Main Street U.S.A. - Exploring the World, One Land at a Time

Everyone knows "Four Parks, One World", but each of those parks is made up of multiple, themed "Lands". Each land contains it's own unique decor, dining, experiences and history. With so much to do and see, it's easy to miss many of the details that make these lands special in their own way. This series will explore each of these lands in detail to show how they are part of the Magic that is Walt Disney World resort.

Walt Disney's vision for Main Street U.S.A came from the fond memories he had of his youth. It represents a simpler time while simultaneously hinting at the great changes coming to our country. Upon entering, guests are filled with a sense of nostalgia, a sense of community, and a sense of "home". The view of Cinderella Castle in the distance fills guests with the anticipation of great things to come.


“Main Street, U.S.A. is America at the turn of the century – the crossroads of an era. The gas lamps and the electric lamps, the horse drawn car and the auto car. Main Street is everyone’s home town…the heartline of America.” – Walt Disney

As you enter the Magic Kingdom, you step into the first of the themed lands in this park, Main Street U.S.A. With all the fun and excitement awaiting guests in this park, many view it as the gateway to the magic and rush straight down the street to their favorite rides.
However, this land is thriving with activity. It is home to the services guests need on a daily basis and also unique experiences that you won't find anywhere else in WDW.
The town square is fashioned after a turn-of-the-century small town, complete with everything the town needs for a day in the park including park maps, stroller rentals, ATM services and storage lockers. City Hall serves as the Guest Services location. Here you can find all the park information you need along with Lost and Found.

Services are also offered in other buildings around town. The Chamber of Commerce houses the package pickup department. Throughout your day, you can have your purchases sent here so you don't have to carry them around the park. Just pick them up as you leave. 
Engine Co. 71 is the town's fire station. The 71 is a nod to the year Magic Kingdom opened. Here, you can get instructions and the supplies you need to play the Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom game. This interactive role-playing game takes you on an adventure through the park where you will need to cast spells to defeat villains and save the park from their evil grasp. The game is free to play with your park admission. Cast Members at the Fire Station will give you a short tutorial on playing. They also give you a Key Card to track your progress through the game along with a free pack of cards to get you started. 
And just across the street, you will find Harmony Barber Shop. This is a real, working barber shop where guests can get their hair cut or have their children sprinkled with Pixie Dust. Many guests choose this location for Baby's First Haircut package which includes a souvenir lock of hair, printed certificate of bravery and commemorative ears. 

On the other side of Town Square, you will find the Town Square Theater. This building has housed several attractions throughout the years. Currently, you can meet Tinkerbell and the only Talking Mickey Mouse in WDW. However, guests who want this unique experience need to get there soon! It has been recently reported that the Talking Mickey Mouse will no longer be offered after May 12, 2018. Next door, you will find Tony's Town Square Restaurant. This table-service restaurant specializes in Italian food and is modeled after Tony's restaurant from the movie Lady and the Tramp. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating, which can be a great spot for parade viewing. To learn more about this restaurant and give us your review, please visit this LINK.

One of the busiest places in small town America was the railroad station and this town is no different. Here you can hop aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad. Originally built between 1916 and 1928, these four restored trains are ready to take you to adventure with stops in Frontierland and Fantasyland. Or, take the full 20-minute ride back to Main Street U.S.A.

Now it's time to head down Main Street U.S.A.! There are several ways you can do this aside from walking. Magic Kingdom offers a variety of turn-of-the-century Main Street Vehicles that will take you on a leisurely one-way journey towards Cinderella Castle or back up to Town Square.  Whatever way you choose to travel, there are several things to take note of along the way. First, notice the street lamps. They start as gas lamps at the top of Main Street and transition to electric lamps as you near the end. This is to symbolize your travel through time from the turn of the 20th century to the modern day. Also, be sure to notice the second-story windows. These "business" advertisements are actually a salute to the Imagineers that had a hand in creating this wonderful park.

But don't leave just yet! There is still plenty to see and do here. Among the cast members dressed in period-style clothing, you will find a street lined with many shops and eateries. As always, the Imagineers thought of every detail even with this. You will find eateries on your right as you head into the park making it easy for those looking to fuel up for their adventure. And, you will find gift shops on your right as you exit the park making it easy to take those last-minute souvenirs with you as you leave. 

The largest gift shop in the Magic Kingdom is the Emporium. It runs the length of Main Street on your left as you enter the park. Inside, is a series of departments which can be accessed from the inside and the outside making it an easy place to duck in out of the rain or the heat of the sun. This is where you will find the largest selection of souvenirs, apparel, plush toys, pins, candy and more. If you are looking for more specialized merchandise, there are several other shops along the street you should be sure to check out. They are: 

• Disney Clothiers - apparel and accessories
• Crystal Arts - gifts and housewares
• The Chapeau - mickey ears and pins
• Main Street Confectionery - food and spirits, gifts and housewares
• Uptown Jewelers - featuring, among other items, Disney Pandora jewelry
• Main Street Cinema
• Main Street Gallery

For those with an appetite to satisfy, there are several options to choose from. Everything from Table Service dining to Quick Service dining and snacks can be found on Main Street U.S.A.! If you didn't find something sweet to satisfy you at the Main Street Confectionery, then head down to the Main Street Bakery. Here you will find a wide selection of Disney and La Boulange pastry items along with a seemingly endless selection of Starubucks coffee and specialty beverages.

Further down the street, you can visit the Plaza Restaurant. This is a table-service restaurant featuring family-friendly American fare. You can also find the famous Plaza Loaded Fries here! See reviews and leave your own by visiting this LINK. After your meal, you can head next door to the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor for a cool treat, including the famous Mickey's Kitchen Sink!

Another Main Street favorite is the baseball-themed Casey's Corner. Here you can find all your favorite game fare including hot dogs, corn dog nuggets, cotton candy and Cracker Jack! You can even be entertained by a ragtime-playing pianist! If you love it, review it HERE.

The final eatery on Main Street is home to a very popular character meal. At the Crystal Palace, you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet for breakfast, lunch or dinner hosted by Winnie the Pooh and his Hundred Acre Wood Friends. Kids can enjoy fun interactions with characters including a parade while the whole family relaxes with a great meal. We'd love to hear your review HERE

Also conveniently located next to the Crystal Palace is where you can find restrooms, the Baby Care Center and the First Aid center.

But that's STILL not all! Along with being known for some of the best parade viewing along the streets, Main Street U.S.A. is also the place to find several other things you won't find anywhere else in WDW!

Several times a day, you can see the performance of the Dapper Dans. This barbershop quartet combines "punny" vaudeville humor with wonderful a cappella renditions of your favorite Americana and Disney tunes.

Town Square is also where you can find the "Sharing the Magic" statue. This iconic statue features Walt's brother, Roy O. Disney and Minnie Mouse. Added in 1999, created by Imagineer Blaine Gibson, this statue has become one of the most prized photo locations for guests of the Magic Kingdom.

During the Christmas holiday season, you can find the enormous Magic Kingdom themed tree which stands roughly 65 feet high!

And, finally, guests can gather each evening to watch the Flag Retreat Ceremony. The Pledge of Allegiance is said and the flag is lowered to the sounds of The Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America. Guest veterans can be chosen to participate in this ceremony.

There are several more attractions to add more "character" to this land. Pick up a Times Guide as you enter the park to find out when you can catch them all. Throughout the day, you can find meet and greets with your favorite Disney characters. You can also find "streetmosphere" performers. These performers are dressed in period-style clothing and offer singing, dancing, comedy and fun entertainment of an era gone-by. They include: Citizens of Main Street, The Main Street Philharmonic, and The Main Street Trolley Show.

After you have enjoyed all that Main Street U.S.A. has to offer, you arrive at the area known as "the Hub". This circular hub, located in front of Cinderella Castle, branches out in every direction with paths leading to the other lands of Magic Kingdom park. But before heading off, this area is now home to the Let the Magic Begin welcome show. Every day, just prior to park opening, this show welcomes you and signifies the start of another Disney day. It replaced the former welcome show which was presented on the platform of the Walt Disney World Railroad. 

A recent upgrade to this area provided more areas for guests to relax or find just the right spot for parade and fireworks viewing.

Along with the smaller statues of favorite Disney characters throughout this area, you will also find the famous Partners statue. Also created by Blaine Gibson in 1993, this copper statue has become of world-famous symbol of the park. It depicts the creator himself, Walt Disney, holding the hand of his most famous creation, Mickey Mouse. 

With all of this, it sounds as if you could spend an entire park day in this land alone. And, you probably could! Now that you know everything this land has to offer, perhaps you will slow down to appreciate it the next time you head into the Magic Kingdom. Or, make time later in the day to come back and enjoy the unique offerings of this land. 

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photo credit: Some images were found on Google Images