Is the clock ticking on the Sorcerer Mickey Hat icon at the Studios? YES!

[JenniferS]

The spires are needed only to calm those of us that have seen it with them. Others are totally unaware of their previous existence. Now something that is noticeable by everyone new and old, might be the neon sign on the right side of the theater. That really needs to be fixed ASAP.

Not sure, but maybe the signs flash/chase? If you look at the LEFT hand neon sign, in the first picture the word "The" and the bars above "Ride" are not illuminated, whereas they are, in the second photo.

The number of "burnt" out lights on the right hand sign might simply be a result of the timing of the photo, if in fact that lights do flash/chase/twinkle. *shrug*

 

[roj2323]

Not sure, but maybe the signs flash/chase? If you look at the LEFT hand neon sign, in the first picture the word "The" and the bars above "Ride" are not illuminated, whereas they are, in the second photo.

The number of "burnt" out lights on the right hand sign might simply be a result of the timing of the photo, if in fact that lights do flash/chase/twinkle. *shrug*

who knows. What i do remember however is the signs were completely rebuilt in late 2009-early 2010. the signs were completely removed one at a time for about a week each and when they came back they had been repainted and had new neon. they also had the sponsorship tag at the bottom changed or removed but I don't remember which, sorry

 

[BrerJon]

*For all the Disney fanboys and girls whose tears for the hat's demise have watered tiny flower boxes across America: sorry to burst your bubble, but WDI's top creatives hated the hat because it ruined the park's atmosphere. They said so many times, both in public and in Q&A sessions among Cast Members. Nobody whose opinion mattered considered the BAH to be a perfect icon of Disney Magic, Movie Magic, Fantasmic, Fantasia, Mickey, or anything else you've imagined.

So why did they build it in the first place? And if they really intended it to only be around for a short while then planning something so expensive to remove was a real cluster****. I hope they at least fired whoever came up with the idea of the hat, in my view they should never be allowed to touch a theme park again.

In any temporary project, the budget should cover the entire life-cycle. If it was going to cost a ton to take down, that should have been allocated in the construction budget as well. If it wasn't, then it was clearly intended to be a permanent thing, whatever has been said to the contrary to appease the Chinese Theatre fans.

I'm hopeful that there has been a house clean and the incompetent imagineers of ten years ago are now long gone, and a new generation who understand theming and quality will be in place for any DHS re-imagining, but we'll see.

 

[WDWLover#1]

So why did they build it in the first place? And if they really intended it to only be around for a short while then planning something so expensive to remove was a real cluster****. I hope they at least fired whoever came up with the idea of the hat, in my view they should never be allowed to touch a theme park again.

In any temporary project, the budget should cover the entire life-cycle. If it was going to cost a ton to take down, that should have been allocated in the construction budget as well. If it wasn't, then it was clearly intended to be a permanent thing, whatever has been said to the contrary to appease the Chinese Theatre fans.

I'm hopeful that there has been a house clean and the incompetent imagineers of ten years ago are now long gone, and a new generation who understand theming and quality will be in place for any DHS re-imagining, but we'll see.

This was actually built because of merchandising and a bit of marketing for the 2001 year of dreams thing. Orginally it was going to be an attraction outside the gates; the ears were going to be ferris wheels

But of course the budget got small. You've also got to understand pin trading had been getting really popular and was one of the most biggest money makers of the parks. So when hollywood studios wanted something the merchandising team went to the executives. They did'nt want it outside the park. This pin store had to be in a central location, making sure that everyone passed all the other shops and eating places before they got there (Hollywood Boulevard). It was purely based on this money making decision.

 

[The Rocketeer]

who knows. What i do remember however is the signs were completely rebuilt in late 2009-early 2010. the signs were completely removed one at a time for about a week each and when they came back they had been repainted and had new neon. they also had the sponsorship tag at the bottom changed or removed but I don't remember which, sorry

It was Coca-Cola originally.

 

[G00fyDad]

This was actually built because of merchandising and a bit of marketing for the 2001 year of dreams thing.

It was not built for merchandising. It was originally built for the 100 years of magic celebration. If they had any intention of putting something under the hat it came after construction.

Orginally it was going to be an attraction outside the gates; the ears were going to be ferris wheels.

Has that actually ever been confirmed? I thought that was just a rumor based on armchair imagineering.

You've also got to understand pin trading had been getting really popular and was one of the most biggest money makers of the parks. So when hollywood studios wanted something the merchandising team went to the executives. They did'nt want it outside the park. This pin store had to be in a central location, making sure that everyone passed all the other shops and eating places before they got there (Hollywood Boulevard). It was purely based on this money making decision.

This did not originally have a pin store in it. I'm pretty sure it had the "100 Years of Magic" sign there under it for the entire celebration. Once the celebration was over some moron decided to keep the hat and turn it into a pin station.

 

[pumpkin7]

Has that actually ever been confirmed? I thought that was just a rumor based on armchair imagineering.

I had someone once try to tell me that this was an original Walt Disney creation and that it was one of the last things he designed for the park before he died.

I almost died at their stupidity.


Also, I hadn't noticed the spires at all. I don't remember them from my first trip (pre hat, so they were there, but I was like, 8 at the time and probably didn't take important stuff like this into account), but now I've seen a picture with the spires, they most desperately need to go back up. More than the roof needs repainting and more than the neon light needs to be fixed. #Spirewatch2015

 

[lazyboy97o]

So why did they build it in the first place? And if they really intended it to only be around for a short while then planning something so expensive to remove was a real cluster****. I hope they at least fired whoever came up with the idea of the hat, in my view they should never be allowed to touch a theme park again.

In any temporary project, the budget should cover the entire life-cycle. If it was going to cost a ton to take down, that should have been allocated in the construction budget as well. If it wasn't, then it was clearly intended to be a permanent thing, whatever has been said to the contrary to appease the Chinese Theatre fans.

I'm hopeful that there has been a house clean and the incompetent imagineers of ten years ago are now long gone, and a new generation who understand theming and quality will be in place for any DHS re-imagining, but we'll see.

Temporary according to the building codes is far less than a year. Just because money was once approved doesn't mean it stays approved.

 

[marni1971]

Has that actually ever been confirmed? I thought that was just a rumor based on armchair imagineering.
.

Yes. The art was posted earlier.

 

[The Rocketeer]

It was not built for merchandising. It was originally built for the 100 years of magic celebration. If they had any intention of putting something under the hat it came after construction.



Has that actually ever been confirmed? I thought that was just a rumor based on armchair imagineering.



This did not originally have a pin store in it. I'm pretty sure it had the "100 Years of Magic" sign there under it for the entire celebration. Once the celebration was over some moron decided to keep the hat and turn it into a pin station.

They also had kiosks under the hat where you could learn about Walt himself. In 2003 they changed it to a pin store

 

[Nubs70]

Based on the way the supports are arranged, it looks like the section marked as 1 will be the first to go.

My best guess is that 2 through 5 will go next, in that order. When 4 goes, the largest support pillar there will come down.

Of course I may be all wrong - let's see what happens. Any thoughts from other engineers in the crowd?

I would see sections 2 and 3 being removed first in a single lift. By attaching lift at 3 points (1 outside, 2 on inside ), curved beam CA be lifted in a single plane without twisting. 2/3 section can be separated from the structure by torching the bolts.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Not sure, but maybe the signs flash/chase? If you look at the LEFT hand neon sign, in the first picture the word "The" and the bars above "Ride" are not illuminated, whereas they are, in the second photo.

The number of "burnt" out lights on the right hand sign might simply be a result of the timing of the photo, if in fact that lights do flash/chase/twinkle. *shrug*

No they don't flash. I was spotted them last week and it was the same. I'm not even sure that neon lights can flash. I'm not overly concerned because I know that they are not going to do much to the theater itself until big blue is out of the way. There's not much room between it and the building. But hopefully it will be addressed.

 

[Kman101]

I'd have to imagine any funding TCM puts towards the ride would also lend itself to exterior work ... but stranger things have happened, lol.

 

[yedliW]

I almost died at their stupidity.

I hope you are being sarcastic here.. not everyone live and breaths all things Disney..

I would be willing to bet that they have a hobby/interest that you don't know the finer points/history of it like they do..

Let's keep things in perspective here..

 

[G00fyDad]

I hope you are being sarcastic here.. not everyone live and breaths all things Disney..

I would be willing to bet that they have a hobby/interest that you don't know the finer points/history of it like they do..

Let's keep things in perspective here..

It was a figure of speech, but thanks for keeping us on track.

 

[bingie]

Maybe they are building a second space mountain?!?

 

[TomP]

No they don't flash. I was spotted them last week and it was the same. I'm not even sure that neon lights can flash. I'm not overly concerned because I know that they are not going to do much to the theater itself until big blue is out of the way. There's not much room between it and the building. But hopefully it will be addressed.

Yep, neon can flash. Back in the day, there were lots of "animated" neon signs. The GMR exterior signs have/had flashing neon...I think the "sawtooth" border was animated and the interior marquee has flashing neon.

 

[Sage of Time]

I'd have to imagine any funding TCM puts towards the ride would also lend itself to exterior work ... but stranger things have happened, lol.

I'd expect that's how and why the spires are returning.

 

[DisneyGentleman]

I would see sections 2 and 3 being removed first in a single lift. By attaching lift at 3 points (1 outside, 2 on inside ), curved beam CA be lifted in a single plane without twisting. 2/3 section can be separated from the structure by torching the bolts.

Makes a lot of sense to me, and may be the more likely scenario because of the easier lift (no twisting).

 

[Brian]

Maybe they are building a second space mountain?!?

Don't be ridiculous! That's like putting a giant sorcerer's hat in front of the Chinese Theatre, and I'm sure they've never considered that.