Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland Park
Having grown up in Marceline, Missouri, Walt Disney was inspired to create Main Street, U.S.A. to resemble the early 1900s era of that town. (This may be remembered from the movie Lady and the Tramp) Other features are created from inspiration taken from pictures of Fort Collins, Colorado also. Located inside the entrance of Magic Kingdom parks worldwide, Main Street U.S.A. is the first “themed” land in each park. In each theme park, Main Street, U.S.A. is known to have a train station at the entrance, but the location of Cinderella's castle varies from park to park. Another thing that remains the same is the shopping possibilities for both merchandise and food. Available merchandise includes Disney plush toys, collectible souvenirs, and the ever famous Mickey- Ear hats. Inside Casey's Corner, one of the dining establishments, traditional American food hot dogs and fries can be enjoyed. Other novelties can be found such as a real barber.
Moreover, this popular attraction is notable for being home to City hall and home to the Guest Relations office for each park. Assistance can be received from cast members of the park in these offices. City Hall contains the Guest Relations lobby where cast members provide information and assistance. But the greatest significance of this area is the names painted on each of the windows. These are the names of every person who ever contributed imaginatively and artistically to Disneyland. Many of the windows resemble businesses such as dentist's offices and such. Others make reference in some way to a hobby loved by one of the main contributors. This concept first came about on July 17, 2005, Disney's 50th anniversary, and what was unveiled was a full dedication to each contributor that had offered any sort of creative input to Disney.
Main Street U.S.A. is actually a real street that is also known for being a large part of the annual Major League Baseball All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade that was held on July 13, 2010 in Anaheim, California. It was actually the finishing point. Aside from all of that, the street is listed in the Orange County Thomas Guide.
Although it is modeled after Marceline, Missouri and Fort Collins, Colorado, it actually is much more than a reproduction of these two towns from the Midwest. It is also known for being modeled after a number of towns to offer characteristics and influences from all over the country; specifically New England. The diverse characteristics come together to create a harmonious unit that is also proud of its Four Corners area that boasts four different architectural styles on each corner.
Main Street's biggest claim to fame is the reputation for being thought of as opening credits for the Magic Kingdom area. The trains stations at the entrance are viewed as the opening curtain where you then pass the windows with painted names on each Main Street building that serve as the “Opening Credits”. As each window has its own painted name to represent a significant influence by each creative contributor to Disneyland, they are in a specific order and viewed much the same as movie credits would be.