The Hat is Gone

February 25, 2015, 1:38 PM · Walt Disney World last night completed removal of the last major element of the Mickey Sorcerer's Hat at the Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Site restoration work is expected to continue for several more days before the construction walls come down. But the view of the Chinese Theater from all of Hollywood Boulevard is clear once again.

Replies (20)

February 25, 2015 at 1:53 PM · That view looks so much better. (with apologies to TH Creative)...The Hat is dead. Long live the Hat.
February 25, 2015 at 2:27 PM · They should replace the hat with a giant shoe. Or a glove.
February 25, 2015 at 2:28 PM · Looks like a view you could actually see in Hollywood
February 25, 2015 at 2:29 PM · I never liked the hat, but I forgot how great this view looked until just now. How nice....
February 25, 2015 at 2:34 PM · Waiting for the next shoe to drop. This might not last. They might decide to install a huge stage with gigantic screens to block off the theater. Maybe the Mickey hand will come back to commemorate the fireworks show.
February 25, 2015 at 4:46 PM · Here's hoping that the hat won't be replaced with a giant Elsa. Or a Death Star, for that matter.
February 25, 2015 at 5:28 PM · There will be a Star Wars Weekend stage constructed somewhere up by where the Hat was. Maybe they will offset it a bit to keep the view open. A stage however will not be as tall as the Hat and viewing the SW fireworks will be easier.
February 25, 2015 at 7:06 PM · Robert, any news on anything (temporary or otherwise) coming in to Hollywood Studios in the near future? With the closure of American Idol, Backlot tour, and removing the hat, the park is more empty than ever before. It seems like it is preparing for major changes.

It also seems that Tower of Terror has become the temporary icon of the park. It is what designates the park on the My Disney Experience app.

February 25, 2015 at 7:31 PM · I'm gonna miss that old hat so much....
February 25, 2015 at 8:19 PM · So much better to see the way was intended to be. The Chinese Theater should be the "weenie" that draws everyone to that area.
February 25, 2015 at 9:51 PM · Looks beautiful!
February 25, 2015 at 10:40 PM · kind of miss the hat, don't mean to troll
February 26, 2015 at 1:22 AM · The view looks really nice. The hat was just too bright and too big for the area around it - it would have been ok in Toontown. To me it seemed tacky- sometimes less is more.
February 26, 2015 at 3:03 AM · This view brings a classic look back to a section of the park. The hat was an eyesore and misplaced in the 50's Hollywood era. The hat would work in other areas but not the main focal point of Disney Studios. I'm glad Disney is doing something right.
February 26, 2015 at 7:02 AM · Like the long view now available, the stages will go there for the specialty shows. Need to find out what happened to the Pin Station that was under the hat.
February 26, 2015 at 8:05 AM · I honestly miss the hat (please don't hate on me) the Studios looks so empty without it
February 26, 2015 at 8:49 AM · Looks much better. Here's hoping they don't replace it. Looks like a Hollywood street now.
February 26, 2015 at 11:52 AM · It's amazing to me how the removal of the hat makes the entire street look better now. There's better context.
February 26, 2015 at 4:51 PM · Agree with Robert, it's about creating a sense of place. You feel like you're in the Hollywood that never was--yet always will be.

Now, it just needs a blue sky and a few more palm trees. Here's hoping any stage doesn't detract from the placemaking.

February 28, 2015 at 11:26 AM · As it should be. Thanks, WDI!

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