Birt Family Focus

Disney's MGM Studios, Sorcerer Mickey Hat on Hollywood Blvd. -- 11/13/02

OK- I hate to do it, but I guess I have to tell you about the BAH. There are only 2 attractions on Hollywood Blvd and we talked about the Great Movie Ride last week. I don't really consider the BAH an attraction, but Disney does so on the list it goes.

For those of you who haven't yet seen it, been there, or figured it out, BAH stands for Big A** Hat. The powers that be thought it would be really cool to build a great big Sorcerer Mickey Hat at MGM. I think it would have been really cool- if it were located near the front gates instead of right in the middle of the view down the street. It completely obliterates the Great Movie Ride's Chinese Theater. Yuck. Oh well, it's concrete, steel, and here to stay so I guess I should quit grousing and tell you about it. ;-)

The BAH (it will be forever referred to as the BAH in our house) is an attraction in the loosest form of the word. It looks neat and you can go inside (well, underneath). It is not a ride or theatre, though. The "attraction" part is a series of interactive screens that ask you trivia questions and such. It is a nice place for the kids to play while you shop at the BAH's main reason for existance- pin trading. There is a large pin station located underneath this thing. They specialize in those interactive pins that light up during the finale's at the various parks, so you pin collectors out there will enjoy spending some time under the BAH.

Originally built to celebrate the 100 Years of Magic Celebration, the BAH will stay and take the place of the Earful Tower as the MGM icon. They are not removing the tower, but it has been relagated to the "interesting backround stuff" category.

The BAH is 100 feet tall. Mickey would have to be 350 feet tall to wear it. It is decorated with 6 stars and 2 moons. The paint is a special type called "chameleon paint" that make subtle color changes as it is viewed from different angles. The "ears" are made to look like ribbons. They are lighted and change color as well. They work somewhat like the lights in the ground at Epcot. At night, the BAH, much as I hate to admit it, it quite pretty. It IS magical, just badly located.

Well- short and late- that's me! That's it for today- see you next week.