Sorcerer's Hat Gone

barnaby;2438422 wrote: Question for everyone:
Why hasn't Disney announced what they are doing at DHS yet? Still being planned? A little gun shy about being specific, possibly because they had to change up New Fantasyland plans, and Avatar plans were met with a mediocre response?
Just curious as to what the thinking may be.

My armchair Imagineering tells me that they don't know what they are going to do at DHS, but they just can't resist closing all of this stuff ASAP to save money. Any plans for replacing the near-demolished DHS are likely to be several pie-in-the-sky ideas that the bean counters are working on to significantly strip of any real cash flow.

In all seriousness, I truly do believe Disney does not have a firm plan on what is next at DHS, and it may well be YEARS before they do.

Aw I'll be a little sad to see it go. I hated it when it was first put in, but it has really grown on me. However, if this is the first step towards a majir Studios refurb I'm all for it. Now what becomes the icon of the park? I hope it's not the theater, that would be weak. I'd vote for the water tower. So much cooler than the theater.

Good riddance. And, come on Disney...announce something BIG!

I like the hat. Not necessarily THERE, but I like it. I would love it if they would relocate it somewhere. I have some great pictures of that hat.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/25939479@N03/8509618111/

I never really minded the hat. I preferred the original view of the theater, but it didn't bother me one way or another. However, I did always feel that it took up too much room for something that was essentially an odd gift shop. Here's to hoping GREAT things are coming to DHS in that 4-5 year time frame!! :marg:

I find this news interesting; considering all the speculation and rumors concerning Star Wars and Pixar coming to Hollywood Studios. This might play against the rumors that Star Wars will take over the Echo Lake area.

If they are taking down the hat and leaving the Chinese theater as is (for now) they are going back to the Hollywood street entrance that the park opened with. Putting otherworldly building across adjacent to this would make a jarring undisney like transition. I don't think they are willing to give up 50's prime time and Hollywood & Vine.

I still fear that if Star Wars Land is announced its going to take over Streets of America, LMA, and Muppets. Pixar will get the backlot and the rest of Mickey Avenue.

Aside from all that I will not be sad to see it go, they put it up but never really had a plan for it. It ruined both the visuals of the entrance street and the hidden Mickey. The event stage will look a little more lonely without the hat behind it tho.

Goofy4TheWorld;2438434 wrote: In all seriousness, I truly do believe Disney does not have a firm plan on what is next at DHS, and it may well be YEARS before they do.

They actually do have a plan and brought in the big dogs a couple of weeks ago to go over everything to make sure everyone was on the same page. As noted earlier, they're just waiting until closer to time to actually unveil the plans so it doesn't seem like with Pandora where we have to wait forever from announcement to realization. But good things are coming. I was just surprised they are ready to go ahead and announce the hat being gone, but a couple of our MCP of Intercot got the news directly from a great source and broke the news on Twitter. Now we'll have to see when Disney decides to confirm it.

LittleDreamer;2438447 wrote:
I don't think they are willing to give up 50's prime time and Hollywood & Vine.

The plans, at one point (and I stress at one point cause things always change) were for 50's Prime Time and Hollywood and Vine to stay... They wouldn't be included in the plans for Star Wars taking over Echo Lake...

Star Tours would be the end of the corridor which would have been Star Wars...

Seems as if the news is all but official, from Click Orlando:

Disney Spokesman Bryan Malenius just confirmed to Local 6 the park plans to reimagine the park's central plaza by removing the Sorcerer's Hat in early 2015.

The Orlando Business Journal has now confirmed what John broke on Twitter this morning:

It's time to take your final photos and say your goodbyes, as the iconic Mickey's sorcerer's hat at Disney's Hollywood Studios will be removed.
Walt Disney World confirmed to Orlando Business Journal on Oct. 24 that the 122-foot-tall hat, which has been the centerpiece of the theme park since 2001, will be removed. "Work continues on bringing new experiences to life at Disney's Hollywood Studios and we look forward to sharing more information at a later date," said Disney spokesman Bryan Malenius, who declined to provide more details. Our media partner News 13 reported sources said the hat will be removed in early 2015.

There's no word yet on what Disney will put in place of the sorcerer's hat, but the structure already has been taken off some park brochures and maps, as previously reported by Orlando Business Journal.
This is yet another change for one of Walt Disney World's theme parks, joining rumors that Hollywood Studios is clearing space for a major expansion that could be Star Wars-related or another property in the Disney portfolio, as well as the recent announcement of Epcot's plans to replace Maelstrom with a new Frozen attraction.

Strmchsr;2438399 wrote: I was thinking it would be a giant magic band.

Dear god that is probably it. Frozen or Magic Band..

Nah, has to be frozen. Everything else is. Waiting for Frozen II.

Can't be the magic band.. they won't make them comfortably sized as it is. If they do make the giant one, I'm going to request that one.

Never liked hat. The water tower is the natural icon.

Altair;2438396 wrote: They are just replacing it with a giant tiara from Frozen. :mickey:

That's funny!

I wouldn't mind if they moved it, but I hope that they don't get rid of it altogether. I think it's a cool symbol of the DHS.

:wave:

texas211;2438461 wrote:
Nah, has to be frozen. Everything else is. Waiting for Frozen II.

Please no! I know it is inevitable, but I do not see the obsession with this movie. I LOVE Disney and am a bit of a purist,but I thought this was one of the poorer Disney offerings in a while. I know I am alone in this - but still don't get it.

I digress - Love the Hat. Fine - move it but place it elsewhere for photos ops - its so pretty at night.

Won't miss it in that spot but that would be a great idea for it to be in front outside of park.

Maybe permanent fireworks again like Sorcery in the Sky? Wonder if base will be left to be used as a stage.