Sorcerer's hat

baldburke;2448654 wrote: ...just because the landmark isn't front and center in the park doesn't mean it can't be the icon.

It doesn't HAVE to be, but it is for the three other parks. It's interesting that no one has mentioned the Chinese theater as the park's icon, even though it's at the center. Here's a couple of quotes from The Imagineering Guide to Disney's Hollywood Studios: "It stands to reason that at the end of this Park's Main Street, one would find this Park's castle. If Hollywood has a castle, it's the Chinese Theater... The team [Imagineers] generated detailed drawings and paintings to lead the fabrication effort that would bring to life this cherished icon in all of its opening-night glory."

If we're following Disney tradition, the icons in the parks worldwide are unique to that park and are easily recognizable, represent the overall identity of the park, and make a grand design statement. With these in mind, the TOT comes close but isn't unique (it's also on the West Coast). To me, The Earful Tower is a sad icon, maybe representing a park that's still struggling for an identity.

:mickey:

I never knew that was it's name. Does anyone else remember they used to put a huge Santa hat on the water tower at Christmas ? Wonder why they don't do that anymore ?

How about just a skyline of the main street.. like they do for the Small World pins, or kinda like DCA's logo.

DizneyFreak2002;2448616 wrote: The Earful Tower is on all the merchandise as the icon... That's why I said earlier they seem to be using both, but the Earful Tower is leading the way so far...

And the water tower makes perfect sense... People wonder why, cause Disney has lead you to believe "icons' should be the center piece of the park, should be huge, should be readily available to have a picture taken in front of it... Again, that's not whan the "icon" is... The icon is the symbol of the park... Why a water tower? Because, water towers were often a symbol and a major park of movie studios in Hollywood... They were erected on site in case of fires.. One of the studios which had such a water tower? Walt Disney Studios...

Earful Tower makes sense as the symbol of Hollywood Studios... Once the name is changed, and the direction of the park is made aware, who knows what they will start using... But Earful Tower makes perfect sense...

AND it was the symbol *before* the Sorcerer's Hat. Just going back to the park's roots. I think it makes sense. But I get the disconnect. Every other park's symbol is *also* that park's weenie. But the weenie at DHS just isn't as big and visible as the other three. Symbolically, the water tower makes perfect sense. But I get the disagreement.

azcavalier;2448801 wrote: AND it was the symbol *before* the Sorcerer's Hat. Just going back to the park's roots. I think it makes sense. But I get the disconnect. Every other park's symbol is *also* that park's weenie. But the weenie at DHS just isn't as big and visible as the other three. Symbolically, the water tower makes perfect sense. But I get the disagreement.

Exactly, and I can also see why folks who maybe didn't go to WDW during the early years of MGM wouldn't connect to it as much. I kinda like the reconnection of the early icon, but understand, and am okay with, there possibly being a change in the near future.

And remember, this can strictly be temporary... We really don't know the true specifics of the park's make over... We have rumors, chirping, fanboy talk... But nothing solid or concrete from Disney (and even then, we cannot trust their word as many times their words meant nothing with the final product)...

Off topic (sort of) but what about DCA? I don't think that park has a weenie, does it?

What is its icon? The fun wheel?

In DCA, I would consider ToT, Grizzly Gulch/Grizzly Peak (the Grizzly Bear rock work), the Cars Land rock work, and the fun wheel weenies... also Carthay Circle...

As for the icon, I'm not sure anymore... Past icons included Grizzly Peak rock work formation... The used the Sun Icon which was in Sunshine Plaza... But now? No idea... I've seen Carthay Circle restaurant building branded as the park logo/icon, but not sure if it is official.. I'm talking the spire not the restaurant itself...