Magical Moment: Becoming hands-on Hollywood stars

The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of that theme park’s original attractions, transporting Guests on a journey through scenes from classic movies for the past 20 years. The ride is located inside a re-creation of the famous Hollywood landmark, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and offers Guests a look at actual costumes, props and set pieces from various films as they wind through the theatre lobby.

As Guests exit the lobby, they enter a 1930s-era Hollywood soundstage where they board ride vehicles that take them through scenes featuring (Audio-Animatronic®) stars and starlets from famous movies including Singing in the Rain, Mary Poppins, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Casablanca.

Keeping in theme with the landmark theatre, Guests also find handprints of the famous cemented in time in the sidewalk in front of the attraction. Many Guests stop to identify the prints, and children often can be seen on their hands and knees, pretending to make their mark as well.

Attractions hosts and hostesses identify children who seem particularly interested in the handprints, letting them make their own handprints on Magical Moment certificates. Using brightly colored, washable paints, their little hands turn red, blue and yellow with their parents’ approval. Once the handprints are finished, they are set aside to dry as the families get VIP treatment to experience the ride without having to wait.

“The kids have seen the handprints and now they’ve had their own experience and a certificate they can take home and frame,” said Attractions Guest Service Manager Rachel Lange.

Attractions Hostess Connie Chattaway says she has wanted to work at the Walt Disney World Resort since she celebrated her 10th birthday here.

“I like being able to make a difference in Guests’ vacations. I can’t make a difference like that anywhere else but here.”