Disney has replaced the Sorcerer Hat with Tower of Terror on My Disney Experience

[HopperFan]

The Tower of Terror has been showing up in quite a few of DHS media locations. My gut is it will not be the permanent icon for various reasons, they just had to fill spots with something at the park that is visible.

- The park is about to go through years of major expansion, construction, re-branding and new imagineering. I think at the end of this there may even be an all new icon.
- There is a Tower of Terror at Disneyland so it truly can't be an icon to represent another park. EPCOT & AK have their own distinct and the Castles all vary.
- The tree, the "golf ball", the Castle - all have a presence of their own without any need to reference what is inside. The Tower is and looks like a ride with it's name very prominent - it's purpose is to be an attraction.
- Don't rule out the water tower. With backlot construction and big changes coming that imply the theme will still be movies, it could easily move and become more visible.
- There are still lots of items being sold in 4's - one for each park, such as the shot glasses I just bought, and the DHS icon is the water tower. On the shot glasses they even wrapped film down around the legs which could rep the park well.
- On the wall around the hat there is lots of nice posters and fun decor. There was no need for anything else but they took the time to stencil the water tower all around the fence. Why?

Here is pictures of the shot glass and the wall - https://twitter.com/Mr_MouseClues/status/556928896831336449

- DS had lunch with Imagineer last month and asked about the hat and an icon. He said they have an idea but they are in no rush, there is lots to be done in the park. He said for now nothing permanent will go in place of the hat.

 

[rteetz]

I see what your saying about taking pictures of the earful tower at the front of the park. It would be cool to still have it somewhere where visible for nostalgic reasons. Tower of Terror would make a great Park icon. The photo ops for it are great. Its a popular ride too but Disney will really need t stick with it. I do feel sorry for the amount of names changes it has had. Obviously an identity issue. So we've had MGM Studios Then Hollywood Studios (i just think of the hat) I think they should go with Hollywood Adventure. Its the studios part that gripes me currently but there is still some sense of Hollywood there.

Hollywood adventure is the top rumored name. The whole point of a name change would be to for the studios.

 

[rteetz]

but is the earful tower just a prop or is it a real water tower? If its actually a water tower they can't just move it.

It's just a prop they can move it.

 

[rteetz]

The Tower of Terror has been showing up in quite a few of DHS media locations. My gut is it will not be the permanent icon for various reasons, they just had to fill spots with something at the park that is visible. - The park is about to go through years of major expansion, construction, re-branding and new imagineering. I think at the end of this there may even be an all new icon. - There is a Tower of Terror at Disneyland so it truly can't be an icon to represent another park. EPCOT & AK have their own distinct and the Castles all vary. - The tree, the "golf ball", the Castle - all have a presence of their own without any need to reference what is inside. The Tower is and looks like a ride with it's name very prominent - it's purpose is to be an attraction. - Don't rule out the water tower. With backlot construction and big changes coming that imply the theme will still be movies, it could easily move and become more visible. - There are still lots of items being sold in 4's - one for each park, such as the shot glasses I just bought, and the DHS icon is the water tower. On the shot glasses they even wrapped film down around the legs which could rep the park well. - On the wall around the hat there is lots of nice posters and fun decor. There was no need for anything else but they took the time to stencil the water tower all around the fence. Why? Here is pictures of the shot glass and the wall - https://twitter.com/Mr_MouseClues/status/556928896831336449 - DS had lunch with Imagineer last month and asked about the hat and an icon. He said they have an idea but they are in no rush, there is lots to be done in the park. He said for now nothing permanent will go in place of the hat.

Well said. A DCA style redo of DHS is likely to occur. That is when we will find the new icon.

 

[Lee Matthews]

i love Star Wars but i dont anything from that or a MASSIVE Luxo Lamp becoming the park Icon.

I still want the Water Tower to be relocated and be the icon

 

[DDLand]

The Tower of Terror has been showing up in quite a few of DHS media locations. My gut is it will not be the permanent icon for various reasons, they just had to fill spots with something at the park that is visible.

- The park is about to go through years of major expansion, construction, re-branding and new imagineering. I think at the end of this there may even be an all new icon.
- There is a Tower of Terror at Disneyland so it truly can't be an icon to represent another park. EPCOT & AK have their own distinct and the Castles all vary.
- The tree, the "golf ball", the Castle - all have a presence of their own without any need to reference what is inside. The Tower is and looks like a ride with it's name very prominent - it's purpose is to be an attraction.
- Don't rule out the water tower. With backlot construction and big changes coming that imply the theme will still be movies, it could easily move and become more visible.
- There are still lots of items being sold in 4's - one for each park, such as the shot glasses I just bought, and the DHS icon is the water tower. On the shot glasses they even wrapped film down around the legs which could rep the park well.
- On the wall around the hat there is lots of nice posters and fun decor. There was no need for anything else but they took the time to stencil the water tower all around the fence. Why?

Here is pictures of the shot glass and the wall - https://twitter.com/Mr_MouseClues/status/556928896831336449

- DS had lunch with Imagineer last month and asked about the hat and an icon. He said they have an idea but they are in no rush, there is lots to be done in the park. He said for now nothing permanent will go in place of the hat.

Very good post. Pretty much spot on with everything.

Though can I just say I keep reading about these posters having lunches with Imagineers and finding out dirt. Are the Imagineers really that stupid? Do they just reveal secret plans over coffee? No wonder nothing is a surprise anymore. I don't doubt what you're saying, because there are tons of stories corroborating that sort of behavior. Weird culture, and something that they need to get ahold of before they do real damage that allows competitors to gain an edge.

 

[circus4u]

The original problem still exists with the tower. It's not centrally located. Now only compounded by the fact Back Lot Tour is closed.

You can't see the darn thing without seeking it out. That's a serious problem for a park icon. Chinese theatre and TOT are both good possibilities because of their central/visible locations. Oh, what about Gertie? (I feel like we should have a make Gertie the Dinosaur the icon of HS movement.)

Also, if they do expand Pixar Place there's the added problem that it would not fit in thematically.

I'm stretching my memory here, but as I recall, when MGM first opened, you could easily see the tower from World Drive on the way in. Also, I don't think it had the ears on the tower when MGM first opened, they were added shortly after. It was the only icon for any of the three parks that could be seen on the way down World Drive. Now, the trees have grown up all around it where it can't be seen.

 

[DDLand]

I'm stretching my memory here, but as I recall, when MGM first opened, you could easily see the tower from World Drive on the way in. Also, I don't think it had the ears on the tower when MGM first opened, they were added shortly after. It was the only icon for any of the three parks that could be seen on the way down World Drive. Now, the trees have grown up all around it where it can't be seen.

I think that I've read that is correct. Actually I just read that Spaceship Earth was supposed to have been visible from world drive too. They had to move the park over because of an endangered wood pecker.

Update: http://www.startedbyamouse.com/archives/remember_this2.shtml

The Ears were on from the start. World Drive Visibility was real.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I fail to really see why the "park icon" is really a big deal in this case?

I mean... Yeah... The always have one. But that's more of a push to sell merchandise and create warm and fuzzies. Do you want the merchandise?

I mean...really?

That park is the odd duck there...and I have a feeling that the tree at animal kingdom ( or the park for that matter) wouldn't have even been built if Eisner hadnt been bonkers about it and pushed the idea through.

Park icons are not incredibly useful - if you think about it. Not a great deal goes on in them from the upfront construction cost perspective.

We'll see...they may completely gut and rework the park... A la California adventure and to a certain extent Hong Kong...or it may be an after thought as it has been since it opened.

Current managements attention/investment in MGM has been nothing short of awful to this point.

 

[rteetz]

I fail to really see why the "park icon" is really a big deal in this case? I mean... Yeah... The always have one. But that's more of a push to sell merchandise and create warm and fuzzies. Do you want the merchandise? I mean...really? That park is the odd duck there...and I have a feeling that the tree at animal kingdom ( or the park for that matter) wouldn't have even been built if Eisner hadnt been bonkers about it and pushed the idea through. Park icons are not incredibly useful - if you think about it. Not a great deal goes on in them from the upfront construction cost perspective. We'll see...they may completely gut and rework the park... A la California adventure and to a certain extent Hong Kong...or it may be an after thought as it has been since it opened. Current managements attention/investment in MGM has been nothing short of awful to this point.

And don't forget before the tree they wanted a carousel with all the animals on it.

 

[jcnewton]

Hollywood adventure is the top rumored name. The whole point of a name change would be to for the studios.

If they're indeed shifting from the Studios name, would it make sense to have a water tower be the park's icon? Water towers are usually synonymous with movie studios.

I can see them using it for merch as a symbol, but not necessarily moving it out front and center.

 

[rteetz]

If they're indeed shifting from the Studios name, would it make sense to have a water tower be the park's icon? Water towers are usually synonymous with movie studios. I can see them using it for merch as a symbol, but not necessarily moving it out front and center.

I guess we will have to wait and see. I understand and agree. With a park rebranding something new will probably come.

 

[HopperFan]

Very good post. Pretty much spot on with everything.

Though can I just say I keep reading about these posters having lunches with Imagineers and finding out dirt. Are the Imagineers really that stupid? Do they just reveal secret plans over coffee? No wonder nothing is a surprise anymore. I don't doubt what you're saying, because there are tons of stories corroborating that sort of behavior. Weird culture, and something that they need to get ahold of before they do real damage that allows competitors to gain an edge.

Well, my DS is very much a Disney nerd, has dined with them more than once and always had high level ones. He brings up things that are not normal conversation and sometimes asks questions that the imagineers would not have brought up on their own. He really didn't tell him anything special. He basically said they have a plan, they know where they are going but he didn't tell him what it would be. He also said there was no rush to build something in the hub at this time. I think that is a good guess by anyone, it makes no sense to build something just to tear down. He didn't give out any secrets. But you know there are lots of CMs who know lots of stuff. I knew the hat was leaving about a month before anyone broke the news because my DD works down there and her friend worked in DHS at the hat. Hard to keep that many people in the dark.

 

[DDLand]

Well, my DS is very much a Disney nerd, has dined with them more than once and always had high level ones. He brings up things that are not normal conversation and sometimes asks questions that the imagineers would not have brought up on their own. He really didn't tell him anything special. He basically said they have a plan, they know where they are going but he didn't tell him what it would be. He also said there was no rush to build something in the hub at this time. I think that is a good guess by anyone, it makes no sense to build something just to tear down. He didn't give out any secrets. But you know there are lots of CMs who know lots of stuff. I knew the hat was leaving about a month before anyone broke the news because my DD works down there and her friend worked in DHS at the hat. Hard to keep that many people in the dark.

Interesting, and thanks for your take!

I see how coordinating things with Parks Ops., contractors, and Imagineers some things are bound to be found out. Still a little more open then I would expect.

 

[DDLand]

I fail to really see why the "park icon" is really a big deal in this case?

I mean... Yeah... The always have one. But that's more of a push to sell merchandise and create warm and fuzzies. Do you want the merchandise?

I mean...really?

That park is the odd duck there...and I have a feeling that the tree at animal kingdom ( or the park for that matter) wouldn't have even been built if Eisner hadnt been bonkers about it and pushed the idea through.

Park icons are not incredibly useful - if you think about it. Not a great deal goes on in them from the upfront construction cost perspective.

We'll see...they may completely gut and rework the park... A la California adventure and to a certain extent Hong Kong...or it may be an after thought as it has been since it opened.

Current managements attention/investment in MGM has been nothing short of awful to this point.

Icon's are recognizable and exciting to guests. It makes sense in explaining what the park is and what it's theme is. I'm not sure about you Logic, but I get excited when I see any park icon in a picture or video because it literally embodies the place. When we're talking about SpaceShip Earth it effectively sums up all that Epcot is (or was depending on who you ask) and sends me down memory lane. Is it totally illogical that I associate great memories with a Geodesic Dome? Yep. Can I help it? No.

I've thought about that and yes Icons don't really serve much of a purpose in of themselves on ROI. The gift shop merchandise sales along with the love and brand recognition more then cover it over their lifetime though.

The tree doesn't offend me as much as some other people. It makes sense theme wise and looks pretty great. I'll admit it was kind of ironic spending millions sculpting and building their own in the middle of a forest.

Yep, but I'm pretty excited about what the next couple years hold.

 

[DDLand]

And don't forget before the tree they wanted a carousel with all the animals on it.

Lol yes! That thing was ridiculous. I'll take the Tree any day...

Thanks for reminding us about that!

 

[WDWChloe]

I've seen Tower of Terror in place of the sorcerer hat on MDE and their website for a while now. Just seems like someone in the tech department got a "heads up" on the sorcerer hat (haha pun) and decided to use ToT for a quick change. They just recently started releasing park merchandise with the earful tower with a film strip going up for the DHS icon. Not to mention the wall around the sorcerer hat removal has the earful tower on It as well. I highly doubt they would choose an attraction to represent this park, especially since the same attraction can be found in other parks around the world.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

But you know there are lots of CMs who know lots of stuff. I knew the hat was leaving about a month before anyone broke the news because my DD works down there and her friend worked in DHS at the hat. Hard to keep that many people in the dark.

Actually...they are the masters of it. And cms know nothing...they often are some of the last to know anything that's going on right under their noses.

It's just been proven more times than you can count. Only the money people really know...follow the money to find the truth...in all things especially Disney park operations.

I'm sure every member of WDI will give you the "we got a plan...big things coming" line coupled with James Bond winks...

And they do have a plan... They always have a plan for everything. That the point of having an internal art/ engineering wing...
Those plans just rarely get built.

But privately, I don't believe you'd get alot of praise for the way wdw has been run under Iger from veterans of the department.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Icon's are recognizable and exciting to guests. It makes sense in explaining what the park is and what it's theme is. I'm not sure about you Logic, but I get excited when I see any park icon in a picture or video because it literally embodies the place. When we're talking about SpaceShip Earth it effectively sums up all that Epcot is (or was depending on who you ask) and sends me down memory lane. Is it totally illogical that I associate great memories with a Geodesic Dome? Yep. Can I help it? No.

I've thought about that and yes Icons don't really serve much of a purpose in of themselves on ROI. The gift shop merchandise sales along with the love and brand recognition more then cover it over their lifetime though.

The tree doesn't offend me as much as some other people. It makes sense theme wise and looks pretty great. I'll admit it was kind of ironic spending millions sculpting and building their own in the middle of a forest.

Yep, but I'm pretty excited about what the next couple years hold.

I'm just not sure - beyond castles - that Disney will sink money into icons anymore.

In the case of MGM...it's surrounded by the largest concentration of Disney on earth...they don't really need a "grabber" to make people remember to book their next trip there.
It might be just this one instance, though.

I would be "excited" about development if they didnt drag out the timelines/bleed the investment to attempt to maximize PR on both ends of it.

"Coming soon" and "new" have always been tools at wdw and I understand that...

But 5+ years of development...and then 5+ of "new" (by default...because theres no standard plan to add/renew anymore)...is pushing it.

 

[DDLand]

I'm just not sure - beyond castles - that Disney will sink money into icons anymore.

In the case of MGM...it's surrounded by the largest concentration of Disney on earth...they don't really need a "grabber" to make people remember to book their next trip there.
It might be just this one instance, though.

I would be "excited" about development if they didnt drag out the timelines/bleed the investment to attempt to maximize PR on both end so it.

"Coming soon" and "new" have always been tools at wdw and I understand that...

But 5+ years of development...and then 5+ of "new" (by default...because theres no standard plan to add/renew anymore)...is pushing it.

I'll say that you're probably right about Disney pulling back from those types of massive expenditures. That was already in play by 2001. The Hub Icon was supposed to be central to the experience at DCA. Though especially with Social Media becoming a big thing it's going to be critical having an Icon where guests can take pictures and share them so their friends know right where they are. It's possible that with Disney choosing to pursue IP they may not see this has big a deal. I'd wager that some sort of companion to the other 3 parks is necessary in some capacity.

With the DCA upgrades they gave themselves wiggle room. They basically left it up to the masses to decide what would be the icon would be. Mickey Funwheel or Carthay. I think that we're seeing the drift over to Carthay (which is a charming building). It could be similar to that over at HS. We already have two good contenders (maybe 3) and I'd expect some sort of new candidate is in the wings. Ultimately it will be us to decide what we like best.

I understand the time frames which really do stink. I'll let them take their time if it's a great attraction and not like the crap they churned out in the early 2000's. You can probably point to NF now and talk about how crappy that was. I'll readily admit it was a wish list created by Park Ops. with a sprinkling of Imagineering on top. However theming wise it's absolutely gorgeous peanuts in the cement and all.