Muggles See Harry Potter Cast Get Hand/Feet/Wand Prints at Mann's Chinese Theater

It was an ordinary family vacation serendipitously turned extraordinary by a once in a lifetime opportunity. While in Hollywood, we, like most tourists, made a point to visit the historic Grauman's Chinese Theater (renamed Mann's Chinese Theater when Ted Mann, owner of the Mann's theater chain, purchased it in 1973). Since the first footprint ceremony in 1921 (Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks), the exclusive "Forecourt to the Stars" has included only Hollywood's elite - including Mickey Mouse, Clark Gable, John Wayne, the original Star Trek cast, John Travolta, Johnny Depp, and now - Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) - who are (unless you've lived under a rock the past few years), the main stars of the Harry Potter films. The Harry Potter cast hand/foot/and wand print ceremony coincided with the release of the fifth Harry Potter movie - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Here is how we got to meet Daniel, Rupert, and Emma.

The Chinese Theatre is located at the northeast corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive, just west of Highland Avenue. As we strolled past on Thursday, July 5th, we noticed a huge banner announcing the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix premiere to be held on Sunday, July 8th, and the Harry Potter cast hand/foot/wand print ceremony the following morning. Our kids were over-the-top excited about the prospect of seeing Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. Not wanting to disappoint them (they are 11, 13, and 14-years old) I inquired of a staff member at Mann's who advised us to skip the premiere and come to the hand/foot/want print ceremony instead. He assured us we'd have a better chance to see the stars and get autographs then than at the premiere.

On the day of the ceremony (Monday, July 9, 2007), we left our hotel at 6 AM for the ceremony that was scheduled for 10 AM, but started at 11:30 AM. Parking can be a problem as can traffic on the Hollywood (the 101) freeway, but at this early hour, there was no problem with traffic or parking. We found one of the paid lots south of the Hollywood and Orange intersection and were happily eating breakfast at McDonald's on Hollywood Blvd. by 7:15 am. We found a spot in front on Mann's at 7:30 at started our wait. Behind us a line had already formed for seats in the bleachers directly across the street from Mann's. Since we wanted autographs and preferred to stand, we didn't get in that line. Bad idea. As the staff were preparing for the ceremony, we noticed barriers being erected in front of us. At this point, I asked a staff member if we would be able to move up and was told if I want to move up, I need to get in line - a line that was now over a block long. Then I met probably the world's biggest Harry Potter fan - a young man in his late teens who had been camped out since 4:30 the previous afternoon and had the number one spot in line. He assured me that even if we went to the end of the line, we would have a better spot than where we were. So off to the back of the line we went.

We were only at the end of the line for a short while, then others who had been standing where we were began joining the line as they, too, realized that those in line had first priority and would be moved forward of those standing on the sidewalk across from Mann's. There was a lot of cell phone use with friends getting in touch with others there and trying to find a way to get closest to the action. The consensus was - get in line for the best viewing.

Finally it was our turn and our hands were stamped and we were allowed through. We had a spot right in front! Surely we'd get to meet the stars. Then I noticed staff walking around with tickets and some lucky folks getting to cross the street and stand right next to the VIP section at Mann's. What did I do? I begged and secured five passes and we were five of the lucky few who stood not thirty feet from where Daniel, Rupert, and Emma put their hands/feet/ and wands into cement. We did not have to camp out all night - we just listened to the advice of the staff, got lucky, and of course, made use of my excellent begging skills!

The Harry Potter cast hand/foot/wand print ceremony lasted about 20 minutes. The stars, first Emma Watson, then Rupert Grint, and finally Daniel Radcliffe, gave brief speeches of thanks at the beginning. Then there was lots of posing for the press corps during the various stages of the actual ceremony. Then the stars went back inside, only to return in about five minutes to sign autographs. First out was Emma Watson who is an incredibly beautiful young woman in person. Unfortunately, she walked right past us to start signing autographs across the street, but she did return and our kids got her autograph. Next out, was Rupert Grint who seems a genuinely nice down-to-earth fellow. Then, Daniel Radcliffe came out and my daughter got his autograph right away and even got to speak to him. I thought she would need medication afterwards she was so excited. Daniel did not stay out long. Emma and Rupert signed many more autographs by far than Daniel did. It seemed his handlers were intent on getting him back inside and out of the heat. I was quite impressed by the number of autographs Emma and Rupert signed and the time they took with their fans.

The Harry Potter hand/foot/wand print ceremony was loud, crowded, hot, thrilling, and a perfect ending to our now extraordinary California vacation and one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our children, and frankly for us. We have autographs from Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, loads of pictures, and memories to cherish, along with bragging rights our kids have already used.

So, if you are ever lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, the key really is asking for pointers from the staff and being on the lookout for those passing out those next to the VIP section passes. And of course, begging doesn't hurt any.