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Note: This post was originally published two years ago as an editorial concerning why the Sorcerer's Hat should be removed as part of the rumored overhaul of Disney's Hollywood Studios. Two years later, that overhaul still remains a strong rumor, but there has been confirmation that the Sorcerer's Hat finally will be removed in early 2015. Removal of the Sorcerer's Hat began on January 7, 2015 and will occur in phases through the spring. We thought it appropriate to republish this post. It's as timely now as it was in 2012.
With a lot of rumors that Disney's Hollywood Studios is set for a massive overhaul and expansion presently floating around, I thought it would be a good time to weigh in. No, not on the substance of what will be added specifically. I don't pretend to have any "insider" information, although I am hopeful that Kathy Mangum's relocation to Florida means something other than Cars Land coming to Florida (my preference would be for it to remain exclusive to Disney California Adventure so that park can have its own unique draw). I'm referring to something far more important–something that needs to be removed as part of any overhaul at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The Big Sorcerer Hat (also known as the BAH–I'll let you mull over that acronym in your head). Over the years, the number of people who like the Big Sorcerer Hat exactly where it stands has surprised me. To be clear, I have absolutely no issue with the Big Sorcerer Hat, I just think it's not thematically appropriate for its present location in Disney's Hollywood Studios and should be removed on that basis.
For years, Grauman's Chinese Theatre had acted as a thematically appropriate "weenie" at the intersection of Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards (not necessarily the park's main icon–by most accounts Earful Tower was meant to be that) drawing guests down Hollywood Boulevard, which was themed, unsurprisingly, to various design styles of old Hollywood. Grauman's itself similarly represented old Hollywood, being a re-creation of one of the most iconic theaters in Hollywood. It similarly fit the theme of Sunset Boulevard and transitioned nicely into the surrounding area. While the architecture down the Boulevards might seem like a random mish-mash, it is far from that. In fact, close inspection reveals that the Imagineers went to painstaking lengths to model the buildings after period locations in Hollywood. All of these buildings are representative of an idealized old Hollywood ("the Hollywood that never was and will always be"), and create a clear visual motif and theme to this portion of the park.
Over a decade after the park opened, the decision was made to interrupt this old Hollywood theme by adding a giant, 122-foot tall Mickey Mouse Sorcerer Hat into the middle of this area. This Hat would be added in 2001, while the park was still known as the Disney-MGM Studios. There are plenty of urban legends floating around as to why this occurred, including that Disney built the Hat because it could not use the Chinese Theater on promotional materials or station PhotoPass photographers near Grauman's due to intellectual property rights. All of these purported reasons that the Hat was built are grounded squarely in myth.
While few are privy to the internal conversations that occurred with regard to the building of the hat, here's Disney's official statement on the Sorcerer Hat: "The Sorcerer Mickey Hat truly represents the magic of show business and the entertainment wizardry of Disney. This imaginative icon falls in line with the tradition of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, Spaceship Earth at Epcot and the Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom."
If you can gag your way past that chocolate-coated PR fluff, the offered justification there actually makes a good deal of sense. The rationale for placing the Sorcerer Hat in its present location is to establish an identifiably "Disney" icon for Walt Disney World's "studios" park near the front of the park, much like the other distinctive "Disney" icons the other three parks have. The Chinese Theater, like most of the rest of the Studios' entrance area, was a re-creation of an actual Hollywood landmark that Disney did not own or control. It was not distinctly Disney. With some visitors to Walt Disney World regularly making remarks in the vein that they're "going to Disney World and Epcot" when they mean that they're going to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, both of which are in Walt Disney World, there was likely some guest confusion as to which of the two "studios" parks in Orlando was owned by Disney. This probably was not helped by a non-Disney icon sitting at the front of the Disney-MGM Studios for over 10 years.
Granted, the Studios had the distinctly-Disney Earful Tower as its "true" icon for those 10 years plus years, but the Earful Tower is not as prominent as any other park's icon. In their respective parks, all other icons are located, more or less, where the Chinese Theater sat at the Studios. Within the park, it was the most prominent and centrally-located structure, and became a de facto park icon, even if that was not the original intent.
I suspect that plans to add a "Disney" icon to the intersection of Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards at the Disney-MGM Studios was not made by the creatives at Walt Disney Imagineering, but by executives focused on increasing the Disney branding in the park. The creatives were likely ultimately tasked with designing an icon, but I cannot fathom that the idea would have originated with them. The creatives who so meticulously worked to create an authentic old Hollywood theme and feel throughout Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards would not have taken the affirmative initiative to undo that theming such a short time later. This is corroborated by the fact that high-ranking Imagineers have been openly critical of the Big Sorcerer Hat when speaking publicly.
And, of course, undoing the theming is exactly what adding the Mickey Mouse Sorcerer Hat did to this area of the park. Regardless of what Disney may state, the Big Sorcerer Hat does not fit the old Hollywood theming in this area. Last I checked, there were no Big Sorcerer Hats that served as pin stores in old Hollywood. (There were no Big Sorcerer Hats, period.)
The Hat makes this area artistically and thematically disjointed. While various architectural styles work well in close proximity to one another on the intersecting boulevards, they work because they re-create the look and feel of Hollywood. Hollywood is a place of big egos, and that comes across even in the architecture as conflicting styles all compete for attention in the real Hollywood. The differing styles give character and intrigue to the real Hollywood, and these styles were well-replicated in the Disney-MGM Studios. In other words, the design of Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards worked because the design was authentic. It had design that hearkened to Hollywood, and the way the Imagineers managed to make the architecture flow with buildings in closer proximity to one another was nothing short of masterful.
By contrast, the addition of the hat was clumsy, off-theme, and without regard for thematic continuity. It had all the makings of a calculated corporate decision, disregarding the art of the theme park. Its existence seemed predicated in fuzzy ex post facto logic ("We want a Mickey Mouse hat to serve as the icon here, let's find a way to explain away any thematic issues."), shoe-horned in with a nonsensical explanation as to why it fits. Big Sorcerer Hat=Mickey Mouse=Animation=Hollywood=Perfect Fit! Not quite.
While the theme and roots of Disney's Hollywood Studios are in "hollywood," the particular look of this area of the park was old Hollywood architecture. Anything under the sun that was vaguely "Hollywood" did not fit this architecture (much like anything vaguely futuristic doesn't fit in Tomorrowland) and thus the stated rationale that Mickey Mouse is the icon of Animation, which is a part of Hollywood, which is the theme of the Disney-MGM Studios, did not work. Quite simply, the Hat did not, and does not, match the theme of this area of the park. The theme and look of this area of the park isn't Hollywood, generally. The theme old Hollywood and the look is architecture derived from old Hollywood. It's not an "anything Hollywood-related goes" free-for-all.
Much like how a giant polar bear statue wouldn't work in the middle of Africa at the Animal Kingdom, the Hat doesn't work where it's located in the Studios. Although polar bears are animals, they aren't animals that have much of a connection to Africa and a statue of any animal, let alone a polar bear, wouldn't jive with the rest of the authentic architecture in Africa. The other park icons work because they fit the themes of their respective locations. Even though Cinderella Castle is visible from Main Street, USA, Main Street proper terminates well before the Castle, which serves as a very fitting entrance to Fantasyland. The Sorcerer Hat could have worked as a gateway to the Animation section of the park, but not in the middle of old Hollywood architecture.
I know the Sorcerer Hat has plenty of fans and is fairly popular with some guests. I'm not contending that it's an eyesore in general, my contention (as stated at the beginning of the article) is that it is thematically inappropriate in its present location. I wouldn't mind seeing it relocated, although I don't think that's really possible in the real world (this isn't Theme Park Tycoon where you can uproot and simply move large structures–the Hat would need to be deconstructed and reconstructed). That said, I think most people who think it should stay either haven't given serious thought to why it's thematically inappropriate in this location, or simply don't care about the art of theme parks. Anyone who is a true fan of Disney theme parks, I think, should care about the art of Disney theme parks. This art and meticulous attention to detail are what separates the Disney theme parks from other theme parks and amusement parks, and I think it's a grave error to be accepting of something that harms that art for the selfish and superficial reason that something "looks cool."
For this reason, and despite my admitted belief that the Sorcerer Hat does look somewhat cool and is fun to photograph, I think any Disney's Hollywood Studios expansion or overhaul needs to include a removal of the Big Sorcerer Hat. To be sure, this may reintroduce the "issue" of Disney's Hollywood Studios not having a distinct Disney icon that is readily identifiable to most guests. Disney can either address this by retooling the facade of the Great Movie Ride or just shrug it off. My strong advice would be to shrug it off.
So what if the park doesn't have an icon on par with the other three parks? So what if some guests are confused as to whether it's a Disney theme park? (The name should be a dead giveaway!) As most readers of this blog realize, there will always be a good chunk of guests who are confused by even the most obvious aspects of the parks ("What time is the 3 o'clock parade?" "How much do FlashPasses cost?" etc.). Appealing to the lowest common denominator is dangerous and ill-advised. The Studios still have the Earful Tower, and could always make this icon more prominent (or present in marketing) if something "distinctly Disney" is desire for whatever purpose. Disney has demonstrated that it's willing to use a non-Disney icon as its center-piece with Carthay Circle Theater in Disney California Adventure, and I hope this trend is continued in Florida by restoring the Chinese Theater to a prominent position at the intersection of Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards.
As for the rest of the Disney's Hollywood Studios expansion, it seems a foregone conclusion that something is going to happen at the Studios. Disney's Hollywood Studios really needs an expansion and overhaul, and there are plenty of routes the park could take. I previously suggested a shift to a mini-lands structure, centered around expansion of Pixar Place and creation of Lucas Land and Muppets Studios. These idea is just my idea based upon a combination of early 1990s plans that didn't come to fruition and my own "Armchair Imagineering," and I certainly don't expect it to happen…but it sure would be cool!
I know both the Disney's Hollywood Studios expansion and the Big Sorcerer Hat are topics about which others have strong opinions, so I'm really curious to hear your feedback. I am especially interested in hearing from anyone who disagrees with me about the Sorcerer Hat and can present a reasoned argument in opposition to the points I've made here. I honestly don't think one exists, as most arguments I've read center around "I like it because it's pretty" and it's "needed" to give the park identity. However, I could be overlooking something.
I agree with your sentiments, Tom. The Sorcerer's Hat would be a great entrance to the Animation area, but not as the focal point of all of Hollywood Studios.
I'm thinking that perhaps Kathy Mangum's arrival in Florida may be for the development of the Avatar area in Animal Kingdom. But I'm hopeful that your ideas for Hollywood Studios are ringing in the ears of the Imagineers. I'd love to see dedicated ares in DHS for Muppet Studios, Lucas Land, Pixar Place and perhaps this park might lend itself for the acquirement of the Marvel brand.
Amen brotha. I like the hat, just not its location. Move it to the front of the park, like over the entrance or in front of the gates where the Mickey topiary is currently.
I love the BAH and would hate to see it disappear completely, but I agree it does not fit the overall theme. It would be more appropriate in the Animation Courtyard.
Or near Fantasmic!
I agree but would like to see the Sorcerer's Hat remain somewhere because who doesn't love Sorcerer Mickey.
Clearly the solution is to remove the hat, and start using Gertie the Dinosaur as the park icon for DHS. I don't understand what the hold up is here.
Hmmmm… you make some very good points. I don't necessarily disagree with you on the thematic issues but I do think DHS needs a landmark figure parallel to the rest of the parks.
On your point about the Magic Kingdom: I believe Cinderella's Castle only fits the theme of one land, Fantasy Land. You can see CC from various locations around the park but that doesn't seem to bother anyone. Are we ignoring this fact because it is such a Disney icon, and therefore acceptable even if it isn't thematically perfect? (FYI I think it is perfect in all other respects!)
I have to wonder, are the people against the BAH only against it because it was added at a later date in a fashion that was seemingly a "corporate decision"? Just a thought.
Any ideas of what would be an acceptable replacement for the BAH? (Besides Carthay or Grauman's)
Thanks for the article!
Well put. After I posted my last comment I realized that DHS is unique in that the placement of its "icon" is right in front another major landmark and attraction… although it can definitely be argued the Tree of Life, Cinderella's Castle, and Spaceship Earth are attractions themselves. Maybe that's the reason the BAH seems out of place? Maybe the fact that it is literally a giant hollow statue and not some piece of an attraction makes it feel…hollow. Maybe they should install an omnimover track that spirals up the inside of that thing and see if that helps.
You might be on to something. Spaceship Earth is not just gorgeous, but contains a ride. Cinderella's castle is not just pretty to look at, but contains a restaurant, and is the centerpiece of the fireworks shows. The Tree of Life isn't exactly a ride itself, but it's intertwined with It's Tough to be Bug, several animals areas, and is kind of a game in itself to spot the animals. The BAH is… a pin store. No wonder people resent it.
I agree 100% about the BAH. I was hoping it was just a limited time thing like the BAW on Spaceship Earth! :p I'm still waiting for the day the Studios is back to its former glory!
I think if they keep the Hat, move it outside the main gate, around where the Christmas Tree would normally go. It can still act as an icon, and I'd imagine the reflection on the water way would look pretty spectactular.
This is exactly where I'd put it. It's still an icon. It doesn't screw up the theming inside the park.
I think if you put it over by the animation area that it would be a little distracting. Like, "What's that huge thing over there?"
It is a nice structure. It being a pin-station is a little weird. It seems like it should be something more or, at least, different.
Where it's placed now really mucks up the works. It's really too close to the theater. You can't get a decent shot of the theater with the camera. Perhaps better put: Imagine if they up and decided to move the hat to the Magic Kingdom. They decide it needs to be at the end of Main St and they could put the hat right in the middle of the hub (centered where the Walt & Mickey statue is) but, instead, decide to put it as close to the castle as possible. It's that kind of weird, regarding it's location.
I've prefer to see it moved to the front. If the only choice was leave it where it was or remove it completely, I'd just remove it. It's a neat structure but horribly placed. You also need to remember that the 'old Hollywood theming' doesn't end at the end of the street. it curves around the side with the Brown Derby and the entrance to the animation area as well as the other side with the buildings and the dinosaur ice cream stand (I assume that's what they sell there, I've never been up to it).
Since this park is going to more Pixar themed rides anyway I'd like them to take an opportunity to make an 'icon' out of one of my favorite movies- 'Up' how about a giant Carl Fredrickson house with the balloons as the icon and a ride inside like a combo if Peter Pan and TSM like a continuous loading ride with your own little window where you fly over the city and then down to south America while you interact with animatronics, 3D, etc. Retheme the main entry to Pixar inspired shops, cut a new Hollywood Blvd right as you enter the park, and relocate TGMR to the new intersection if Hollywod and Sunset closer to ToT. Move the hat to the animation courtyard. Ok I'll wake up from my dream now.
The BAH has been so heavily incorporated into the branding of the park/parks this would pose yet another challenge if it were to be removed. Perhaps, if an extensive addition/overhaul is on he horizon Disney can also use it as a chance to rectify the seemingly aimless park direction. I think Hollywood Studios holds unlimited potential.
And for the record, I would love to see a return to the original design and concept for the park.
People couldn't tell which Studios park belonged to whom? Well, here's a hint: when you walk into MGM, there's a big sign that says DISNEY mgm studios.
If the hat was for people too stupid to realize this was a Disney park despite the Earful Tower, the Disney trams, the Disney merchandise, the Disney-branded entrance gates, the Disney characters, and the Disney tickets they use to enter the park….I have no hope for humanity.
I don't think that was what was meant … it was more that people seeing PHOTOS or video of the Chinese Theater, more or less in isolation, might be confused as to which studio park contained it. In fact, they might be confused as to whether it was the original theater in Hollywood, as the facade is a full-scale replica.
Amen!!! When any aspect of a Disney park starts to feel more corporate than it does creative I am less inclined to make the trek. I can stay home and do corporate. I don't hate the hat, but I loved the view without the hat.
I agree with your opinions about the BAH. I like the hat "sort of". I wouldn't be upset if it disappeared, but what really bothers me the most is its current location not the BAH itself.
What I never understood if they wanted an icon wouldn't have been easier (at least cost-wise maybe not logistics) to move the Earful Tower to a more prominent position in the park? I think it would of been cool to have the tower behind the theater as sort of an accent and "Disney-fy" the non-Disney theater. Of course, this could be a terrible idea to some and I realize that it is just an idea I had.
Personally I think BAH would be right at home at the entrance of Hollywood Hills Amphitheater however that would clash with the other distinctive landmark in the DHS skyline that I have not seen mentioned yet (Tower of Terror).
For those not familiar with the layout of the park (children, families, tourists etc.) BAH does serve as a good central navigational beacon that the Chinese Theater doesn't quite achieve. The advantage of BAH over ToT, is that is centralized whereas Tower is at the far end of Sunset.
Although on the other hand, I agree that it is an eye sore. It isn't necessary that every park have a central navigational beacon (SSE is at the front of Epcot, DCA has a scenic Boardwalk at the rear of the park and I don't remember Grizzly Mountain being very big). Also it seems redundant that there are two very different hat themes in the immediate area. The neighboring one, The Hollywood Brown Derby, is without a doubt the more theme appropriate one and arguably more recognizable than BAH.
False. The hat is very recognizable. Talk to those who the park is for. It's movies like toy story and cars. The kids that watch these have grown up with the hat. It will look dull without it. A replacement is one thing but definitely not the theatre.
Having a fantasy castle at the end of an all-American Main Street is incongruous only in a literal sense and is not comparable to the sorcerer's hat. Walt Disney knew exactly what he was doing, if not in an overt sense, then in a deeply subtle and psychological one. There is no greater symbol of Disney the man, of his body of work, or of America as a whole: Not the castle alone. Not Main Street alone. But the castle at the end of Main Street. Here we see the myth of the American dream laid before us, the gold at the end of the rainbow (to mix metaphors). No one who first stepped into Disneyland in 1955 could have failed to understand, even if only subconsciously, that this was the American story as experienced by Disney himself, here he had recreated his small-town Midwestern roots and here he had created a symbol of his success: a fantasy castle, instantly recognizable as symbolic of the subject matter he had been dealing in for some thirty some years. That collection of icons, a castle at the end of an American Main Street, has become so ingrained in our national psyche by this point that is has become arguably THE great American symbol (the fact that, at its core it serves the purpose of commerce, makes it even more appropriate). It is instantly recognizable the world over (and now recreated the world over). Making every visitor to the park walk down the street of an all-American town to reach the visible goal of that castle was one of the most brilliant creative decisions every made.
The sorcerer's hat is just a prop, wherever you put it. In the literal sense, it is a piece of clothing worn by a character in a specific Disney film. In a figurative sense, it broadly symbolizes magic. If people are drawn down the street to it, it's because it is big and bright. It lacks subtlety, and that's why, I suspect, so many people have reacted negatively to it.
I'll tell you what's big and bright… the castle.
And what's more than what meets the eye… the hat.
What's meaningful and needed… both.
I'm with you on the BAH, but take it even further. First let me say that an unedited shot of the BAH is one of my most popular photos on my Flickr account, so I'll be honest and say that while I was taking that picture, I was thinking "You know, this thing really looks out of place here, but it is cool on some levels, but should be more than a pin station."
Even more troubling to me is the domino effect it started. I'll grant that the dominoes are falling slowly, but still… It's like a children's book, The Napping House (or your favorite book that uses the same structure) "There was an odd space in front of the stage in front of the hat in front of the theater in the cluttered park where some people in it would rather be napping…"
And I like DHS! Just that area is a real turn off because it's so jumbled with the stage (so noisy, both visually and auditorially). As you say, those elements have their place in the park, but just not there.
Is the earful tower functional? I seem to remember that being featured more A) because the hat wasn't there and B) Because the Backlot tour was a big draw in the beginning, so you saw it more. Now it seems like it's back there for storage.
My other quibble with the hat is how it diminishes the (for lack of a better term) grandeur of the gateway to the Animation Studio area. I always thought that was great, but now it seems so second fiddle to the giant hat. It may also have something to do with how they gutted the richness of the Animation Studio area as much as the hat, but it doesn't seem as impressive anymore. Maybe it's because of the stage being where it is and the trees, you can't get that wide-angle view of the gateway, I dunno. It's not enough of an argument on it's own to justify tearing down the hat, but if they can re-work the entire entrance area to DCA, they can work out a better place for the hat, and while they're at it, put the left ear back on the giant hidden Mickey.
I remember going to the parks back in 2001 and my jaw dropping when I walked into DHS and just standing there looking like an idiot mumbling uh?…wha?…huh?…Why.Did.They.Put.That.There? Nope. Never liked it. Granted it's a neat looking structure, but it just got placed in one of the worst spots on the face of the planet. (Well I could probably think of a few worse ones…) I think I still involuntarily cringe a little everytime I walk in the park and see it. It wouldn't look too bad in downtown somewhere.
I love Sorcerer Mickey, but my issue with the hat is that it literally looks like a crane accidentally dropped it on the street and no one knew how to pick it back up. It just so blatantly blocks the Chinese Theater facade. I'd love to see it in another spot of the park.
That being said I don't know what you do as far as a park icon. The Earful Tower is great but they'd really need to move it to a more conspicuous spot. I do love the idea of the Earful Tower as the DHS park icon, since it relates to traditional movie studios.
Okay. Okay. I'm one that loves the BAH, however, my eyes have been opened. I would be okay with moving it (we are in a world of anything is possible right?) to the more appropriate place like the animation area.
HOWEVER! There MUST be an icon! One image that represents the park when away from the park. As an image, the BAH is great. You're walking around your local mall, happen to see a stranger's backback with pins on it, notice a BAH pin, and WHAM! You know you have a kindred spirit since they have been to the Studios.
You remove the hat, you remove that image. Not cool.
Moving back into the park, Apparently I'm a product of the hat messing with me. I never realized the old hollywood street intersection thing. (Guess something was blocking my view to get the whole effect! HA!)
If you remove the BAH, what is going to be the iconic family picture to take that says "We're in the Studios"? Can't take the family shot in front of the water tower! And Chinese Theater says Hollywood Calif, not Disney Florida.
You want the support of people like me to move or remove the BAH, you better have a good replacement for all that the BAH represents.
But then that eye sore, Dinosaur is really my issue. THAT! is completely un-theme-atic and has no place in the park. Talk about "What the heck?"
Aw, Kim, don't hate Gertie! What did she ever do to you besides offer the opportunity for frozen dairy refreshment? Here's a link to a photo I took of the sign explaining why Gertie is there and fits right in, she's not just a "Thrown in there for the kiddies" item, though I can see why people would think that. Have you ever noticed the footprints she left on her way to her current position?
Interesting article. I've always heard it was a right issue stemming from the Viacom/Warner Bros. purchase of the theater in 2000, the hat went up in 2001. Frankly, this makes sense to me, as the hat always seemed like a "band aid."
I also don't know that I buy the story that Disney felt the need for a more recognizable icon, especially in light of the prominence of Carthay Circle theater in the California Adventure expansion.
I have no real issue with the Sorcerer's Hat in theory, it's the placement and execution. It will always feel like "Disney on the Cheap" to me. I'd be happy if they moved it somewhere else in the park.
Here's hoping a Hollywood Studios expansions is in the works! But, maybe after they fix Epcot…
I admit that the BAH has grown on me, however I agree that moving it might suit the park well. The thing i dont like about BAH is that it's a pin store. I'm sure something else could be done with it rather than another place to spend money. Maybe a meet and greet? My family loves Hollywood Studios and I hope it doesn't change TOO much. Expanding Pixar Place would be great, in my opinion!
I don't buy the idea that Disney had to hide the building because of new owners of the theater not wanting them to use it as the icon — I don't think that's how licensing contracts would likely work. Why would Disney agree to a contract that could be thrown out the window or subject to radical modification based on whim due to a sale of the property in question? My impression is that anyone with good attorneys would never do such a thing, and I firmly believe Disney has VERY good attorneys. I believe that might be in the vicinity of the truth, however. My suspicion is that the owners of the original theater might get a percentage of Disney's sales of merchandise that depict the theater. So, there's one possible factor — use your own property to create an icon and keep all the money from associated sales. Second, the theater could easily be mistaken FOR the original theater in photos, and Disney wants to motivate you to visit the parks, not Hollywood. Fans saying that not every park needs an unique, identifiably Disney icon to serve as a park symbol is all well and good, but the people that own the place seem to disagree, and their motivations are not the same as ours. And I don't think that "identifiably Disney" is as important to the concept as "unique." Go back in time prior to Walt Disney World opening and show photos of the icons to average people, and only the Hat might be identified as being Disney-related. But (at least at the time each was built) they were all unique — except the theater. Cinderella Castle has been essentially duplicated in Tokyo, as has Sleeping Beauty Castle in Hong Kong — but when the duplicates were built they were then "identifiably Disney." The Earful Tower is both of those things, but it makes a relatively poor icon because it isn't really accessible — and even if it were, it would be hard for the average tourist to get a photo standing with it in the background.
By the way, like many who have responded, I like the hat but wish it were elsewhere … but I don't get worked up into a lather over things such as this. Life's too short to let someone else (in this case, a company) have that much control over your sense of well-being.
I absolutely, completely agree with everything you've said. I've never really liked that hat anyway!
Hi Dave,
I appreciate the link. Guess I never slowed down enough to notice that "Gertie" had a connection of some sort. Actually ashamed of myself, I should have known Disney would have a purpose for such a large structure, even if it doesn't seem to "fit!" HA!
"How much are FlashPasses?" – HA! That had me laughing out loud, for sure!!
While I like the hat itself, I completely agree that the placement of the hat just feels so disjointed.
I definitely agree on the hat. Nice enough, but it's in the wrong place. The Hollywood style architecture is my favourite theming in any park in WDW and beyond and the hat just doesn't fit it. Plus the Theatre is too nice a building to be hidden from view.
I think the main problem with updating the park is the lack of land around DHS. The only direction they could possibly expand is towards Osceola Parkway, perhaps moving the car park entrance.
In the scenario that they can't expand I'd suggest removing the backlot tour and old studios, as the studios are more or less defunct now, which removes the point of the tour. Plus that would clear space for several attractions.
As for attractions, somebody previously mentioned Marvel who realistically could only fit into this park. The Muppets could do with an update to tie in with the new movie and its upcoming sequel.
I'm sure there are plenty of other Licences owned by Disney that currently don't have an attraction in the park. As it's a movie themed park, like Marvel, almost anything could be place in DHS.
If they were to expand outwards towards Osceola they could make use of the existing Streets of America backdrops and place city themed rides there such as an Avengers ride, or something with Herbie or a Jerry Bruckheimer movie.
I also regularly hear people talking about changing the Great Movie Ride to modern movies. I disagree, as this would defeat the purpose of it being a "Great Movie" Ride. Maybe one or two at most could be placed into the ride, although I'm unsure of what movies could give way. The trailers at the start could maybe include more up to date stuff so people can "relate".
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I was a CM at GMR when the hat went up. At first we didn't know what it was and we slowly watched them build it up. Honestly it was awful. I didn't like it then and I don't like it now. Rumor at the time was it was put up to intentionally hide Grauman's Chinese Theater due to some licensing issue. Of course we hear that GMR would eventually be torn down due to the same licensing issue with movies within the attraction. I agree that it just doesn't represent anything, not that it's ugly per say.
I actually think the hat is perfect. PERFECT. My first visit to MGM/DHS was after the hat was already there, so I have no point of comparison. But for someone who has always known it to be there, tearing it down would be a travesty. It is a perfect representation of DHS's primary icon — Sorcerer Mickey, the centerpiece of Fantasmic.
I agree totally, i've known it to be DHS icon since I was born, so…
I always thought it didn't fit in. I wouldn't miss it at all. Maybe it would work if it had a show inside, or some sort of attraction instead of a pin store. I never even include it in my pictures. I would rather take pictures of Tower of Terror or Star Tours. Maybe it will be refurbished in the near future. If the new Planes" movie does well then maybe a Planes Land instead of Cars Land:)
I could not resist commenting. Perfectly written!
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I'm another lover of the Sorceror's Hat. I think it looks cool. I don't even feel like I'm at WDW until I see it and take a picture and some video of it. I hope it stays there as long as my picture on the Epcot monoliths is there (another something that everyone but me seems to hate). I've never read any of the "PR fluff", but I think it's very Disney and really sets you up for what you'll find in the park. A Hollywood based on Disney. Besides, if Disney really wanted to make the Mann authentic, they'd have to dress some CMs up as bums with bottles of wine in paper bags, and then lay them down by the entrance. Then it would be authentic. Not Disney, of course, but I guess that level of authenticity would make you happy.
I dont want it to go, apparently its being replaced by a hand and wand. Hopefully they'll keep it! HOPEFULLY! I really would hate it to go, especially since i have just got back from my FIRST VISIT! It'd be nice to see it in the future! It has a theme, because Hollywood does make animation, and that is animation, and where it is, well that, is perfect placing! You walk in and see that, and, well, its magical! I love it!!!
even if its not where it is right now!
I came upon this blog because I googled Disney Hollywood studios sorcerer's hat. I googled it because My daughter just got back from LA and had photos of the real grauman's Chinese theater, and it got me thinking about DHS. Now, I have been a Disney vacation club member since 1993, so I knew and loved Disney-MGM before the hat. I was shocked and bummed when they put up that big, stupid, theater blocking hat. At first I thought it was temporary, you know, how Disney adds stuff for celebrations (eg. The puffy, blow up birthday cake on Cinderella castle for the magic kingdom's 25th anniversary, or the Mickey hand and wand added to spaceship earth in Epcot for another such celebration?) well, no such luck, that monstrosity stayed. :(. I agree with everything blogger Tom wrote. The hat ruins the beautiful, well thought out, creative old Hollywood theme of DHS. It was magical and exciting before. I am firmly on the side of "remove" it! I wouldn't object to it being moved to another, less objectionable location.
Who do we have to talk to, to have it relocated to a new location? I think it should be relocated to the very front of the park where the lake is and mickey mouse garden face is. Or it should be moved to the new expanded area of Disney Hollywood Studios. We should come up with a petition to have it moved to a better location. I'm sure it will cost money but Disney can afford it let me know your ideas thank you.
Personally I think it need to be taken down and burned. It belongs no where in the park. Send it over to POP Century resort.
Yes, the hat does not fit in with theme of everything all around it. But, as others have said, the main problem is that it is ugly and tacky and blocks the view of something that is quite striking and elegant: the theater. Why can't the theater return to its formal role of centerpiece? As for relocation: that hat would be an eyesore not matter where it is. It would still be ugly and tacky. It reminds me of the stupid mouse ears that were briefly on Spaceship Earth.
I love the hat and would like to see it stay.
I've always wondered why they switched the icon from the Earful Tower to the Sorcerer's hat. I like the tower, but agree it's not very prominent. I like the Sorcerer's hat, but not it's location. It hid the Chinese Theater/Great Movie Ride.
I am all for a park expansion! It's always been my least favorite park. I enjoyed it a bit more this last trip due to my 5 and 3 year old boys. They got to meet all their favorite characters. There was also more for them to do than there was at Epcot or Animal Kingdom. Not too thrilled with the idea of a Star Wars expansion, but I am one of the few people who dislike Star Wars. Love the idea of a Pixar land!
I agree Tom — and also THE GREAT MOVIE RIDE (just the ride, not the facade) needs to be ***UPDATED*** – I understand people will be sentimental but the ride is soooooo long in the tooth it's one of the few that I've even seen CAST MEMBERS mail it in during the tour. It needs some movies that have come out since 1985.
I'm not sure it does need new movies. Movies like Alien and Indianna Jones are old enough now that they fit with the "Hollywood Classics" thing this ride has going on. Do we really want to see Leonardo Dicaprio leaning out over the ride shouting, "I'm the king of the world!"
I love the Great Movie Ride — I suppose I wouldn't mind seeing MORE of it, but I am not sure I'd want to take any of it away.
Hi All.
I'm with most of you. The Sorcerer hat is a decent iconic structure; just not in that location. It's a good fit in Animation Courtyard, but that won't happen. One comment above from Jess made my heart skip a beat (in a bad way). She wrote that she heard the BAH will be replaced by a hand & a wand. Normally I'd just dismiss this comment as a rumor; however, did anyone else see the Disney Parks Blog about the new "Glow with the Show" items? One new item is a Mickey Hand with a Wand. So, maybe this is the latest merchandising idea for DHS? I really hope not. Thoughts?
Take the hat down because promoting Sorcery/Occult/Witchcraft to children is not cool.
If you're against kids thinking that magic is cool, WDW is probably not your bag to begin with.
I remember pre and post hat and the MGM days. The hat is fine but needs a different locale. My children are 6 and 8 and they do ID Hollywood Studios with that hat, have the four park icons Christmas ornaments on the Christmas tree etc. also, the hat prompted them to watch Fantasia years ago which was great because that movie is not well known or appreciated by today's kids. This led to a huge love of Sorcerer Mickey and then things like Silly Symphonies and the early Disney days for my eight year old so I love that the "hat" helped to do that. While the Chinese Theater may feel iconic for the older group, the younger set isn't going to feel that way about the theater once the hat is gone and I don't think they will create that strong identity between the theater as an icon to HS the way the castle, Spaceship Earth, Tree of Life feel because the theater isn't a Disney landmark. (Not that I don't like the theater and find it lovely) And considering how outdated Great Movie ride is – people under 25 are not impressed. I actually didn't think MGM was that impressive when I was a teen. And while I love aspects of all of the Disney parks, I always feel like HS lacks that intention in planning that Magic Kingdom has. You can feel Disney came in late. So I think Tom's idea of moving towards lands in HS is exactly what it needs. When you can plop Frozen stuff into a place on short notice then the park is seriously creative under utilized (no disrespect to Frozen LOL.) I think the ideas of muppets expansion would appeal to my age group (40s) that grew up with Muppets, Star Wars has strong appeal across all groups and create Pixarland focus because those movies are what the younger kids know. Get some Pixar attractions unique just to DHS that draw people like CarsLand but do not just copy CarsLand. How about a fast action Incredibles attraction? I can think of so much potential zooming around with elastigirl and becoming invisible. And I LOVE the idea of an Up ride. Bravo to that one sir! And Disney hire Tom for COL!
I agree the hat has to go and I won't miss it. However, as many people will, in order to honor it, Disney could build in its place a clone of the Fantasia Fountain from the Front Lot of the Walt Disney Studios Paris. We would still have the Sorcerer Mickey, but much smaller. It wouldn't block the view and it would be nice to have a nice fountain in front of the theater.
Tom, I tried to see what it would like with the Fantasia fountain and the Theater. The photoshop is poor, but we can have an idea: http://disneydeparis.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/fantasi_fountain.jpg
om, I tried to see what it would like with the Fantasia fountain and the Theater. The photoshop is poor, but we can have an idea:
I for one – would love for the hat to disappear, or at least shrink in size and move somewhere else. So excited to see what's next for Hollywood Studios!
I agree with you, the Hat is rather awkward where it's at. As I really like the structure itself, I'd hate to see it go away altogether. I think, like several others, it should go in front of the gates. It would look pretty cool where the Christmas tree usually goes. Wouldn't it look cool if they positioned it so you could see the Tower in the background?
I have to laugh whenever I think "3:00 parade". One year I was sitting next to a woman, her hubby and kids, and all were restless. She poked me in the arm, and asked when the 3:00 parade was. As it was time for the parade, I told her any minute.
"But what time does it start?" About that time, here it came down the street. "here it comes now" I said. No joke, she asked me if that was the 3:00 daytime parade or the 3:00 night time parade! Since it was daylight, I told her the daylight one, and I'm pretty sure they don't run one at 3 at night, tho they might run one at 9 at night. Perhaps she could ask later when the 9:00 parade was. She said she would. I mean, really? I finally told her after the parade that there would be a parade at 9, but it was after dark. She said they probably wouldn't make it that long, but maybe they could make the 9:00 parade tomorrow during the day. I gave up and went on my merry way.
I don't actively hate the BAH, but I'm excited to see it go. I visited DHS before the hat spawned, but never really paid attention to theme – but now that I have an AP and visit frequently for photographic purposes, the hat needs to go!
That said, I'm curious to see what (if anything) is used for the DHS icon. I love Earful Tower, but it's easy to overlook. Could the Chinese Theatre be used? Or would there be licensing issues? What about utilizing Crossroads of the World (removing the shop, of course)?
Agree with Tom's original post – the hat does not go with the current location and does not serve as a good representative icon of the park. We just got back from our first big disney vacation (and my first time at hollywood studios) – I couldn't figure out what the hat had to do with the part of the park. I later found out it was supposed to the park's main 'icon'. The thing is – it isn't big enough to be the 'park icon' in its current form. Big yes, but not Castle or Epcot big. Even more, Mickey isn't a good representative of cinema… not counting Fantasia, he was in very few actual movies. I like another commenter's note here about suggesting the hat get moved to the entrance of Fantasmic (perhaps a slightly smaller version of the hat) and put something in that is grand and representative of older cinema. It doesn't need to be Disney-themed, but maybe something that is new (like the Epcot ball).
What's next Toy Story ride replacing the amarican adventure + voices of libirty?? I hope not
I have aspergers too.
Tom, thanks for a well written editorial. I agree with all of it and it looks like we are not alone. Thanks for writing it.
I would really like to see the Disney Studios building with the Seven Dwarves as pillars incorporated into the park. I think that would solve the problem of Disney wanting something Disney as the main focus in the park while keeping with the Hollywood theme. Now, I am a Disneyland guy, being from California, which may be why I feel no attachment to Grauman's Theater. I for one could see the Theater go and make it look like the Burbank Studios. Maybe those Disneyworld purists have an attatchment to the Grauman Theater, which I could understand, but I think the Disney Studios can be a better Disney symbol of movie making. I for one hope hey go that route. Any thoughts?
I'm not sure if this matters or was already addressed, but I'm at the parks now, and I always love to get their "deal" on the fleece blanket. I noticed it has the following icons- the castle, spaceship earth, the tree of life, and the water tower from HS.
I just went too. The shirts and hoodies all have the castle, spaceship earth, the tree, and the hat.
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I was just at Disney World. I'm disappointed that the hat's coming down. Everything had its image and branding. Hollywood Studios is fine with the hat.
I get that it doesn't fit the Hollywood theme. Cinderella's castle looks great by Main Street but that doesn't fit. Spaceship earth looks nice by the countries but it's not fitting. That's not the point. The icons aren't there to just go with everything else.
I do, however, like the idea of moving the hat out to where the Christmas tree is. It can still be an icon, which is critical and will be more visible from places like the Boardwalk. If it's going down at least put it there.
The Chinese theatre-even with TCM- is not a good icon.
I don't mind the hat. I know when we took our daughter to Disney for the 100 years of Magic that is what is was being built for. If they move it, maybe towards the entrance to Fantasmic (if it would fit, I don't know if it would) that would be a good place for it, but I like others ideas too because I guess near Fantasmic it might be too close to the Tower of Terror
I don't necessarily think DHS requires a massive icon like the other parks but does need a centerpiece. There needs to be DHS photographic marker that celebrates Walt Disney's movie magic. The trick is to have a Hollywood themed centerpiece that is uniquely Disney and doesn't block the surrounding view. How about a human sized swirl of film strip that has iconic characters beginning with Steamboat Willie? There could be some strategically placed open frames that guests could stand behind for memorable photos. From the air the swirl of film strips could form an artistic hidden Mickey.
For what ever reason they are taking it down, I will miss the sorcerers hat. My 17 year old daughter was almost heartbroken when she saw a friends picture of the dismantling on Instagram yesterday. I find it slightly humorous that folks think a WATERTOWER should be the icon of HS (which I still refer to habitually as "MGM"). At least there was some "Disney" in Disney studios to me.
Now that it will be gone soon,I agree with others that the hat IS an icon that has been part of the park longer than it has not and it should return, but in a smaller form in a different location. I like moving it towards Fantastic somewhere, but not where it would overpower the views of Tower of terror.
Either way, all of our family pictures with the BAH will remain cherished keepsakes and instantly recognizable as Disney Studios.
FANSASMIC! Darn autocorrect!
Hollywood Studios neeeds more than the Sorcerer's Hat removal! While change is always hard and I admit I liked the hat, it does need to be somewhere. It is the icon of the park. However, the attractions at Hollywood studios have not only become dated but avoided. The theater needs a complete makeover and needs to be re-thought. The current staff operating the Great Movie Ride is as unenthusiastic as the ride. The American Idol area is a waste of good realestate as is the Backlot Tour. Even the Indiana Jones is getting to be the been there done that attraction of the park. So don't stop with the Hat! Hollywood Studios needs much more than a coat of paint. I disagree with the leaving Cars Land as a fixture only to California Adventure. Ideas like that can be the solution to getting Hollywood Studios revitilized. There are really only 3 attractions that are always heavy at the park, Toy Story Mania, Rockin Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. Recently the Frozen show has gained traction but it's stuffed in the back of the park. Put the Hat at the entrance for us nostalgia lovers and revamp the entire park!
My family and I were shocked when we entered Hollywood Studios earlier today (well, yesterday since it's after midnight) and the hat was gone! Maybe not appropriate for the theme, but I loved seeing it. It represented the park to me and is focal in some of my favorite pics. Maybe they'll replace it with the Millennium Falcon. Bah!
I visited the park yesterday and was shocked to see the hat almost entirely dismantled. The backlit tour is already closed. staff stated the same designers of Cars land in CASE are designing something similar but will be Frozen themed (big shock) and that it will cover a large portion if the back if the park, where the backlot tour once stood.
Sorry but I'm one of the fans of the hat. I grew up with Disney – the movies, Mickey Mouse Club all of that. The Chinese Theatre – so what, that's something from the '40s, California, what does that have to do with Mickey? The hat was colorful, made a great photo spot, so what if it covered the theatre I didn't like it anyways. Now I'm 68 and from Ohio not California, I know who Walt Disney is, I recognize his picture but how many people going to WDW now can say they know who Walt is? If they can't recognize him I'm sure they don't know why the Chinese theatre is there either. The theatre doesn't say "Disney" to me but the hat did!


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They're a transmedia company, so they won't be in it alone. The genius artist Leonardo Manco will be there daily from Thursday (7/21) thru Sunday (7/24). He'll be sketching custom covers at every table signing. And he'll be appearing at Radical's panel with Full Clip Productions' Sam Worthington and brothers Michael and John Schwarz. But that's only the beginning of what Radical at Booth #3735 has in store.
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It's the third day of the Pittsburgh Comicon, and I feel like I've experienced it all.
I've scoured through back issues and held Amazing Fantasy #15 until the dealer started to appear nervous. I've high-fived every Star Wars character I've seen, including the lazy ones who simply donned a robe for Jedi Knighthood. I've had conversations with medium legends like Roy Thomas and Joe Sinnott. Most importantly, I capitalized on the booth giving away free energy drinks.
But as I walk by one particular booth, promoting Mark Mariano's comicbook Happyloo and music act The Omatics, I notice a scene that puts the convention in a different perspective.
Colette Carr "Static" (video) (Premiere) // Music
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
awsome mod.
but i hope that the russians get an ECM and more units for china , usa ,GLA, and of curse russians olso i really wanted to say thenks
The mod you are trying to view has ceased development and consequently been archived. If you are a member of this mod, can demonstrate that it is being actively developed and will be able to keep this profile up to date with the latest news, images, videos and downloads, please contact us with all details and we will consider its re-activation.
C&C Rise of the Reds
This is the mod for the game named C&C Generals Zero Hour.
In this mod, there'll be alot of new stuffs, they're all listed below :
1. The fourth faction, Russia
2. Two new units and One new tech for USA
3. Three new units for China
4. Three new units and One new structure for GLA
5. More than 25 skirmish/multiplayer map
6. Three new Tech Structures
7. 24 new campaign missions for 4 factions
....and many more !!
More info at our official website! For the latest updates go straight to out forums :)
Last but not least, I want to say thanks you all for the attention.
1 comment by Krit on Nov 7th, 2004
The members of the ROTR mod team has left the team recently. The first person was no other then team leader Red Army himself and the other is lead mapper Brandon. Both people haven been very important to ROTR but up until now, they have lost interest in ROTR and C&C due to their increasing interest to GTA:SA. They have both chosen another team member to suceed them. They are: Krit (Me) who would be taking over the position of Team Leader and our new mapper VoodooBenshee will be taking over the role of Lead mapper. But however, progress is still moving slowly especially with the skinning department (But I won't blame them, skinning is hard, I tried it). ETA to release is still unknown but stay tuned!
PS: Updates will be comming up slowly due to the slow developement progress of the mod.
awsome mod.
but i hope that the russians get an ECM and more units for china , usa ,GLA, and of curse russians olso i really wanted to say thenks
Actually,the mod is released.Check CNC files
I play this ZH mod but using Crosus the mod management program/tool
the mod rocks
The mod has the units saying things in Russian
I really really want to know what they are saying
CCCcan one of you bright lads tell me where in my zerohour directory
or in the Crosus directory I can look for a text file or some damn thing some some clue
if I can find some text file which read out all the things the units say id be successful enough - I can then translate it if laboriuosly
can some one give me a pointer please?
my email is email@example.com
I thank you for your advice in advance
Wow this still exists, yea ROTR has been revived if you havent noticed. Tho its nice to see how it was back in the day, look for us in the updated page lol.
I don't like the looks of this.....
Because GraZor is now in charge... :(
Why don't you just release the beta and continue with it?
I've been whatching the Revora ROTR forum. And you don't really look like the Team Leader there. Looks like Grazor is the leader.
Care to tell us what's going on right now?
Are you really moving to Renova?
And what is this at the top of this page?
"C&C Rise of the Reds
for C&C: Generals is archived & AWAITING DELETION if this is a dead or in-active mod "
I think this mod will be released soon :)
Promote C&C Rise of the Reds on your homepage or blog by selecting a button and using the embed code provided (more).


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All member reviews for Madden NFL 09
Common Sense Media says
An excellent Madden game for players of all ages.
Users say
(out of 13 reviews)
QUALITYReview this title!
Was this review useful?
one of the best football games to hit the market
This game is possibly one of the best football games to come out for game systems such as ps3, xbox, and wii. It's very fun to play for all ages, and it will also teach you a lot about the game of football itself. While I say this game is good for all ages, be aware that there may be somewhat violent aspects to this game, such as tackling and stuff like that, however that's a big part of football as a sport. Also, there is a fair amount of product advertising. Soda, candy bars, and even cell phone networks are built into this game, almost as if you're watching a real game on TV. Overall, a great game, very realistic, and competitive.
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much consumerism
Educational value
Great role models
Was this review useful?
i LOVE this Game for the WII its SO MUCH FUN if you like sports games!!!!
What other families should know
Educational value
Great role models
love it
What other families should know
Great role models
Safety and privacy concerns
Was this review useful?
football so violence
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much consumerism
Educational value
Great role models
step into fun
alot of kids injoy madden 09 well packer fans on the game packers always win.
An honest review
Madden NFL 09 is much, much, much better than all of the other Maddens. For people who love or just enjoy football I suggest you get this game.
A great game!
This was a very easy game to play! That's what makes it very fun and so cool! I recommend this game to anyone.
Decent and replayable.
First, this is a review for the WII version, NOT any other consoles. The first thing is that there is a great feature called "call your shots" that allows you to draw your reciever's routes on a passing play. You are probably supposed to use it when you don't like the defense, but it is great anytime. Commentary is good, but the computer AI is ridiculous. Even the 3-13 Rams got off a 70 yard passing play on their first play of my game against them. There are too many big plays, wwaayy too many sacks, and too many touchdowns. When you get a touchdown you are supposed to get up and move the wiimote and nunchuck to celebrate. When you are on multiplayer its fun, but when you are playing the CPU, it is completely ridiculous and pointless. There is a way to turn it off, but then you cannot celebrate. There is a good collection of mini-games on this disk. They are supposed to help your skills at this game, but they are so fun that you may not return to the regular game for a very long time. There is even a backyard football game on this, called 5 on 5. Each touchdown is one point and playcalling is made unbelievably simple. The players have big heads, for reasons beyond me. They have franchise and superstar. Franchise is good but the more you play it, the more likely you are to get bored. Superstar is quite fun, as long as you aren't a QB. If you are a QB, the camera angle constantly switches from seeing one side of the field to the other, and sometimes the camera is so bad that you cannot see the reciever that you passed to. The main game will frustrate you with its bad AI, but EA made the other features good enough to make it fun. It's a game worth buying.
anyone can play
it's football. And on wii its real fun. I cantwait for madden 10 tomarrow!!!!!!!
What other families should know
Educational value
i do not have it but
my cousin does we played it it was good and no dbarto not the best madden yet the best one was 07 for wii but ncaa 07 will be the best football game forever and i do not know what syestem you played it for i played it for ps2 so i give this 5 stars well goodbye BOOMER SOONER , DO DALLAS COWBOYS , STELLERS , ROLL TIDE,PISTOL PETE,SO LONG
A great game for every Madden Lover
This game, as most people say, is the best Madden game yet. Most of the stuff in this game are pretty age appropiate, you can enjoy most of the stuff old versions of Madden have and more! If you have the version for the PSP, you could play Madden in two ways, the old fashioned way that every game of Madden has, or the new EA Sports Rookie Mode, that you could do every single move you would do in the normal way with just pressing x. If you really love Madden, then this game is for you.
Best Madden yet
This is the best madden yet. You have the franchise mode, create a player, create a team, and many other modes (all of which are a lot of fun). They also have a new skill level called Madden IQ, it puts you through a series of tests that will set the games skill level to your skill level; it will also update your skill as you play. Overall this is a better Madden than the one we all have came to know and love. 5 out of 5


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The Journal of Monetary Economics publishes important research contributions to a wide range of modern macroeconomic topics including work along empirical, methodological and theoretical lines. In recent years, these topics have been: asset pricing; banking, credit and financial markets; behavioral macroeconomics; business cycle analysis; consumption, labor supply, and saving; dynamic equilibria (theory and computational methods); economic growth and development; expectation formation, information and aggregate economic activity; fiscal shocks and fiscal policies; expectation formation; forecasting, macroeconometrics, and time series analysis; information and aggregate economic activity; international trade, exchange rates, and open economy macroeconomics; labor markets ; macroeconomic data and history; monetary policy; monetary theory; money demand and money supply behavior; optimal contracting and economic activity; productivity measurement and theory; pricing in product markets and...
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Village Life Section :: Page 79
Alternative vet clinic is approved
An alternative veterinary office will soon be a new business on the corner of Stafford and Union Streets, after Village Planning Commission approved at its Monday, June 8 meeting a proposal to turn an unoccupied house into a small clinic.
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Copies of this and other photographs may be purchased from the News; please contact us via e-mail at [email protected], or by phone, between 9:30 a.m. and 5: 30 p.m., Mon.–Fri.
Run, walk for kids' center
Most daycare centers raise their rates from 3 to 5 percent a year, according to Marlin Newell, director of the Community Children's Center of Yellow Springs. But even in these trying economic times, the Children's Center, which has raised rates only twice in the past five years, has decided against increasing fees.
Yellow Springs housing market holds own, with some bumps
RECESSION IN THE VILLAGE This is the fifth in a series of articles looking at how the unstable economy is affecting various aspects of Yellow Springs life, including businesses, nonprofits, the arts, housing and schools. The aftermath of the sub-prime mortgage fallout finds the nationwide housing sector still in a serious rut caused by widespread […]
Pam Conine retires—A lifelong learner, lifelong teacher
One of Pam Conine's favorite sayings is that, if you find a career you love, you never have to work a day in your life. By that standard, Conine figures she's spent almost no time in her adult life actually working. By most standards, though, Conine has worked long and hard.
Visioning effort kicks off
At a work session Monday, May 26, local leaders took the first steps to kick off a community-wide nine-month visioning project. The effort begins with three months of preparation before the first public event.
Antioch Buddhist program is 30
The Buddhist Studies Program of Antioch Education Abroad, or AEA, offers something unique to young people, organizers believe. The young participants not only study Buddhism but live it, immersed in an exotic world as residents of a monastery among monks and nuns.
YSHS 2009 valedictorian, salutatorian—Village nurtured YSHS scholars
Growing up in Yellow Springs was easy and carefree, Olivia Chen said this week. Not having to worry about others labeling her or questioning her identity, she was able to focus on things that were more important and more fun, such as playing tennis, performing theater and developing a deep sense of curiosity about the natural sciences and cultural diversity.
Facing cancer, Colbert misses the mayhem of kids and dogs
More than most of us, Shelley Colbert has spent her life caring for others. For the past 23 years she has cared for the youngest of villagers at her home. Mainly as a single parent, she raised two sons. And in recent years, her parents, who live in town, needed her attention in new ways.
Birds on the brain
Copies of this and other photographs may be purchased from the News; please contact us via e-mail at [email protected], or by phone, between 9:30 a.m. and 5: 30 p.m., Mon.–Fri.


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R1150GSA Pinging
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roger 04 rt
Beastly Adventurer
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Oddometer: 2,360
Originally Posted by
The numbers (value) in table, is not degress. Is a number between (0..255). Look the last number at full open thotlle at 7.500 rpn. On original map the value is 37, on mod map is 42. So the advance is higher 42-37/37 = 5/37 = 0,135 than mean +13,5%. But the real advance by mod map is higher about 5 %. Is difficult to explane this, the parameters of software and the value (0..255) is not analogic by real degress, etc the advance go on +9 degress on number 55, +10 degress on number 62 and +X degress on number 100-255.
Hi John,
I'm trained as an engineer and in the early days wrote a lot of assembly language code for control systems. Thanks for the detail but could you explain the whole algorithm? I'd like to take your data, convert the whole table to a degrees-advance table and then plot it in comparison to my measurements.
Also, have you found the Dwell table? My GS-911 reports Spark Advance and Dwell.
roger 04 rt
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text: Editor's note: Towson junior running back Terrance West declared early for the NFL draft after setting school records with 4,584 rushing yards and 86 touchdowns. The 5-foot-9, 223-pound Baltimore native is not enrolled at Towson this semester as he pursues the NFL and is sharing his draft experiences with Baltimore Sun reporter Aaron Wilson. At the NFL scouting combine, West delivered a strong performance as he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds with a 33.5-inch vertical leap and caught the football smoothly in drills. West had formal meetings with 13 NFL teams, including the Ravens and Cleveland Browns. This is the eighth in an occasional series leading up to the draft in May.


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Video: Elegant Drifting with a Maybach
Despite weighing over 2,800 kg (6,184 lbs), being rear wheel drive and having a 550hp V12 under the bonnet producing 900 Nm (663 lbs/ft) of torque, it's still easy to imagine the difficulty in drifting a Maybach 62 around a curve. However, the chaps at iMotor have taken the challenge, of course with the help of a skilled driver, a nice new tux and a wet slick track. The only thing missing from the video is a sip of bubbly while drifting through the turn.
[Correction: Vehicle is a Maybach 62 S with 612 hp]
Source: iMotor via Autoblog.nl
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Comments (20)
pretty impressive, but to be honest, i've seen videos of trucks and even buses drifting that impressed me a lot more... and those things weigh over 6 tonnes
Sep 3, 2008 8:21 am
wow people are either running out of cars to play with or are losing their minds. i find this idea to be quite hilarious even though its a demonstration of quality engineering. wow
Sep 3, 2008 3:47 am
Sep 2, 2008 6:16 pm
just like gliding on ice, really smooth :D
Sep 2, 2008 6:01 pm
Sep 2, 2008 5:13 pm
I like to see this car in Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift. Hahah....
Sep 2, 2008 12:22 pm
Easy buddy! This car costs more than a house!
Sep 2, 2008 12:19 pm
i like the idea... it would be soo much fun but i dont like the presenter...
Sep 2, 2008 9:52 am
its the 612hp 62S in the video and not the 550hp 62 as mentioned in the review. nonetheless a great limousine
Sep 2, 2008 8:11 am
While it wouldn't look as pretty in slow motion with beautiful music, I could drift a 50ft Penske truck on a closed, wet course. I'm not as impressed as most. Slip angles on wet asphalt are the same as dry, they just creep up much sooner!
Sep 2, 2008 6:56 am
That's some good quality fun. Brings back memories of high school days doing silly things with my dad's old 560Sel in unshoveled school parking lot after it snowed.
Sep 2, 2008 6:05 am
Fluff journalism + Super elegance = Juvenile fun =P
Sep 2, 2008 4:16 am
wut a beautiful, "composed" drift :D:D:D absolutely epic hahah.
Sep 2, 2008 3:12 am
Sep 2, 2008 1:11 am


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USA is on fire! We're on day 4 of the 2008 Olympics and USA is currently in the lead with 22 medals. China isn't too far behind though, they currently have 20 medals, with includes 13 gold medals. Impressive.
Here is the current medal count:
For the full medal count and up to date info on the Olympics, check out Yahoo! Sports


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I was told today that it is "not allowed" to put child seats/boosters in the back 3rd row of a T&C. This person was very negative towards me about it and claimed to me a child safety seat technician. I was told that it's because of the side air bags. What do I do when I have more than 3 kids in the van, which happens often? Is this statement even true? I looked all through my owners manuel and found nothing, however I did see install instructions for the seats and it did mention using only the belt for the outboard seats in the back row due to there being no latch/tether, so I would assume it's ok to put them outboard in the 3rd row.
Thanks for the help!


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Fashion's 'It' Girls Get Younger
Designers from Chanel to Prada are fighting to put their dresses on teen stars. From Hailee Steinfeld to Elle Fanning, Isabel Wilkinson on the fashion world's new starlet obsession.
Related story on The Daily Beast: Fashion Flash: Paint the Town Red
The usual suspects floated down the red carpet at the recent SAG Awards: Nicole Kidman, statuesque and swathed in black lace; Annette Bening, glittering in a floor-length beaded gown; and Natalie Portman-finally displaying that baby bump. But also there, beaming in the middle of the crowd, was Hailee Steinfeld, the 14-year-old nominated for her role in "True Grit." She wore a fitted Prada mermaid dress with bold orange and pink stripes, her hair bounced in ringlets, and she flashed bubble-gum pink nails. When it originally came from Prada, the dress was strapless, but her stylist added thin black straps to make it more age-appropriate. Steinfeld was a red carpet double-whammy: both fashion-forward and every bit her age.
Reactions were overwhelmingly positive -despite a few cranky dissenters- yet one thing was made clear: Hailee Steinfeld is very young, yet very fashionable. She is part of a new crop of tween starlets who have entered the awards season dress derby at ages younger than ever before. For the first time, storied fashion brands including Prada, Chanel, and Valentino are allowing their gowns to be worn by stars as young as 12. There's now a fashion divide for up-and-comers: In one camp sit the scandalously dressed Disney stars-and in the other are the serious actresses who are taking fashion risks in age-appropriate attire. These new "it" girls-Hailee Steinfeld, Elle and Dakota Fanning, Chloe Moretz, and even Willow Smith-are launching new designers, and helping older brands to reach teens.
"What Michelle Obama did for first ladies, these girls have the potential to do for tween stars," says Jane Keltner de Valle, fashion news director at Teen Vogue. "They're making themselves viable fashion forces, they're elevating young designers to a global platform, and they're getting people excited about fashion again."
Related on The Daily Beast: Fashion's Youngest Stars
Steinfeld burst onto the fashion scene at the Golden Globes last month, where she wore a white column dress by fashion newcomer and CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist Prabal Gurung. Her hair was pulled back into a slick ponytail and she wore understated accessories. It was the Hollywood newcomer's first major style moment. Practically overnight, she was voted best-dressed on Style.com. Says her stylist, Karla Welch: "A good dress opens many doors." Next, Welch says, Steinfeld will appear in a dress from Prada's younger-sister line, Miu Miu.
The Golden Globes were also a big moment for Gurung, who is not yet a red carpet staple. "I could not have been more impressed with the way Hailee carried and presented herself at the Globes," he said through his publicist. "Seeing all of these girls walking the red carpet fresh faced and dressing appropriately for their age is a promising moment for a designer." Steinfeld's dress choice also introduced Gurung to a new generation. "My guess is that most teenagers didn't know who Prabal Gurung was before Hailee stepped onto that red carpet," says Keltner de Valle. "But believe me, they noticed."
The tween style quotient isn't just beneficial for new designers-it's also helping older brands stay fresh. "What I'm seeing more and more is that the houses are open to young talent," says stylist Jessica Paster, who has prepped actresses for the Oscars for 14 years. She has styled everyone from Annette Bening to Cate Blanchett, but this year, Paster began working with her youngest client yet: 12-year-old Elle Fanning, who enlisted her help during the press whirl for the film Somewhere. "It's so refreshing when you have houses like Chanel and Rodarte and Valentino that are so open to dressing young girls," says Paster. (Rodarte made headlines last year when they custom-made a look from their Spring 2011 runway for Fanning.)
Related on The Daily Beast: See who made the cut as the creepiest movie stalkers
Of course, harnessing the influential power of these stars is lucrative for luxury retailers. Red carpet newcomers are able to connect with teen consumers, whose purchasing power generally increases every year. In 2010, projected annual spending for 8- to 12-year-olds was $10.7 billion-up from $9.1 billion the previous year-according to the YouthPulse report by trend research firm Harris Interactive. And the personal spending power of teenagers is growing in 2011, with 53 percent of 13- to 15-year-old girls buying clothes with their own money in January.
"Not every girl can buy a Rodarte dress," says Keltner de Valle. "But in terms of inspiration, the effect is huge. Everyone looks to a younger generation for inspiration. These girls have a huge sphere of influence and power. And for a long time it was being ignored."
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Benson Choral Scores, Parts: 1 items found
A Strange Way To Save The World (Orchestra Parts and Score)
Composed by Aaron Weitekamp. Arranged by Jeff Anderson. For orchestra. Benson Choral. Sacred, Modern Christian, Christmas. Score and orchestra parts. Published by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing (BN.4575707268)
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Is there anything more precious than a new born baby? I think not! And, have you ever wondered where baby gnomes come from? Well, here's your chance to find out.
When Pixie and Fairy saw the new Forest Gnome Family, the first thing they both said was, "Where's the baby?"
Of course we needed a baby! Originally, I planned to make it exactly like the other Forest Gnomes, only smaller, but, as I started to put one together, I thought it would look ever so much cuter if it was wearing a tiny sleeper, all snug and cozy. Actually, I made a "whimsy" of Forest Gnome Babies.
Trust me when I tell you this are the sweetest and tiniest baby gnomes around! Much like the family of Forest Gnomes, they go together quickly, and are so very cute. So, are you ready to make a gnome baby? Then, you you need to do is give the baby a name :)
WARNING: They are tiny and definitely a choke hazard. Please do not make for children under 3 or for older children that put toys in their mouths!
The tutorial for the Forest Gnome family can be found HERE.
Materials for Forest Gnome Baby:
Make a copy of the pattern.
Using the pattern, cut out your gnome baby.
Using 3 strands of floss, sew the straight edges together using an overcast stitch. Tie off bottom but do not cut the thread.
Stuff the baby with wool roving. Use a pencil or chop stick to get roving into tip of hat.
Tuck stuffing into body. Trim off extra roving.
Using the attached thread, sew a running stitch all around the bottom of the baby gnome.
Pull the thread gathering the bottom until the hole is closed. Tie off the thread and hide the end inside the gnome.
Beginning about an 1/8" under the face opening, sew around the gnome neck using a running stitch and 3 strands of floss. Leave long ends for tying.
Pull on the treads to gather the neckline.
Once gathered, tie in a knot. Then, tie a bow. I like to double knot the bow. Cut off the extra thread.
And, THAT'S how baby gnomes are made!
That is one of the most adorable things I have ever seen! Well done!
Thanks for all the pictures and detailed instructions! I feel brave enough to try these for my little ones.
At Wee Folk Art we combine our love of Wee Folk with our love of Folk Art, creating designs that are uniquely Wee Folk Art! We are a mother/daughter team who share mutual love of crafting and the gentle art of homemaking. Craft along with us or join in our homeschooling adventures!
Thanks for stopping by! To learn more about us at Wee Folk Art, visit our FAQ page.
~ Kimara & Michelle


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Privacy and Cookies
London mayor Ken Livingstone has vehemently opposed plans to create a third runway at London Heathrow airport on environmental grounds.
Speaking during a visit to a village which will be demolished if the third runway is approved, Livingstone called for airport expansion in London and the south east of England to be halted immediately.
He argues that the third Heathrow runway will lead to higher carbon emissions levels, increased noise and air pollution, greater road congestion and the destruction of green space and residential properties.
Livingstone says: "On every test; environment, economic and quality of life, the argument for expanding Heathrow has not been made and I don't believe it ever can."
A spokesman for London Heathrow airport operator BAA says: "We think the extra runway capacity at London Heathrow is urgently needed and would provide great economic benefits to London, but we also recognise that the airport has an impact on the local community – that why a consultation is underway.
"The benefits it will bring and the impact need to be balanced."
During his visit, Livingstone met with a number of groups which are opposing the runway development.
No Third Runway Action Group chair Geraldine Nicholson says: "We warmly welcome the mayor's support for our campaign and hope that his example will make others in Government wake up to the environmental and political folly of a third runway at Heathrow."
The UK Government's public consultation on the third runway is due to close on 27 February.
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As first pointed out by Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe – Marquise Hill's former agent, Albert Elias, has created a tribute video in honor of Hill who died in a jetskiing accident during Memorial Day weekend 2007:
It's an emotional video that includes photos from when he was young and take you through his entire life. It's about 4-minutes in length, and definitely worth taking a moment to watch.
Around the Internet:


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I'm a University of Florida Gators Fan as well as a University of Utah Utes fan. Before you come at me for liking two college football teams, let me explain a little.
I grew up watching the Gators with my Dad, who graduated from UF. Every Saturday in the Fall, that TV was on the Florida Gators. I enrolled at the University of Utah and got my degree from there. One I love because of familiarity and length of fandom. The other, I love because it is my alma mater, and was my first college football game I saw live.
I'm going to tackle this Urban Meyer to Ohio State from both sides. I'll start as a Florida Gators fan.
As a Gators fan, I'm torn between how to feel about this move. I'm pissed and upset at what has transpired these past few days. He claimed he needed to retire from coaching to spend time with his 3 children and to get his health back to a more stable level.
As a fan, that you can respect and be ok with. But when he accepts a coaching job, less than a year after saying he needed to retire, that gets to you. Coaches and players have no personal responsibility to the fans that cheer for them. But look at what he did at Florida.
He will not have his Offensive and Defensive coordinators, Dan Mullen and Charlie Strong, at Ohio State. That's what made him successful at Florida. And now, both are in their own head coaching positions, Mississippi State and Louisville respectively.
Do I hope he has no health problems from here on out, absolutely.
Will I be sad if he never wins a game at Ohio State, not one bit.
As a Utes fan, I could care less. The man put the University of Utah football on the map, and he did it in 2 years! Before he came along, the Utes were a mediocre team, at best. He then took them to the Fiesta Bowl, as the first non-AQ school to break the BCS, where the Utes did to Pitt what they did to teams every Saturday that season.
I personally believe he put the wheels in motion for the Utes to eventually join, what is now, the Pac-12. When he left Utah for Florida, no one at Utah had anything bad to say about the man. We were upset to lose such a great coach, but he was moving to bigger and better things. You can't hate a man for doing that.
In the end, no matter who you're a fan of, his decision affects only him and his family. I wish him nothing but the best in his new position as Ohio State University head coach. He will bring that program back to when they were good enough to get to the BCS title game, but never win it.


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Enthusiasm greets Overton Square plans
Loeb outlines proposed Midtown district revival
Developer Robert Loeb titled his presentation "Overton Square Rebirth," and an overflow crowd kept applauding his plans as if it were a four-star performance.
More than 350 people fought the rain Wednesday night to attend Loeb Properties' public meeting at Playhouse on the Square.
If any were opposed to turning Overton Square into a theater district, to the city spending $11.9 million mostly for a parking garage, water-detention structure and street improvements, or to Loeb Properties investing its own $19.2 million for acquisition, renovation and new construction, they didn't speak up.
If all the clapping weren't a strong enough signal that Loeb had the support of the Midtown audience, the first questioner in the Q-and-A session sure was.
Gordon Alexander, founder of Midtown Action Coalition, had been a pit bull in fighting the previous developer's plans to raze Overton Square's historic retail buildings and erect a suburban-style grocery.
"Thank you on behalf of the community for doing what you're doing," Alexander told Loeb, who will spend $11.61 million to buy the property, $3.28 million to rehab it, $1.96 million for new construction and $1.96 million for tenant improvements.
June West of Memphis Heritage had been the worst nightmare for Sooner Development's plans to scrape away the old buildings. She told Loeb to strong applause: "I just want to thank you for your belief in Midtown."
A big part of the plan is Loeb's embrace of the black repertory Hattiloo Theatre, which wants to build a theater in the Square. Hattiloo would be the fifth theater, counting movie house Studio on the Square, and improve diversity, Loeb said.
Hattiloo's executive director, Ekundayo Bandele, drew a strong ovation after describing his vision of a "utopian" mix of black and white theatergoers pouring out of the parking garage to attend plays and dine in the Square.
"That's the Memphis we all want to see and the Memphis we all deserve," he said.
Hattiloo's participation in the Square's rebirth also could give the project a politically pragmatic boost, to the extent that Midtown is perceived as relatively white, wealthy section of a majority-black, impoverished city.
The City Council had agreed to spend $4 million for the garage and $2 million in federal funds for the stormwater structure. Now Loeb seeks almost $12 million in public funds at a time when other districts and neighborhoods could also use public investment.
The two city councilmen in attendance, Jim Strickland and Shea Flinn, urged the audience to e-mail the City Council.
"Please, Midtown, send those e-mails if you want this public investment," Flinn implored ... to applause.
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ABC/Adam TaylorMeghan Trainor was all set to kick off her second-ever tour, the M Train tour, today in Atlantic City, but things hit a last minute snag. The singer regrettably announced on Instagram last night that she's been forced to postpone the first two shows of her tour due to a hemorrhage on her vocal cords.
"Right now the doctors want me on complete vocal rest until they are healed so I have to postpone my first two shows in Atlantic City and Connecticut," she writes. "I promise that I will make it up to my Megatronz."
She adds, "I love you all very much and want to get healed quickly so I can show you this amazing tour we've been working on. I am truly sorry to everyone who has bought tickets and made travel plans. I hate this."
Meghan also posted an Instagram video of herself holding up messages on her phone. She writes that she's in New York seeing another doctor.
"So frustrated but cant make any noise," she captions the video. "At least I got my brother @ryan.trainor to make me smile. And my fans supporting me. thank you for your kind words."
Once she's healed, she'll be hitting the road with renewed enthusiasm. Before the unfortunate vocal issues, she told ABC Radio she was feeling confident about this tour.
"I'll have some practice under my belt," she laughed, "I can say I've done this before. I know what to expect. But I'm trying to add more songs...get complete new outfits, trying to change the look up, so that you'll know from pictures, 'Oh, this is the second tour.'"
"I'm really excited though," she added. "We get to go in bigger places and meet more fans around the U.S. So it's gonna be great."
As for how Meghan thinks she's improved as a performer since that first tour, she told ABC Radio, "I get less nervous, for sure, 'cause I'm like, 'You've done this. You know what to do!' But I've been performing since I was young -- 12, 13 -- and still, I'll get a little nervous every time."
"But...I've gotten out of my shell, dancing-wise especially," she added. "I never dance in front of people, and now I literally do body rolls in front of thousands of people! It's great. I'm learning still, every day."
Meghan's opening act -- her friend and duet partner, Charlie Puth -- said of the tour, "I think we'll sing a couple of things together." But in terms of his own opening set, he told ABC Radio, "You can expect from me just, like, soulful, fun, danceable music that people can all just universally relate to, I hope."
"I'm just really excited to perform these records for her fans that have kind of taken me on," Charlie said of getting in front of Meghan's devoted followers. "They're called the Megatronz and my fans they call themselves the Puthers, so there's gonna be Puthers and Megatronz. Such a weird sentence. I never thought in 2015 that I would say such a sentence like that!"
Both Meghan and Charlie were planning to spend the Fourth of July playing the second date of the tour, but it seems like those plans were not meant to be.
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.


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Eight Jewel Rice
23 Nov 2009
This Eight Jewel - Rice recipe is simply irresistible. Try this Eight Jewel - Rice on a get together; you will definetely get a lot of compliments for this dish.
|Peanut oil
|1 Tablespoon
|Chopped spring onion
|6 Teaspoon (3 Dessertspoons)
|Cooked lean pork
|2 Tablespoon, diced
|Diced cooked chicken
|1 Tablespoon
|Shelled cooked prawns
|2 Tablespoon
|Cooked rice
|6 Ounce
|Raw egg
|Cooked peas
|1 Tablespoon
|1 Pinch
|Monosodium glutamate
|1 Pinch (Ve-Tsin)
|Soy sauce
|1 Teaspoon
Make the oil very hot.
Fry 2 dessertspoons of onion in it for 1/4 minute, tossing it about.
Add the meats and prawns and give them 1 minute.
Add the rice and heat through for 2-3 minutes, moving it about to break down any lumps.
Break in the egg and mix it in thoroughly but lightly (the rice must not be made mushy) for 1/2-1 minute.
Add the peas, seasonings and soy sauce and heat through, stirring to mix well.
Finally, add the remaining finely chopped spring onion.
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Eight Jewel Rice Recipe