Is The Hat at Hollywood Completely Gone now? Any pictures?

[minniemous]

A good place for the hat would be outside the gates at DHS put the bag check under it. I haven't seen people think about that location but I think it would be a great place for it. Also I understand what people who have never seen DHS without the hat are saying but there are other people with great family pictures without the hat.

It was a cool idea in general just not in the place they chose to place it. It obstructed the view of the theater but also obstructed that views of the entire area. The removal will create a nice line of sight.

I wonder why they kept it up for so long if it was not supposed to be permanent? I mean did they build it..like it so much they said lets keep it? Now they have decided it does not work into the overall future plans for the park? It does not seem they made the decision to take it down based on the reasons we all talk about... which is the view of the theater. It is happening with the start of all the new plans for the park.

 

[dixiegirl]

It's going to look so different there!

I'm hoping it will look as it did in it's original form - with the beautiful Chinese theater in full view.
I understand that a lot of people really enjoyed the hat and that some people have never seen the park without it. But for those of us that had to watch that monstrosity built and block the theater - uggghh - horrible! Totally ruined the theming of the park. I'm really excited to see the original view on our next trip.

 

[DisneyFive]

I know what you mean. Our first Disney park ever was Hollywood studios and the hat was the first thing I remember seeing. Our first vacation photo was in front of the hat also.
On a side note, I see you stay at POR. We are there next week, any tips or tricks to know about? Have never stayed here before. Usually CBR.

It was our very first park too! We went on our arrival day September 2010. I was curious, so I just looked back at our PhotoPass photos, and out VERY FIRST WDW photo was in front of the hat too! Yeah, we'll miss the hat!

Like I said, I am looking forward to something different for this year's trip so it's not all bad I guess.

Regarding POR, you probably already know this but just in case, Andre over at http://www.portorleans.org/ does an awesome job with his website with all sorts of great info. We love POR, and if you get a chance, walk over and check out POFQ next door. It's great too. We wanted to stay at POFQ for this trip, but it didn't work out. Still very happy with POR though, after being there twice before.

Dan

 

[DisneyFive]

It was a cool idea in general just not in the place they chose to place it. It obstructed the view of the theater but also obstructed that views of the entire area. The removal will create a nice line of sight.

I wonder why they kept it up for so long if it was not supposed to be permanent? I mean did they build it..like it so much they said lets keep it? Now they have decided it does not work into the overall future plans for the park? It does not seem they made the decision to take it down based on the reasons we all talk about... which is the view of the theater. It is happening with the start of all the new plans for the park.

I'm guessing they kept it because people really liked it (obviously not everyone ), and it is a lot of work/cost to take down. I totally understand why people just can't stand it, especially those that knew HS before the hat.

Dan

 

[goofyernmost]

Is it wrong that the only thing I can think of when I see this image is that they will have to make sure all the lights on TGMR's marquee are actually working again now that it isn't covered up by the hat...

No, these days it is a perfectly reasonable question. In the last decade Disney has been less then stellar when it came to repairing things. They seemed (knock on wood) to have turned that corner based on my visit there this past week. But, in reference to your specific question, there is a section of neon light out in the left hand lighted sign on the theater. I feel pretty confident they will fix that now that it will be completely visible again. I guess we will have to just wait and see.

 

[cigar95]

A good place for the hat would be outside the gates at DHS put the bag check under it. I haven't seen people think about that location but I think it would be a great place for it.

The planned location for where the hat will be rebuilt is a part of the park that doesn't yet exist. It'll be part of the 3-phase Studios expansion that will go up to the WDW 50th anniversary celebration. I think the hat is projected to return in Phase II.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

The planned location for where the hat will be rebuilt is a part of the park that doesn't yet exist. It'll be part of the 3-phase Studios expansion that will go up to the WDW 50th anniversary celebration. I think the hat is projected to return in Phase II.

Sounds like a bus driver rumor to me. One thing to keep in mind if your are hearing anything about plans from front of the line CM's they are usually the last to know about anything. From they way the hat is being taken down the only place it's going is to a land called fill to be disposed of just like the wand was.

 

[cigar95]

One thing to keep in mind if your are hearing anything about plans from front of the line CM's they are usually the last to know about anything.

Imagineering.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Imagineering.

I'll believe it when or if it happens no sonner no later.

 

[cigar95]

I'll believe it when or if it happens no sonner no later.

A wise approach. Even projects that get approved can be changed - sometimes even after groundbreaking. And so far Phase I is the only part that has gotten as far as having the budget signed off.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

A wise approach. Even projects that get approved can be changed - sometimes even after groundbreaking.

Yup with a Disney project never believe it until concrete is being poured even then plans can change

 

[Hunterr]

good riddance, finally it's going away to make room for the glorious theater again. Hopefully.

The hat would be great to put somewhere else, though.
Anywhere else.
Disney Springs would be cool.

 

[FigmentIsTheBest]

Yup with a Disney project never believe it until concrete is being poured even then plans can change

True.. We all enjoy the wonderful world of Dragons and other mythological creatures at Animal Kingdom. ...still waiting...

 

[minniemous]

A wise approach. Even projects that get approved can be changed - sometimes even after groundbreaking. And so far Phase I is the only part that has gotten as far as having the budget signed off.

What does phase one consist of?

 

[ghtx]

I wonder if the deconstruction is being done very carefully because they plan to reassemble somewhere else....

I would have preferred a Vegas-style explosion.

 

[KNovacovschi]

I'm sad that its going but can't wait for it to be fully down. When I was there at the end of January I felt it was a tight squeeze in the back near the theater due to the walls.

 

[minniemous]

Trying to find a more recent picture that February 11th? I am impatient to see that view of the theater unobstructed!

 

[cigar95]

What does phase one consist of?

I'd like to know those details myself! It should be announced officially this spring - hopefully by the end of April. (That's one of the maddening things about knowing someone in Imagineering - they know very well the limits of what they can and can't reveal, so you learn these wonderful little teasers that make you anxious to find out more.)
My best guess is that Phase I will be the not-very-well-kept secret that Star Wars is coming to the Echo Lake/Star Tours area, and maybe a bit more of what will go in around the edges.

 

[CAS239]

Here's a pic I took today

 

[aristocatz]

The majority of my trips were before the hat, so I'm happy to see it go. I always thought that hat looked squished in & in the way. I'm curious to know what they are going to put in its place. I *thought* I read somewhere that, due to contractual reasons with the Chinese theater, they will still need to put something in there to obstruct it?