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

[wogwog]

@FutureWorld1982

Strange indeed. It was the address for the new one earlier. The new one has Star Wars on the front. I just went to the Disneypark.com and the new one has either been pulled for who knows why or the site is now managed by MM+ IT folks. Unfortunately I can barely send email so I have no hope of finding out how to send it.

I have a printed copy I made when I downloaded the map earlier with the Star Wars picture and it even has the Starbucks indicated on the map. I will pull my post.

These are the only changes mentioned.

"Various updates include:

• The Trolley Car Cafe addition
• New center stage area
• Food & Beverage menu changes
• New Disney FastPass+ and Visa ads"

 

[FoozieBear]

Great pictures @SRQtech! Thanks so much for posting.

So what exactly is going on behind those walls? To me it looks like the shape of a Mickey Mouse head, but I heard rumors of them building a stage there...anyone know what the plans are?

 

[danlb_2000]

Great pictures @SRQtech! Thanks so much for posting.

So what exactly is going on behind those walls? To me it looks like the shape of a Mickey Mouse head, but I heard rumors of them building a stage there...anyone know what the plans are?

Couple observations. In the front view you can see that they removed the concrete platform that was between the two sets of stairs. It doesn't appear that they are going to take the stairs out. Along the back you can see forms have been installed to pour a concrete curb.

 

[BrerJon]

Can somebody with one of the new maps post a screenshot for those of us who can't get to the parks to pick one up? The online link is to an old map.

Those pictures are great, this thread is about to spring back into life I think!

 

[Goofyernmost]

Couple observations. In the front view you can see that they removed the concrete platform that was between the two sets of stairs. It doesn't appear that they are going to take the stairs out. Along the back you can see forms have been installed to pour a concrete curb.

Yes, as pointed out before they took special care to not disturb the railings as well. The ear shapes are from the hat, but will or, at least, can, make perfect floral locations. The forms look like sidewalk type forms leading up to the elevated area which, if I can imagine correctly, will make a good guest area during non-events and possible a stage area for something extra without having to put up and take down the stage every time. The puzzle will be if they are able to do the lighting setup only when needed and not have that blocking the view 24/7.

I hope that someone can continue to provide photos of the progress. It's the most interesting thing to see in DHS in 15 years.

 

[RAXIP]

March 2015 map:
http://paul.chadkin.com/disneymaps/portfolio/details/disneys-hollywood-studios-march-2015/

January 2015 map:
http://paul.chadkin.com/disneymaps/portfolio/details/disneys-hollywood-studios-january-2015/

 

[halltd]

The more I see what's happening here (keeping a lot of infrastructure around where the hat was, minimal new construction - like of a stage, ambiguous new park map, etc...), I am actually thinking the BAH removal was just the first step in an otherwise large-scale makeover to come later. I really think they're just "cleaning up the area" so park operations can continue and then something bigger is going to come later.

 

[JoeCamel]

So what exactly is going on behind those walls? To me it looks like the shape of a Mickey Mouse head, but I heard rumors of them building a stage there...anyone know what the plans are?

My first thought as well was it is going to be the "Mickey Stage" with eyebrows above the ears. Not quite a Mickey but close to a Mickey within a Mickey

 

[DisneyGentleman]

Wonder what all these leftovers are about.

Substantial power and other goodies. Looks like they will be preserved.

 

[G00fyDad]

This is looking more and more like a permanent large stage is going to be built. We finally get rid of the hat just to have some stupid stage put in its place.

 

[ParksAndPixels]

It would be cool idea to see a mickey shaped (side profile perhaps) stage because I think most are expecting echo lake to disappear. This would at least be a nod to the old hidden mickey. Time will tell.

 

[lobelia]

Did anyone else think about The Walking Dead when they looked at the construction walls in the last picture?

 

[roj2323]

You're so stealthy!!! How'd you not get caught? LOL!

There is nothing in the park rules saying you can't take OTW photos.

 

[roj2323]

@FutureWorld1982

Strange indeed. It was the address for the new one earlier. The new one has Star Wars on the front. I just went to the Disneypark.com and the new one has either been pulled for who knows why or the site is now managed by MM+ IT folks. Unfortunately I can barely send email so I have no hope of finding out how to send it.

I have a printed copy I made when I downloaded the map earlier with the Star Wars picture and it even has the Starbucks indicated on the map. I will pull my post.

These are the only changes mentioned.

"Various updates include:

• The Trolley Car Cafe addition
• New center stage area
• Food & Beverage menu changes
• New Disney FastPass+ and Visa ads"

Well I did notice they left Jedi training academy off the map. There was no number or description which is weird considering it's going on nearly every hour of the day and it's hugely popular. Perhaps they wanted to fix the oops

 

[halltd]

There is nothing in the park rules saying you can't take OTW photos.

I know, but there are also a ton of reports of people saying they were told by cast members "manning the walls" to delete photos taken OTW. So, it might not be written anywhere, but if a CM asks you to delete photos and you refuse, I'm guessing they can technically throw you out of the park. I mean, it IS their park.

 

[SoupBone]

Couple observations. In the front view you can see that they removed the concrete platform that was between the two sets of stairs. It doesn't appear that they are going to take the stairs out. Along the back you can see forms have been installed to pour a concrete curb.

Remove an obstruction, add an obstruction. Ahhh, the Disney way.

 

[marni1971]

This is looking more and more like a permanent large stage is going to be built. We finally get rid of the hat just to have some stupid stage put in its place.

A stage is fine if it's a few feet high. The original flower bed was a few feet high.

Its a roof and non movable associated tech that would be a problem.

 

[Next Big Thing]

A stage is fine if it's a few feet high. The original flower bed was a few feet high.

Its a roof and non movable associated tech that would be a problem.

I'm hoping it's sort of similar to the Castle Stage in that it doesn't block the view, but better executed.

And hopefully the lighting, rigging, etc will all be retractable as has been discussed.

 

[G00fyDad]

A stage is fine if it's a few feet high. The original flower bed was a few feet high.

Its a roof and non movable associated tech that would be a problem.

That's what I am afraid is going to happen.

I'm hoping it's sort of similar to the Castle Stage in that it doesn't block the view, but better executed.

And hopefully the lighting, rigging, etc will all be retractable as has been discussed.

I don't see how. The photos do not show anything deep that would be needed to submerge the equipment needed to extract and retract the rigging, and there does not seem to be enough space for that rigging down there in the first place. I hope I am wrong, but it looks like they are going for a more permanent solution.

 

[Polyman]

Here's a classic I overheard yesterday on Hollywood Blvd. from a couple of teeny-bopper cheer/dance girls. They were both looking at where the hat used to be and of course saw the Chinese theater. I quote: "Is that what they put up instead?"