Main Street U.S.A. is the first “land” that you will walk into when visiting the Magic Kingdom. Main Street doesn’t contain any traditional theme park attractions, but there is plenty to love about this area. Inspired by small town, turn of the century America, the charming atmosphere of Main Street will immediately take you back to a simpler time.
This is made all the more exciting because you can’t see much of Main Street from outside the park. You, first, have to walk under the railroad tunnel. When you emerge to the other side of the tunnel, your surroundings will be transformed into a world from the past.
From shopping and dining, to street shows and entertainment, Main Street has a lot to offer. Below is an elaborate list of what you will find in Main Street U.S.A.
Attractions
Walt Disney World Railroad – A staple attraction, and icon, of Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Railroad takes you on a 1.5 mile journey around the perimeter of the park. The steam train can also be used as transportation around the park, as there are also stops in Frontierland and the Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland
Main Street Vehicles – Ride in style to the end of Main Street by boarding a horse-drawn trolley, omnibus, jitney, or a fire engine. These usually stop running by mid-afternoon, so make sure to board early in the day if you want this unique experience.
Dining
Sit Down Restaurants
Crystal Palace – This fancy building actually hosts a character buffet, which features your favorite characters from Winnie the Pooh!
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant – Dine inside the famous Italian restaurant that Lady and the Tramp shared their first kiss.
Plaza Restaurant – For the most part, this is the least expensive sit down restaurant in the park. It offers typical American food in an elegant atmosphere.
Quick Service Restaurants and Snack Carts
Casey’s Corner – You’ll be singing “take me out to the ballgame” when you walk into this baseball themed quick- service restaurant. The main offering here is, you guessed it, HOT DOGS!
Main Street Bakery (Starbucks) – This is the place for Starbucks lovers, but it also features some snacks/baked goods that are unique to Disney.
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor – Just as it sounds, this is a traditional ice cream parlor where you can get your favorite ice cream, float, or sundae!
Main Street Popcorn and Snack Carts – You will smell the sweet scent of buttery popcorn as you walk into Magic Kingdom. That is because these popcorn carts will be some of the first things you walk past after you exit the tunnel. PRO TIP: If you have a family of popcorn lovers, buy a refillable bucket. That way, you will only be spending $2.00 to refill it, rather than around $5.
Shopping
Box Office Gifts – Located inside Town Square Theater, this is where you can view and purchase your PhotoPass pictures. You can also buy Magic Bands and accessories, as well as camera supplies and some other small gift items.
The Chapeau – This is the place for Mickey Ears and other Disney themed hats. This is also one of the few places that you can get your hat embroidered.
Crystal Arts – This shop is filled with hand blown glass and crystal items. This can also be like a mini-attraction, because you can watch the artists at work.
Curtain Call Collectibles – This is the exit of the Mickey and Tinkerbell meet and greets, but you can also get to it from the outside. You will find Disney plush, hats, clothing, and other typical Disney merchandise.
Disney Clothiers – Located just after the block of stores that includes the Emporium, this store features character clothing and accessories, including upmarket fashion clothing.
Emporium – This is the largest souvenir shop in the Magic Kingdom. It takes up several buildings (at least from what it looks like on the outside). This is definitely the best place to do you souvenir shopping in the Magic Kingdom.
Main Street Confectionery – You could also probably put this in the dining category. This old-fashioned candy shop offers candy apples, unique candy, and all sorts of other treats.
Newsstand – This is a small shop near the entrance of the parks that offers some essentials that you may have forgotten. This includes sunglasses, sunscreen, batteries, hats, snacks, as well as a small selection of the normal Disney merchandise.
Uptown Jewelers – Themed like a turn of the century jewelry store, this shop has, you guessed it, jewelry. This includes high end, and costume type, jewelry. You’ll also find some Disney figurines and other types of art in this shop.
Characters
Town Square Theater – A permanent meet and greet area for two of Disney’s most iconic characters: Mickey Mouse & Tinker Bell.
Town Square Flagpole – This is kind of an unofficial meet and greet area. Characters can frequently be found around the flag pole at the beginning of Main Street. The characters you find here will always be a surprise.
Citizens of Main Street – These aren’t Disney characters that you will recognize, rather, they are “citizens” of the town that are dressed in turn of the century attire. This includes a barbershop quartet, women’s suffragists, a piano player, citizen dancers, a fire chief, a town historian, the town coucilman, the town mayor, and more! You might find these people performing, or they may just be walking around the street. Don’t be afraid to say hi if you see one of them!
Castle Shows
Let the Magic Begin – You’ll only be lucky enough to see this show if you arrive early. Every morning, about 5 minutes before park opening, Mickey and the gang will come to the Castle Forecourt Stage to welcome you and get you ready for the magical day ahead.
Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire – This show usually plays multiple times a day on the Castle Forecourt Stage. It features Mickey and Friends, which includes all sorts of characters.
Once Upon a Time – This is one of the night shows at Magic Kingdom. Narrated by Mrs. Potts, this show features amazing projections on Cinderella Castle that you will have to see to believe. The projections truly transform the castle like nothing you’ve ever seen!
Happily Ever After – Another night time show, this is actually the main, and more spectacular, night time show. It also features projections on the castle, but this show also features lots and lots of fireworks!
Other Entertainment & Experiences
Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade – Filled with floats, characters, dancers, and music, this is a parade not to be missed!
Move It! Shake it! MousekeDance it! Street Party – Another “parade” with floats, characters, and dancers, except this one stops at the end of the hub for a fun dance party. Kids will love it, but it’s not necessarily something to go out of your way for. Still, it does add a fun atmosphere when it’s going on!
Harmony Barbershop – A real working old-fashioned barbershop for kids and adults. For fun, They usually ask if you would like some “pixie-dust (glitter) in your, or your child’s, hair at the end of the cut.
The Dapper Dans – This is the barbershop quartet that was mentioned above as some of the “citizens of main street.” They perform all throughout Main Street throughout the day.
Main Street Trolley Show – Another show that involves the citizens of Main Street, these performers hop off a trolley to dance and welcome you. You’ll be singing “Walkin’ Right Down the Middle of Main Street U.S.A.” all morning!
Main Street Philharmonic – This brass and percussion ensemble performs multiple times throughout the day. Playing old school marches and familiar classics, you’ll be in for a treat when these marching musicians come out.
Casey’s Corner Pianist – Another Main Street Citizen, a lot of people consider him a “hidden treasure” of sorts. Located right outside of Casey’s Corner, he’ll entertain you with fun Disney tunes. When he’s not playing, don’t be afraid to go up and talk to him. He usually has some great jokes to tell.
Flag Retreat – Every evening around 5pm, this special ceremony by the flag honors America and the military. Usually the cast members will pick a veteran to take part in the ceremony.
Main Street Trolley Show
As you can see, there is a lot to enjoy about Main Street U.S.A. Sure, it may not seem as exciting as some of the other lands that have fun and thrilling attractions ride (which is why some people may skip over it), but there is a truly unique atmosphere here that can’t be matched. I hope you take some time to enjoy some of the offerings here. This is a good place to slow down and really enjoy the atmosphere during, what may be, a hectic day. Afterall, you are on vacation, right?!
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