Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney - MGM Studios opened on May 1, 1989. It was not until January 2008 that the name was changed to Disney's Hollywood studios with the expiration of a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer. Throughout the history of Disney - MGM studios lawsuits were filed and withdrawn regarding the usage of MGM materials including characters and movie scripts.


Seemingly there was no connection between the lawsuits and the construction of the new icon for Disney - MGM Studios. The BAH (Big Ass Hat) was finished in October of 2001. The Studios was going to be the focal point of the new 15-month long celebration "100 Years of Magic" which was celebrating Walt's 100 birthday. The hat was billed at temporary and would be coming down soon after the ending of this celebration. It is still sitting there. 

Why does it even matter?


Well, it matters because it blocks the view of this:

The Chinese Theater housing The Great Movie Ride attraction was the park's icon until the construction began on the BAH. After entering the gates you had a fantastic view of 1930's Hollywood making the illusion of not only going back in time, but moving across the country to the West coast. Interestingly enough, all materials that reference this building as being the icon has been removed, except for the the trash bins. This has always left a little hope that the Chinese Theater will return as the park's icon.


Today's Icon...

While I can certainly appreciate any reference to Sorcerer Mickey, the BAH is not exactly something that I enjoy. To make things worse, they turned this icon into something that you will realize is a trend: a gift shop

According to some theorists or those "in the know" the BAH only had an estimated lifetime of 10 or so years. We are coming to that mark and no mention has been made of removing the hat. I suppose the hat is not all that bad, but comparing it to the Chinese Theater it does not have the same effect.   

Someday soon we will see the return of the theater.




THIS WEEK IN WDW HISTORY:

1964 -  Lawyer Robert Foster leaves for Florida. He will represent Disney and begin land purchases in Orlando for a new theme park.

1973 - The Walt Disney Story debuts on Main Street. It was narrated by Walt and talked about the development of Walt Disney.

1973 - (April 17) 73,168 guests pack the Magic Kingdom on this day. 

1995 - Papeete Bay Veranda opened since 1971 becomes 'Ohana restaurant. 

2001 - Walt Disney World's fourth major theme park, Animal Kingdom opens.

2009 - Characters in Flight opens at Downtown Disney.  

DAYS UNTIL OUR VACATION: 16