Disneyland is filled with history, fun and adventure. With preparation and a little bit of luck, you can enrich your vacation and experience a completely different getaway than ever before. Before you head to Disneyland Resort, be sure to read this and check out our discount tickets for an even better vacation.
Walt Disney, by all accounts, is the most decorated movie maker of all time. Using his movie making knowledge, he created Disneyland; he loved the idea that he could constantly change the park, unlike his movies that were complete upon release.
He said, “Disneyland will never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world.” Use your imagination and immerse yourself into Disneyland as Walt meant for you to experience it.
Disneyland Welcomes You as the Star of the Show
Upon arrival, you’ll notice that the pathways have a slight red hue to signify that you are arriving at a red carpet movie premiere and you are the star! Don’t forget your autograph book, because you will certainly run into some of your favorite animated movie stars.
As you enter through the turnstiles and walk past Mickey’s likeness in flowers, you’ll notice the tunnel that is labeled, “Here you leave today and enter the world of Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Fantasy.”
Cinematic posters announcing “coming attractions'' beckon you to make time to experience them. Near the end of the tunnel, the magic is complete and you are now in your “own movie”, you get to direct and star in your own theatrical adventure within the different lands- complete with soundtrack.
Step Back to 1901
Once you find yourself on Main Street, U.S.A. you start in the year 190, the year of Walt Disney’s birth. Patterned after Walt’s boyhood town, Marceline, Missouri, the streets are filled with "rideable" horse drawn carriages, and street cars.
It is an exciting time in America. The industrial revolution is in full swing. As you walk down the venerable street, you’ll notice that the gas lamps change to electric lights, symbolically recognizing progress in America. You can see the sites and hear the sounds of a bustling new town at the turn of the last century.
Be sure to experience some of our favorite, and iconic Main Street staples:
- Walt Disney’s July 17, 1955 opening day speech is memorialized at the flagpole.
- Ride in the Disneyland Railroad’s steam engine: If you arrive early and with a little luck, ask the conductor for the opportunity to ride “tender” and you will see a steam locomotive from the driver’s seat.
- See Walt Disney’s “eternal light” above the Fire Station. Walt Disney created an apartment to be closer to the park to ensure his exact instructions were followed. Whenever he would visit, he would turn on a light to let cast members know he was in the park. After his death, the light continues burning to honor Walt.
- Experience an exhibit from the 1964 World’s Fair and Walt Disney’s favorite president. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is an iconic Disneyland attraction.
- See the original “Mickey Short.” Mickey Mouse is Walt Disney’s third cartoon character. Julius the Cat and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit came before, but Walt made it big with the premiere of Steamboat Willie in New York City, December, 1928, featuring Mickey Mouse. Jump in the Main Street Theatre to see what the audience of the time might have experienced.
Sights and Sounds of Main Street, U.S.A.
Experience the sounds and smells of Main Street. The aroma of vanilla scents are pumped into the air near the Gibson Girl ice cream shop to add to the sensory experience of the park.
Walk down Center Street and you’ll hear city life as it was in the early 1900’s. Then dash into the Penny Arcade to hear the Welte Orchestrion machine, it will dazzle you with its sound and inventive complexity.
Don’t forget to say hi to the magician in the magic shop, the very place that Steve Martin worked before his acting career took off.
We have a few more favorite sights and sounds of Main Street you won’t want to miss:
- Play a game of musical chairs with Alice and the Mad Hatter. The game is different every time, depending on the whims of the Mad Hatter. If the hatter chooses, you can play almost every day at approx. 2:30 PM at Refreshment Corner, near the end of Main Street.
- Listen to a live performance of the Dapper Dans. Check the Disneyland app for some great barber shop quartet Disney tunes.
- Honor America and armed services members during the daily Flag Retreat Ceremony. Honoring the United States armed services daily complete with live music and surprises, it is a great way to honor and instill a sense of patriotism in your adventure.
Now that you’ve learned about a few more things you can do, see and experience on Main Street, why not let us roll out the Red Carpet for you and your family! Book any of our Disneyland packages online or call our Disney Experts at 855-GET-AWAY.
Join the Conversation!
Leave A CommentHansNovember 23 2014
I love reading these blogs! Main Street is my favorite spot. No one has ever captured what a great place it is, until now!
CraigAugust 12 2014
Chris, good to know! i will look at main street much differently now!
Jack PontiacAugust 11 2014
Great advice. I almost always hurry through Main Street. I can't wait to go back