The earful tower sort of lost it's "point" when the actual working studios shut down I think. To me it was more of a symbol of the studio itself (as it is at the studio in CA that isn't a theme park) with the theater being the main icon. I mean, the only way you really even see the tower is on the backlot tour (or what's left of it). It's sad really if you ask me.
I would love to read one official statement on why they blocked the view of the theater with that hat. In all the years since it went up, I've seen lots of insiders claim they know the reason the theater was blocked but it's never anything that came from TDOs mouths. I see folks complain all the time about how ugly it is but I think relatively, it's not that it's ugly so much as people hate it's placement (maybe I'm wrong). If they had put the hat up somewhere else, like maybe as a central unit over in the animation courtyard or something, I don't think it'd be hated as much.
Either way... much as I love the tower... I don't know that it makes sense as the park's official icon just because unlike the other 3 gates, it's not visible much at all anywhere as you walk the park. If anything, if the hat was coming down, you'd think that the theater would be the icon because it's centrally located. I'm just babbling here but you all get my point I know. LOL!