Main Street, U.S.A.: Overview and Layout

 

OVERVIEW:

When first walking in from Disneyberg, guests see a grand Victorian hotel. However, from where they are, it looks like there is just that hotel. They might not even think that there is a park behind it.........but why are others going behind it?

Looking behind the elegant hotel, guests find themselves in a beautiful garden with gates nearby. Behind the booths of these gates is a train station on a hill, a floral face of Mickey Mouse below it. Intrigued by this sight, guests go through security and through the tunnels, which show advertisements for attractions in the park.

Then, when they get to the other side of the station, the guests find themselves in a charming town square of a 1900s Midwestern town. It features a mix of American and European elements, taking a more Victorian look. In the center of the square is a gazebo where entertainment, whether it is music or characters, would be found.

Then, when guests look down a long street, they see a gorgeous sight. In the distance is a fairytale castle overlooking the street. This is no other than Snow White's Castle, the icon of the park (not only was Snow White Walt's first feature film, but it came from the German storytellers, the Brothers Grimm, thus making it perfect for a German park.)

If this first impression gives guests any thoughts, it's that this is going to be a magical journey.

LAYOUT:

As seen in this concept art, the entrance is behind a grand hotel. This is like the entrance of Disneyland Paris, which is also behind a hotel.

The town square of the street is a mix of old and new. Instead of a flagpole with the American flag, there is a gazebo for entertainment. This is to emphasize the fact that guests are not in America, even though it looks like it. On the left is where guests can get help and services at the City Hall and Chamber of Commerce. On the right is a theater and a bookstore where interactive wands are purchased. Here, guests can make things happen around the park, similar to WWoHP wands.

Going down the street are several shops and restaurants. On the sides of the street are arcades (the covered passageway, not the video game center.) The left is the Immigrant Arcade, based on German Immigrants to the United States and the impact they had, which goes near the Westernland side. The right is the Possibility Arcade, which pays tribute to famous German thinkers like Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud.

At the end of the street is the hub, where the classic "Partners" statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse stands in the center. Seven passageways lead out of the hub, leading to the different lands. On the left side is a wooden fort entrance, which goes to Westernland, and a Chinese gate beyond a bridge, which goes to Adventureland. A bridge through Snow White's Castle and a side path to its left go into Fantasyland, as well as a route going to the right. Past a giant, golden globe with a 'D' on it is Discoveryland, while going through a 1950s-style gate takes guests to Possibilityland. Both of these entrances are on the right side.

What can be found on the street will be gone over in later posts.