Disneyland Railroad - Main Street Station
The grand gateway to Disneyland, Main Street, U.S.A. is designed as a typical turn-of-the-century mid-western Main Street, at a time when electricity was just beginning to be used and gasoline-powered cars were first driving through the city. Even though Walt Disney lived in numerous places in his youth (including Chicago, Illinois), it has long been held that Marceline, Missouri was where he considered “home.” Main Street, U.S.A. is based on this small town’s central business district.
Disneyland is set up to be geographically easily to navigate. Upon entering through the main entrance tunnels, you are in the southernmost part of the park at Town Square. This area features the flag pole and dedication plaque, as well as City Hall on your west (the Disneyland incarnation of guests services). The Guided Tour Garden is located adjacent to City Hall. On the south side of Town Square is The Disneyland Railroad – Main Street Station, which provides quick transport to New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown, and Tomorrowland. On the east side of Town Square is The Disney Gallery, a showcase of conceptual Disneyland art and models with a variety of rotating exhibits.
A variety of shops and restaurants line the street just to your north; these venues usually open 30-60 minutes prior to the rest of the park and close approximately 30-60 minutes after scheduled park closing, making it a convenient (albeit busy) place to grab a last-minute souvenir or quick bite to eat on your way out. The Main Street Lockers and Lost & Found are located half-way down the street on the east side, just a little bit past Main Street Cinema. At the northern-most end of Main Street is Central Plaza, the main hub of Disneyland. When the park opened in 1955, this plaza was the gateway to all of the lands. In the center of the Plaza is the Partners Statue featuring Mickey & Walt.
Standing at Central Plaza, Fantasyland will be due north just beyond Sleeping Beauty Castle. To your west will be the entrances to Adventureland and Frontierland; Tomorrowland will be to your east. Both New Orleans Square and Critter Country can be accessed from either the Frontierland or Adventureland entrances, and are located just west of these lands; Mickey’s Toontown lies just north of Fantasyland. The Disneyland Monorail System, which provides round-trip transportation to Downtown Disney Station, is located in Tomorrowland. Facing the Castle, the First Aid Station and Lost Children offices are located on the southeast section of the Plaza, between The Plaza Inn and Star Tours.
AgriFuture Sign in Tomorrowland
While the distance from Town Square to Central Plaza is not a great one, you do have the option of riding one of the Main Street Vehicles, which include of the classic Horse-Drawn Streetcar, Omnibus, Fire Engine and Horseless Carriage. The Disneyland Parade Route also runs along Main Street. Typically each parade will run twice a day; in that event, the first parade begins at Small World Plaza in Fantasyland, runs down between the Matterhorn and Alice in Wonderland and out onto Central Plaza, completing a half-circle and running the length of Main Street and running a half-circle around Town Square, disappearing behind the Opera House. The second performance of the day runs in the opposite direction. Central Plaza is also the key area from which to view Disneyland’s world-famous fireworks spectaculars (presented seasonally).
The Disneyland Railroad Main Street Station – The Disney Gallery – Main Street Cinema – Main Street Vehicles
Main Street, U.S.A. Shopping Guide – Main Street, U.S.A. Dining Guide
