The Hat begins removal Jan. 7th

[rteetz]

The deconstruction of the sorcerer hat at DHS will begin January 7th. The pin store will be relocated, a reconfiguring of the parks hub will be announced later.

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/01/official-sorcerers-hat-coming-down.html

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...n-next-week-at-disney's-hollywood-studios.htm

 

[Alice Royal]

Flying home to Orlando on Sunday. Will have to come say goodbye...

What am I kidding? I'll say 'good riddance'!

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

Yay!

 

[LarryFmScotland]

Here's a nice photo I snapped recently of the Hat for those who will miss it, I'm not one of them I'm afraid.

Cheers Larry.

 

[PACVII]

Awesome as we are going to be in the park 1/16. Even with Disney's pace of construction I would think they should be able to remove it within a week. Hope they have it gone by then.

 

[Saltywardog]

So glad it's gone. To bad we lost backlot tours as well

 

[sachilles]

Any speculation as to whether there will be another park icon for dhs? I realize that spot was needed for other plans. Makes sense to remove it, and I'm not sad to see it go. However, it would surprise me not to have some sort of icon to give the park an identity. Then again maybe that is appropriate

 

[Prissyms]

Well, it was never meant to be permanent and it really never served a purpose other than housing a pin location. Ready for it to go. Excited to see what's next. Until then, I guess the Chinese Theater will be the icon once again

 

[staceyrhood]

Any speculation as to whether there will be another park icon for dhs? I realize that spot was needed for other plans. Makes sense to remove it, and I'm not sad to see it go. However, it would surprise me not to have some sort of icon to give the park an identity. Then again maybe that is appropriate

The ear tower was the original icon for the studios/MGM. I would guess it will be again.

 

[rteetz]

Any speculation as to whether there will be another park icon for dhs? I realize that spot was needed for other plans. Makes sense to remove it, and I'm not sad to see it go. However, it would surprise me not to have some sort of icon to give the park an identity. Then again maybe that is appropriate

The earful tower has been a park icon since the park opened it is already on a lot of park merchandise and I would assume this would be the main icon.

 

[Pumbaa7287]

Any chance they move the earful tower to that spot? With the backlot tour closed now as well, it's virtually impossible to see, and I'm doubtful that's what Disney wants with their park 'icon'.

 

[rteetz]

Any chance they move the earful tower to that spot? With the backlot tour closed now as well, it's virtually impossible to see, and I'm doubtful that's what Disney wants with their park 'icon'.

There have been talks that it would be moved to new location but of course nothing announced yet.

 

[sachilles]

If they are re-branding the park, gettting away from a working studios theme, I wonder if the Earful Tower is the way to go.

It's more wishcasting, but I'd think if the whole echo lake area is to be re-done, there is a big budget, seems like re-organizing the whole area could help with park flow, and create an opportunity for something new. I'm all for moving the tower within in site of guests, but I don't think it has the same appeal as the castle at MK, Spaceship Earth, nor the tree of life.

 

[rteetz]

If they are re-branding the park, gettting away from a working studios theme, I wonder if the Earful Tower is the way to go. It's more wishcasting, but I'd think if the whole echo lake area is to be re-done, there is a big budget, seems like re-organizing the whole area could help with park flow, and create an opportunity for something new. I'm all for moving the tower within in site of guests, but I don't think it has the same appeal as the castle at MK, Spaceship Earth, nor the tree of life.

I agree, with the hat removal there will also have to be some work done to the hub area of DHS because there will be a big empty space now.

 

[Bektasmic]

I agree, with the hat removal there will also have to be some work done to the hub area of DHS because there will be a big empty space now.

Maybe dumb question, but will the demolition create big mess? I'm wondering what kind of mess might be left from the hat removal and/or if they'd start building something there right away or just leave it alone. We are going last week of Feb, and with so much other construction everywhere, we are hoping to avoid any more. Is that thing bolted in to the point where it's going to tear up the ground or anything?

 

[rteetz]

Maybe dumb question, but will the demolition create big mess? I'm wondering what kind of mess might be left from the hat removal and/or if they'd start building something there right away or just leave it alone. We are going last week of Feb, and with so much other construction everywhere, we are hoping to avoid any more. Is that thing bolted in to the point where it's going to tear up the ground or anything?

I would say no. It's just a big hunk of metal really. It was meant to be temporary when built so I would assume easy take down and quite quick in Disney terms. I would also assume that they would just patch the concrete until they have a set plan on what to do with that area. It's should be gone by the end of February.

 

[Proud Cheapskate]

I was hoping to see some photos to corroborate this rumor today.

 

[Pumbaa7287]

I was hoping to see some photos to corroborate this rumor today.

There are photos in other threads, as far as I've seen so far they're just putting up construction walls. Though the fact that the "earful tower" was on said walls was a nice touch

 

[faneuil]

I was hoping to see some photos to corroborate this rumor today.

Walls...
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...-hollywood-studios-big-hat-20150107-post.html

I had to go over to HS yesterday just to see it myself. But by the time I got there, my phone battery was almost dead, so I couldn't take pics.

 

[crazybetty00]

Wish it would be gone (or mostly gone?) by our trip in 2 weeks... but I doubt it.

Haven't seen the park without since I was 13! Not really going to miss it.