Magic Kingdom

Main Street U.S.A.

Attractions|Entertainment And Shopping|Dining|

Main Street is your introduction to the Magic Kingdom.On entering you feel the real world slip away, as you find yourself strolling through a small American town at the turn of the 20th century.

Did such a town really exist? No. Main Street was patterned on many different towns but the architecture, vehicles, and gas lamps are authentic representations of their times and give a real sense of the period.

Although there are no rides (other than vintage vehicles which transport guests from one end of Main Street to the other) or headline attractions, there is much to appreciate here. The buildings are not movie set props but real structures containing shops and restaurants that are completely accessible and invite you to come in and browse.

Starting at the Railroad Station and ending at Cinderella's Castle, Main Street serves as a passage that leads you away from reality and draws you into the magical world of Disney.

Most guests pass quickly down the street and head immediately for one of the six other lands with their many attractions. This is understandable as most people want to get in as many rides as they can before the park becomes crowded and lines grow long.

However, I would encourage you to take some time during your day to return to Main Street and enjoy a walk back in time to a bygone age.

Walt Disney World Railroad:

This 1 1/2 mile railroad starts and ends at the Main Street station. Each train is powered by one of four vintage steam locomotives. A complete circuit of Disney World Magic Kingdom takes about twenty minutes with stops in Frontierland and Mickey's Toontown Fair. Great fun for train lovers and a relaxing way to take the weight off your feet for a while.

This is the place to view and ride all the different vintage transportation vehicles used on Main Street, everything from a fire engine to turn of the century buses and horse drawn trolleys.

The trolleys are especially interesting pulled by giant horses (Belgians and Percheronsnot Clydesdales) that weigh as much as a ton. When not pulling trolleys up and down Main Street these magnificent huge animals can be visited at the car barn.They are well worth a close- up look.

A typical ride up Main Street takes on average from 2-4 minutes depending on which vehicle type you are riding.

Town Square Exposition Hall:

Sponsored by Kodak, the Town Square Exposition Hall is dedicated to all things photographic. Need film or a battery this is the place to get them. As well as being a shop, the Exposition Hall is also a mini museum featuring exhibits on photography and movies from the early day of film to today's high tech digital age. Vintage Mickey Mouse cartoons such as Steamboat Willie are shown throughout the day. There are also some great props that make interesting backdrops for personal photographs.

City Hall:

Is it your birthday? If you visit guest relations at City Hall and tell them, you will be given an Today's My Birthday button. My daughter did this and was the center of attention all day. She loved it!! Guest relations will also be able to help you with any questions you may have on dining, entertainment, schedules, etc. and is also where you pick up and pay for any photos taken of you by Disney Photographers.

Harmony Barber Shop:

If you need a haircut stop by the Harmony old time barber shop. If you time it right you can be entertained by The Dapper Dan's barber shop quartet while you wait. Check the entertainment guide for details.

Throughout the day there are strolling street actors who interact with the guests such as The Dapper Dan's Barber Shop Quartet,Mayor Weaver, and an assortment of other colorful and interesting characters. Look out for the main street trolley parade. This small parade held periodically throughout the day features performers in period dress singing and dancing their way down the Street.

There are many fascinating shops to browse around on Main Street,selling everything from monogrammed mouse ears and all manner of Disney souvenirs, to cut glass bowls,crystal castles, fine jewelry,and candy.These quaint looking unique shops are almost mini- attractions themselves and are well worth spending a little of your time in.

Buffet:

The Crystal Palace

Located on a little side street is theCrystal Palace, an all you can eat buffet restaurant. As well as being a great place to eat, it has the added bonus of being the Magic Kingdom headquarters of Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, and the rest of the gang from the hundred acre wood.

This very large bright building gives the feeling of being in a large indoor garden and is a cut above the average buffet. The food is tasty and fresh and as is replenished often.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and Dinner the Crystal Palace offers a full array of menu items everything from traditional breakfast items in the morning to pasta, chicken, carved meats, and fish at dinner. Winnie the Pooh and friends circulate frequently giving plenty of opportunities for taking pictures and videos.

Table Service:

Plaza Restaurant: Just off Main Street is the Plaza Restaurant. This pleasant spot offers salads, burgers, sandwiches of all varities, ice creams, milk shakes, and sundaes. This full service restaurant is very popular and reservations are suggested.

Tony's Town Square:

Italian food in a setting designed to resemble the restaurant in the Disney classic movie, "Lady and the Tramp." This charming restaurant has tables with red and white checkered table cloths arranged around a central fountain. The outdoor patio is an especially nice spot to dine with great views of main street but tables here are limited and hard to come by.

Lunch offerings include pizzas, panninis, sandwiches, and pasta. Dinner adds steaks, chicken Florentine, seafood pasta, eggplant rotini, and daily specials. All kinds of tempting desserts are served as well as cappuccino and expresso. Reservations are strongly suggested.

Fast Food Pastries and Ice Cream:

Casey's Corner:

Fast food with a Baseball theme menu items include hotdogs, fries (chips to our U.K. guests), corn dog nuggets, chili, crackerjack, etc. plus soft drinks, bottled water, tea, and coffee. At various times during the day a piano player entertains.


Main Street Bakery:

The smell of fresh coffee brewing and cookies baking waft through the air and are enough to tempt anyone inside this charming bakery for a light snack. As well as the afore mentioned coffee and cookies, the bakery is well stocked with all manner of fresh baked goods from delicious cakes to mouth watering pies. Cappuccino, espresso, tea, soft drinks, and bottled water round out the tempting menu.

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor:

In the mood for ice cream? Look no farther than this old fashioned ice cream parlor. Hand dipped cones and an endless variety of flavors make this one of the most popular spots on main street, especially on a hot Florida afternoon.