Sorceror Mickey Hat structure at Disney's Hollywood Studios

[E. Q. Taft]

http://www.yesterland.com/removehat.html

In 2001, Disney built a 122-foot-tall Sorcerer Mickey hat between Hollywood Boulevard and the Great Movie Ride. Inspired by the “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” section of Fantasia, the cartoony jumbo icon was out-of-place in the richly detailed Hollywood streetscape. Instead of leading up to a detailed replica of the famous movie palace, Disney’s Hollywood Boulevard now led up to something that looked like a very large blue plastic cone. Oh, the Chinese Theatre and The Great Movie Ride were still there, but guests wouldn’t know it from the view up Hollywood Boulevard.

A story began circulating on the Internet. According to this story, Disney had to block the direct view of the Chinese Theatre in 2001 due to legal reasons.

Werner Weiss explains, and debunks, the story.

[Mickey is a gyrl]

It's a hideous structure. It really is. But at least it makes for a quicker getaway when there's Brazilian tour groups chasing you.

[kitap]

Originally Posted by Mickey is a gyrl

It's a hideous structure. It really is. But at least it makes for a quicker getaway when there's Brazilian tour groups chasing you.

I think the term you want is "Gosh awful". It's so ugly and out of place; it's something I would expect to see at a kiddie playground..

[DemonWolf]

That is my biggest frustration with visiting disney. They work so hard to create a certain feel and illusion (1950's hollywood, for example) and the add something that completely undermines the illusion and snaps the guest out of the experience and remiond them that Disney really doesn't care about your experience, they just want your money.

I realize that it's true, but they don't need to remind me! I may spend more if I forget that this is all a big plan to seperate me from my cash!

[E. Q. Taft]

Originally Posted by DemonWolf

That is my biggest frustration with visiting disney. They work so hard to create a certain feel and illusion (1950's hollywood, for example) and the add something that completely undermines the illusion and snaps the guest out of the experience and remiond them that Disney really doesn't care about your experience, they just want your money.

It is the sort of "bad show" that Walt would have frowned upon.

In the 1990's, out at Disneyland at least, management was taken over by people who mainly had retail experience. Their theory seemed to be that if you had an empty space, you could put a ride there, but that cost money; putting a shop or a restaurant there makes money. They sometimes lost sight of the fact that no one is going to come there and pay $50 and upwards just to shop. And as for minor show elements that, in themselves, may be insignificant, but when added up, greatly enhance the whole experience -- well, they were largely expendable.

The more recent management seems to have at least somewhat more of a clue, and a willingness to spend money (the expensive makeover of California Adventure that's gearing up, for instance) and do things right. I don't know if this is as true in Florida, though.

[Astra]

Well, they did finally take down the wand from the golfball in EPCOT, so that's a step in the right direction. Once that came down, the hat moved to the top of the "please kill it" list.

[Silas Sparkhammer]

I'm astonished at the reactions above. I think it's cute!

It's certainly less ugly than a lot of other architecture
here in southern California!

Silas

[Astra]

In any other location, I think I'd find it cute, too... but it completely hides the entrance to the Chinese Theater replica that used to be the centerpiece of the park.

[Mickey is a gyrl]

Oh, it's also a merchandise location. With character meet and greets all around it, they sell a TON of pens and autograph books.

[Johnny Slick]

The worst part about this stucture is that if you lick it you get high on LSD.

[1958Fury]

Originally Posted by Johnny Slick

The worst part about this stucture is that if you lick it you get high on LSD.

I hear it sold poisoned milk to school children.