The Forecourt

Since the building that houses The Great Movie Ride is an exact replica of Gruman's Chinese Theater, it makes sense that the forecourt would be included. The original owner of the real Chinese Theater in Hollywood, Sid Gruman, would often make large events of celebrities casting their hand and foot prints into multi-colored cement blocks. The celebrities would become immortalized in stone for all future visitors to enjoy. Likewise, Disney has taken on this tradition in their Chinese Theater. As celebrities visited the theme park, their prints were taken and placed in front of the theater. The Great Movie Ride forecourt hosts 107 unique hand prints from a variety of celebrities.

If you'd like to check out the complete list, at StudiosCentral.com/handprints, where a community member chronicled all 107 prints!

In case you're wondering, new prints have not been added to the forecourt for some time. Around 2001, when Disney and Mann's Chinese Theatre had a dispute regarding the copyright over the building's architecture, Disney decided that it would be best to eliminate the celebrity handprint/footprint ceremonies as well. The last print was done in 1999, by actor Michael J. Fox.

Please feel free to add to the list! Our list of names and dates is imcomplete. If you'd like to help us, please post them on the message board. Photos are welcomed!