Main Street, U.S.A.

Main Street, U.S.A.
Theme	Early 20th Century Marceline, Missouri, Fort Collins, Colorado and Classical Hollywood cinema
Disneyland, Anaheim, California
Status	Operating
Opened	July 17, 1955
Magic Kingdom, Bay Lake, Florida
Status	Operating
Opened	October 1, 1971
Tokyo Disneyland, Urayasu, Chiba
Status	Operating
Opened	April 15, 1983
Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, France
Status	Operating
Opened	April 12, 1992
Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Status	Operating
Opened	September 12, 2005
Shanghai Disneyland Park, Pudong, Shanghai
Status	Operating
Opened	June 16, 2016

Main Street, U.S.A. is the first "themed land" inside the main entrance of the many theme parks operated or licensed by The Walt Disney Company around the world. Main Street, U.S.A. is themed to resemble American small towns during the early 20th Century. In Tokyo Disneyland, it is called World Bazaar and covered by a glass Victorian-style conservatory roof to shield guests from the weather there.[1] At Shanghai Disneyland, it is called Mickey Avenue and is orientated to help introduce visitors to Disney characters.[2]

Each Main Street, U.S.A. (except in Tokyo and Shanghai) has a train station along the park's respective Disney railroad above the entrance. The area closest to the entrance, usually just past the train station, is called Town Square.

At the other end of Main Street stands the park's centrally located castle (Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in California, Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland, Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant at Disneyland Park in Paris, Castle of Magical Dreams at Hong Kong Disneyland, Enchanted Storybook Castle at Shanghai Disneyland). In most of the parks, the area in front of the castle is known as The Hub or Central Plaza, while Shanghai Disneyland has the Gardens of Imagination in place of a hub/central plaza. At the Hub/Central Plaza, one will find the entrances to most of the other lands at the parks.

Town Square is home to City Hall, in which the Guest Relations office is located. Further along Main Street, the names painted in the windows on Main Street serve as credits for some of the many people, Imagineers and others, who contributed in some way to the creation of Disneyland. Largely they appear as fictional businesses (gyms, realtors, dentists), and they often refer to a hobby or interest that the person honored. Ub Iwerks's window, for example, refers to his prowess with cameras.

Disneyland

Castle photo from Main Street at Disneyland.

A replica of Walt Disney's apartment at the Walt Disney Family Museum

Main Street at Disneyland in August 2018

Main Street Vehicles
(Disneyland)

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Central Plaza

Car barn

(not open to public)

Main Street, U.S.A.

Steam train transfer

(via short walk inside park)

Inspired by Walt Disney's hometown of Marceline, Missouri (as in the film Lady and the Tramp), Main Street, U.S.A. is designed to resemble the center of an idealized turn-of-the-20th-century (c. 1910) American town. According to Harper Goff, who worked on Main Street, U.S.A. with Walt, he showed Walt some photos of his childhood home of Fort Collins, Colorado. Walt liked the look, and so many of the features of the town were incorporated into Main Street, U.S.A.[3] Another significant source of inspiration for the Main Street, U.S.A. concept came from the Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, which Walt Disney visited twice in the 1940s.[4]

Walt Disney said, "For those of us who remember the carefree time it recreates, Main Street will bring back happy memories. For younger visitors, it is an adventure in turning back the calendar to the days of their grandfather's youth."

Above the firehouse in Town Square at Disneyland is Walt Disney's personal apartment, fully furnished but off-limits to the public. Walt Disney resided there so that he can quickly travel to and from The Walt Disney Company. A lamp is kept burning in the front window as a tribute to his memory, except at Christmas where a small tannenbaum replaces the lamp. It is largely decorated for both Halloween and Christmas.

There is a 60-foot-tall (18 m) Christmas tree during Christmas Time, and there is a 16-foot-high (4.9 m) Mickey Mouse jack-o-lantern on Halloween Time, with additional pumpkin ears. In the circular hub in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle, the bronze "Partners" statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse is surrounded by smaller bronzes of familiar Disney characters, such as Donald Duck and the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.

The Main Street Opera House in Town Square is the oldest building in Disneyland. It formerly served as the park's lumber mill between 1955 and 1961. The cannons that are displayed in the center of the square were used by the French army during the 1800s, although they were never fired in battle. The gas lamps that line the street originally came from St. Louis and were bought for $.03 a pound.[5]

Partners, sculpted by Blaine Gibson,[6] was added in 1993. During the Halloween season, pumpkin busts for each themed land in the park, except Main Street, are seen around "Partners." It is listed as a real street in the Orange County Thomas Guide.

For Disneyland's 50th anniversary, on July 17, 2005, a first-story window on each Main Street was unveiled with a dedication to all the cast members (employees) who had worked for Disney throughout the years. The streets are paved with resilient asphalt, a type of asphalt containing rubber, to prevent aching of feet. In July 2015, Disneyland expanded their Main Street U.S.A. with a Main Street Arcade in honor of their 60th anniversary.

Attractions and entertainment

The Disney Gallery (2009–present)
Disneyland Railroad (1955–present)
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (1965–present)
Main Street Cinema (1955–present)
Main Street Vehicles (a 3 ft [914 mm] narrow gauge tramway with horse-drawn streetcars is part of this attraction[7])
Main Street Arcade
The Dapper Dans (1959–present)
The Disneyland Band
Halloween Screams (2009–present)
Disney's Celebrate America (2008–present)
Believe... In Holiday Magic (2000–present)
Wondrous Journeys (2023–present)

Former attractions and entertainment

Bandstand (1955–1962)
Horse Drawn Fire Wagon (1955–1960) (Now parked inside the Fire House on Main Street)
Main Street Shooting Gallery (1955–1962)
Firehouse Five Plus Two (1955–1971)
Horse Drawn Surrey (1955–1971)
Carefree Corner (1956–1985; 1988–1994)
Carnation Plaza Gardens (1956–2012)
Babes in Toyland Exhibit (1961–1963)
Legacy of Walt Disney (1970–1973)
The Walt Disney Story (1973–1975)
Disneyland Presents a Preview of Coming Attractions (1973–1989)
Gift-Giver Extraordinaire Machine (1985)
Dream Machine (1990)
Party Gras Parade (1990)
The World According to Goofy Parade (1992)
Aladdin's Royal Caravan Parade (1993)
The Lion King Celebration Parade (1994–1997)
Dalmatian Celebration (1996–1997)
Hercules Victory Parade (1997-1998)
Light Magic (1997)
Mulan Parade (1998 – October 1999)
Parade of the Stars (2000–2005)
Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams (2005–2008)
Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years (2005–2009)
Celebrate! – A Street Party (2009–2010)
Disney's Honorary VoluntEARS Cavalcade (2010)
Paint the Night (2015–2016)
Together Forever: A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular (2018)
Mickey's Soundsational Parade (2011-2019)
Disneyland Forever (2015-2016, 2019, 2022)
Mickey's Mix Magic (2019; 2021-2022)
Main Street Electrical Parade (1972–1996, 2017, 2019, 2022)

Restaurants and refreshments

Carnation Café[8]
Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor
Jolly Holiday Bakery
Main Street Market House (sponsored by Starbucks)
Plaza Inn (formerly the Red Wagon Inn)[9]
Refreshment Corner

Former restaurants

American Egg House (1978–1983)
Blue Ribbon Bakery (1990–2012)
Carnation Ice Cream Parlor (1955–1997)
Hills Bros. Coffee House & Coffee Garden (1958–1976)
Main Street Cone Shop (2000–2014)
Maxwell House Coffee Shop (1955–1957)
Plaza Pavilion Restaurant (1955–1998)
Puffin Bakery (1955–1960)
Sunkist Citrus House (1960–1989)
Town Square Cafe (1976–1978; 1983–1992)

Shops

20th Century Music Company
Candy Kitchen
Candy Palace
China Closet
Crystal Arts
Crystal Palace
Disney Clothiers, Ltd.
Disneyana
Disney Showcase
Emporium
Main Street Magic Shop[10]
Main Street Pin Shop
New Century Jewelry
Newsstand
Penny Arcade
Silhouette Studio[11]

Former shops

Annual Pass Center (2005–2009)
Bank of America (1955–1992)
Bank of Main Street (1992–2005)
Candle Shop (1958–1975)
Card Corner (1985–1988)
Coin Shop (1957–1960)
Cole of California Swimsuits (1956–1957)
Ellen's Gift Shop (1955–1956)
Fine Tobacco (1955–1990)
Flower Mart (1957–1995)
GAF Photo Salon (1970–1984)
Gallen-Kamp Stores Co. (1955–1957)
Gibson Greeting Cards (1955–1959)
Glass Blower (1955–1966)
Grandma's Baby Shop (1955)
Great American Pastimes (1991–1999)
Hallmark Card Shop (1960–1985)
Hurricane Lamp Shop (1972–1976)
Intimate Apparel (1955–1956)
Jemrock Shop (1955–1957)
Jewelry Shop (1957–1986)
Jimmy Starr's Show Business Souvenirs (1956–1959)
Kodak Camera Center (1984–1994)
Mickey Mouse Club Headquarters Shop (1963–1964)
New Century Watches & Clocks (1972–2008)
Patented Pastimes (1990–1991)
Pen Shop (1955–1959)
Polaroid Camera Center (1955–1970)
Ruggles China & Glass Shop (1955–1964)
Story Book Shop (1955–1980)
Sunny-View Farms Jams & Jellies (1955–1957)
Town Square Realty (1955–1960)
Upjohn Pharmacy (1955–1970)
Watches & Clocks (1955–1971)
Wonderland Music (1960–1972)
Wurlitzer Music Hall (1955–1968)
Yale & Towne Lock Shop (1955–1964)
Western Printing Book Shop (1980–1995)

Magic Kingdom

Table-Service Restaurants

Tony's Town Square Restaurant - primarily Italian menu themed by The Lady and the Tramp
The Plaza Restaurant
Crystal Palace - features Winnie the Pooh & Friends character buffet-dining

Quick-Service Food

Casey's Corner - Americana-baseball themed, specializing in hot-dogs, currently sponsored by Coca-Cola.
Main Street Bakery - the parks only Starbucks location. Operated by Disney.
Main Street Confectionery - sells sweets including custom popcorn flavors, currently sponsored by Mars-Wrigley, and includes a show kitchen.
Main Street Popcorn Stand - located in front of the Chamber of Commerce.
The Plaza Ice Cream Parlour - currently sponsored by Edys.

Attractions

Meet Mickey Mouse in the Town Square Theatre ▲

Buildings and Points of Interest

City Hall - guest relations.
Chamber of Commerce - lost and found.
Fire Station - historical fire fighter memorabilia inside .
Main Street Train Station - historical railroad memorabilia inside.
Main Street Flag Pole - a daily retreat ceremony is performed.
Share The Magic Statue - a statue of Roy Disney sitting with Minnie Mouse.
Harmony Barbershop - offers basic haircuts, popular for babies first haircuts.
Main Street Car Barn - home of the Main Street Vehicles that transport guests to The Hub at specific times during the day.
Main Street First Aid & Babycare - provides medical attention and services for mothers and babies.
Photo Pass & Memory Maker Service Station - located inside the Town Square Theatre.

Entertainment

The Dapper Dans - a mens acapella singing group.
Casey's Corner Pianist - professional pianist plays Disney music on an outdoor piano.

Merchandise

Emporium - the largest merchandise location in the park, lining the Westside of the street.
Curtain Call Collectibles - located inside the Town Square Theatre. Also the main ear-hat embroidery location.
Box Office Gifts - located inside the Town Square Theatre.
Crystal Arts - operated by Arribas Brothers, a third-party vendor specializing in engraved glass and glassblowing. Demonstrations of glassblowing are shown inside. [12]
Main Street Balloons - usually located at Center Street. Operated by third-party Rubio Arts.
Main Street Caricature & Cameo Artist - located on Center Street.
Main Street Cinema - a gift shop for various merchandise collections. Disney-cartoons are played inside, projected on the back wall of the shop.
Uptown Jewelers - the parks main shop for jewelry, bags, and accessories.
Pandora Jewelry - located inside Uptown Jewelers, staffed by third-party Pandora specialists.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade down Main Street, U.S.A.

The Dapper Dans on Main Street, U.S.A.

Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park is themed as an early-20th century American town, inspired by Walt Disney's childhood home of Marceline, Missouri. Symbolically, Main Street represents the park's "opening credits", where guests pass under the train station (the opening curtain) at left or right, then view the names of key personnel along the windows of the buildings' upper floors. Many windows bear the name of a fictional business, such as "Seven Summits Expeditions, Frank G. Wells President", with each representing a tribute to significant people connected to the Disney company and the development of the Walt Disney World Resort. It features stylistic influences from around the country. Taking its inspiration from New England to Missouri, this design is most noticeable in the four corners in the middle of Main Street, where each of the four corner buildings represents a different architectural style. There is no opera house as there is at Disneyland; instead, there is the Town Square Theatre. The second stories of all the buildings along Main Street are shorter than the first stories, and are offices for Walt Disney World management.

Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom

Former attractions and entertainment

Fireworks

Fantasy in the Sky (1971-2003)
Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams (October 9, 2003-May 11, 2017)
Disney Enchantment (October 1, 2021–April 2, 2023)

Parades

America on Parade (1975–1976)
Main Street Electrical Parade (1977–1991, 1999–2001, 2010–2016)
SpectroMagic (1991–1999, 2001–2010)
Mickey's 50th Birthday Parade (1978)
Dumbo's Circus Parade (1979)
Tencennial Parade (1981–1982)
Mickey Mouse Character Parade (1983–1984)
Donald's 50th Birthday Parade (1984)
Mickey's Street Party (January 1985 – 1986)
15 Years of Magic (1986–1987)
All-America Parade (1987–1988)
Mickey's All-American Birthday Parade (1988–1990)
Disney Character Hit Parade (1989–1991)
20th Anniversary "Surprise" Celebration Parade/Surprise Celebration (1991–1994)
Mickey Mania (1994–1996)
25th Anniversary "Remember the Magic" Parade/Disney's Magical Moments Parade (1996–2001)
Share a Dream Come True (2001 – June 2006)
Family Fun Day Parade (2006–2007)
Disney Dreams Come True (July 2006 – 2009)
Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party (2009-2014)
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade (2009 – January 2014)
Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party (2014-2018)

Other attractions

Penny Arcade (1971–1995)
Main Street Cinema (1971–1998)
Swan Boats (1973-1983)
The Walt Disney Story (1973–1992)
VMK Central
Cinderella's Surprise Celebration (October 1, 2001-February 26, 2005)
Dream Along with Mickey (November 2006 - April 2, 2016)
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom (2012–2021)

Tokyo Disneyland

World Bazaar at Tokyo Disneyland during the Christmas Season

The World Bazaar is the alternative of Main Street, U.S.A. It is covered by a glass Victorian-style conservatory roof to shield guests from the Japanese weather. Amongst others, World Bazaar features a 1920s American Art Deco styled restaurant. World Bazaar features the most eateries out of the "Main Streets", with three table service restaurants (four including Club 33). There is also a larger side street called "Center Street" that runs across Main Street which exits on either side into Tomorrowland and Adventureland. This was the first "Main Street" that did not have a train station (the other "Main Street" being in Shanghai Disneyland.) World Bazaar is also home to Tokyo Disneyland's Club 33.