The Vacation Kingdom of the World: Hollywood Boulevard and That Hat
by Tom Richards, contributing writerAdvertisement
It will come as no surprise to readers of my columns that I love Walt Disney World and the beauty of its design and philosophy. As I reflected a few years ago, "Walt Disney World is a place that inspires and enlightens, a place that offers a temporary respite from the responsibilities of daily life." After visiting Walt Disney World, we return to our routines refreshed and enlightened with a renewed sense of hope and optimism about ourselves and about the world at large. These feelings are not the result of some sort of happy serendipity; rather, they reflect countless hours of planning by Disney Imagineers and countless man-hours on the part of front line Cast Members.
Walt Disney World devotees like myself differ from casual visitors or "once in a lifetime" visitors; we're here for the duration. We have a past, present, and a future with Walt Disney World. It's easy to explain why many such guests form deep connections with this special place and why we can become so passionate about significant changes to a place very dear to our hearts. It's important to keep in mind, however, that Disney parks are not museums; they are ever-evolving places that, in Walt Disney's own words, will never be complete "as long as there is imagination left in the world." This phrase has sadly been misapplied as justification for all sorts of unnecessary changes and losses, so it is best to keep in mind that while Walt famously proclaimed that the parks will always evolve, he also said that "even the trees will grow; the place will get more beautiful each year."
The online community has often been accused of being overly critical of the current state of Walt Disney World. While it's valid to point to some indiscriminate criticism of every move by Team Disney, it's utterly unfair to label all criticism as unfounded or overly harsh. After all, constructive criticism is essential for growth and improvement. This idea of constructive criticism, coupled with an ardent love and admiration for all things Disney, can be a very healthy reflection of the passion many people feel for the parks created by Walt Disney and his Imagineers.
One consistent concern of mine has been the recent trend to disrupt many of Walt Disney World's garden places—areas of quiet, understated beauty that add immeasurably to the overall story of each park. Whether it's the leafy Hub in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom, the spectacular fountain in the lobby of Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, the rose garden at the American Adventure, or the fountains that once graced both the Spaceship Earth plaza and the interior courtyard of The Land, there have been far too many renovations that have scarred the landscape of Walt Disney World.
One of my most passionate rallies was aimed at the Sorcerer's Hat that appeared at the end of Hollywood Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2001 as part of the "100 Years of Magic" promotion. In many ways, the contradiction of the hat represented the initial decline in Disney quality and, in my opinion, the decline in Disney sincerity. After all, celebrating Walt Disney's 100th birthday was more than a little odd and smacked of forced sentiment and blatant exploitation on the part of the marketing department. The fact that two very unDisney-like additions accompanied this birthday celebration did little to calm the fears of the Disney faithful. The construction of Chester and Hester's Dino-rama at Disney's Animal Kingdom has long been criticized for its off-the-shelf attractions and misplacement in a park noted for natural beauty. Like so many of the attractions that opened as part of Disney California Adventure in its initial incarnation, these "rides" fell far below the standards established by the classic attractions of Imagineering's halcyon days. But even these blasphemies could not compare with the Sorcerer's Hat. Its in-your-face, over-the-top Las Vegas style garishness never meshed with the authentic architecture of the rest of Hollywood Boulevard.
The Chinese Theater may become more visible once again after removal of the hat. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
After all, every structure, every planting, every color at Disney theme parks is chosen with careful deliberation by the artists at Walt Disney Imagineering. In his classic book Designing Disney, Imagineer John Hench wrote that "Imagineers carefully select images essential to each story [they] want to tell in a Disney park." The Sorcerer's Hat—that large contradiction at the end of Hollywood Boulevard—destroys the theme and ambiance of this park's entrance. According to John Hench, Disney guests "engage in a special world that [Imagineering] created." The illusion of Hollywood Boulevard, with the serenity of the Chinese Theater Courtyard, was very compelling before the addition of the big hat. On nights when the much-loved Sorcery in the Sky fireworks were presented, this area of the park was at its most atmospheric. In a park that lacks the well-themed lands of the Magic Kingdom or the well-defined "worlds" of Epcot Center, the courtyard in front of the theater once provided a sophisticated hub that unified the uncluttered look of the entire park.
Sadly, the construction of the hat made it impossible to suspend disbelief. It broke one of Imagineering's cardinal rules: this "single out-of-place element shatter[ed] an artfully constructed story environment." Much like the Swan and Dolphin invade the skyline of World Showcase, the hat's size and location violated the skyline of the Studios. By obscuring the Chinese Theater with this oversized knick-knack, the "rules of the land" were violated and "the background narrative, geography, and historical time period appropriate" to the Studios were ignored. To add insult to injury, the hat was nothing more than a pin store with an unattractive stage in front of it.
The Sorcerer's Hat serves as a backdrop for an ESPN stage in this photo from 2009. Photo by Bruce Danderline.
Imagine the rejoicing, then, when Disney announced two weeks ago that the Sorcerer's Hat is scheduled for removal sometime in early 2015 as part of a long-term plan for Disney's Hollywood Studios. Most of the Disney sites I frequent echoed my enthusiasm for this announcement, and I was encouraged once again by the deep love and commitment that so many thoughtful fans have for Walt Disney World. My excitement was tempered, however, after reading some of the heartfelt comments posted online in favor of the hat. For many guests, it was part of their history with Walt Disney World, and some were sincerely saddened to lose this icon. While I can sympathize with the feelings of these Disney fans, I can't help but look with great anticipation for the changes coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Let's hope that the removal of the hat might be that "one little spark" that leads to all sorts of exciting new adventures at this park. The Studios has so much untapped potential, and while I'll miss the original "behind-the-scenes" production facility theme that once permeated the Studios, I welcome more immersive lands based on favorite films and Hollywood classics. Look what has been done to re-imagine Disney's Calfornia Adventure, now home to some of Imagineering's best work in decades. Just think what the Disney team can do for the Studios, a park that has good bones and some truly outstanding attractions in its current line-up. So "hats off" to Imagineering as the rebirth of Disney's Hollywood Studios begins!
 
Comments
I've only been to WDW twice, once in 2003 and once in 2008. So I have never seen the Studios without the hat. Whenever I finally return, I will probably miss the hat.
My entire family will be happy to bid adieu to that garish hat. But it will be a meaningless gesture if the "temporary" stage in front of it doesn't go away as well. And since Disney has yet to announce what they intend to do with this area I fear the end result will be no better then where we are now.
I've only been to the Studios once, in 2009. But I can say I won't miss the hat and look forward to seeing the Chinese Theater without any obstructions. fingers crossed
I couldn't disagree with you more. In fact, with every fiber of my being I think you're wrong about the Hat. I've heard numerous time, "The Hat was temporary". Yet the Hat has been in that spot for 13 years, whereas the Mann was at the end of the Blvd on 12 years. So which one is more temporary at this point in time?
Check out my photo in my avatar. I didn't just put that there to protest Disney's dumb decision (one among many in the last few months). This is my family's favorite picture spot - more than the Castle, more than the Tree of Life, more than SSE. This Icon SCREAMS Disney. What's more Disney than Mickey, and what's the most famous incarnation of Mickey than the Sorcerer version. The Hat said, "This is where movie magic, Pixar magic, and Disney magic all exist in one place. Add in the fact that Fantasmic! is the close out show each night, and the Hat makes perfect sense. The Mann Theater said "Ha! We got our park up before Universal". Sure it looks nice, but it's just not very Disney.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is this: the Hat is my favorite and the favorite of many others. Taking it down seems to be giving in to the many who've been loudly and annoyingly bemoaning the Hat for the last 13 years. I've often come to it's defense on boards like these, and I'll continue to proclaim DHS is a better park WITH the Hat. I would hope that Disney relocates the Hat so that my favorite Icon sticks around in some capacity, but I highly doubt that they would spend the $$$ to erect it again. Farewell, Sorcerer's Hat.
I don't understand this reasoning. The theater was there when the park was built. The hat was put in for 100 Years of Magic and never removed. It was not meant to be permanent, but it stayed. The wand was on the Epcot Spaceship Earth building for a long time after the millennium celebration, and that wasn't meant to be permanent either. Thankfully it came off, eventually.
I understand you like the hat, but it completely shatters the theming that is the hallmark of Disney parks: detailed environments created to resemble real and fantasy worlds. It doesn't belong where it is right now.
The argument for or against The Hat is the main problem. It is full of contradictions. The rationalizations can fill a book. You can use any "Disney" argument to justify it getting built, keeping it there, or removing it, which is ridiculous since Disney is the same company making the decision to build it, keep it there, or remove it. Either way, they lose or the fans lose. Nothing is gained. Yet much can be gained with it gone.
DHS is a tired park. Nothing fits especially that ugly hat. To give us back the Chinese Theater doesn't make much sense either. The theater was never the icon of the park. I don't think Disney will allow it. The real Hollywood Chinese Theater is now owned by real Chinese investors (who are flush with money) and renamed as TCL Chinese Theatre ("Originally Grauman's Chinese Theatre and renamed Mann's Chinese Theatre in 1973"). I will be interested in knowing how Disney resolves the icon of DHS as the park will need one badly!!!
I do think the park will have a bright future nonetheless. The Sorcerer's Hat will no longer fit the park thematically, not that it did originally. The park is both moving closer to the Hollywood theme, which also more emphatically about 'riding the movies' than the 'behind the scenes', and branching to movie IP (intellectual property), but more specific to Disney owned IP.
There much to be positive about and I am glad to not see that tired Sorcerer's Hat one more time.
Oh the Hat! I have several pictures in front of the hat. Good picture spot. I will give it that. I remember the old working studio and the view down the street. I agree that the hat fits in to the theme of movies and the studios but it shatters the atmosphere of the themed area. The temporary stage blocks the view of the hat which blocks the view of the theater. With the lack of attention DHS has received over the last several years, I had been speculating that a park overhaul was in the works. I would suggest that the hat gets moved to the boneyard for the backlot tour, but since that closed, bad idea. Maybe a move to the entrance of Fantasmic as a entrance station, but that would conflict with the ToT sightlines. Sitting at LAM show, you can see the roof tops and the ToT hotel in the background and the massive hat. The hat is not terrible, it fits somewhat with the park. It does not fit first thing when you enter and all you see is the hat. Maybe they could move the hat to outside the entrance of the park. I am very curios as to the massive closures in the back of the park and am curious how far reaching the re model will go. Will Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground get the axe as well?
I don't hate the hat...I just hate where the hat is placed. I would be fine if the hat was moved to a different area...somewhere where it is not blocking the theme or disrupting the theme...perhaps somewhere by Fantasmic or something....or back in Pixar Place...
An injustice is being rectified. The hat should never have been placed in front of the theater (and in my opinion, for the sole reason of it just ruined the look and feel/theme). I also have a bit of a sore spot for the hat because I always liked the "earful tower" as the park icon, although it seemed like Disney could never quite decide what it wanted for the parks icon....the "earful tower" or the chinese theater....
Like I said, I don't mind the hat, I just hate the placement. Move the hat somewhere else where it makes sense and I am perfectly fine with that. And while they're at it, make the "earful tower" the official park icon
Well, there was no stage in front of it when I was there over the weekend, so I made sure to take some nice pics of the Hat before it gets moved.
(I've previously only been during Star Wars Weekends, or this past August when the stage was set up for the Frozen events, so I'm sure this was the last chance I had to see the Hat where it stands)