Hollywood Studios’ Sorcerer’s Hat to be removed soon?

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I think, honestly, that this park is going to move away from the name "Hollywood Studios" in the long run. It might not be soon, but I just have a gut feeling that they are changing this park for good. Many of the "Hollywood" themes are starting (or rumored) to disappear.

What's happened:
- Backlot Tour closed
- AFI building closed
- American Idol closed
- Soundstage 1 closed
- Tower of Terror run cancelled for 2015
- No Sorcerers hat on the map
- The expansion of Star Wars Weekends to 5 weeks
- The inclusion of a lot of Frozen stuff
- The villains parties

And then the rumors:
- Rumors of Indy, Motor Show, and Great Movie Ride closing
- Pixar Place expansion rumors on the right of the park
- Star Wars Land rumors on the left side of the park

I just have a feeling some BIG changes are coming.

not to be picky but so far they've only expanded the SWW one year - it remains to be seen if they will do it again in 2015 (I personally am hoping they will)

I was talking to a CM in our local Disney Store yesterday (which as we all know can be akin to hearing it from a bus driver) - she said - Lights, Motor, Action will close and Carsland is coming to DHS. NO doubt in her mind. While I'd love to believe her I'm not holding my breath ....

I would love to see the park change radically via Carsland (or expanded Pixar area) and Star Wars Land but keep some of the old Hollywood - Chinese theater and the main walk with the stores etc as you come into the park.

 

[chelseabun76]

Change would be great!!!!!! I am finding it very hard to schedule more than one day there our next trip.... And while we love our MK and will gladly spend more time there, it's nice to get to the other parks for a full fun-filled day!!

 

[ethanwa]

not to be picky but so far they've only expanded the SWW one year - it remains to be seen if they will do it again in 2015 (I personally am hoping they will)

True, but to put some context to this, it was just this past year that they added the 5th weekend. So it's relevant in the context of changes happening recently. I also am curious to see if they have a 5th weekend this year as well.

I was talking to a CM in our local Disney Store yesterday (which as we all know can be akin to hearing it from a bus driver) - she said - Lights, Motor, Action will close and Carsland is coming to DHS. NO doubt in her mind. While I'd love to believe her I'm not holding my breath ....

I would take that with a grain of salt, as Disney Store employees really know next to nothing when it comes to this kind of stuff. BUT, her rumors do line up with what we've heard before. But last I heard, Cars Land was cancelled because Disney's focus shifted.

I do know, for a FACT, that the head imagineer of Cars Land (a woman, I can't remember her name... Kathy Mangum maybe?), is/was in Florida working on a project. I know this because my wife and I talked to her personally in August 2013 at the D23 Expo. We were able to talk to Imagineers in a special event held for the Sorcerer's ticket-holders. She willingly shared that she was working on a project for Florida (without giving anymore details, of course). This was over a year ago now though.

Personally, I have issues with Cars Land coming to Florida. I hope they keep it in California and bring something unique here. Cars Land is a GREAT area, and I love it in Disneyland, but I just have this feeling it's going to be something different....

 

[Micca]

I do know, for a FACT, that the head imagineer of Cars Land (a woman, I can't remember her name... Kathy Mangum maybe?), is/was in Florida working on a project. I know this because my wife and I talked to her personally in August 2013 at the D23 Expo. We were able to talk to Imagineers in a special event held for the Sorcerer's ticket-holders. She willingly shared that she was working on a project for Florida (without giving anymore details, of course). This was over a year ago now though.

Were they all wearing "the hat?"

 

[sporter5353]

Wasn't it structurally built to only last like 10 years. Whether or not people like it, it will be gone soon!

 

[FantasiaMagic]

Oh I can only hope they get rid of the hat.

I made this several years ago for laughs.

I would welcome some BIG changes to this park. What is there now just feels like a mish-mash of stuff, without any real cohesive theme to it. When the park first opened it was all centered around old Hollywood and film making, but over the years they've added so many attractions that don't fit into that theme at all that's it's been completely diluted.

I'm all for revamping this whole park with Stars Wars Land, expanded Pixar Place, etc. As long as they don't get rid of Rock 'n Rollercoaster.

Saw the same article online and it really opened my eyes. They are really going all out on this DHS expansion, and some big changes are on the way. Some will be good, I can tell, and others I'm honestly worried about.

Love that picture, but I don't mind the hat. I have a feeling they'll move it someplace else in the park, it's been used as an icon since '01 so I don't think they could totally get rid of it. It is Mickey's Hat which I think is really cool.

I'm ready for an DHS expansion. I really hope they do more with Pixar Place, I was very excited when I heard about this. (Monsters Inc Ride anyone?!?!?!)

Star Wars Land - I'm neutral, like Avatar Land coming to DAK. I think both will do well for the respective parks, which is good.

My one concern is the Great Movie Ride, if they get rid of that, then thats horrible. That was one of the original rides, its a classic, and I don't think its really in the way. That is the one attraction I hope stays, there is nothing wrong with it.

A new name for the park - yeah I could totally see this now, just wondering what it would be.....

My biggest fears of the park would be, the removal of The great movie ride, Fantasmic, and One Man's Dream. I have only heard about GMR, but anything is possible at this point.

Cross your fingers everyone and hope for the best possible solution to a DHS expansion.

And yeah, closing the park for a few months might be smart, a lot more efficient, and make the park even better. We'll know soon I suppose..........

 

[rteetz]

The Theater might be next, rumors have been around awhile that GMR is going.

Disney just filed a permit to do work on a show set. I would think an updated GMR before it going away. I am very familiar with the rumors.

 

[rteetz]

I like the hat, but it doesn't have to remain in the same location. I hope they find a spot for it somewhere in the park. I don't know that Disney would abandon the movie theme park idea, but they could well revise the name as they have in the past. Thanks for article Ethan!

Rumors are in the rebranding of DHS that the hat would move to a new location.

 

[rteetz]

Honestly, besides Sunset Blvd, and TSMM, the whole park could be gutted. Even gut Star Tours. (Sorry, that ride is so hot, and always smells like urine to me - I hoped the update would make it better). I know it wouldn't happen, and it would be a PR nightmare - but just shut the park down for 6 months and get er done.

It would take far longer than 6 months and shutting down the park would make disney lose a lot of money.

 

[rteetz]

What do you mean Tower of Terror run cancelled, are they getting rid of the ride? Glad American Idol closed, hated the TV show and to no surprise never even went to this.

The tower of terror ten miler rundisney event has been cancelled for next year. The run takes place at DHS, the race was cancelled due to upcoming projects coming up at DHS. Tower of terror is going nowhere.

 

[rteetz]

not to be picky but so far they've only expanded the SWW one year - it remains to be seen if they will do it again in 2015 (I personally am hoping they will) I was talking to a CM in our local Disney Store yesterday (which as we all know can be akin to hearing it from a bus driver) - she said - Lights, Motor, Action will close and Carsland is coming to DHS. NO doubt in her mind. While I'd love to believe her I'm not holding my breath .... I would love to see the park change radically via Carsland (or expanded Pixar area) and Star Wars Land but keep some of the old Hollywood - Chinese theater and the main walk with the stores etc as you come into the park.

Light motors action is rumored to close in January. They need attractions for capacity during the holidays that's why it most likely will close in January. It is expected with a pixar expansion that a cars attraction will come but not he entire Carsland.

 

[rteetz]

True, but to put some context to this, it was just this past year that they added the 5th weekend. So it's relevant in the context of changes happening recently. I also am curious to see if they have a 5th weekend this year as well. I would take that with a grain of salt, as Disney Store employees really know next to nothing when it comes to this kind of stuff. BUT, her rumors do line up with what we've heard before. But last I heard, Cars Land was cancelled because Disney's focus shifted. I do know, for a FACT, that the head imagineer of Cars Land (a woman, I can't remember her name... Kathy Mangum maybe?), is/was in Florida working on a project. I know this because my wife and I talked to her personally in August 2013 at the D23 Expo. We were able to talk to Imagineers in a special event held for the Sorcerer's ticket-holders. She willingly shared that she was working on a project for Florida (without giving anymore details, of course). This was over a year ago now though. Personally, I have issues with Cars Land coming to Florida. I hope they keep it in California and bring something unique here. Cars Land is a GREAT area, and I love it in Disneyland, but I just have this feeling it's going to be something different....

Kathy Mangum was the lead imagineer beside John Lasseter on Carsland. Kathy is a lead imagineer looking over all of WDW right now she has been working on Disney Springs and New Fantasyland. John, Kathy, Tom Staggs, Tom Fitzgerald, George Kalogridis, and others were at DHS a few weeks ago looking over blueprints in the backlot area. It is expected that this will be more of a overall pixar expansion vs just cars it's also expected a cars presence will be in the pixar expansion.

 

[Kingdome8]

I hope they do make some major changes, I happily skip DHS every other trip. Last time I ditched everyone and took the boat over to Epcot for a couple of hours and then rejoined my group. I enjoyed it more after a champagne in France.

I guess everyone has their own favorites.
Hollywood studios is our favorite park. We were there in Septemeber and didn't get to do everything we wanted to do. So much to see and do. This is first year we did the animation class. Very cool.
I would love a new star wars land though. Star tours is pretty lame.

I think animal kingdom needs more. Half day park for us. This year was the longest we have stayed there. My kids lose interest fast. Really excited for avatar land.

I like the hat. Sorcerer Mickey is our fav thing. We always get sorcerer Mickey stuff

 

[Redarrow5150]

It always felt like to me the hat was supposed to go somewhere else but the movers never came back to put it where it belonged.

 

[GOOFY D]

Really excited for avatar land.

Not looking forward to Avatar Land at all. It just is not Disney and does not fit (and was basically a short term fad that most children have no clue about).

 

[Castle2Castle]

Not looking forward to Avatar Land at all. It just is not Disney and does not fit (and was basically a short term fad that most children have no clue about).

I can understand not everyone liking Avatar or the idea of an Avatar-inspired land in AK, but calling it a short term fad seems a bit shortsighted for such a high grossing and internationally successful film. And they have three sequels planned for 2016-2018. I don't know where they intend on taking the story, but Cameron has a pretty good track record for the genre and filmmaking in general.

 

[karen230]

Light motors action is rumored to close in January. They need attractions for capacity during the holidays that's why it most likely will close in January. It is expected with a pixar expansion that a cars attraction will come but not he entire Carsland.

When we were in HS last summer, we saw the LMA stunt show and my kids (10 & 7 at the time) loved it! My younger son loved it when Lightening McQueen made an appearance. When he came out we heard the grumblings about Disney changing the LMA show to a Cars theme. Personally I think it would be fine either way as long as the stunts were still there for the kids to enjoy. Personally we liked the stunt shows we saw in HS but I agree, the park doesn't "flow" as nicely as MK or Epcot. Maybe it just needs to be re-arranged to a more organized appearance than it is now. More distinct themed areas so instead of Tomorrowland there is Spooky town and TOT is the center of it and the rest is all about scarey movies. IDK, just tossing it out there.

 

[rteetz]

When we were in HS last summer, we saw the LMA stunt show and my kids (10 & 7 at the time) loved it! My younger son loved it when Lightening McQueen made an appearance. When he came out we heard the grumblings about Disney changing the LMA show to a Cars theme. Personally I think it would be fine either way as long as the stunts were still there for the kids to enjoy. Personally we liked the stunt shows we saw in HS but I agree, the park doesn't "flow" as nicely as MK or Epcot. Maybe it just needs to be re-arranged to a more organized appearance than it is now. More distinct themed areas so instead of Tomorrowland there is Spooky town and TOT is the center of it and the rest is all about scarey movies. IDK, just tossing it out there.

Well LMA to me and a lot of people is a one and done type show once you have done it you don't really need to do it again. I think if they changed the show or got rid of it, it really I doesn't matter but in its current state it's just not that appealing.

 

[steve76]

I would love to see the hat go - although for every one of us that will be pleased to see it go, there will probably be another younger / more casual visitor who will be perplexed as to why they've removed the icon of the park and "replaced" it with the Chinese Theater.

If they move it, it could go to the entrance plaza outside of DHS (where the Christmas tree currently goes) to give a sort-of "outside" weenie as you approach the park. It would make for a good photo op there. Alternatively, I could see it going somewhere at the TTC (again, for the same reasons) to improve that area a bit. Or since they are currently re-doing Downtown Disney / Disney Springs, I'm sure they could find a place for it there. Failing that, pretty much anywhere at Art of Animation or the All Star resorts.

However, I suspect it's probably not worth saving and they will probably damage it taking it down.

As for the name of the park, my money's on Disney's Hollywood Adventure. I figure they can't change more than one word in the title at a time

 

[LeeAndRobin]

Light motors action is rumored to close in January. They need attractions for capacity during the holidays that's why it most likely will close in January. It is expected with a pixar expansion that a cars attraction will come but not he entire Carsland.

Why a Cars attraction? Why not one based on Planes? That would seem to be the next logical step

Cheers,
--Lee