|
Main Street, U.S.A.
is the first "themed land" inside the entrance of the many Magic Kingdom-style parks run by The
Walt Disney Company around the world.
Each Main Street, U.S.A. (except Tokyo
Disneyland) has a train station above the entrance. At Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland, Sleeping
Beauty Castle stands in the distance beyond the end of the street. At the Magic Kingdom and Tokyo
Disneyland, Cinderella Castle stands at the end.
Main Street, U.S.A. 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, etc. ), and they
often refer to a hobby or interest that the person in question had. Ub Iwerks's window, for example, refers to his prowess
with cameras.
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 World throughout the years.
Disney
dedicates itself to bringing the ultimate experience to each and every costumer. Costume replicas of unique buildings from
around the world have people flock from far and wide to gape at Disney's marvelous attractions!
|
A bronze likeness of Roy Oliver sitting next to Minnie
Mouse on an ornate bench is a tribute to the man who carried out Walt's final wishes and finished the Magic
Kingdom. Main Street is lined with shops selling everything from
merchandise to food. The decor is early-20th century small-town America, inspired by Walt Disney's childhood
and the film Lady and the Tramp. City Hall contains the Guest Relations lobby where cast members provide information and assistance.
A real working barber shop gives haircuts for a fee! This includes "baby's first haircut" which comprises of a certificate
to always remember that magical moment. The Emporium carries a wide variety of Disney World souvenirs
such as plush toys, collectible pins, and Mickey-ear hats. Tony’s Town Square and the Plaza Restaurant are sit-down
restaurants, and Casey's Corner located at the end of Main Street sells traditional American ball park fare
including hot dogs & fries.
In the distance beyond the end of Main Street USA stands
Cinderella Castle. Though only 189 feet (55m) tall, it benefits from a technique known as forced perspective.
The second stories of all the buildings along Main Street are shorter than the first stories, and the third stories are even
shorter than the second, and the top windows of the castle are much smaller than they appear. The resulting visual effect
is that the buildings appear to be larger and taller than they really are.
Main Street USA is
considered the opening credits for the Magic Kingdom. You pass under the train station (the opening curtain),
and then you view the opening credits on the upper stories of the main street buildings. Each window has a business name on
it, such as "Seven Summits Expeditions, Frank G. Wells President", each of these people has a connection to Disney.
The windows/credits are ordered as they would be for a movie.
In addition to the bronze "Partners Statue"
of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse in front of Cinderella Castle, there is
also the "Sharing the Magic Statue" of Roy O. Disney sitting with Minnie Mouse near the park's
entrance. Surrounding the "Partners Statue" at the central hub, are several iconic Disney characters featured throughout
the park. Some of these include; Minnie, Donald, B'rer Rabbit, Goofy, Chip and Dale, etc.
|
 |
