The Sorcerer's Hat at Disney's Hollywood Studios

By Barbie

Disney's Hollywood Studio's is taking down the Sorcerer's Hat. Many people are upset by this, while others are thrilled. Those people say it was an eyesore and blocked the view of Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Here's one of the people who was apathetic to the hat being there in the first place. 

Of course, he remembers the park before the hat was there.

The photos of the hat below were taken during our visit to Walt Disney World last week, as the removal began.

Not me. I've never known Disney's Hollywood Studio's without the hat. For me, the Sorcerer's Hat has always been a destination unto itself. A landmark promising pin trading, character meets and a shady, cool spot to get out of the sun on particularly bright days. I'd say that there are probably a lot of people who are in shock that the hat is coming down, considering it opened in 2001, replacing the water tower with ears (aka Earful Tower) as the Studio's iconic image.

So here's to the hat. We had a good run with you. You will be missed!

these last two photos courtesy of Ann and Andrew Cloud, 

and were taken in February of 2015.

"Live From Walt Disney World"

Friend and contributing writer Laurie is currently in Walt Disney World Celebrating Disney Hollywood Studios 25th Anniversary, along with many other special events this weekend! Please stop by the blog and our Facebook page as I will be posting photos and updates as she sends them!-Nick

Walt Disney World Guidemaps, 1994

By:Nick

Guidemaps are like a snapshot of a moment in time. A time machine if you will. These Walt Disney World Guidemaps show a wide range of attractions that I dearly miss. I truly believe the Epcot of today doesn't hold a candle to 1994's version.

And don't even get me started on Disney's Hollywood Studios', (then Disney-MGM Studios) current incarnations of the Backstage Studio Tour and the Magic of Disney Animation.

Don't get me wrong, I still love Walt Disney World, but believe many of the best attractions were around in the early to mid 90's.

The Magic Kingdom is better than the 1994 version due to the New Fantasyland expansion.

Epcot '94.
My favorite ride, perhaps of all time, was Horizons. Test Track was a great ride, but I dislike the new version, and it makes me miss World of Motion. Then there was Journey Into Imagination, with Dreamfinder and Figment. I like today's version, but only because of Figment, and nostalgia. It is a shadow of it's former self.

Speaking of shadows, if you were fortunate to have gone to Walt Disney World during the new Golden Age of Disney Animation, you may have actually been able to see actual animated movies being produced at The  Magic of Disney Animation at Disney-MGM Studios.

Of course, one major thing Walt Disney World didn't have in 1994, was Disney's Animal Kingdom, which is an amazing park. Sometimes nostalgia gets the best of us. What was your favorite period of Walt Disney World's history?

One of My Favorite Characters - Meeko From Pocahontas

By: Nick

When Pocahontas came out in 1995 the standout character for me was Meeko the raccoon. He reminded me of my dearly departed cat, Morpheus.
I worked at a Disney Store at the time, and collected every reasonably priced Meeko item I could find, many of which I will share here on Disney Musings in the future. My wife was even inspired to write about Meeko back before I started writing this blog with her!
I got the chance to meet Meeko at Disney's Hollywood Studios back when it was still Disney-MGM Studios in January of 2007!

This is the only time I've seen Meeko in any Disney Park!
Do you have an off-beat favorite character that you've had the opportunity to meet at a Disney Park?

Disney Parks Guide Maps

By: Nick

One of the things I pick up each trip, is a set of guide maps from the parks. I have sets going back to 1992, and, yes, I do take them out and look at them every now and again.

As DVC members, we are fortunate enough to take at least one, sometimes many, trips to Walt Disney World and Disneyland every year. I thought I'd start sharing my guides with you all here. They are a wonderful snapshot of the parks at a particular moment in time.

These are from January 2012. The photos on these guides are often beautiful.



I wonder if Kodak's financial issues will have an impact on sponsorship.


 Test Track before its redo.




In addition to English versions, I will often pick up at least one foreign map. This trip, I grabbed a German map from Hollywood Studios, as my wife can speak and read some German.