Hollywood Boulevard funnels visitors from the studio entrance to the central lagoon and serves as a primary route for visitors on their way out. Much of it has been given over to a variety of shopping experiences. The Boulevard itself is an imaginative recreation of major Hollywood facades, some of which still exist and others of which have vanished into the realm of cherished memories. It makes for a pleasant stroll and a fitting introduction to the movie-themed fun that awaits you in the rest of the park.

Silver Screen Collectibles opens onto the Plaza of the Stars, just across the street from the Universal Studios Store. At the other end, it merges with Lucy: A Tribute. Expect to find t-shirts and other merchandise featuring cartoon characters. On a recent visit, Betty Boop was featured. The real star of the shop, however, is the special Lucy section, strategically located at the entrance/exit to Lucy: A Tribute. Here you will find the Lucy Collection, a series of DVDs. In addition, you’ll find a generous selection of books, which the true Lucy fan will find to be invaluable references, and a series of t-shirts in homage to the great redhead.

You can’t miss Cyber Image if you see Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time (and you should); you walk right through it when you leave the theater. Here’s your chance to dress just like Arnold in p ricey black leather, muscles not included. For the less well heeled there are T2 and “No Fear” t-shirts. Videos and DVDs of The Terminator and other sci-fi films are usually available.

If “Ride the movies” is the tag line for the theme park, “Wear the stars’ jewels” will do nicely for the Hollywood Royalty Collection, which offers ingenious knock-offs of rings, necklaces, and pins worn by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Bette Davis, Jean Harlow, and Marlene Dietrich, both on-screen and in private life. There’s even a pinkie ring once worn by Bogie! You can spend a bundle here if you’re not careful.

Next to Mel’s Diner, under the sign that says “Williams of Hollywood,” you’ll find Theatre Magic Shop, a fascinating boutique that gives away (well, sells) the secrets of the magician’s trade. The target audience is the absolute beginner and most of the magic kits sold here come with an instructional DVD to help bring you up to speed quickly. The big seller is “The Levitator,” a trick that lets you magically spin cards in mid-air. There are frequent magic demonstrations timed to attract the crowds pouring out of the nearby T2 and Horror Make-Up shows.

Back to Chapter Contents

	Web theotherorlando.com