Walt Disney on Main Street, U.S.A.: “Main Street, U.S.A. is America at the turn of the [20th] century – the crossroads of an era, the gas lamps and the electric lamp – the horse-drawn car and the auto car. Main Street is everyone’s hometown . . . the heart line of America.”
Overview: Main Street, U.S.A., recreates the unique charm of small-town America at the turn of the [20th] century, filled with hope and optimism for the future. Main Street, U.S.A. serves as a vast entrance corridor and the “opening scene” for the Magic Kingdom experience. It provides a transition between the outside world and the themed experiences of Disneyland Park, drawing guests in to discover more.
What’s new: The Ink & Paint program is offered at the Disneyana shop, where guests may watch Disney-trained artists create cels with the technique used by Disney artists and animators in the creation of classic Disney films. These cels can be purchased as art.
Don’t miss: Main Street, U.S.A. features eight places to grab a bite to eat, 15 merchandise shops and seven attractions. Food options range from the Main Street fruit cart to table-service at Carnation Cafe. Attractions include the Opera House, where guest are treated to The Disneyland Story presenting “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln,” a historical salute to Walt Disney’s dream of creating the “Happiest Place on Earth” and tribute to the 16th president of the United States. Guests on Main Street, U.S.A. may also hop on the Disneyland Railroad, inspired by Walt’s passion for steam trains. The train is an authentic narrow-gauge railroad that carries passengers on a scenic circle tour of Disneyland Park. In the center of the Central Plaza Hub is the bronze “Partners” statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, dedicated in 1993. Designed by legendary Disney Imagineer John Hench and sculpted by Disney Legend Blaine Gibson, “Partners” became such an instant icon and popular photo location that it was added to Disney Parks in Florida, Japan and France.
Attractions:
“Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln”
Disneyland Railroad
Main Street Vehicles
Horseless Carriage
Omnibus
Fire Engine
Horse-Drawn Streetcar
Main Street Cinema
Penny Arcade
Entertainment: Several musical groups entertain guests as they stroll along Main Street, U.S.A. The Dapper Dans barbershop quartet has performed at Disneyland since 1959. The Disneyland Band welcomes guests to Disneyland each morning and plays other performances throughout the day. Other entertainment includes the Hook & Ladder Co., The Straw Hatters and the evening Flag Retreat ceremony.
Dining: Main Street, U.S.A. is home to some tasty food stops. In addition to mobile carts that offer fresh fruit, churros, turkey legs, popcorn and coffee, guests may visit:
Carnation Cafe
Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor
Candy Palace
Refreshment Corner
Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe
Main Street Cone Shop
Plaza Inn
Little Red Wagon
Market House, featuring Starbucks
Shopping: Guests will find something for everyone in the stores of Main Street, U.S.A., from fun and fashionable apparel to seasonal and home décor items. The Emporium is a large variety story that features clothing, plush toys, hats and Disney souvenirs. Candy makers can usually be found at work behind the big windows of the kitchen in Candy Palace. Gags and magic tricks are demonstrated in the Main Street Magic Shop, along with magicians’ gizmos. Disneyana is home to art and collectible pieces and features frequent appearances by Walt Disney Imagineers and Disney-inspired artists who stop by to meet guests and sign their work. The shops on Main Street, U.S.A. are:
Emporium
Crystal Arcade
New Century Jewelry
Fortuosity Shop
Main Street Photo Supply Co.
China Closet
Crystal Arts
Silhouette Studio
Disney Clothiers, Ltd.
Disneyana
20th Century Music Company
Main Street Magic Shop
Disney Showcase
The Mad Hatter
Imaginative landscaping:
Upon entering the park, guests are treated to the Mickey Floral, a bright and cheerful welcome made entirely of flowers. It is one of the most popular photo locations in the world. The flowers are changed seven or eight times a year for the seasons and for holidays. The Mickey face holds approximately 32,000 individual plants.
Town Square is set in the Victorian Era of Middle America. The flowers and plants are changed to harmonize with the seasons: pastels in the spring, patriotic colors in July, bright summer colors in August, warm fall colors during Halloween Time and bold reds and whites for the holidays.
Did you know?
Main Street, U.S.A., the only original land at Disneyland that has not been significantly altered, was inspired in part by Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Mo.
Above the Fire Station is Walt’s Disney’s private apartment. A lit antique lamp in the window would inform staff when Walt was in residence. Today, the lamp remains lit as a tribute to Walt Disney and to symbolize his continuing presence at Disneyland.
The Grand Canyon Diorama featured along the scenic route of the Disneyland Railroad is the longest diorama in the world featuring a seamless background canvas 306 feet long and 34 feet tall, covered in 300 gallons of paint. The diorama is based on Walt Disney’s Academy Award-winning 1958 live-action short, “Grand Canyon.”
The windows on Main Street, U.S.A., not only serve to advertise attractions, stores and restaurants; they also honor Disney cast members who have helped to make Disneyland a national treasure.
The information booth, near the Refreshment Corner, has park maps in nine languages, a list of wait times for popular attractions and show times, and height and weight required for each attraction.
Cast member tips:
Before visiting the Candy Palace, guests may call 714-781-0112 to find out which treat is being made in the window that day.
The “Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” tour includes a visit to Walt’s apartment. The tour is offered twice a day (9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., $109 per person). Guests can visit City Hall to make a reservation for this tour as well as others:
Welcome to Disneyland Tour
Cultivating the Magic Tour (horticulture)
Discover the Magic Tour (especially fun for children)
Disney’s Happiest Haunts Tour (Halloween season)
Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour (Holiday season)
Every silhouette created at the Silhouette Studio is buy one, get one free. The silhouette artists now offer the silhouette of a Disney character.
Guests who need to charge their phones can do so at Main Street Photo Supply Co. The service is free. Some lockers on Main Street, U.S.A., also offer charging stations.
If a guest forgets or runs out of baby products, they may purchase diapers, formula and bottles at the Baby Center. Mothers also find the Baby Center a quiet, restful spot to breastfeed their babies.
– See more at: http://disneylandnews.com/fact-sheets/2014/07/30/main-street-u-s-a-at-disneyland-park-fact-sheet/#sthash.nwduMYEs.dpuf
