Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened in 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios, at a moment when Who Framed Roger Rabbit was still riding high from its massive box office success the year before. The film was so popular that Disney planned an entire land devoted to Roger Rabbit for the park. While that land was never built, decades later, you can still find subtle homages to Roger Rabbit scattered throughout the park, tying it all back to its early, studio-centric roots.
One of the most well-known remnants sits right at the park’s former icon. Outside the Chinese Theatre, you can still spot Roger Rabbit’s handprints and footprints in the forecourt, part of the collection honoring Disney Legends and notable figures tied to Hollywood history.
Added during the park’s early years, Roger’s inclusion made sense at the time. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Who Framed Roger Rabbit was one of Disney’s biggest successes, blending live action and animation in a way that felt tailor-made for a park celebrating the magic of movie-making.
Not far away, more subtle nods remain near Echo Lake and Hollywood Boulevard. A billboard referencing Roger Rabbit’s Maroon Studios can still be found in the area. You can spot this one above Peevy’s Frozen Coca-Cola beverage stand.
And just above Hollywood & Vine, you’ll find a window with Roger’s silhouette carved out, as if he crashed through the glass. You can also see Eddie Valiant has his own dedicated office window here:
These details can be easy to walk past, but together they’re reminders of a time when Roger was positioned as a major star of what was then Disney-MGM Studios:
In fact, Roger Rabbit was originally planned to have a full land at the park, known as Roger Rabbit’s Hollywood or Maroon Studios. Early development called for several attractions, with one similar in spirit to what eventually opened as Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin at Disneyland in 1994. Here’s a look back to some original concept art for Toontown Transit, a simulator ride featuring a full wraparound screen:
Those plans ultimately changed as the park’s direction evolved, budgets tightened, and new franchises took priority. Instead, Roger Rabbit found a permanent home at Disneyland, while his Florida presence slowly faded. Over time, merchandise disappeared, meet-and-greets ended, and only a handful of physical tributes were left behind.
While he may not have a ride or a marquee spot in the park anymore, Roger Rabbit’s lingering footprints, and small appearances ensure he hasn’t completely vanished. For those who remember his heyday, spotting these details is a reminder that Hollywood Studios once had room for a little more toon mayhem… and that some of the park’s most interesting stories are still written into the scenery.
— Mouse, Eisner, and Rabbit
