Today In Disney History ~ March 28th
The Sorcerer’s Hat was the icon of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the third of four theme parks built at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. The structure was inspired by the “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” segment in Walt Disney’s 1940 animated film, Fantasia. Mickey Mouse’s gloved hand and ears underneath the hat are visible emerging from the ground. With its opening on September 28, 2001, it replaced the Earffel Tower as the park’s icon in marketing material. It was used as a venue for pin trading and sales, and also served as a backdrop to many special events and shows. High School Musical Live culminated several dances from several Disney Channel shows that performed several times daily in front of the hat. Disney characters made meet-and-greet appearances around the hat throughout the day.
Built in front of The Great Movie Ride, the Sorcerer’s Hat debuted on September 28, 2001 as part of the 100 Years of Magic celebration at Walt Disney World Resort. During the celebration, interactive kiosks were installed underneath the Sorcerer’s Hat where guests could learn about Walt Disney’s life and career. When the celebration ended in early 2003, the kiosks were removed. On May 20, 2011, the Sorcerer’s Hat served as the venue for the grand opening ceremony for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.
The Sorcerer’s Hat originally was going to be built outside of the park, in the space cleared for David Copperfield’s Magic Underground Restaurant that ultimately was not built. Originally going to be twice the height, with two Ferris wheels as ears, and Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream underneath, the plans were changed when the retail side of the park decided to fund it, reposition it at the center of the park, and repurpose it as a pin trading station.
In October 2014, Disney confirmed that the Sorcerer’s Hat would be removed by early 2015. The structure’s removal began on January 7, 2015, and was completed 49 days later, on February 25, 2015.
TMSM Today in Graphic by Sherry Rinaldi DeHart; Wiki
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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