Don't do it, please. They're not real, you know that already. You can get the same costumes where you live and wear them yourself on Halloween. Hollywood has several only-in-Hollywood things that should be seen, so there is no reason for you to get your photo taken with these characters. Besides, they're doing it for a buck - your bucks, and many of them. If you traveled all this way to see this sight, and get your photo taken with these clowns, I would call that Gullible's Travels. Please, save your time and money for something else. Time: tracking down the stars of people you love and admire (the current President's star is close to the Chinese Theater). Money: eating at Musso & Frank. Avoid these characters. read more

Absolutely disgusting and only getting worse -- there's no longer a charm or reason to visit the area, especially if you're not just passing through. It's extremely unsafe and lawless. The sidewalks are unsanitary. In the last 10 years, it's gone from entertaining (but sketchy) to a pretty much "avoid at all costs" zone. If I could give zero stars I would read more

The "Hollywood Boulevard Sidewalk Characters" are people who dress up as characters from pop culture and entertainment (e.g. movie and TV show characters) and hang out on Hollywood Blvd. to pose for photos for and with tourists. Many of the costumes are impressive and some are true to studio quality. However, several costumes are not very good, not to mention a lot of the costumers can be annoying. Examples of characters you will typically see are comic book heroes like Superman and Batman, pirates presumably from Pirates of the Caribbean, and Star Wars characters like Darth Vader and Stormtroopers. Since most of these guys have been hanging out on the sidewalk all day in their heavy getups, many of them tend to smell. Oh yeah, and they also want your money. So if you plan on taking any photographs of or with them, be prepared to tip. I've seen hundreds (thousands?) of better costumes at Dragon*Con (http://www.yelp.com/biz/dragoncon-atlanta) and taking photos of them are free. read more

Hollywood Boulevard Sidewalk Characters - Billy the puppet from the Saw movie franchise. - Parklets Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Today I witnessed 2 females dressed up as Wonder Woman and some character I didn't know charge $400 ($200 for each of them) to take a picture. The person they took the money from was an autistic adult. When I confronted them afterwards, they said it was her choice to give them the money and they walked away. Not sure how they sleep at night conning and bully people out of money for a living. read more

Absolutely disgusting. I used to be a student in MI, which is next to the Scientology local headquarter. Everyday I've seen so many characters and they never changed their outfit. I remember one of the Spider-Man and his arm and sleeves are all turned into black from red. And a Michael Jackson smells like homeless. And often this smell mixed with street food and sweaty tourists and cheap perfume. It was a horrible terrible experience to live in that area. read more

You'll see some girl hanging at the curb in a soiled, poofy wedding dress, trying to pass for Amy Adams' character from "Enchanted." Around her there are various men in worn-out costumes with the muscles sewn in, Captain Jack Sparrows whose drunken swaggers may or may not be real, and any number of masked Muppets, Transformers, and other characters. Some look a lot like the character they are impersonating. Most don't: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hollywood-boulevard-sidewalk-characters-los-angeles?select=pMQi3SVtg7ZZg3K_xyibkQ#Oe_DDi43ea0Hz367GDMnvg You may have seen "Confessions of a Superhero." You may have watched them interviewed on Jimmy Kimmel. You may have bumped into one, asked for a picture with him, and then was hassled for a $5 tip. Every now and then we get a news story about some fight breaking out between Spongebob or Chewbacca or Batman or any one of the characters who hang around outside of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Usually the fights are over that latter item above or so-called "territory." They are in no way associated with the theatre. These are just people who discovered, that like strippers, they could make more money in tips doing this than getting a 9-to-5 job. Many of them are out-of-work actors who can't catch a break. Some of them are just downright insane. I normally don't patronize the sidewalk characters, leaving them to the hordes of tourists. Brandon D. and I did take a picture with one once back in 2006 during the first ever Southern California zombie walk, which went down Hollywood Boulevard. Bran's a huge "Terminator" fan and as we lurched by the theatre, caked in undead make-up that October night, I happened to point out the guy in the Arnold mask with the foil modifications. Amusingly the guy was actually flagging us down wanting a picture of us on his own phone first. He gladly reciprocated (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hollywood-boulevard-sidewalk-characters-los-angeles?select=pMQi3SVtg7ZZg3K_xyibkQ#tVZ-kEhGD_HKPnn6QHUfkA), didn't bother us for money, which we didn't realize was an expected thing for most of them at the time, and we were on our way. That guy was cool. There was a time for a while there when their activity was deemed illegal and the characters were exiled from standing in front of the Chinese Theatre. That period didn't last long, though, and the impersonators returned. As I said, I normally don't do business with these people, and really it's among the most schlocky, touristy things to do in this country. But if you're into the cheese of it all, and you're willing to throw a fiver at a woman dressed like she's basing her costume off a Hong Kong-made bootleg Wonder Woman action figure, yeah, knock yourself out. read more

Hollywood Boulevard Sidewalk Characters - Brandon D. with one of the "impersonators," during the zombie walk. He asked for a pic of us first - Parklets Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Where is the zero star button? I simply can not believe nasty scammers still be trying to put some CDs into your hand for money in year 2019. Bloody Compact Disc??? And that Superman stinks! God dammit read more

Agree with all the negative reviews. We just wanted a photo with one of the characters, when at least 3 more jumped into the photo. Don't take a photo with them unless you're prepared to pay at least $5+ for each character, so basically at least $20. If you're a tourist and will visit Disneyland or Universal Studios, better to take photos with characters there. I paid them a total of $3 but not without heated discussion, them name-calling me and me realizing after that I needed to walk away with my friends and small children around. I just looked up this and saw it's illegal for them to ask for tips, pressure people into tipping (more), as cited in NYC Times Square. If you find yourself in a bad situation with these characters, I suggest using the words "illegal" for demanding tips and calling the "police". read more

I will never come back to Hollywood because of these strange, second-rate "characters" and the pushy extortion scam they force on people. Their costumes are dirty and their business model is to thrust themselves on people to take a photo and then go from friendly to ornery if there is even a chance that person won't hand them five dollars. The entire area needs to be cleaned up first, have the scammers forcing CDs into your hands removed by the police since they are illegal, and when it doesn't smell like urine and the sidewalks aren't cracked, then we can talk about some nice, clean characters in a non pushy way being available for photos with clear signage of the cost and expectations. read more

Wish there was a zero star, it was horrible! There was a character who just happen to slip in while me and my boyfriend wasn't paying attention. At first he was being friendly and we was chatting, then he was like "oh let's take a picture". After that he charged us $20 each. It was my first time there and didn't know what the "rules" or whatever was. In my head I was like that is super expensive for a picture and I was too naive to say or do anything, so I just gave him the money not wanting to cause any trouble and left. After that, I read the reviews that you can tip them however you like and they can't force you. I was so pissed!! I dont even like that character in the first place! Urgh... read more

I had the worst experience EVERRRR~!~~!~! I will never come back to Hollywood because of these freaky deaky characters; I have never felt more harassed and violated, and afraid in my entire life. You can't even pay me a hunnid bucks to go back here. GROSSSSS! So I thought Hollywood would be the dream glam life, how they look in movies. BUT IT'S NOT! Coming from Huntington Beach to LA to visit Hollywood, I was by far disappointed. I parked at a meter about 0.4 miles away from the actual Hollywood Blvd street. As I walked, I noticed that there was a bunch of homeless people lying in corners of buildings, which ached my heart because I have a soft spot for homeless people. I kept walking and as I neared the main street, it REEEKKKED of weed. YUCK! BLEHHHhh. I saw a huge crowd near this Chinese Theatere so I came and this is the FIRST of my mishaps. I was in a group of 3: Me, and my 2 girlfriends. As we were walking, we encountered this African American lady dressed up as this female Avatar character. Seeing her, we pointed out "oooh cool Avatar" and immediately she approached us. She asked us "Oh hey where are you guys from!!??" We lied because we didn't want to communicate with anyone so we said "China" as an excuse that we don't know how to speak English, bye. She goes, "Oh China! Beautiful country I love it. Let's take a pic" and she FORCED us to take a pic with her. I was like in my head, "Oh wwow this lady is so nice she wants to take pictures with chinese people!" SO I took out my phone and immediately, YODA WITH THE MOST BIGGEST BELLY I'VE EVER SEEN comes up and joins the photo. I go, "OH THE MORE THE MERRIER!" so I took the photos for my friends. The Avatar lady made my friends hold her tail while she posed... Ok.... THEN, they said it was my turn. They huddled up against me and told my friends to take a pic with me and the 2 characters. I did the same thing.. held her tail... AND THEN--- I NOTICED IT. Yoda, who was right next to me, in his glove, was holding a wad of CASH of $20, $50, $10.. and I was like... "OH SHIIIIIIiiiiiiiiiiii......." What did I get myself into? At the end of our photo sesh, Yoda CORNERED ME. He held out his hand and kept hollering "TIP TIP TIP TIP TIP?!!??" I was like UHM EXCUSE ME WHATTT??? OKAY, FIRST OF ALL SIR, I DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE A PIC WITH YOU AS YOUR FAT BELLY AAAANNNYWAYYYYYY. SECOND OF ALL, WHOOOO???? I DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE A PIC WITH THE AVATAR LADY AAAANNNYWAYYY either. EXCUSE YOU but NO. I haven't even watched Avatar since like 2000 & never and I don't even like Star Wars (sorry Star Wars fans, but it isn't for me). I didn't want to create a scene so I took out $1 to give each of them out of my wallet and handed it to the creepy Yoda man. ---- *Lets take a moment to pause*--- THIS. BXTCH. HAD. THE. AUDACITYYYYYYYYY. TO SAY. "That's it?? Other people give me like $10 each" --NO!!!! NO!!! JUST---- NO!!!!! WHOOO??? WHERE ARE YOU FROM??? NOOOOOO!!!! and you know what I said to them? "Oh I'm so sorry I'm a very broke college student, I have to pay for food... Barely getting by I am starving" and i DIPPED. I SKRT SKRT OUT THERE SOOO QUICK I was Barry Allen, The Flash in real life. The second stop, WAS THE SECOND TORMENT OF MY DAY. I went to the Chinese Theater admiring the architecture like OOOoh Ahhhhh. AND----- SOME RANDOM AFRICAN AMERICAN LADY---- *Tries to gather in energy* SHE ASKED ME TO DANCE WITH HER. Uhmm--- I said, "I'm sorry I can't dance" and she kept insisting. She told me to do a freestyle. She said it'll be quick. I said I had somewhere to go. She said "awww, pleease" OH MY GOSH THESE PEOPLE LEAVE ME ALOOOONEEEE... And then I noticed that her partner next to her had a camera in her hand. I was not down to be recorded and have my face somewhere in the internet or in the hands of other people excuse me. I kept saying no and she kept insisting like god ddamnnn leave me alone omg. SOOO SCARYYYY.. I never felt more violate in my life. And then I kept walking down and I noticed this other African American man was giving out free CD's of his new record, claiming he was famous like Kanye or something like UHM noo, WHOOO???? WHO ARE YOU??? WHERE ARE YOU FROM???? Excuse him... Probably he was going to ask for donations or money too because apparently nothing in HOLLYWOOD/LIFE in general is free... I kept on walking, wanting to go back to the safety of my car. As I was making a dip out of Hollywood, ready to get out of Crazy Central, I was trying to cross the streets but I wasn't sure if I should cross because the cars were wishy washy about driving. SO i just stood and was a nice pedestrian to let the cars drive off first. ---Let's take a final and deep breath for my THIRD terror in Hollywood--- OMGGGGGGGGGGGG THIS AFRICAN MAN WHO WAS OBVIOUSLY HIGH OFF WEED KEPT YELLING AT USSSSS!!! DAMNNNN He was like "OH MY GOD ARE YOU GOING TO CROSS OR NOT! JUST PICK ONE DAMMIT! JUST CROSS THE F-ING STREET!" ... why is he yelling at us omg.... I dipped out so fast. read more

Hollywood Boulevard Sidewalk Characters - Beware of Avatar and Scary Yoda with huge belly. In his glove was a wad of $$$$$$ hunnids. Avatar made me hold her tail... - Parklets Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I remember as a kid seeing these certain characters, believing they were real. Some just scared the crap out of me. As I grew older, I then began realizing that most of these guys in suits were lame and only looking to make a quick buck! If you come to Hollywood, chances are at some point, you will run into one of these famed characters. When you inch closer to Groman's Chinese Theater, you'll see way more of them. You will see just about everyone from Spiderman to Batman, Superman, Marilyn Monroe, Rambo, Charlie Chaplin, and much more. Some do ask for cash to take pictures with them. Others don't. This is a good experience for the families and their little ones. It is quite the opportunity to be able to take pictures with them, as well as interact with them. Kids believe they are the real deal. So just, for now, don't spoil it for them by saying otherwise. Some of these guys or gals in costumes just want to be able to entertain the tourists. I guess it is fun for some. For myself personally, I just move on....since the day somebody told me that they are just regular joes in costumes, my dreams and illusions were completely shattered! read more

The Spiderman in front of the Chinese Theater tonight absolutely DISGUSTED me. As a Muslim woman, I wear traditional Muslim clothing, a long black dress that covers my arms, and a scarf around my head. Although I'm Muslim, I'm American. I was born in Ohio by Czech parents and love both being Muslim and being American. In case you didn't know, it's 2014 and that's legal. The spiderman when I walked by said "Ugh I thought she was a character in that get-up... CREEPY!" He thought I wouldn't understand him maybe assuming I didn't speak English. So I quickly turned around to say, "EXCUSE ME?" He repeated it, adding that "you look ridiculous." Now, pardon me, but you are a street performer that rips people off for a dollar to take a picture with them in a Halloween costume. You are disgusted by me? By the fact that I choose to cover my body for religious reasons? That's creepy? Because I don't show my butt cheeks to people on the street I'm ridiculous? I cannot wait to contact the company he represents tomorrow. People that are this disrespectful for absolutely NO reason do NOT deserve to work with the public. I am not stupid, I admit I look different, but I do not deserve rude comments for absolutely no reason after being nothing but gracious. I will be waiting for an apology. read more

These people are seriously freaky!! I first visited LA and the walk of fame about 10 years ago and do not remember quite the infestation of out-of-work actors as I recently experienced on my most recent visit. In fact, I would advise tourists to arrive as early in the morning as possible just to avoid these freaks! My gf and I managed to avoid most of them by visiting the walk of fame/theatre around 9 am on a Sunday. Even if you ignore them, avoid eye contact and walk away from them - they will chase you down "in character" and beg you for money to pay them to have your picture taken with them! I had one guy dressed as some knock-off horror character with a plastic knife actually follow me and tell me he was going to cut me. Wtf?!? The funny thing is people might actually consider paying for pictures if the costumes didn't look so raggedy and like they were made in China. read more

The characters have been baking in the sun the whole day. By the end of the day, they smell like they've been baking the whole day. Know that they will ask for a tip if you take pictures with them. Some are nice some are have advance degrees in being assholes. They are there to make money, and they will be aggressive in getting those paper. You NEED to be aggressive too. You NEED to be direct. There is plenty of police presence if you ever need to loose a character who is demanding a tip because he photobombed your picture. Or one of the gave you a "free" CD and asked for a donation. Yes, this place is a tourist trap. There, I said it. read more

Most of the characters are annoying, dirty, and aggressive. An interesting freak show to watch, but from a safe distance. BUT, we ran into a great Charlie Chaplin at the mall entrance. He sat awaiting people to come join him, was in perfect costume and make-up, so sweet with our kid, stayed in silent film character. He was great!!! 5 stars for Charlie, 1 star for the rest. read more

A joke. This is the main reason why I never want to be near Hollywood Boulevard again because of these people. They are extremely aggressive of "wanting" to take photos with you so they can demand money from you. You could be taking a photo of just Captain America then suddenly Spiderman, Batman, and other characters comes walking into the photo. Soon, you'll find yourself paying $2.00 to each character in which that photo cost $16. If you don't pay, they're are willing to start a fight with you. And aside from characters, there are usually rappers that will attempt to persuade you to buy their expensive CDs. I even offered $20 just so he can shut it and leave me alone, but told me he wanted $50 because he has his signature on the disk. I HIGHLY DO NOT recommend anyone ever visiting this place. It's a high tourist attraction, but an extremely annoying one and won't give you any good experience. City officials needs to ban these charac... *cough* harassers in Hollywood Boulevard. read more

Absolutely disgusting. Characters try and act like they want to be in your picture then demands money. I took a picture of my daughter with raggedy tinker bell and ratchet cat woman decided to get in on it. I gave them two bucks and they said "um people usually tip us in fives" Maybe if they didn't reek like BO and weren't tore up. Captain America called us assholes for not tipping him after he made us take a picture with him after attempting to get away from him several times. Olaf was pleasant and actually white and clean. Something needs to be done about the nasty characters. So gross read more

Terrible scammers These guys just came to us from nowhere and says "hey guys lets take picture" i thought they are staff of some of the shops or service peoplr of hollywood. With low quality of costume. After they took picture they ask us to pay for the shot. What a weird!! I said" for what?? " they said i need to pay for the service. They are very aggressive and scared so i took $10 note but two guys said "No twenty dollars " i was scared so i just gave them $20 but its not over they said each of us have to pay $20. Me and my partner . We were bit scared cos we are travellers. And we thoughts this is what hollywood like !!! So whe finally paid them $40 but they ask for more. So we just ran a way. There were lot of security standing on the road. But no one stop them to stealing money from tourists. This is so shocking for us. We just right back to our hotel and never ever go to hollywood. read more

I just can review my one and only experience (well, last time, in 1988 ... I do not really remember them ...): I wasn't interested at all, but "Captain America" addressed me the second time and I was starting making jokes on him being that small. As it was starting to rain I invited him underneath my umbrella. We had a very nice private talk and walked down Hollywood Blvd (he gave up due to rain). He let himself photographed with children even without taking money at all (it was in the center and he said it is not even allowed for him being). As I asked him to join me for dinner he said he has to change because of security (remember: Captain America is half masked). Funny thing that he returned and we spend a extraordinary pleasant evening together ... ;o) But that might be an exception ... I just say "Forever Eighty" read more

I really hated how they demanded tips just for standing there and posing. And if you don't pay tips, they literally will chase you. I also had this chinese man, who stuffed a CD into my hands and literally said I STOLE his CD and that I have to pay for that, and when my dad gave the cd back to him, he got really mad and started yelling at us! We went on the week of July 8th 2016. There was this one guy, a spider man who was actually pretty chill, when we said we didn't want to take a picture with him. He was just like "No? It's fine! Have a good day!" read more

Many of the Characters are in fact REAL Actors, in between more lucrative acting jobs. You will never know if you never know to ask. Many, but not all of them. They have also paid a price to be there. In the past, local governmental officials apparently took money to Order the Police to harrass and arrest them. (We can only speculate as to this action may have benefited). However, the Character actors took the matter into Federal Court, and the Federal Court has issued an Injunction to stop all Police abuse against the Character actors. Some of them, believing that they might eacape the harrassment, suggested that they be granted a License to be there, but this too would have been an anti-Constitutional result. Some have been attacked by street gangs seeking exclusive use of the given areas. Some of the Characters had their arms broken, in violent attacks. So when they get their photo taken with you, pleasae keep in mind that they truly do need the tip money offered and are truly grateful. It helps them pay their rent and food they need just to live. This kind of activity has a long History. Even before the advent of digital cameras, Benjamin Frankln also engaged the Public in a Charater Costume. Be careful when strangers 'give you" either a CD or a DVD. They will THEN DEMAND you pay for it. This kind of stuff is what the street gangs do to raise money for themselves and their orgs, in addition to selling drugs. The real abuse or agressivness does not come from the Characters there but the other guys, with the CD's and DVD's. read more

i'm sitting at a red light on the corner of orange drive, just south of madame tussauds, and waiting to make the left turn onto hollywood boulevard while watching a seemingly endless deluge of tourists fill the crosswalk to capacity. finally, the light changes, the road clears, and i'm about to take off when spiderman steps down into the crosswalk, right in front of my truck, and starts nonchalantly strolling across the street against the red light! understandably, i'm annoyed. i just had to wait what felt like ten minutes for hordes of people to use the crosswalk and now that i have the green light, i have to wait for goddamn spiderman to finish breaking the law, too. well i just couldn't keep myself from honking. now, it wasn't some kind of enraged honking session, i only honked my horn once, and it was quite a brisk honk. but lo and behold, spiderman is pissed at me for daring to honk at him (even though he's the one crossing the street against a red light) and stops right in front of my truck, looks straight at me (at least, i'm assuming he was because his masked head was pointed in my direction) and flips me off. so on a saturday afternoon, in front of crowds of tourists with tons of kids, spiderman decides to give me the finger while he's busy breaking the law and that's pretty much what i've come to expect from those hollywood boulevard sidewalk characters. read more

If you're a tourist, then I guess this is worth checking out. But beware of the following: horrible parking, huge crowds, sleazy people trying to push their pamphlets in your face (like in Vegas), strung-out junkies begging for money. And I think some of the characters were drunk. There's something depressing (yet strangely charming) about seeing a tired, drunk Vader take his helmet off and relax on the curb. The Michael Jackson impersonators were eerie. Actually, many of the characters were a little eerie to me. But I'm glad I went. read more

There might have been (MIGHT have been) a point where these "characters" were fun/funny/cool/interesting. But over the years, they have manifested into a bunch of crazy/slutty/pushy/weird freaky people. I understand that people have got to make a living one way or another, and it's better than being on welfare, but I HATE what it's become. I remember when I was a kid, I wasn't freaked out by this (in the 90's), but I am more than freaked out about it now. In fact, it's the reason I visit this area as LITTLE as possible. Is every one of these characters a psychopath? No. But there is more than a fair share of unsavory people. It's honestly not worth it. It reminds me of the harassment you receive in Vegas on the Strip after dark - except this isn't after dark! I just wish they could a) be less crazy, b) be less pushy) c) be less creepy and d) just sort of stand there waiting for people to come to them rather than push themselves on people in the way they do. Until then, I'm just not into this! :/ read more

Ok 4 tourists 2 see the stars and have a little view of the famous theaters and some museums. Costs a lot of money in tips and fees to have a pic with famous people. Funny 4 kids but not really interesting. VERY expensive place. read more

Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, and Amy Winehouse all on the same day. I knew they weren't really dead! #IlluminatiConfirmed

When I came on vacation to CA in July of 2010, I was able to walk the hall of fame. I did not see one character walking the streets. These so called characters give the real characters a bad name. This is totally ridiculous, how can the city let this go on? Something needs to be done about this. The only reason they get 3 stars is for the 2010 visit. read more

Well, I wore a tank top without sunscreen. Got sunburned. Took WAY too many pictures of the stars on the sidewalk (of each actor I knew) and didn't see anyone dressed up as I remember... We had a tour on a bus that I don't remember and that's honestly about it! read more

Today Sept 19th my daughter and I went to Hollywood Blvd to just take in the sites toward the end of the day my daughter just wanted a picture of Darth Vader. Not to stand with him but to just take his picture. We are on a tight budget both being college students but she did have a dollar in her pocket and she willingly handed it over. Darth Vader walked away and these other guys who were his buddies said take a picture of us. She did but she still wanted a picture of him. He purposely kept turning his Back and making sure she couldn't get a picture. What a jerk. I know he is supposed to be the bad guy in movies but he was being a complete ass because of money and not to be in character... read more

Hi: I am a Hollywood Character! I am Hollywood Darth Vader as seen on Jimmy Kimmel Live's (Darth Vader's favorite Christmas Memory). It is great for people to have an opinion and to provide an opinion to others. Unfortunately as always I read here that people are more interested in making some sort of statement rather then be completely truthful about their experience's. I have worked the Hollywood walk Of Fame since 2005. It is rare that you will find a character drunk on the Walk Of Fame. It is Far to hard to work in a costume period let alone to be working in the hot California sun drunk dehydrated and over heated at the same time. Which brings up the the whole issue of what it is like to experience working as a character in any type of costume period let alone in the hot California sun. The temperature in most costumes is easily up and over 100degrees on an average day. Between the heat the weight and physical restrictions of a costume it is a very very difficult job! Yet 99% of the time The Hollywood characters as a whole go out of their way to be happy full of energy and in the end caring towards tourists. The Hollywood Business Improvement District loves to state that 200,000 tourist pass through the H.W.O.F. every week! If 1% of the tourist were unhappy with their experience that would mean 2,000 people a week would file complaints. In truth it is far far less than that. Unfortunately the H.B.I.D made up of the businesses in Highlands Mall and The Hollywood Chamber Of Commerce publicly feel the money tipped to the characters is and should be their money as they have stated openly at their public monthly meetings. Therefore for the last 7 years they have led a negative publicity campaign to tarnish the characters and their performance as impersonators or reinacters. In truth we are people who are actors, Students, Artists and Single Parents. Yes there are the occasional problems and troublemakers but the majority of characters try as hard as they possibly can to present the truest reenactment or impersonation of the character they are exemplifying. A task that more often than not is very very difficult under any situation let alone in 80 to 104 degree daily temperatures. Right now the tour guides the hotels and Star Line tours instruct the tourist to either not take photo's or if you do take photo's to not tip the characters and to simply walk away after you have finished having the characters pose with you for your family photo's. This is very sad and greedy on the part of these businesses that basically want the money for themselves. If only they would positively promote the characters for what they are " A really fun and entertaining adventure to partake in as a part of Iconic Hollywood". They and we all would benefit greatly!! Unfortunately this is not the case and for this the characters suffer. It is terribly unfair for a character to maybe take 100 photo's a day and maybe get tipped for 35 to 40 of those photo's when each and every one of those people were entertained and received exactly what they came there for a moment with there favorite actor, creature or super hero. So when you're in Hollywood on the Walk of Fame show your kindness and consideration to and for these people who have committed a good part of their day to make everyone happy. Hollywood Darth Vader Feeling Good In Hollywood read more

They are extremely pushy! A character walked up to me and asked if I wanted a picture, and so I said yes. By the end, they asked me for an outrageous tip of $20! I gave them $14, but was still unhappy because I thought the picture was a free service. I did not even know the characters! Also, there were two characters and while I was posing with one character, the other character took a picture. I viewed the pictures after they left and I was cut out of the photo! read more

A free funny comedy about the Hollywood Characters can be seen at http://standupcomedy.me . A feature film written and directed by a Hollywood Character. read more

The place is okay to visit. Just be prepared to be hustled at every other block. The place is crowded too. No nice clean pictures here, expect lots of crowds. Make sure you do go to Pink's hot-dogs however. read more

My Wife and I went to Carl Strauss Brewing Co. In downtown San Diego for the second and last time last night......If it wasn't for the gift certificates that we're given to us from the our first dreadful experience ,we would have never returned for a second dose of pure torture.So we said lets take advantage and give them another shot. The place was busy because of Comicon.We sat down and were approached by a middle aged female server who lacked personality but not unpleasant.We ordered some beverages while studying the menu.As our drinks arrived we ordered a salad and an appetizer,we started with the wedge salad for $12 and the calamari for $12.The server brought the salad which was a quarter head of romaine with some sort of hot vegetable concoction of zucchini,egg plant,onions and something else....the heat from the veggies wilted the lettuce and presentation was aweful,so we sent it back and ordered another one without the veggies and a side of blue cheese dressing.As we waited for the new salad, the calamari came and that was pithetic looking aswell....8 finger like pieces in a small dish and whatever sauce that came with it was so spicy it took away from the calamari, the pieces were half finger length,maybe 2 inches at the most and again a $12 appetizer that lacked presentation and no perceived value.As I bit Into the calamari it was like biting into an old gummie bear,so chewie I couldn't break it down as I chewed,horrible.I forgot to mention that I have been in the restaurant buisness for 42 years and owned and operated a chain of family style restaurants with 21 locations,I have since sold the buisness and semi retired.Getting back to the debacle at Carl Strauss.....Our second attempt at a salad was worse than the first,this time a quarter wedge of ice burg lettuce arrived,I ordered blue cheese dressing to go with it and whoever the Chef was,in fact I shouldn't even dignify him with that title,maybe a poor example of a cook,should be ashamed and embarrassed by what is being served up to this point and I'm not finished.Let me tell you the blue cheese dressing's texture was like watered down milk of magnesia and tasted like a watered down yogurt concoction that had no blue cheese flavor or blue cheese chunks AT ALL!!...The poor server knew I was irritated by now and was afraid to ask how everthing was,when did I told her the dressing was unetible and asked her for some other options.After offering other types of dressings,I settled for a citrus vinigrett,figuring it would be safe.When tasted it,it was like a deluded orange juice with no seasoning or spices,no vinegar no nothing,i had to laugh at this point,so I didn't even to touch it.But still got charged for it!! For the main course my Wife ordered the pork chops.for $22 like the first time that were dry then,so I instructed the server to tell the BODY (he's not a cook and definitely not a chef,so BODY would be appropriate )on the line to make sure not to overcook them because of the previous time and I ordered the Blackened Salmon.When the main courses arrived,I took a bite and my Salmon was borderline cold and the string beans were raw,I also ordered a side of mashed potatoes which were lukewarm.I was so disappointed,actually not disappointed but starting to get mad because of the the arrogance and price point of this place....Being in the buisness for so many years and charging 80% less for my food(family style pricing) that was far superior to this CRAP,literally was livid pissed.My wife took one bite of the pork chops and she looked at me with that look and I asked DRY? And she nodded her head with confirmation,the teriyaki glaze that came with it came straight out of the kikkomans plastic jug.I ate half of my fish and my wife brought half of hers home for the dog.When I received the bill,I was astonished that she charged me for that poor excuse for a salad,I should have said something about the calamari but didnt.....then as I was scrolling down,I noticed a $3 service charge,so I asked her what it was and she said it's because of the minimum wage increase....in stead of raising prices.I about had a stroke.I didn't even want to dispute this rediculous addition to an already sticker shock bill of $94.And to top the night,i went into the mens room and that sealed the deal......the stench of urine permiated my nostrils and the filth was everywhere,from the counter tops,to the wet floors with paper towels all over,trash bins overflowing,the urinal fixtures were lime green from leaky hard water deposits,the toilet was plugged with feces and toilet paper,i had to use my elbows to push down the water fixture to wash my hands.I didnt want to touch anything.I came back to the table and tld my wife lets run out of here before we vet sick.....this establishment should be publicly exposed. read more

As I walked by I snapped a picture of one the characters. A person dressed as Minnie runs by me and puts her hand up. I understand they want money but when you are in a public area just standing around and someone snaps a picture of you, they really don't owe you anything. read more

So disappointed. I've wanted to visit Hollywood most of my life. I was looking forward to it the most that I felt like a kid on Christmas Day. Parking was a nightmare. I ended up using a parking garage for $20. Took a half hour to get into going underground ugh. The garage was near the Chinese theatre. Walking out this tiny guy in a Spider-Man with broken English grabs my arm n tells my friend to take a pic. After he wants to take one with her then puts his hand out for money. I said sorry I don't have cash then demands it from my friend who didn't have cash. Then tells us to F off! Wow! Looking at the stars on the ground was cool but I didn't really get why Kermit and others like him had stars?! Kinda lame! As I was walking I was aggressively asked to buy rap cds or listen to them which annoyed me more. The nail in the coffin were pushy guys trying to sell tours of star homes. I declined & they told me I'm probably from some boring ass place! I couldn't wait to leave. read more

I am biased because I am one of the performers. I advise anyone who feels threatened, or pressured to give money to immediately find a police officer and complain to him. Not calling the cops or finding cops makes the experience worse for all if the bad guys aren't called on their actions. read more