There's something sweet on Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, California.

It's just down the street a little from the world famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre, where some of the greatest stars in Hollywood's history have been immortalized by placing their hand and footprints in cement.

It's directly across from the Kodak theatre where many dreams come true, whether it's the Academy Awards or the American Idol finale.

It's right next door to the historical, Disney-owned El Capitan theatre.

It's Disney's Soda Fountain & Studio Store which opened on June 22, 2005!

Any trip to the El Capitan should not be complete without a trip here. You can grab a bite to eat before the movie, or enter directly from the theatre for an after-movie snack.

Lylle Breier, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Special Events, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, says, "Hollywood Boulevard has a rich tradition for amazing ice cream dating back to 1929 when C. C. Browns was the place to go. Walt Disney Studio Chairman Dick Cook’s childhood memories of Dewar’s Candy Shop in Bakersfield led us to the perfect source for the very best ice cream, and Los Angeles ice cream lovers have embraced this special treat.”

Dewar’s Ice Cream and Candy Shop of Bakersfield, California, an award-winning fourth generation family business dating back to 1909, supplies fresh ice cream each week, and transports it in refrigerated trucks. This homemade ice cream is created in small batches of ten gallons each with no preservatives and all natural ingredients. The top-secret recipes remain virtually unchanged from the ones that James Harvey Dewar created nearly 100 years ago.

Dewar’s also provides their homemade taffy chews (five delicious flavors including the popular peanut butter chew), and secret family recipe for hot fudge and marshmallow toppings.

Another throwback to the past, Coca-Cola products are featured at the Soda Fountain, where specialty beverages are freshly mixed for real fountain flavor and served by an authentic soda jerk.

Here's Arnie, pondering which tasty temptation to order. But, it's not just ice cream and sweets that you'll find here. I had a sensational hot pastrami sandwich, which I chose from a wide selection of foods including French dip sandwich, grilled cheese, hot dog, and even Mickey Mouse Belgian waffles.

The studio store is merely a few steps from your table, and Ed Collins, Executive Director, Operations of Buena Vista Theatres, Inc., took me around to show me some of the details that help make this store unique.

On this day, Ratatouille was showing at the El Capitan, so the Studio Store was decked out for the occasion.

To give you an idea of the intricate details that make this store unique, they searched to find the perfect blue and white checked tablecloth which would match the packaging on the Ratatouille merchandise, but any tablecloth wouldn't do. With the knowledge that there will be kids and ice cream, they searched and found one with a special coating.

On a visit to the France pavilion in Epcot, Ed was inspired to purchase wooden spoons to sell, which he thought were the iconic piece of Ratatouille merchandise, and he was certain to make sure these spoons came directly from France.

Much of the merchandise is exclusive to Disney's Soda Fountain & Studio Store and for Ratatouille, there was no shortage of exclusive merchandise including these four limited edition collectible pins which were available if you purchased a special sundae during the Ratatouille engagement.

Whether you live nearby or on vacation at Disneyland, it's worth the trip to step back to a simpler time. A world of fantastic theatres with a grand Wurlitzer organ and live stage shows, a friendly and unique shopping experience, and ice cream parlors with the best ice cream in town.