Introduction | Attraction | Touring Tips | Dining | Shopping | Interesting Facts

"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
heartland of America." - Walt Disney

INTRODUCTION

Take a journey back in time to the beginning of the 20th century. Main Street, U.S.A. is a nostalgic look at small-town America, with two blocks of charming old-fashioned buildings inspired by Marceline, Missouri, where Walt Disney grew up in the early 1900s. The past meets the future here where horse-drawn trolleys share the road with those new-fangled horseless carriages and the electric lights of the Cinema's marquee outshine the gas street lamps. But everyone still gathers in Town Square on Sundays to listen to the Town Band.

Although what Disneyland classifies as Main Street "attractions" may seem tame compared to those in the rest of the park, the unique shops, the horse-drawn transportation, the wonderful architectural details, and even the sweet smells wafting through the air, all make Main Street, U.S.A an attraction in itself.

ATTRACTIONS and ENTERTAINMENT

Main Street Vehicles - Take a ride on a horseless carriage, a replica of an early fire engine, an omnibus or a horse-drawn trolley, all of which make their way up and down Main Street throughout the day.

NOTE: Wheelchair/ECV users must transfer out to ride these vehicles.

Disneyland - The First 50 Magical Years -- The theater lobby features exhibits like concept art, posters, photos and other artwork, as well as a scale model of the park on opening day in 1955. The theatrical presentation includes interviews with Walt Disney and a time-lapse sequence of the park's construction, as well as some excerpts from Disneyland's Opening Day ceremonies.

Main Street Cinema - Continuous showings of vintage Disney cartoons like Steamboat Willie, Traffic Trouble, and Mickey's Polo Team.

Disneyland Railroad - Take a 20-minute journey around the perimeter of Disneyland on an authentic steam train, with additional stops at New Orleans Square, Mickey's Toontown, and Tomorrowland. Between the Tomorrowland and Main Street stations you'll see the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas.

TOURING TIPS

Visit Guest Relations in City Hall, on your left after passing the train station, if you have questions about dining, transportation, entertainment or lost and found. Be sure to mention if someone in your party is celebrating a birthday, and pick up a "Today's My Birthday!" sticker while you're there!

At the end of Main Street, closest to the Plaza, you'll find the Guest Information Board, showing wait times for all operating attractions.

At most times of the day, Main Street, U.S.A can be explored at your leisure, normally without lines or crowds, so it may be best not to linger when the park first opens and the lines for the more popular attractions are still short. The only times to avoid would be during the parades or at closing time when the other attractions have stopped running. The Emporium gets especially busy late in the day, so do your shopping early and take advantage of Disney's Package Check service to leave your purchases at the Newsstand where you can pick them up on your way out of the park.

PLACES TO EAT

Blue Ribbon Bakery - Pastries, sandwiches, desserts, cookies and specialty coffees.

Carnation Cafe - Table service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast includes pancakes and Mickey waffles; lunch and dinner feature soup, gourmet sandwiches, and specialty desserts.

Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner - Hot dogs, chili, soft drinks, snacks.

Gibson Girl Ice Cream Shoppe - Ice cream treats, including cones, sundaes, and milkshakes.

Main Street Cone Shop - Ice cream and frozen yogurt.

Plaza Inn - Character breakfast. Lunch/dinner: chicken, pot roast, pasta, salad, and desserts.

Disneyland Restaurants at a Glance
Menus From Disneyland Resort

PLACES TO SHOP

20th Century Music Company - Disney CDs and videos, including those of park entertainers like The Side Street Strutters.

Candy Palace & Candy Kitchen - Old-fashioned candy like saltwater taffy plus handmade candies, caramel apples, and fudge.

China Closet - Snow globes, porcelain plates and figurines, seasonal items.

Crystal Arts - Glass blowing, personalized gifts.

Disneyana - Collectible merchandise, posters, lithographs, books, and Disney cels.

Disney Clothiers, Ltd. - Disney character fashions for men and women.

Disney Showcase - Character shirts and hats.

The Emporium - A huge store stocked with just about anything imaginable in the way of Disney gifts, clothes, plush, and souvenirs.

The Mad Hatter - Mickey Mouse ears and other character hats, free embroidery.

Main Street Magic Shop - Magic tricks, books, and joke items.

Main Street Photo Supply Co. - Camera center, photo supplies, and photo pickup.

Market House - Candy and gourmet treats, kitchen supplies and household items.

New Century Jewelry - Fine character jewelry, bracelets and charms.

New Century Timepieces - Custom watches, Mickey Mouse and other character watches, and clocks.

Newsstand - Postcards, film, and last-minute souvenirs.

Penny Arcade - Old-fashioned arcade games and pressed coin machines.

Silhouette Studio - Artists create souvenir silhouette cutouts of individuals or groups.

INTERESTING FACTS

The appearance that Main Street, U.S.A. is larger than its actual size is due to the use of forced perspective. The ground level floors were built at approximately 7/8 size, with the upper floors becoming progressively smaller.

Walt Disney had his own apartment on the second floor of the Firehouse. It is still used occasionally for special guests.

Note the windows above the main floors, and you'll observe the names of many of the men and women who were crucial to the development and operation of Disneyland Park. There's a window honoring legendary Imagineer Marc Davis upstairs next to the Main Street Cinema.

If you go into the side alleys you'll hear sounds from the windows above, like a piano lesson in progress, a dentist drilling and a man singing in the shower.

The gas lamps burn day and night.

The horses pulling the street cars are all Belgians or Percherons.

If you have comments or tips to share with others about touring Disneyland, please email us. Thank you.