Main Street, USA

Main Street, USA, at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World

Main Street, USA is the welcoming and entrance area of the many Disney Magic Kingdom-style parks around the world.

Based on Walt Disney's hometown of Marceline, Missouri, Main Street is the official entrance into Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland. Although the three international Main Streets have slight variations, they are all themed around a late 1890s/early 1920s American town.

The only Main Street that Walt Disney himself strolled down, Disneyland's version is even listed as a real street in the Orange County Thomas Guide. Tokyo Disneyland's version is covered by a Victorian style conservatory glass roof to shield guests from the erratic Japanese weather, and is called the World Bazaar to promote a more international theme than Main Street, USA.

The Disneyland Paris Main Street has a slightly different theme – the decor is more 1920s than turn-of-the-century, with influences from the flapper and rag-time all over. The Main Street at Hong Kong is much like the Magic Kingdom's, with detailed fascias and shops emitting fumes that attract all the senses.

Main Street, USA, at Disneyland Paris.

The real attractions of Main Street are the world-famous castles. At Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland, the quaint but stunning Sleeping Beauty Castle stands at the end of the street, and at the Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland the grand and awe-inspiring Cinderella Castle can be seen from the street.

The Disney Imagineers worked especially hard on the details of Main Street. Buildings such as Disneyland City Hall do actually serve a City Hall-like purpose – for instance the City Hall is the park's administration headquarters, and the Bank of Main Street are Annual Pass collection points.

Main Street, USA

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