The Hat - MGM

G2-4T · Post by **G2-4T** » Jan Sun 02, 2005 1:58 pm

You know the one, Mickey's huge Sorcerer Hat that was dumped there for the last celebration. I can't be the only one out there that thinks it is a lousy addition to that area - it would fit better somewhere else, just not in the middle of Hollywood! They do a great job building the atmosphere and the visual aspects leading to the Chinese theater and then they put that in there and leave it. Ok, for the event it was fine but it's time is up - move it out to another part of the park.

So does anyone else think that this is out of place and if so where should they put it?

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Jan Sun 02, 2005 4:07 pm

I agree, its completely out of place where it is currently located. It blocks my view of the Great Movie Ride

Unfortunatly, I don't think its going anywhere soon as it seems to have replaced the MGM watertower as the new symbol that represents MGM! Also, MGM is tight on space so I don't see any other place they could put it. If anyone needs an example of the space issue just look what has become of the Backlot Tour and compare it to the original version where you entered by the Animation Studio

bartman454 · Post by **bartman454** » Jan Sun 02, 2005 10:12 pm

Yes, the hat sucks!, From what I hear it was originally supposed to be a temporary structure for when GMR was going to go down for a massive rehab, but apparently plans for that didnt work out for one reason or another. Hopefully when Disney loses the rights to MGM films and such (which I do believe will be happening within the next year or two) Disney will get their senses together and tear down the hat once and for all!

Jack

Post by **rdeacon** » Jan Mon 03, 2005 4:59 pm

Yeah it kinda doesn't fit into its surroundings. I thought they designed it to make a temporary attraction, then I guess they changed their minds.. Which is why it doesn't look like it belongs... kinda like the dreaded wand on spaceship earth. They should remove the hat.. but I agree that MGM is space limited and there is not another place to put it.

I also think they have made it replace the watertower so they can make guest feel it belongs. When in doubt merchandise it!

In general I don't have a probelm with the hat, i just doesn't belong where it is....

G2-4T · Post by **G2-4T** » Jan Mon 03, 2005 10:19 pm

There are a couple of places, one would be outside the gates near the tram stop, logistically if it was located right it wouldn't impede foot traffic much. Or there is backlot space but one could only see it from the tram tour [thinking along the lines of the parking lot you go through, those are easier to relocate than soundstages].

Speaking of the tour - does anyone out there remember a time when you got to go through the Jim Henson Creature Shop? It was around the time the live 101 or 102 Dalmations came out - I remember seeing some of the Muppet dogs used. It'd be neat to be able to go back in there and see what they are working on...

Post by **js3901** » Jan Tue 04, 2005 3:39 am

The hat was originally opened and used for the 100 years of Disney that happened a few years ago (celebrating what would be Walt's 100th birthday). It had/has interactive kiosks that basical told Walt's story in a fun, easy-for-kids-to-understand way. They also sold those blinking park pins that were being sold around that time. I think that the hat could go either out by te tram stops or also near/on the pathway to Fantasmic or something. Also, Disney has quite a bit of land there, so it's not like they can't expand the park a little...

G2-4T wrote: Speaking of the tour - does anyone out there remember a time when you got to go through the Jim Henson Creature Shop? It was around the time the live 101 or 102 Dalmations came out - I remember seeing some of the Muppet dogs used. It'd be neat to be able to go back in there and see what they are working on...

I last went on that walking tour about 3 1/2 years ago (man, it's been a while...). They showed a clip of 101 Dalmations, with one of the puppies, and the horses legs to sow how they worked. plus they sowed the tv studios they used and a view of WWTBAM:PI with the "phone a stranger" phone. That pone actually rang when we went through and one of the other group members answered it. It was hilarious...

I haven't seen any indication that that is still running, or when it would be back up...

G2-4T · Post by **G2-4T** » Jan Tue 04, 2005 10:32 pm

Last year they have a very short version of that tour where you got to see part of the HM Movie set in the sound stage. But no other walking tour, in one door of the soundstage, walk around and out the side exit. I had forgetten about walking over the active soundstages too - that would be a really neat thing to bring back and I would assume it wouldn't be too hard logistically either since all it took really was a tour guide and your feet to do the work...

QuickGold · Post by **QuickGold** » Jan Sat 08, 2005 4:49 pm

I didn't like it at first either but it's grown on me. I just wish they'd put it in a better location; I liked the GMR courtyard.

G2-4T · Post by **G2-4T** » Jan Sun 16, 2005 11:24 am

At Fanasmic they now direct some of the crowd out a service entrance behind the Beauty and the Beast stage - there is actaully a lot of room between there and Hollywood Hills theatre to relocate the hat, it would take some planning to get people back there [character greetings would do it] but it could be done and open up the view again.

QuickGold · Post by **QuickGold** » Jan Sun 16, 2005 11:31 am

In all likelihood, the hat isn't going anywhere. Disney likes the idea of a central, easy to find location and thats why I think the hat isn't going anywhere.

wdw1090 · Post by **wdw1090** » Mar Sun 27, 2005 7:31 pm

agreed, they put it in a bad spot and i think it is just plain UGLY, it is just a big waste of space. they had something under it before but now it is just a pin trading station!!!!!?!?!?!?!?! what was the point of that they can put that anywhere without a big ugly hat!!!!

QuickGold · Post by **QuickGold** » Mar Mon 28, 2005 12:46 pm

wdw1090 wrote:agreed, they put it in a bad spot and i think it is just plain UGLY, it is just a big waste of space. they had something under it before but now it is just a pin trading station!!!!!?!?!?!?!?! what was the point of that they can put that anywhere without a big ugly hat!!!!

Like I said, it's purpose is to act as an icon for the park, like the castle is for MK or SSE is for Epcot.

kgmadorin · Post by **kgmadorin** » Mar Mon 28, 2005 3:32 pm

Speaking of hats at Disney/MGM Studios, does anyone remember the Santa Claus hat that used to adorn the Earfell Tower (spelling?) during the holidays?

Well, unless they're planning on building a brand new one, the old hat is kaput! I was backstage in the graveyard area behind the Magic Kingdom where the 20,000 Leagues subs were put to pasture, and the HUGE Santa Mickey hat was back there, totally rotting away. When was the last year it was used, anyone know?

QuickGold · Post by **QuickGold** » Mar Mon 28, 2005 4:02 pm

kgmadorin wrote:Speaking of hats at Disney/MGM Studios, does anyone remember the Santa Claus hat that used to adorn the Earfell Tower (spelling?) during the holidays?

Well, unless they're planning on building a brand new one, the old hat is kaput! I was backstage in the graveyard area behind the Magic Kingdom where the 20,000 Leagues subs were put to pasture, and the HUGE Santa Mickey hat was back there, totally rotting away. When was the last year it was used, anyone know?

I believe it's last year was 2002 or 2003. I know for sure it was gone in 2004.

lovesdisney44 · Post by **lovesdisney44** » Apr Wed 20, 2005 2:07 pm

I like the hat, but believe it has served it's purpose at the location it's at. I'd like to see it stay, as it's become somewhat of an icon, but I'd like so see it placed elsewhere. I think the present location make the "Hat" and "The Great Movie Ride" compete for attraction. I know someone who works @ MGM and she was very dissapointed at the location of Mickey's Sorcerer Hat. Her theory was every park has a symbol - MK - Cinderella Castle, AK - The Tree of Life, EPCOT - The Big Ball - and finally at MGM it was the view of Graums (spelling) Chinese Theater. If you think about, this fits the theme of MGM Movies and all. The hat has nothing to do with any type of theatre.

Subsonic Radio

The Hat - MGM

The Hat - MGM

agreed

Re: agreed