Hollywood Funko Pop Store

I wrote on the other blog about accidentally ending up at a party when we visited the Hollywood Funko Pop.

That was great, but I didn't post any pictures. That's a shame when there is so much cuteness.

In some ways, the party made appreciating it harder.

Because of where the hot dogs were, some things were kind of less accessible. 

I got in anyway, and later saw that it was more blocked off.

That was probably my fault. Worth it!

One big difference between the Hollywood and Everett locations is that there were no outside statues; all the fun is inside.

The Walk of Fame star in front of the shop was for Sid & Marty Kroft, and that seemed like a good fit. 

I don't collect the figures, but many of them are interesting to look at, especially when arranged in large tableaux.

Oh, and there's clothes and backpacks and things too.

Regardless of what you are interested in, there should be something that appeals to you.

The MTV Spaceman brought back some memories.

Not long after our visit, we learned that the company is facing bankruptcy. That seemed odd so shortly after a celebration of their billionth figure sold.

With tariffs and things, it's an uncertain world.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/major-toy-company-funko-warns-183003757.html 

It was still fun to look at.

COVID: There may have been more people there because of the party, but I have heard it is not uncommon for there to be a lineup before they open. Wearing a mask inside is just common sense.

Accessibility: This is well-designed for mobility with good bathrooms and ramps. 

There were some steps that could be gone around, but I appreciated how they were marked.

Some of the photo options may not work well, like sitting across from Greedo or in the Landspeeder.

 There is still plenty to see.

At least for now. 

https://funko.com/

Related posts:

https://sporkful.blogspot.com/2025/10/serendipity.html 

https://sporktogo.blogspot.com/2022/09/everett-washington-funko-hq.html 

Los Angeles: Griffith Observatory

We made a short trip to Los Angeles in September, but due to various other posts and trying to be seasonal, so far I have only writing about Universal's Halloween Horror Nights. Now it is time to cover the rest of the trip.

One of those stops was the Griffith Observatory. I am afraid it was kind of disappointing.

They have a lot of cool things, but the layout is not user-friendly.

We did want to see one of the shows, so we bought tickets.

The directions given for getting inside the theater just kept getting more confusing.

There are doors to the theater inside, and a lot of people lining up there, but you are supposed to go outside and then they will bring you in.

We did not see a line outside, or a sign. We went back inside and asked, and they said it was on the side, as i f it would be very obvious. It was not. 

I can't believe we are the only ones who found it confusing, especially since so many people were lined up inside.

Maybe people not following the directions is how they get by, but that does not seem ideal.

Plus, they really do have live narrators, and ours really was pretentious. 

I know it doesn't have to be this way. I had just finished reading Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel.

There was a statue of him outside. I immediately knew it was him and was glad to see him. Connections can be made.

They do seem to function well as a community space, with stargazing events and things. For frequent visitors who know the layout, it probably works well.

It should be possible to do a little better for the tourist trade.

As it was, my favorite part was not particularly scientific, but a timeline of the cosmos decorated with jewelry and trinkets. 

Shiny!

I should also note that events really clog up the parking. We took a rideshare there because we did not have a car anyway, but that was really the better choice.

COVID: It gets pretty crowded so I do recommend masking. There is a fair amount to see outside as well, with views and hiking trails, but that's not really being at the observatory so much as near it as part of the larger park.

Accessibility: As an older building there are lots of steps. There are also ramps and elevators, but given how difficult navigation is, it can be a little daunting.

 It was a little disappointing. If only we had gone with James Dean. 

https://griffithobservatory.org/