DHS... Please remove your hat... ?

Hope not...One of the few lovers of it...I think..

I like it, too.

Rumors are that the hat was supposed to be in celebration of some big anniversary and was supposed to be temporary. Some are saying that it's coming down permanently. Other rumors is that the hat is supposed to be moved to somewhere else like outside the park where the Christmas tree goes.

I think it's hideous and hope the removal is perm. I have memories of seeing the theater when you walk in the park...it's just not the same.

I don't mind the hat. I've never know the park without it. Maybe I would feel differently if I had.

I like the hat. To me it would be weird not having it there.

I don't mind the hat, but I would rather see the chinese theatre there and maybe relocate the hat I can feel in my bones that there are big changes afoot in HS

So will that just be a big open space when/if they remove the hat?

What year did that thing go up?

Oh I guess I have seen the park without the hat then. I just don't remember.

Interesting......so am I imagining it or did I actually read they were looking for a new "symbol" for the park? I remember the big water tank thing as the symbol?

Jackie

I like the hat. It's a lovely connection to Mickey (Sorcerer Mickey is my fave), and reminds me of Fantasia, which I would argue is the greatest Disney film of all time.

Same here. I can't picture it at all but I was there

The hat was Disney's answer to DHS having a lack of a iconic centerpiece . MK has the castle, Epcot the sphere, and AK has the tree. I saw it explained in a documentary. I certainly never got the impression that it was temporary.

I don't love or hate the hat.

I know there are a ton of purists who loathe the hat, more so for its location blocking the GMR theater and in addition to possibly its function. (Some argue a pin shop is a waste of space.) As for me, considering I never visited the old MGM without the hat. (At least I don't remember ever doing so.), the hat doesn't bother me too much. Question is, where would you put it? I can't think of a proper place for it at the moment.....

I have only ever know the hat. Doesn't make a real difference to me. But as a non thrill ride person I would love more to do that is a little less intense. It's still a half day park for us. But leaves more time for mk and epcot.

I love the hat!! It's that iconic part of DHS that I look forward to seeing when I walk into the park.

HS is the park I spend the least time in - not much of a movie lover. I guess I've never actively disliked the hat, but I'll admit that I never quite "got it." I mean, I get the Fantasia tie-in and all, but I always felt it was sort of weird. The other big icons I saw as the thematic soul of each park, but the Fantasia hat never achieved that for me. I just sort of thought, "Oh, look. There's that Fantasia hat."

Me too. I was definitely there in 1990. I was only 9-years-old, but I would have bet anything that the hat was there the first time I visited. That was my only non-hat visit as I didn't go to Disney again until 2003. Maybe I've seen it so many times since then that I altered my earliest memories of the park? Personally, I love the hat. I wouldn't mind seeing it moved (the front of the park might be a viable solution) because I think it's a bit cramped in its current location, but I hope they don't scrap it altogether. I feel like the theater lacks the grandeur of the castle or spaceship earth or the tree of life. I would miss it if it left entirely. I know the pin station is a little underwhelming since it lacks an attraction or a restaurant like the other park icons have, but as a trader, I appreciate having it there. Although I'd certainly be willing to give it up for a new attraction or restaurant, but I'll continue to enjoy the pins for now.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=kNe5CEWqOJBV5M&tbnid=3LXoomGWwjyWvM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bigbrian-nc.com%2Fwdw-pc62.htm&ei=h_rUUpzTHIX40gW20IGgDQ&bvm=bv.59378465,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGVHbH5NS09O0B_lbXnA1EIbYWR9g&ust=1389775825780779
Don't know if this will work.I don't hate the hat just think it is in the wrong location. Just outside the main entrance to MGM (i will always call it that ).

I'd have thought the replica of the Mann's Chinese Theater was enough of a centrepiece but that's blocked by the hat which, in turn, also has the Mickey space needle in front of the Main Street - it's a strange layout tbh.

I think the hat was when HS really started to lose its focus. I loved walking in seeing the theater really giving it the Hollywood feel. A hat doesn't really say Hollywood to me. I still love HS's original icon, even if it isn't huge and can't be seen right away. I have no problem with a relocation, but to me this was something temporary that should have stayed temporary. As for it being removed, until it is officially confirmed by Disney, I am not buying it. Been teased by rumors too often.

Yes, I remember the time from a little girl when the Big water tank was the symbol.

As for the hat, I am ok with it, in fact I would be sad if they removed it. To me it's the DHS symbol now, not to mention I am a lover of Sorcerer Mickey stuff.

And I saw someone mention that they don't get the symbolism of it. But it's Sorcerer Mickey, a nod to Fantasia, one of the greatest movies of Disney's era. And it's Mickey in a movie. So it makes sense. Or maybe its just me that sees it this way...

Yep, the Earffel Tower was one of the original park icons It was replaced in 2001 with the hat.
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/earffel-tower

I agree! However if I remember correctly, the documentary said they wanted something for DHS that was Disney specific... The Chinese Theatre is an icon much more connected to Hollywood and film premieres than it is to DHS. All other parks have a Disney specific icon as it's centerpiece.

The earful water tower came down after their split from MGM... since it was the visual representation of the old name... "Disney's MGM Studio's"

I thought the earful tower was still up - it was when I went last year as they pointed it out in the backlot tour. Maybe they should move the info booth which has the rotating Mickey globe from the entrance to the 'hub'?

I think you are referring to smaller sized replica they constructed back there?