times of Ward Kimball is a must read.