Why do some people hate the Sorcerer's Hat at Hollywood Studios?

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am wondering am I the only person who happens to like the Sorcerer's Hat at Hollywood Studios because I have seen various threads before saying it should be taken away. What I like is how it's a Disney icon which is a symbol of Hollywood Studios meaning how it was in Walt Disney's Fantasia and it goes with the movie theme of Hollywood Studios. The Magic Kingdom has Cinderella's Castle, Epcot has Spaceship Earth and the Animal Kingdom has the Tree of Life, all were Disney originals. When I think of Man's Chinese Theather I don't think of Disney because they have it out in Los Angeles, so that's why I like having the Sorcerer's Hat be the first thing I see when going there.

 

[Reddog1134]

For most people, it's not that they don't like the hat. They just don't like it in that spot.

And it's not specifically that it blocks the view of the theater, it's that it disrupts the visual of a classic Hollywood street.

 

[iheartdisney]

A better question would be, "Does the Theme Park board REALLY need two BAH-related threads on the front page?"
Take a minute to read the other thread, and you will find your answer.

 

[Missus Toad]

For most people, it's not that they don't like the hat. They just don't like it in that spot.

And it's not specifically that it blocks the view of the theater, it's that it disrupts the visual of a classic Hollywood street.

^ This. I cannot stand the hat blocking what was once a lovely and unified streetscape. The fact that it is a glorified pin kiosk is all the more galling. Put it out in front of the gates and let it be the symbol of the park there.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

For most people, it's not that they don't like the hat. They just don't like it in that spot.

And it's not specifically that it blocks the view of the theater, it's that it disrupts the visual of a classic Hollywood street.

This. The first time I visited DHS was in 1991 and I loved it even though there were only a few attractions. I loved the 1940's atmosphere. When we took our first family trip in 2008, something felt different about the park and it took we a while before I realized it was the hat. It's placement just breaks the continuity of the theme.

 

[Always Dream]

Well, I love the hat too! Of course I have never seen the park without it.

I remember it from my first trip - knowing I "was there" when I reached it.

 

[disneydad78]

Love the Hat! DONT MOVE IT. which they arent going to move it anyway.

 

[Micca]

For me, the Sorcerer's hat is one of the coolest Disney icons. I wish the DHS hat had something cooler under/inside of it. I'm also not sure it's in the best location, but I don't have any complaints.

 

[tony609]

DHS needed an original icon, not one that existed in California. They have one in hat. I like it. However it does kinda suck it's a pin kiosk.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I am wondering am I the only person who happens to like the Sorcerer's Hat at Hollywood Studios because I have seen various threads before saying it should be taken away. What I like is how it's a Disney icon which is a symbol of Hollywood Studios meaning how it was in Walt Disney's Fantasia and it goes with the movie theme of Hollywood Studios. The Magic Kingdom has Cinderella's Castle, Epcot has Spaceship Earth and the Animal Kingdom has the Tree of Life, all were Disney originals. When I think of Man's Chinese Theather I don't think of Disney because they have it out in Los Angeles, so that's why I like having the Sorcerer's Hat be the first thing I see when going there.

In classic Disney fashion there was a nice architectural draw at the end of the street, a faithful full scale re-creation of Grauman's Chinese Theater. Somehow, someway, the management at the parks saw fit to sign off on a huge blue Mickey's Sorcerer Hat at the end of the Blvd., completely blocking the Chinese Theater. Where once stood an intricate and magical architectural icon now sits a giant blue zit of a thing with weird gold swirlies spraying out of it and what appear to be enormous gold cardboard stars superglued on its side. All that's missing is four hundred children bouncing around on plastic pellots inside.

Making it worse is that views from the far end of the street include the turrets of the Chinese Theater right behind the Big Blue Bouncehouse. Imagine placing this 'hat' right in front of the castle at Disneyland or Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and you'll get an idea of why it is so, so, wrong.

http://imagineerebirth.blogspot.com/2006/02/wanted-giant-pin.html

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Haters gotta hate on something, I guess...

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

Because some people want EVERYTHING to remain EXACTLY the same as it was the first time they were there. Any change makes it worse.

 

[TheAceOfAces]

I am wondering am I the only person who happens to like the Sorcerer's Hat at Hollywood Studios because I have seen various threads before saying it should be taken away. What I like is how it's a Disney icon which is a symbol of Hollywood Studios meaning how it was in Walt Disney's Fantasia and it goes with the movie theme of Hollywood Studios. The Magic Kingdom has Cinderella's Castle, Epcot has Spaceship Earth and the Animal Kingdom has the Tree of Life, all were Disney originals. When I think of Man's Chinese Theather I don't think of Disney because they have it out in Los Angeles, so that's why I like having the Sorcerer's Hat be the first thing I see when going there.

Had you ever been to MGM (that's what "Hollywood Studios" will always be to me) before they added the hat? I'm not meaning to sound like a smart@ss- that's a serious question. The Chinese Theatre wasn't the original icon of MGM; the Earful Tower was, and it was more fitting with the studio atmosphere. Those of us who don't like it think it's unnecessary and ruins the original view of the street.

 

[MYD714]

For most people, it's not that they don't like the hat. They just don't like it in that spot.

And it's not specifically that it blocks the view of the theater, it's that it disrupts the visual of a classic Hollywood street.

I think it looks strange and out of place.

^ This. I cannot stand the hat blocking what was once a lovely and unified streetscape. The fact that it is a glorified pin kiosk is all the more galling. Put it out in front of the gates and let it be the symbol of the park there.

I'm with you. I don't understand why they made it a pin kiosk. Also, I too would much rather see it outside the front gate.

This. The first time I visited DHS was in 1991 and I loved it even though there were only a few attractions. I loved the 1940's atmosphere. When we took our first family trip in 2008, something felt different about the park and it took we a while before I realized it was the hat. It's placement just breaks the continuity of the theme.

I agree. I'd been many times pre-hat, and I like the look of the theater without the hat blocking it. Although, I'm sure if they ever did move it that I'd feel something was missing.

I've always wondered if the majority of people who love the hat had been to DHS before the hat existed, or if they've only seen DHS with the hat. I'll never forget the year I saw them putting up the hat. I was interested to see what it was going to be used for, and was disappointed to see it used as a kiosk. Also, I was under the impression that it was temporary, and I was relieved at the thought that it would eventually come down. Here I am--many years later--and the hat lives on.

 

[MYD714]

The Chinese Theatre wasn't the original icon of MGM; the Earful Tower was, and it was more fitting with the studio atmosphere.

I just saw this, and I was thinking the same thing. I always thought of this as the icon for MGM/DHS. It was fitting and it didn't need to be in my face. Not to change the subject, but is the Earful Tower still around? I don't recall seeing it in recent trips.





I'm not opposed to change, nor do I hate the hat itself. I'm just not crazy about its placement.

 

[danceintherain]

INot to change the subject, but is the Earful Tower still around? I don't recall seeing it in recent trips.

Yes, you can see it on the Backlot Tour.

Personally, I don't mind the hat. Some of my favorite pictures have it as a backdrop. However, I can see why others might not like it.

Of course, those pictures probably would have been fine with a different backdrop, but I like it anyways.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that the hat is cute but totally out of place. I like good theming and the hat clashes with the theme of the area IMO.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I have old trip photos of the Chinese Theatre from the pre-hat days. That was one terrific view down the street without any obstruction. In a way, it's the opposite of a MK pic I have from years ago taken from the Skyway where you can see Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, all three of which are gone now. Weird

 

[joelkfla]

Yes, you can see it on the Backlot Tour.

The Earful Tower is also highly visible driving down World Dr. from the MK.

It's a shame they don't put the giant Santa hat on the tower at Christmas any more. That was really cool.

 

[mrsR123]

Decoration does not equal theming.

For me, the best part of WDW is the immersion, the attention to detail, the feeling of being transported to another time or place.

A giant fiberglass hat does none of these things. It does not evoke a feeling. It does not transport me to a far away place. AND it ruins the sight lines of a building that did evoke time and place.

I love Fantasia. I loved the brooms and buckets that used to be in Mickey's house. They made sense there as a memento that Mickey would have. But the BAH doesn't belong.

BTW, these are same reasons why I object to the "theming" of the All-Stars and Pop. I know people swear they get that "Disney feel" when they stay there, but decoration does not equal theming.