The Hat Has Left The Building

[nat8199]

I didn't think that I cared whether or not the hat was there, but I think that it looks much better without the hat.

 

[DVCcurious]

IMO I think the new view is bland, boring and isn't as "Disney" as the old view... I don't consider the replica of a theatre in LA a good "icon" or focal point of the park. I understand it was the "original" but that doesn't make it better. At least the hat was an original Disney icon.

There were Castles in Europe before Disney put the castle in MK and Disneyland. There were giant trees in the world before the tree was added to Animal Kingdom. There were giant disco balls all over the place before Epcot.

OK, maybe not the last one, but you get my point.

The castle isn't "Disney"; it's not an original Disney icon. But does that mean the castle isn't cool?

I didn't even know there was a ride behind the hat until very recently. That's like 10 trips to HS and I've never been on the Great Movie Ride because I didn't know it existed (yes, I know, I should have read a map).

 

[DisneyDreamMaker]

Being that the hat is used on park information/merchandise as the icon of DHS I am guessing we will see some image changes soon. I wonder what they will use. We have AK- tree of life, MK-Cinderella's castle and the Epcot- "golf ball" as my kids call it lol.

My husband and kids have never seem DHS without the hat and they are upset it will be gone. As for me I could take it or leave it.

 

[TwizzleMouse]

I think they're going back to the Earful Tower. A lot of the new Park Merchandise for 2015 has an updated version of the Earful Tower for HS.

Really? Because they have launched a whole line of DHS "icon" merchandise that shows the ToT

 

[WEDWDW]

Really? Because they have launched a whole line of DHS "icon" merchandise that shows the ToT

It looks like they are using "Dual Icons" right now-I have seen both Towers used as DHS' Icon in different places.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I'm seeing a lot of Tower of Terror as the icon which really doesn't bother me. I get the water tower what with how old movie studios always had their own water tower, but I think Tower of Terror fits really well, as well. DHS is supposed to be "A Hollywood that never was and always will be." I also had it explained to me as the park where walking around, you feel like you are in old, vintage Hollywood. Then, you enter a ride or attraction and you are suddenly in that movie or television show. If you think back to what Hollywood Studios was when it first opened, that makes a lot of sense. In Great Movie Ride, they say that the movies come to life. You do find yourself suddenly in the middle of a bank robbery or a gangster shoot out. Superstar Television put you in the movies and television shows. While on Star Tours, you are flying the machine with R2D2 and C3PO. Tower of Terror is excellent at also making this happen. The theming on that ride is second-to-none and engulfs you the moment you enter the gates. It's also a huge building that you can easily see before you ever enter the park. I'm fine with Tower of Terror becoming the new icon.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'd be interested in finding out how the like the hat/like without the hat groups break down as far as their first visit goes - that is, first visit that they remember. I wonder if the majority of people who prefer the hat had their first trip after the hat was in place and if the majority of people who dislike the hat had their first visit before the hat was there.

A poll may work best.

But I first visited in 1992 and loved everything about DHS as an aspiring TV production major.

I did not "hate" the hat when it first appeared. But I was disappointed for it to not be removed. It did nothing for the the area.

But I am thrilled it was removed for the park to be restored somewhat to its original theming.

I imagine if the have was placed in the hub directly in front of the castle, folks would understand better of how we feel about the original look.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

A poll may work best.

But I first visited in 1992 and loved everything about DHS as an aspiring TV production major.

I did not "hate" the hat when it first appeared. But I was disappointed for it to not be removed. It did nothing for the the area.

But I am thrilled it was removed for the park to be restored somewhat to its original theming.

I imagine if the have was placed in the hub directly in front of the castle, folks would understand better of how we feel about the original look.

a poll has been created. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[ModernArtist]

Really? Because they have launched a whole line of DHS "icon" merchandise that shows the ToT

I really don't know for sure but the ToT is definately considered a park weenie. But I was just looking at 2015 pins, tshirts...etc..with the Earful Tower as the icon. Who knows..

 

[erc]

I really don't know for sure but the ToT is definately considered a park weenie. But I was just looking at 2015 pins, tshirts...etc..with the Earful Tower as the icon. Who knows..

I just bought this t-shirt last week and look what the DHS icon is:

 

[dixiegirl]

I just bought this t-shirt last week and look what the DHS icon is:

View attachment 79956

No reason for them to not sell through the merchandise that is already in existence.

 

[jaysmom4285]

Being that the hat is used on park information/merchandise as the icon of DHS I am guessing we will see some image changes soon. I wonder what they will use. We have AK- tree of life, MK-Cinderella's castle and the Epcot- "golf ball" as my kids call it lol.

My husband and kids have never seem DHS without the hat and they are upset it will be gone. As for me I could take it or leave it.

I have a 2014 magnet from WDW that has icons from all the parks on it. It took me a while to notice that the icon for DHS was the Earful Tower. And the magnet was purchased before the official announcement that the hat was coming down.

 

[kgoodb00]

So pretty! Reminds me of my childhood at MGM!! Love it

 

[erc]

No reason for them to not sell through the merchandise that is already in existence.

Cool, I can't wait for the noobs to start asking me why the DHS logo has the Sorcerer's Hat on it.

 

[JRawkSteady]

I worked at MGM in 2001, and watched in horror as they started erecting this "temporary" monstrosity. Now, to see the park without that giant eyesore in the middle of the street is like a dream come true. I know that the Disney Nostalgists like myself have gotten used to being shafted....but with the new retro merchandise and this return to sanity, there is really nothing to complain about. So happy I can see GMR again! Can't wait to see what changes happen next.

Oh, and I have no problems with ToT being the new park icon, but they REALLY need to do something about the icon on MDE because it looks nothing like the Hollywood Tower Hotel....more like....I dunno....an Atari 2600 video game character.

 

[jbish]

I'm seeing a lot of Tower of Terror as the icon which really doesn't bother me. I get the water tower what with how old movie studios always had their own water tower, but I think Tower of Terror fits really well, as well. DHS is supposed to be "A Hollywood that never was and always will be." I also had it explained to me as the park where walking around, you feel like you are in old, vintage Hollywood. Then, you enter a ride or attraction and you are suddenly in that movie or television show. If you think back to what Hollywood Studios was when it first opened, that makes a lot of sense. In Great Movie Ride, they say that the movies come to life. You do find yourself suddenly in the middle of a bank robbery or a gangster shoot out. Superstar Television put you in the movies and television shows. While on Star Tours, you are flying the machine with R2D2 and C3PO. Tower of Terror is excellent at also making this happen. The theming on that ride is second-to-none and engulfs you the moment you enter the gates. It's also a huge building that you can easily see before you ever enter the park. I'm fine with Tower of Terror becoming the new icon.

I just find it odd that the park "weenie"/icon/focal point would be something that could also be found at DLR. TOT is not unique to WDW/HS. That's the point I can't get over in thinking this would make for a good park icon. JMO

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I just find it odd that the park "weenie"/icon/focal point would be something that could also be found at DLR. TOT is not unique to WDW/HS. That's the point I can't get over in thinking this would make for a good park icon. JMO

I don't really have an issue with it. Both Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom have castles as their icon. They are different sizes and colors, but different castles nonetheless. Likewise, Tower of Terror at Disneyland is still different from the one at DHS. And I think it fits so perfectly with the theme of DHS that I really don't mind that they have the same attraction at a DCA.

 

[JCornell]

I actually like both views. This way we get to share with our kids the view we knew before they were born.

 

[lugnut33]

I kind of agree. I'm sure the view of the theater is great, but to me, go to Hollywood if you want to see the Chinese Theater. I'd rather see Walt Disney icons not reproductions of actual non-Disney icons.

The "Sorcerer's Apprentice" was and is a revolutionary cartoon short. I'd hate to see the symbol for that dumped into the trash and forgotten forever.

Anyway, judging from the responses here I am in the minority. Give me Sorcerer's or give me death!

I think you're being short sided in regards to the history between movies, Disney and the Chinese theater.

Also, with Star Wars land coming the Chinese Theater premiered the movie.

There are still two hats available for you to visit. Interesting article about why the hat was erected at DHS:
http://www.yesterland.com/removehat.html

 

[Retro Magic]

Has it been said yet, maybe I missed it, why they finally at long last, tore that hat down?