Disney and MGM have gone their separate ways now, but the partnership did yield some great synergy (The Great Movie Ride) and some great merchandise.

It may not look like much, but a closer inspection should give us some reasons to love and appreciate this wonderful decorative plate:

First: I love the gold lettering

Second: The Hollywood Strobes are a nice touch

Third: Grauman’s Chinese Theatre makes a very impressive appearance

Fourth: A long line of limousines are dropping off the elite of Hollywood

I’d like to muse a bit on this point if I may. I wonder if this feature of the image was a nod to another attraction that didn’t do so well: Superstar Limo was situated in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area at Disney’s California Advernture and was one of the original attractions featured on the park’s opening day on February 8, 2001. The ride included figures of celebrities which were stylized and caricatured. And, apparently, it sucked!

Fifth: The Sorcerer Mickey Hat isn’t blocking the view

And it has palm trees, I guess?

Can you see why the limos couldn’t be a nod to the failed Superstar Limo ride? Yes, you guessed it, this plate was minted in 1987. Four years before Disney’s California Adventure even opened! Oh well, it was a thought.

If you like plates, check out the one I have from Tokyo Disneyland and A Disney Original (hint: It’s Walt Disney!)