Walt Disney World's Main Street U.S.A.

 

 

By Lisa Green 

 

 

Is there a better feeling in the World than stepping through the entrance to the Magic Kingdom and finding yourself on Main Street U.S.A?  That first moment when you pause to take it all in – The gorgeous colors – on the buildings, in store windows, floating in the hands of balloon vendors. The sounds – guests laughing, a piano playing, people singing, an old fashioned car horn.  The smell!  Delicious.  The view – Cinderella Castle’s majestic splendor in the distance – hands down, this moment is my favorite of every Walt Disney World vacation and never fails to make me a little misty.  While we’re thinking about this, let’s look at a few of my favorite things on Main Street U.S.A….

The buildings whisk you away to a perfect American small town, back in a simpler time – before our lives were filled with complex technological distractions.  Every detail of each storefront and window, each railing and shingle are perfect and, if you’re paying close attention, hold very important discoveries for guests to find.

The Main Street Vehicles are a wonderful treat – allowing children of all ages to experience early 20th Century transportation.  Catch a ride on a fire engine, a jitney, a horse-drawn car, or an omnibus and take a one-way ride to Cinderella Castle.

The entertainment along Main Street U.S.A. provides the perfect accompaniment for a stroll back in time.  The Dapper Dans croon their old-timey barbershop quartet favorites – and often delight onlookers by serenading guests celebrating a special occasion.  The Casey’s Corner Pianist (tucked around the corner at the Castle-end of Main Street on the left) amazes visitors with a huge repertoire of happy tunes!

There are plenty of excellent souvenir shops!  The Emporium on Main Street U.S.A.’s left side stretches nearly the entire length of the street – pins, shirts, snacks, batteries, toys – the Emporium’s a gigantic general store – Disney-style!  If you’re looking for a customized Earhat, there’s no better place to shop than The Chapeau – a Main Street classic!

Main Street U.S.A. is a great place to visit when you’re hungry – any time of the day!  Catch some breakfast at the Main Street Bakery, lunch at the Crystal Palace with all your favorite friends from the Hundred Acre Wood (Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet usually), and dinner at Casey’s Corner for some super fancy hot dogs.  Need a sweet treat?  The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is a delicious way to beat the Florida heat any time of the day!

 

Let’s not forget the parades!  Main Street’s a great place to secure a spot for the Festival of Fantasy Parade in the afternoon and the Main Street Electrical Parade at night.  Stand on Main Street for Wishes – oooh and ahhhhh with the people around you during the fireworks.

As the place where every visitor begins and ends each visit to the Magic Kingdom, Main Street U.S.A. couldn’t be more perfect.

What’s your favorite part of Main Street?

 

This article was originally posted on Lisa's Living a Disney Life Blog.
She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LivingaDisLife and on Twitter at @life_of_green

Please be sure to check out Lisa along with me and David Hodges on The Disney Exchange Podcast!

Thumper and His Siblings : Walt Disney Classics Collection

By Nick

Today I share Classics Collection figures of Thumper and his sisters.
Thumper measures 3″ high.



Like the Flower figure, I’ve had Thumper since 1993.

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The figure is titled “Hee! Hee! Hee!…”, because, if memory serves, Thumper finds it amusing that Bambi has referred to his young skunk friend as a flower.



I think the paint on these actually give a feeling of texture. Just beautiful.



For the first production year, 1992, the Walt Disney Classics Collection featured a steamboat wheel mark, honoring Mickey Mouse’s 1928 debut in Steamboat Willie. There is also a special Bambi 50th Anniversary mention on this piece, that the Bambi and Flower pieces I have do not carry.



Doing a Google search, I found that Thumper has 4 sisters, named Trixie, Daisy, Ria, and Tessie. But, unfortunately, there is no indication as to which 2 are portrayed here.



This was an early gift from my wife, who felt that Thumper would like to have family with him.

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Titled “Hello, Hello There”.

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This also has the steamboat wheel mark, indicating it was made in 1992, as well as the 50th Anniversary tag.

Disney's Festival of the Lion King: I Don't Get It

By Nick

Okay. Let's start by saying I love the movie The Lion King. It is absolutely a classic. Animation is great. Story wonderful. Music extremely catchy and enjoyable.

But I just don't get what the attraction to Festival of the Lion King at Disney's Animal Kingdom is, and why it is the most popular stage show in Walt Disney World (according to more than one Cast Member).

Granted, the surroundings are beautiful and the theater very well themed.

There are 4 sections, each one representing an animal. Elephant, which is where I was, Lion, Giraffe and Warthog.

There are "tumble monkeys", areal acrobats, fire twirlers, and sing alongs.

It sounds and looks great, but, I just don't have a desire to see it again, unless I'm with people who feel the need.

To be honest, I think the problem could be my dislike of circuses. And this is very much like a circus to me, with a "center ring" and other "rings" around it.

I think Finding Nemo - The Musical to be much more entertaining, creative and inventive!

What is your opinion of Circus Festival of the Lion King?

Gnomeo and Juliet Bobble Head Figures

By Nick

While “Gnomeo and Juliet” was not a blockbuster for Disney and Touchstone Pictures, it did turn into a bit of a sleeper hit. Based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” it is the story of two neighbors, and their garden gnomes, at war. But Gnomeo and Juliet, are in love. Unlike “Romeo and Juliet” however, this has a happy ending for all involved.

I got these bobble heads as a surprise for my wife, using my points from the Disney Movie Rewards program.

Gnomeo Montague and Juliet Capulet.

It’s a very good movie, very entertaining, and we loved the 3D. It has an all star cast, including James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine, Patrick Stewart, Jason Statham, Maggie Smith, and Matt Lucas, with music by Elton John.

Episode 71 of The Disney Exchange Podcast: Things You Don't Have to do at Walt Disney World

By Nick

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

071 The Disney Exchange - Things You Don't Have to do at Walt Disney World. The Disney Exchange is Lisa Green, David Hodges, and me, Nicholas Maglio

All photos this week are from Lisa Green. Photos like this one of Lisa and me.

 And this one of Dave!

 
David starts off the show talking about his recent trip to Walt Disney World, the Star Wars Marathon, and the new Colortopia Exhibit at Innoventions. Photos: Dave

Our main topic covers those things you don't have to do at Walt Disney World. For example, stay out late, and stand in long lines.

And you don't have to eat Hamburgs and Hotdogs! Disney food is great!

The Wheel of Distiny topic this week was submitted by friend and listener Gaylin. : What is the most expensive souvenir you've ever bought at Walt Disney World?

Photo: Nick

You can submit show ideas and wheel topics:
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Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange Podcast!