Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Remove Iconic Sorcerer’s Hat

POSTED: Sat, 10/25/2014 - 05:00 | POSTED BY: Traci C.

Love it or hate it, the 122-foot tall Sorcerer's Hat is an iconic symbol of Disney's Hollywood Studios.

And now it has been confirmed by Disney that the much-maligned hat will be removed from the park in early 2015. There have been rumors of the hat's demise for several weeks as its image was missing from newly printed park maps.

The Sorcerer's Hat was erected in 2001 as part of the 100 Years of Magic Celebration and over the years has gained many fans and many detractors.

Many guests disliked the hat because it took away from the vintage Hollywood vibe of the 1930s and 1940s area of the theme park. It also blocks the view of the Chinese Theater as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard.

Disney hasn't said what, if anything, might take the hat's place or if guests would once again have a clear view of the Chinese Theater.

Constructions walls will reportedly be up after the New Year, perhaps around the time of the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend which begins January 7.

Other news out of the Studios today is that The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow is closing for good on November 6. The walk through attraction has been open since 2012 but never gained much traction with guests.

With the closing of the Studio Backlot Tour, American Idol Experience, The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow, and the end of the Sorcerer's Hat it's clear that some major changes are coming to the Studios.

Are you going to miss the big blue Sorcerer's Hat? Let us know what you think in the comments.

In:

Charles Crudele wrote on Sat, 10/25/2014 - 14:34:

No!!! Next to go should be the Spaceship Earth or Cinderalla's Castle. WHY??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

John wrote on Sat, 10/25/2014 - 14:43:

Miss it in it's current location? No. Though wouldn't mind seeing it relocated somewhere else where it's not obstructing anything.

Cd wrote on Sat, 10/25/2014 - 14:47:

The socerers' apprentice has always been one of my favorite Mickeys. But that hat never really belonged and it was a "fake" icon for the park if it was one at all. The Studios has always had an identity crisis, not as bad as Pleasure Island, but always. Hopefully some of the long dead space will become attraction space with this much needed overhaul.

Rhonda wrote on Sat, 10/25/2014 - 15:04:

At my house we want to know what icon will be in the 4th square of the Disney Parks emblem.

Susan Posanti wrote on Sat, 10/25/2014 - 15:14:

It Served It's Purpose ! Can't Wait For The New Attractions !!!

Mary wrote on Sat, 10/25/2014 - 21:12:

I think the icon would be the Mickey ears water tower!! Won't miss the Sorcerer's hat!

Ed K wrote on Sun, 10/26/2014 - 14:24:

Won't miss it. It's Disney "Hollywood" Studios...2 of the biggest landmarks in Hollywood are the Chinese Theater and the Hollywood sign. I always felt that adding the Sorcerer's hat was similar to changing Cinderellas castle into that birthday cake. Do it for a year...fine...but then put it back the way it was. Like John said above...relocate it.

JL wrote on Mon, 10/27/2014 - 16:19:

I won't miss the Hat (I never felt it was a good fit there) or the Captain Jack attraction (we went to that once and found it really lacking...so much lost potential). Way back when, this was a working movie studio - and the Backlot Tour started at the Animation building after a walking tour that highlighted the artists at work. Since they moved that function out of the park, the Backlot tour seemed a bit stunted...interesting for first-time guests, but fairly boring for repeat riders.

This park really needs some help - there are only a couple of real winners for attractions there now (Tower of Terror, Aerosmith, Toy Story and Star Wars)...Fantasmic is good (if you haven't seen it too many times - we don't bother with it anymore), and the live shows are also good, but again, dated. The rest is fun to walk through, but not for a whole day. We're really looking forward to the Star Wars land and hope it doesn't take TOO long to build!

Kelly B Strong wrote on Wed, 11/05/2014 - 21:29:

The Icons of the Disney's (MGM) Studios for me will always be The Great Movie Ride followed closely by the EARfel Tower.

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