I recently posted the leaflet for Ripley’s Wax Zone and in the write-up I mentioned that I thought the first attraction in the area to offer wax hands was Movieland Wax Museum of Stars. Recently one of my sisters wanted to get a hand done, so I went with her and took some pictures of the process. Below are just thumbnails of the pictures. You can see larger images in the Wax Hand Emporium gallery of the Niagara Falls Image Gallery.
The first thing they do is put your hand in ice water. I’m not sure exactly what this does other than “shrinks” your hand slightly. Maybe this gives it better shape? Or maybe it stops the wax from sticking to your hand? I don’t know.
Before you put your hand in the wax, they put on a lot of lotion. This is obviously so they can easily get the wax hand off your hand once it has hardened.
You put your hand in the position you would like it (my sister did the A-OK sign) and you need to hold it in place while they dip your hand.
The dip your hand a few times (I think it was 3 times, but I can’t remember).
Along with the larger vat of clear/white wax, they also have several other colours to choose from. My sister chose to also dip her hand in green. Adding a colour costs more.
They dipped her hand a few more times in the green coloured wax.
They use a dull knife and cut the edge off the wax around your wrist.
This is her completed hand (still on her of course).
It was surprisingly easy to get her hand out of the wax. They then dip the wax hand in the ice water to make sure it is fully hardened.
They then create a firmer edge to the wrist opening by putting a bit of wax on the warm table and sliding the hand around.
My sister chose to have her hand filled with dry wax. This costs more, but makes the hand solid, so I guess it will last longer.
Lastly they smooth over some of the wax over the wrist opening to give it a finished look.My sister also got her hand glazed, which adds another layer of protection. Obviously adds even more cost to the hand. This takes a while, so you leave the hand with them and go back in a few hours to pick up.
At the time of this posting, a single, hollow hand is $9.99 while a single, solid hand is $14.99. A double, hollow hand is $17.99 while a double, solid hand is $23.99. Additional colours are $1.99 each and glazing is $6.99 per hand. There are also a variety of accessories that can be added to the hands for various prices.
The Wax Hand Emporium costs more than Ripley’s Wax Zone, but as I mentioned, they are the original in the area. My sister is certainly happy with her hand and it seems like it is excellent quality.
My sister had a lot of fun getting the hand made. She said the wax feels very cool on your hands, and she was very excited to pick the hand up after the glazing. I really have no need for a wax hand, but I’d love to get one done just so I can say I’ve had one done. 
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Thanks for all the details. You should design a brochure for them LOL. I did this once at Ripley’s and froze my hand off (Literally). I got the hand home to have someone squeeze it to see whatever I don’t know and broke it. I would like to have another one done but, don’t like my hands to get that cold. But it was a very interesting experience.
Movieland was not the first to have wax hands in the area. Tussauds Wax Museum (when it was still located on Clifton Hill) had them for a year or two before Movieland put theirs in.
Thanks Chris. I was uncomfortable saying that Movieland was the first to have wax hands, but I couldn’t think of anywhere else.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW COULD BE POSSIBLE TO BUY THE MACHINES OUT OF THE USA AND HOW TO HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE PROCEDURES TO USE THEM´.ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW CAN I GET THE MATERIALS (WAX,COLORING,)
THANKS
july 19 i when to niagara falls on july 19 it waz soo much fun and i got my hand waxed i got blue it waz filled and i got it glaced…..
i recently went to the ripley’s wax zone in niagara falls. i got a solid hand, but i shook it. i didn’t know if the wax pellets like… melted of if they stayed in pellet form. but i shook it, and the bottom came off, and the beads spilt all in my car. i’m a bit disappointed because i paid for a solid, and it was done poorly, but i still have the hollow kind.
i’m thinking to fill it with rice or something, and like, put a plastic cap at the bottom.
Kim, I don’t know if you saw them make the hand or not, but it sounds like they did what they normally do. Solid doesn’t mean that it is solid melted wax, it just means that it isn’t hollow. They make the hand the way they always do, and then they fill it with the pre-melted wax. They then fold over a bit of the bottom of the hand, put some melted wax over it, and then flatten it.
If you are in the Falls again soon, I’m sure they’d fix it for you. Otherwise, I’m sure you can come up with something. You’re idea’s seem good. The only thing I would say would be that be careful with the rice idea… rice is pretty hard, and may end up marking up the hand from the inside.
My wife and I have been making wax hands for about four to five years, I hope you found the experience pleasant, other than the cold hands (to long in the ice/water?). The prices do vary, although, obviously, we need to raise are rates. We fill the solid hands with wax which requires additional time because we can only add a small portion of wax at a time, usually a couple of hours, depending on how busy we our. It’s great for kids parties, craft shows, and similar events. Which brings me to the bad news, kids, college, gotta sell, no time left for me! Anyone interested?
Bob,
how much are you selling for and where are you located. Also i was wondering how profitable this business is?
KILEIGH,
We bought the machine five years ago and have a lot of wax, We are from the Syracuse,NY area. Profits depend on how much you use it, we both have full time jobs and do wax hands nights and weekends, but, when we are set up the line is usually the longest in the show. We would like to get $3200.00 for everything (US).
Do you still have the wax hand business for sale. If you do could yo please respond by email at heavensentm@hotmail.com so I could get more info thanks