>Today’s Unknown Magic is one of my favorite Icons in Walt Disney World. Before I give away what it is we’ll play a guessing game, to see if you can figure it out.

1. It is not considered an official park Icon.

2. It can be seen from throughout the park which it is in.

3. It is 13 stories tall.

Any Idea, what it is? How about one more clue? It was replaced by the Sorcerer’s Hat in Disney-MGM Studios in September of 2001, when the Disney Company was celebrating the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney’s Birth. Did that give it away? Well, if not I’ll let you in on this wonderful Unknown Magic, known as the Earful Tower.

The Earful Tower is located at Disney Hollywood Studios in the back of the park, behind the Animation Courtyard, near Mickey Avenue. You can see it from the front of the park, the back of the park and from most places in between. The tower itself is empty inside, although it is based on Disney water towers that were not.

The Earful Tower is based on the water towers on the Walt Disney Studios Lot in Burbank California from the 1930’s. These towers were used to hold water in case a fire broke out on any of the movie sets. The actual water towers in California also differ from the Earful tower, as they do not have ears. The ears by themselves are supposed to weigh five thousand pounds. If the Top of the tower was made in to a set of actual Mouse Ears, they would be a size 342 and 3/8.

I personally love the Earful Tower because it is such a great symbol for a Disney Studio. And although it isn’t an official Park Icon, I think most people notice it when they are in or around the Disney Hollywood Studios.

So, now you know, the old Icon for the Disney Hollywood Studios was replaced in 2001 as part of the 100 Years of Magic. It is based on water towers from the 1930’s that were found on the Disney Studio Lots in Burbank California. And although it doesn’t hold water and is no longer the Park Icon, it is still an Unknown Magic that you can’t miss. The next time you’re in Disney Hollywood Studios, look for the Ears in the Sky.

**There is also an Earffel Tower in Disneyland Paris.