Five Things to Know About Hollywood Boulevard

WeDesigned to evoke the era of the late 1920s to mid 1940s, Hollywood Boulevard is your entrance to the Disney-fied version of old Hollywood. The deco architecture alone makes merely strolling up and down the boulevard worth your while, but there’s plenty to do and see. So don’t rush through – take time to notice the details and enjoy your trip back in time!

1. You’ll be welcomed to vintage Tinseltown glamour – and much more.

Hollywood Boulevard serves as the main entrance to Disney Hollywood Studios and the other eight lands that make up this park. Lined with palm trees, it’s your path into the “Hollywood that never was – and always will be,” according to Michael Eisner.

This main thoroughfare leans into its theme by showcasing Disney-fied versions of actual Hollywood landmarks. The Pan Pacific Auditorium, with its distinctive fin-shaped towers, houses the entrance turnstiles. And at the Crossroads of the World you can pick up a park map and get info from Cast Members. You can tell which version of the Crossroads is Disney’s because it has Mickey at the top!

Along the length of the boulevard, Art Deco details are abundantly featured in the architecture, and the whole street is a tribute to the amazing work of the Imagineers. To guarantee the “real feel” of the era, it’s all based on real-world counterparts in Los Angeles. Strolling down the avenue, you’ll feel transported back in time to an era when the world was in transition, palm trees swayed in the breeze, the skies were blue, and anything was possible.

2. The famous theatre at the end is a wienie.

Walt Disney believed that a guest’s sightlines played a significant role in their enjoyment, anticipation and participation in the park’s offerings. So, he wanted what he called a “wienie” to be placed at the end of an avenue. It’s something visual that attracts you and pulls you along your way. On Hollywood Boulevard, the wienie is the replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre at the end of the street.

Inspired by the original and built by referencing the original blueprints, you’ll find foot- and handprints of famous stars in the cement sidewalk outside the theatre. Look for Disney stars including Mickey, Donald, and Goofy (sadly, no Minnie or Daisy – what’s up with that?) alongside other major marquee names, among them Annette (my first crush, truth be told) and Betty White.

The Chinese Theatre formerly housed The Great Movie Ride, a tribute to Hollywood classic films. While long-time Disney fans still bemoan the loss of the Movie Ride, the trackless attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway,  offers the first ride in a Disney park that stars Mickey and all his pals. It’s also the only ride/attraction you’ll find on Hollywood Boulevard.

As for other entertainment here, when nighttime falls, you can enjoy The Wonderful World of Animation. Primarily a projection show using the Chinese Theatre as the screen, it’s an historic look at Disney and Pixar features through the decades. Check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes.

3. You can dine among the stars – and greet a couple, too!

The star table service restaurant on Hollywood Boulevard (and the only one) is the Hollywood Brown Derby. Inspired by the original in Los Angeles, it features celebrity caricatures on the walls. Pricey, to be sure, it’s open for lunch and dinner. First-timers are encouraged to order the world Famous Cobb Salad. If you can’t grab a table, much of the menu is available in the outdoor seating of the attached Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge.

The Trolley Car Café is the quick service place to go for your Starbucks fix. It’s also a handy place to grab a breakfast sandwich if you’re rope-dropping, and the Carrot Cake Whoopie Pie is awesome. In addition to these two eateries, there are half a dozen snack stands along the boulevard, offering everything from ice cream to pretzels to popcorn and cool drinks.

Character appearances along the Boulevard aren’t your traditional meet and greets. Daisy makes an appearance near the Hollywood Brown Derby, but you won’t be able to get up close and personal. Likewise, you can spot Chip ‘n’ Dale in the grassy plot next to that restaurant. They fool around and frolic while you snap a few pix, but again, there are no hugs or handshakes to be had.

4. And you can shop ’til the stars come out.

The many stores along Hollywood Boulevard let you peruse and purchase clothing, housewares, pins, ears, and more! Celebrity 5 & 10 has a lineup that runs the gamut of all these categories. The name celebrates the bygone days of dime stores, affectionately referred to as “five and dimes.”

Keystone Clothiers has a wide selection of Star Wars and Marvel merch, including reasonably priced lightsabers. Mickey’s of Hollywood is the place for Mickey merch including clothes, pins, plush toys, ears, and lots more. Movieland Memorabilia lets you stock up on camera and media supplies, as well as a modest selection of toys and plushies. Sid Cahuenga’s One-of-a-Kind lets you buy your PhotoPass pix.

But my personal favorite place is Oscar’s Super Service. Located to your right as you enter, it’s a great place for a photo next to the vintage tow truck. You can also grab a pic with the Coca-Cola guy. Highly recommend doing both.

5. Hollywood’s biggest secrets revealed!

We all know Hollywood has its secrets, and Hollywood Boulevard is no different. Here are a few that we can share without betraying any confidences:

⭐ Sid Cahuenga is a fictional character who supposedly collected unique Hollywood memorabilia. Created by the Imagineers, his name is a cross between Cahuenga Boulevard in Los Angeles and Sid Grauman of the famous theatre.

⭐ There’s a door on the side of Keystone Clothiers labeled “Holly Vermont Realty.” Back in 1923, Walt and Roy Disney rented office space from that realty company in LA and produced the Alice Comedies from there.

⭐ One of the gas pumps at Oscar’s Super Service displays the numbers 05-01-1989. That’s not random; it’s when Disney Hollywood Studios opened. (Of course, it was called Disney-MGM Studios then.)

⭐ In the sidewalk area outside the Chinese Theatre you can spot Audrey Hepburn’s handprints. It seems that the original Chinese Theatre in Hollywood never asked the mega-star for the favor. But when Disney made the request, she was more than happy to comply. As a result, when Hollywood sought to rectify their oversight, she refused!

⭐ Hollywood Studios isn’t the only park to model its entrance on the Pan-Pacific Auditorium. If you visit Disneyland Resort, you might do a double-take because the entrance to Disney California Adventure is very similar.

The Bottom Line.

It’s easy to rush through Hollywood Boulevard to get to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Or Toy Story Land. But those who take the time to stroll along the avenue will find themselves immersed in the feeling of Hollywood’s bygone days. From the architecture to the signage – even to the music in the air – each element helps transport you back in time to that golden era. It’s worth the trip!

Have you been to Disney’s Hollywood Studios? What’s your favorite part of Hollywood Boulevard? Let us know in the comments!