Challenge 4 - Sharing a Dream Come True - @englanddg
Welcome to Hollywood Studios! You're tearing down the hat! But wait, Your not just destroying it. We're pro-conservation here at Around the Resorts in 30 Days. In that spirit, you get to move the hat somewhere else in Walt Disney World, and you get to do something with it! Make it an icon somewhere else, turn it into a restaurant, a stage, just don't leave it in front of the Chinese Theatre!
Yes, you can empty the inside of the hat out, for more space, if you'd like. The only other rule is whatever you do to it, don't keep it a merchandise area. It's to big just to be for merchandise. Anything else, go crazy.
The Sorcerer's Stage
The BAH (someone had to call it that) was added during the "100 Years of Magic" celebration in 2001 to Hollywood Studios. Since then, it's been called many colorful names, but that is only due to the fact that it obscures the view from the entrance of the Park, hiding the Chinese Theater from view (which is a grand building).
The design itself is quite unique and the construction was well done. It still looks new today, even though it was installed over a decade ago and originally intended to be "temporary".
So, while the criticism is apt regarding it's placement, the structure itself is certainly Disney, and it definitely deserves a new, more appropriate, home.
Due to it's over-the-top architecture (around 50 feet wide and 121 feet tall), I feel that placing this in any theme park would either create line of sight issues or merely transplant the current situation (meaning, the hat would overcome any of the current theme / architecture).
Here are some ideas I played with to illustrate my concern...
Placing it in front of the entrance to Hollywood Studios (in red below), once you take into account the height of the Hat, means that the tip of the hat would be visible from the World Showcase in EPCOT, ruining their theme.
I came across the same issue when I thought about moving it to the waiting area for Fantasmic (in green below).
So, with that in mind, I propose that it go to the one place on property where over the top theme rules the day, and actually fits!
Downtown Disney!
Placed directly across from World of Disney where the current stage is now, the Hat would make a grand "weenie" (to use Walt's phrase), and could then take it's rightful place as a Park Icon (as opposed to replacing the Earful Tower, which Disney Marketing can't seem to agree upon which is the "Icon" for Hollywood Studios now...for the record, just like Han shot First, the Earful Tower is the icon of Hollywood Studios...deal with it <grin>).
The underlying stage elements would be dramatically improved to include new lighting rigs, false hydraulic floors, and a stage curtain made of blue steel (to hide the sounds of changing sets). Sets and props would be stored under the theater itself, and rotated using a hydraulic lift system.
These improvements will allow for more elaborate shows than are currently presented there now.
Additionally, popjets and water screens would be installed in the lagoon behind the stage, and lasers would be added, allowing it to host a fantastic new nighttime show called "Shop till you Drop!".
Ok, that really isn't the name of the show. Just making sure you are still following along. <grin>
During the day, the stage would host 4 shows, with one show repeating twice daily.
The first show (and the one that repeats) is "Phineus and Ferb, a Concert". Costumed actors would play some of their catchy P&F music for all to hear. And, as far as how it would look, well...that's pretty obvious!
The second show would be the afternoon highlight (think the "3p Parade" for Downtown Disney)...a special show called "It All Started with a Mouse", which would feature a story arc based around the development and history of Mickey Mouse.
A mixture of video projections (including interviews with Walt) and live action would be accompanied with acceptable daytime pyrotechnics as well as live actors and costumed characters would outline the development of Mickey throughout the years as a series of skits and songs. It would be amusing, but also a nod to Disney history, something the Hat represents perfectly. It would be along the lines of this (with more stage elements, a fleshed out plot and some songs)!
But, the best would be a new nighttime spectacular (the first for Downtown Disney). It would involve the entire lagoon area (as indicated on the map below). This would largely be a mix of World of Color and Illuminations. It would use lasers (emitter locations are orange dots below) and fireworks (launching area in yellow below) as well as popjets / spray arrays / water screens (blue lines below)
Due to this Fulton's would need to be moved to allow for show views, as well as Captain Jack's marina. Both moves are indicated on the map above.
This would also improve the restaurant demand for "Captain Jack's" (the restaurant at the end of the pier), which would be renovated to have a glass roof, and the menu updates so it's not seafood based (therefore, not competing with Fulton's). The new menu would be akin to California Grille, a mix of American Contemporary and Fusion cooking.
Otherwise, it would stay largely the same in position, but would allow for unique views of the nighttime show during dinner. The concept being to elevate it to Ohana's or California Grille status, when it comes to watching a nighttime show, thereby drawing DVC and regulars to fight for this unique booking.
I won't get into too much detail about the show itself, as that is not part of this challenge, but I do know that this will be worked into it somehow using the laser projections or water screen projections! (from 20 seconds in until 30 seconds in, and from 40 seconds in until 46 seconds in)
So, in closing, a fine new home for our dear BAH, which has blocked the view of many. Here it can thrive, and even come alive, and take it's rightful place as an icon of Disney. Downtown Disney doesn't have a grand symbol like this, and it allows Disney Marketing to push the Downtown Disney experience easier. The overall concept is to add more to DTD to turn it into a full day destination, with shows and entertainment, rather than an afterthought of someone's vacation.
And, I think the BAH, as unfairly maligned as it is, would serve this purpose extremely well.