Main Street is the first real exposure of imagineering to the guest. Some highlights worth noting
The Tunnel
One of the most missed and glossed over parts of Disneyland is the tunnel that you walk through. As you walk through you are transitioned from one world to another. The plaque above says it better than I ever could.
The Firehouse
While more historical than imagineering, the firehouse is worth a mention. The second floor was Walts apartment inside Disneyland. A light in the window is there to remind us that the spirit of Disney is still here.
Imagineering Highlights!
- The Sounds – Every time I hear “Surrey with the fringe on top” I think of Disneyland. Puts a smile on my face every time. Pay attention and you can hear piano lessons happening and various other thematic sounds to make you feel like you’re there.
- The Smells – Disney pumps in smells. You’ll smell fresh cookies, and in the winter, peppermint.
- Low Windows – In order to allow kids to see in the windows, the windows are actually lower than normal. Its an easy miss, but when you see it, you can’t unsee it.
- Forced Perspective – Main street is one of the best examples of forced perspective. This is the art of making things smaller higher so they look further away and thus things look taller. Take a hard look at the windows, they are smaller than they should be, same with all the features. This gives this the impression that the buildings are bigger than they are. This trick is used all over Disneyland, most notably the Castle itself!
- Half Red/Half White light bulb – Inside the Coke corner one of the lightbulbs is half red and half white. This is due to there being an odd number of sockets, which would result in the same color being next to each other. Walts solution: “Paint it half white, half red!”
Attractions
- Great moments with Mr Lincoln
- The Vehicles of Main Street
- Main Street Cinema
- Disneyland Railroad