Lands of Disneyland

Enter Disneyland’s main gate and step through one of the tunnels under the train station. Glance up and read the famous plaque that encourages you to “leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.” Step onto Main Street and take in the sights and sounds of Disneyland’s opening act. Let’s take a closer look at one of the lands of Disneyland – Main Street, U.S.A.

Attractions Recap

The attractions on Main Street are subtle. Some people may not realize they are an integral part of this land’s charm and should not be missed.

There are four main attractions on Disneyland’s Main Street:

• Disneyland Railroad
• Main Street Vehicles: Horseless Carriage, Horse-Drawn Streetcars, Omnibus, Fire Engine
• Opera House: Disney Gallery and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
• Main Street Cinema

These attractions can be enjoyed throughout the day, with the exception of the Main Street Vehicles that have limited hours. Many folks enjoy taking a midday rest by hopping aboard the railroad for a grand circle tour of the park.

“Main Street, U.S.A. is America at the turn of the [20^th] 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.”

– Walt Disney

History & Facts

Main Street, U.S.A. is the first land guests experience upon entering Disneyland. It officially begins with the giant floral Mickey Mouse at the base of the train station. According to Disney Dose, Walt Disney added Main Street because he wanted a land that would not only represent his hometown, but the hometown of his guests. Many credit Walt’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri as the inspiration for Main Street. However, Main Street, U.S.A. was inspired by Fort Collins, Colorado, which was the childhood home of Walt Disney Imagineer Harper Goff. It could be said that Main Street, U.S.A. was influenced by both of these hometowns.

When you walk down Main Street, with the exception of the apparel, not much has changed since Walt Disney walked this street. Disney History Institute has a great video of a nostalgic trip down 1950s Main Street with Walt Disney. Today, Main Street is the only original land of Disneyland that has not been significantly altered.

Walt’s Apartment

Above the Firehouse on Main Street, next to City Hall, is Walt Disney’s apartment and was his private space in the park. As the story goes, while Disneyland was being built, Walt would sometimes stay in the apartment to be closer to work. After the park opened, the apartment became a getaway space for Walt Disney and his family. 

In the last few years, Disneyland sometimes includes a visit to Walt’s Apartment on some of its private and guided tours. Until you can go on one of these tours, check out this video by Thingamavlogs that shows inside. As you walk past the Firehouse, be sure to look up at the window to see Walt’s Light. The lamp in the apartment window is always on to show Walt Disney’s spirit is always present at Disneyland. During the Christmas season, the lamp is swapped out for a small Christmas tree complete with a string of lights.

Main Street Shops of Yesterday

Even though Main Street, U.S.A. has not been altered much in overall design, there have been changes in the shops through the years. The Tobacco Shop used to be located where the 20^th Century Music Company shop is today. It opened in 1955 and closed in 1999. The cigar store Indian remains as a landmark on Main Street.

Another shop that is no longer there was the Candle Shop. This small shop was located inside the Crystal Arcade in a corner that is now part of the Emporium toy store. It opened in 1955 and closed in the mid-to-late 1980s.

A third shop that had a short life on Main Street was The Wizard of Bras – yes, you read that correctly! This intimate apparel shop was sponsored by the Hollywood-Maxwell Brassiere Co. of Los Angeles. The shop was located in the space between the Silhouette Studio and what is the China Closet today. It opened in 1955 and closed in 1956. Like a true main street, Disneyland’s Main Street has seen other shops, in addition to these three, come and go through the years.

Color Palette

Disneyland’s iconic Main Street is filled with detailed exteriors, gingerbread turrets, and bright pastels. Many of the buildings have a tri-color scheme in various shades of tan, brick red, and blues. In Pantone colors, these colors are similar to Gold Leaf, Serenity, Honeysuckle, and Cerulean. Main Street’s color palette is a comforting blend of warm and cool colors.

Architecture 

Inspired by real towns in the United States, the concept for Disneyland’s Main Street was for it to be actually anywhere in the U.S.A. Walt Disney wanted guests to feel immediately at home in a romanticized, turn-of-the-20^th-century American small town. Walt Disney and Harper Goff knew that Main Street was the ideal lead-up to the castle located just beyond the hub at the end of the street.

Disneyland’s Main Street features architecture with nods to the late 19^th century – decorative roof lines, Art Deco features, signs outlined in lights, and varied roof heights. The eateries and shops are painted in different colors to reflect their individual styles. In addition, Main Street’s architectural story is pulled together with all the props, fixtures, and finishing touches in the shops and window displays. 

Disney Details

Unnoticed by some yet enjoyed by many, Disney weaves delightful details into its lands. Main Street, U.S.A. has three notable examples of Disney details. The first one is the windows on Main Street. Be sure to look up as you walk down Main Street – it’s a dedication to the people who have shaped Disneyland through the years. Receiving a window on Main Street is a high honor.

The Disneyland trash cans are second example of Disney’s attention to details. Each land has its own design and motif that fits the land’s theme. 

“Did you know that the trash cans were designed for Disney so that you can’t see the trash inside them. And get this…they are each hand painted…and cost about $2,000.”

Source: SpontaneousClapping.Blogspot.com

A third example is a unique light bulb. Inside the Coca Cola Refreshment Corner on Main Street is a lightbulb that is painted half white and half red. It’s located in a corner, so (again) be sure to look up. As the story goes, Walt Disney was walking through the park on day and noticed two white bulbs next to each other. He called a painter over and asked him to paint half of the white bulb red to fix the pattern. The red and white bulb remains today. So either the bulb has never burned out or it is painted each time it is replaced. 

Hidden Mickeys

Looking for Hidden Mickeys is a highlight for many guests. What apparently started as an inside joke amongst Disney Imagineers while designing attractions, Hidden Mickeys now have books and websites dedicated to helping guests find them. Check out this short video highlighting some of Main Street’s Hidden Mickeys.

Disneyland Food – Main Street Recipes

For many guests, Disneyland food is the best part of their visits. Main Street has six eateries ranging from quick service to table service. In addition, Main Street has carts with snacks and treats. When you cannot get to the park, here’s an opportunity to make some of the Disneyland recipes at home.

• Loaded Baked Potato Soup – Carnation Café 
• Hand-Dipped Corn Dogs – Little Red Wagon
• Fantasia Ice Cream – Gibson Girl
  This recipe comes from the Cast Members who work on Main Street’s Ice Cream store.
  Ingredients:
  Burgundy cherries, pistachio nuts, banana-flavored ice cream
  Directions: Combine cherries and pistachios with banana-flavored ice cream and mix together.

Music

A walk down Main Street, U.S.A. is not the same without the music. There is area background music that is part nostalgia and part whimsy. Main Street is also where you can hear the harmonious sounds of the Dapper Dans. The Dapper Dans are a barbershop quartet that has performed at Disneyland since 1955. They have signature striped suits, which also have holiday variations for Halloween and Christmas. Sometimes they entertain from their bicycle built for four. In past years, one of the favorite musical treats during the Disneyland Halloween Party was the Cadaver Dans.

After Disneyland closed in mid-March of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Dapper Dans gathered virtually and harmonized from home – to the delight of many Disney fans. When the park is open, the Dapper Dans typically sing in front of the Fire Station and along Main Street. 

Through the Seasons

Main Street, U.S.A. is festive year-round, however takes on special décor for both Halloween and the Christmas holidays. During Halloweentime, from early September through the end of October, Main Street has autumn colored bunting hanging on the eaves and balconies. There are also many pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns up and down both sides of the street. The centerpiece during Halloweentime is the giant Mickey pumpkin near the flagpole. 

During the Christmas season, from mid-November through early January, Main Street is adorned with evergreen garlands and wreaths for Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. The focal point is the iconic Christmas tree that is 60 feet tall and covered with lights and more than 1,800 ornaments. Disneyland becomes the “Merriest Place on Earth” and it all starts on Main Street. The buildings along Main Street, U.S.A. are decorated with 220 garlands that measure more than four miles long, along with approximately 80 wreaths and 120 bows. 

Bring the Magic Home

Looking for ways to bring the magic of Disneyland home? The first place to check is DisneyStore.com for the many items that can be brought home from Disneyland and other items specifically for the home. 

Another way to bring the magic home are Disney-inspired candles from Dearly Loved on Etsy by Lyn Maszk. The Mouseketeer (Cherry Coke), Churros, and Popcorn Cart candles especially remind me of Main Street. 

Or consider Disneybounding some of your favorite Main Street looks. Disneybounding is not just for park visits. Some popular Disneybounding ideas for this land are Main Street, Americana, and different looks for the Dapper Dans – including a Dapper Day look. 

Whether you’ve walked down Main Street, U.S.A. countless times or have not visited yet, hopefully this closer look at Disneyland’s Main Street has given you a better appreciation for this land.

What are your favorite parts of Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A.? When you enter the main gate, do you head left or right and why? Looking forward to hearing from you in the comments! Like & Follow my Facebook page for mini posts.

Closer Look – Lands of Disneyland series:

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”