Main Street USA is one of the most iconic sights in all of Walt Disney World. The quaint street takes you back to turn of the century America, when towns were small and neighbors friendly. Despite the period-appropriate accents and careful theming, however, this street is unlike any historic Main Street simply by way of the centerpiece at the end. With Cinderella Castle straight ahead and charming shops to either side, this main drag offers an experience unlike any other.
Though it’s easy to get lost in the excitement, Main Street USA is filled with little extras you won’t want to miss.
1. The sounds of vocal lessons
Main Street WindowListen for voice lessons beneath this window.
Though it can be difficult to hear during busy seasons, Main Street has a great hidden gem in its audio. As you’re heading toward the castle, look for Center Street on your right. This isn’t really a full street, as it just dead ends without taking you anywhere, but it gives you a chance to step away from the bustle and strain your ears for this special feature. Look up and you’ll see windows that advertise private voice and singing lessons. Stop and listen here and you’ll hear that some of these lessons are currently taking place.
2. Famous names in the windows
Main Street Windows
Avid Disney fans know all about the windows on Main Street, but they’re still worth a look. The names on these windows are more than just creative additions to make Main Street seem authentic. They’re the names of some of the most talented people to grace Disney property.
The window for Buena Vista Magic Lantern Slides alone boasts the names of Yale Gracey, Bud Martin, Ken O’Brien, and Wathel Rogers. If you’ve ever enjoyed the special effects of the Haunted Mansion, you have Gracey and Martin to thank. Ken O’Brien was an animator who worked on Pecos Bill, Donald’s Diary, and Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore. Wathel Rogers worked on audio-animatronics for the Enchanted Tiki Room and Hall of Presidents.
Though it’s not easy to get the whole story in a glance, many windows have a lot to say about the people named on them. The window for former president and CEO Frank G. Wells features “Seven Summits Expeditions” as a small nod to his mountain climbing hobby. This window is also higher than the rest, representing a mountain summit in its prominent location.
If you slow down and look, you’ll find more than a dozen prominent names. As a tribute to the man whose dream is behind it all, Main Street begins and ends with windows for Walt Disney.
3. Windows that tell a story
Main Street Windows
In addition to the important names on the Main Street windows, you’ll also find some notable nods to the story behind how this park came to be. Walt Disney knew that the price of land in Florida would skyrocket once the public caught on to his plan to build his next big theme park there, so he instead purchased the land under several pseudonyms. Two windows offer a nod to this bit of history – one reads “M.T. Lott Real Estate Investments” and the other “Pseudonym Real Estate Development Company.”
4. The flag retreat
Main Street Flag Retreat
Every day at 5:00, Main Street hosts a flag retreat ceremony. The Dapper Dans quartet sings “God Bless America” and the Main Street Philharmonic band plays “The Star Spangled Banner.” Each day a special veteran is chosen to participate in the ceremony. If you’re a veteran and interested in this opportunity, inquire at Guest Relations as early in the day as you can. The entire ceremony lasts about 15 minutes and often brings viewers to tears. If you’d like to catch this little known event, just make sure you’re in the area around the flag pole at 5 in the afternoon.
5. The “Sharing the Magic” Statue
Sharing the Magic Statue
Most people are familiar with the “Partners Statue” at the end of Main Street that features Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse standing hand in hand. Fewer people know about the “Sharing the Magic” statue. This statue features Walt’s brother Roy O. Disney seated on a bench with Minnie Mouse. Due to their striking resemblance, it’s easy to mistake Roy for his more famous little brother, but this statue pays homage to someone who was overwhelmingly important to the creation of Walt Disney World in his own right.
Roy was Walt’s partner throughout his ventures, offering a more stable and business-minded view that perfectly balanced Walt’s big dreams and creative thinking. Walt Disney died before the Magic Kingdom opened, and it was Roy instead who oversaw the completion of the project, turning his brother’s last dream into a reality. The dedication plaque for Walt Disney World sits to the left of the state, while a plaque for the statue itself can be found on the right.
6. Posters for the WDW Railroad locomotives
WDW Railroad Posters
The WDW Railroad has four locomotives that run on its tracks. Each one is named after an important character in the Disney legacy. There’s the Roy O. Disney for Walt’s brother, the Lilly Belle for Walt’s wife, the Roger E. Broggie for the mechanical engineer dubbed Disney’s first Imagineer, and of course the Walter E. Disney. Each locomotive has a poster in the train station telling the story behind its namesake.
7. Horse drawn trolley rides
Horse Drawn Streetcars
Though most people miss this simple little attraction, Main Street still offers rides on quaint, period-appropriate horse-drawn streetcars. Hop on at the beginning of Main Street and ride down to Cinderella Castle. This was once an “A Ticket” attraction, meaning that it was one of the simpler options in the park. Big rides like The Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion were worth a coveted “E Ticket.” Today, the carriage is as free to ride as everything else, and a great option for entertainment without a queue.
8. The Barber Shop
The Barber Shop
Looking a little scruffy on your vacation? Stop in to the Main Street Barber Shop for a trim. Though many people don’t know it, the Barber Shop is a real working establishment. It’s an especially fun option for children. The shop features fun period appropriate accents that make it different from your average barber. Take your child for his or her very first hair cut for an extra special experience.
While other areas in Disney tell imaginative stories that were made up just for that land, Main Street’s theme hits closer to home. Here you’ll find pieces of the true life story behind Walt, Roy, the early Imagineers, and all the little pieces that came together to make Walt Disney World what it is today.
