MGM Sorcerer's hat rehab????

[Bill3]

Anyone new to the Studios (as most are) have no problem with the hat,location or anything else. Old fuddie duddies that hate change or the idea that WDW is designed to make money are bothered. Maybe someday WDW can open a new park with the WDW rejects as attractions. Mr Toads Wild Ride, 20,000 leagues, Skytram,can all be e-ticket attractions. Y'all can eat at Empress Lily and talk about the good ole days.

 

[daannzzz]

My first trip to WDW was in 1996 and Disney MGM Studios is my least favorite park. I put it on par with DCA. I have not problem with change. They could scrape out half that park and I would be happy. The part that works though is Susnet and Hollywood Blvds. The architecture is awesome. The atmosphere was wonderful. The Chinese theater was a great Weenie.. The could have used a couple other Hollywood icons that would have worked too. I just don't recall a giant sorcerers hat being part of it. Sure it is just a theme park but why screw with the best looking part of the park? Somehow I think the higher ups are having visions and imposing them upon the WDI team and not listening to feed back. or maybe feedback is grounds for being releived of your position. In any case the hat is interesting and can be fun looking. I think it would have looked great out in the entry palza.

 

[raidermatt]

Anyone new to the Studios (as most are) have no problem with the hat,location or anything else.

That's funny Bill...my first trip to the Studios was less than 2 1/2 years ago, yet I was not included in your survey of everyone new to the Studios. Must be in the mail.

Old fuddie duddies that hate change or the idea that WDW is designed to make money are bothered.

They probably are, but really, I'm not THAT old, have NEVER been called a fuddie duddie, welcome new and innovative ideas, and would LOVE to see WDW make tons of money so I could retire early, take more trips to WDW, and play more golf.

Maybe someday WDW can open a new park with the WDW rejects as attractions.

Hey, maybe they will. But for now, let's just start with replacing these "rejects" instead of leaving many of them vacant.

Y'all can eat at Empress Lily and talk about the good ole days.

Never ate there, since it was already Fulton's on my first trip, but I certainly have no problem chatting about the good ole days, as well as the "great big beautiful tomorrows", at Fulton's. Guess you got me on that one.

 

[DisneyKidds]

They covered up one well-placed and scaled illusion to sell "stuff".

I'll go back and check my reading materials, but if memory serves me the Chinese Theatre wasn't a scaled illusion of a replica. They built it real size. Again, a shame to cover up such good work.

In comparison, the hat looks like a prop from Disney's All Star Resorts or Disney's Pop Century Resort. It does nothing to put you in another time and place.

No offense Scoop, but I just have to agree with the Horsecollar on this .

Anyone new to the Studios (as most are) have no problem with the hat,location or anything else. Old fuddie duddies that hate change or the idea that WDW is designed to make money are bothered.

It is not often there is an issue that Baron (BTW - thanks for the kind words) and I are in lockstep on, but this is one. It has nothing to do with fuddie-duddiness or resistance to change. Baron and I argu...............um..............discuss that all the time, usually from opposite sides of the fence. This has more to do with appreciation for the Show that used to be put on, was intended to be put on, in the Studios. As much as Disney might have made some mistakes with MGM, being the first park to open light on attractions, with a staged implementation being the goal, there are some things they did very well. The design of Hollywood Boulevard right up to the theatre was one of them. Yeah, I remember the Empress Lily (and the restaurants were much better before the change ), but no one is going to put me in the fuddie-duddie category, and I am a long ways off from the retirement home .

I'm with Matt. The hat can have a place, just not where it is, Mr. Heads observation aside. Heck, I think it would have been great outside the ticket windows. Lots of space, throw a marketing icon right in your face first thing as you approach the park, without ruining the atmosphere that existed so nicely.

 

[CruellaDuVille]

The hat should be moved to the entrance of Fantasmic.

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

there are some things they did very well. The design of Hollywood Boulevard right up to the theatre was one of them.

Doubled and in spades!! You’re on a roll Mr. Kidds!! Keep ‘em coming!!!

I'm with Matt. The hat can have a place, just not where it is

YEAH! SING IT MR. KIDDS!!!

It has nothing to do with the design or the workmanship of that Hat! It has everything to with location! Disney=movie sets!!! Remember! You walk into a theme as if in a movie set! It is where Walt got the idea in the first place! If they really wanted to ax the theater fine! I’m never against change!! But it has to follow the philosophy! They have to adhere to the “standard”!!! Tear down the theater and put something else “Hollywood” in its place! NOT a giant cartoon icon! Where in the heck do you see that on a Hollywood street!!?? Talk about ruining a theme!! They’ve never done it so well! It really does rival Pop Century!!

The hat should be moved to the entrance of Fantasmic.

BINGO!! Perfect!

OK. Rant over. Just three more side issues:

No offense Scoop, but I just have to agree with the Horsecollar on this

Nothing to add really. I just like the fact that you agree with me and not Scoop! It felt good to quote that!! Thanks!!

I remember the Empress Lily (and the restaurants were much better before the change ),

Matt! Open the car door!! It’s looks as though car #3 will be getting another passenger soon!!!

BTW - thanks for the kind words

You are very welcome!!

Tell me. Does the world seem upside-down to you today!?! It does to me!!!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Nothing to add really. I just like the fact that you agree with me and not Scoop! It felt good to quote that!! Thanks!!

Agree with you on the topic, or agree with YOU literally? I've seen some posts, but I never thought..................but maybe..........hmmmmm. I suppose if the AWOL Pirate or long lost Captain can do it . Yes? No?

Tell me. Does the world seem upside-down to you today!?!

As I've tried to tell you, we aren't that far apart on a lot of things. You are just a little bit off on a few things .

 

[d-r]

Originally posted by roymccoy
I heard that they are going to put a little-bitty "off the shelf" carnival spinner ride
IN the store to get their teenage demographics up. It's rumored to be called "The Little Mermaid's Little Bitty Spinner" The price is rumored to be in the $10-$25,000 range.
Too bad the seat belt restraining system makes it necessary for the rider to be at least 72", though.

Roy

P.S. They will also sell plush and french fries out of the sorcerer's hat.

I want to ride something more exciting than The Little Mermaid's Little Bitty Spinner.

 

[Cricket2]

Originally posted by DisneyKidds
I'll go back and check my reading materials, but if memory serves me the Chinese Theatre wasn't a scaled illusion of a replica. They built it real size. Again, a shame to cover up such good work.

I could swear the upper section of the theatre was scaled not unlike the rest of the buildings on Disney streets to make it seem taller than it really was. I don't remember where I heard/read this or if I actualy heard/read it or not now.

Either way, it doesn't matter. A nice hat in a wrong location is still wrong. They could always build a bigger hat in Hollywood and make the one at the studios the copy of the "real" one

Disney's done dumber things before.

JC

 

[mickeyminnie]

i suppose you think the street corners should have "female entertainment specialists" and perhaps a few bums. Having driven down hollywood blvd in the daytime I can tell you it ain't that pretty. It is nicer at night with all the lights and the dark hiding the run down quality of much of the buildings. Perhaps they were going for more of the hey day of hollywood theme, hope so.

I think the hat is kind of cute. After all what do all those old looking building mean to kids, but I suppose if it really bothers that many people it could be moved and put by fantasmic or by the ticket entrance.

at least it wasn't a giant birthday cake

 

[raidermatt]

you all want the hollywood theme so much i suppose you think the street corners should have "female entertainment specialists" and perhaps a few bums.

Naaahhhhh.....We'll stick with the "Disney-ized" version.

Though the idea of "female entertainment specialists" does leave a lot of open ground...

 

[cindyfan]

I totally agree that the hat should be in front of the entrance to Fantasmic!!!!!!

I think it is pretty cool looking BUT......YES.....in the wrong LOCATION!!

But I'm still curious what they are doing to it??
It would be nice if they enclosed it and made some kind of attraction. It is kinda small. But maybe like a tribute to Hollywood??!!
I just really don't want to see YET ANOTHER.......PIN STATION!!!!!!!!

With our luck it will be a Video Store!!! They will be selling all those stupid sequels!!!! How many Dalmations are there these days anyway????

 

[rpink58]

I put it in the same catagory as the castle over at MK, when a kid comes into the park they see hat and that is where they want to go. It is now the park icon. Yes, the water tower is suppose to be but it is way off in the distance you can't get close be a part of it , as you can all the rest of the park icons.

 

[WEDWAY100]

Here's my take on the BAH (If anyone cares to read it).

The central weenie, or rather icon for a Disney park has historically had a lot of creative effort behind it. I've read where imagineering used to look at the weenie from 3 separate views (or shots). There was a requirement that the icon look good from all 3 shots.

The first was the long shot. They took care to create an interesting shape for the icon, as well as broad color schemes so that you it makes you want to see more. For Cinderella's castle, think about looking at it from the train station on Main Street. I think that fits the bill very well.

The second is the medium shot. The color schemes are refined and more detailed for this shot. More structural detail is evident, and the curiosity of the observer is peeked to get a closer look. Think Cindy's castle from Main Street by Casey's.

The last view is the close up. Rich in details and color scheme, the observer is rewarded for taking the time to take an up close look. Cindy's castle looks as interesting standing on the drawbridge, if not more so than standing at the hub or by the train station.

Now I ask myself, how does the hat fit that bill? For me, I could argue that the long shot works. Let's see that thing a little closer. But that's the best I can say. For the other two shots, there are very few details, and I'm certainly not rewarded for looking closer. A smooth surface with one color. It looks better from further away. And that shop underneath? Please.

I think that the replica of Mann's Chinese Theater better fits the bill for the weenie, even if it does advertise for the competition. If they want to change it, I would be fine with that. But next time, I hope they take the care and artistry that Disney is so famous for.

 

[cindyfan]

I'm beginning to think they stuck the hat there as some kind of directional "sign" for the aliens. LOL
Maybe they want the aliens to purchase all the "sequel" videos that they seem to be dumping on us. The aliens won't know the difference.

Anyway, I still don't think it is that bad looking......like you said from a distance. It is just in the wrong location!

But.....what are they putting inside????