Everything There Is to Do on Main Street, U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom

Main Street, U.S.A. is one of my favorite themed lands at the Magic Kingdom, and really at Walt Disney World as a whole. Loosely based on a romanticized version of Walt Disney’s childhood “Main Street” in Marceline, Missouri, Main Street U.S.A. serves as the main thoroughfare into the rest of the Magic Kingdom.

It’s the only land in the park that Guests have to go through twice, and as such, it’s easy to breeze right through without taking in all of the theming and architectural details, along with all of the experiences Main Street has to offer. When you unpack it all though, there really is so much to see and do right upon entering the Magic Kingdom, so this guide should help you realize all of the things you won’t want to miss.

GUEST SERVICES

The front of every Disney Park is where you’ll find all kinds of Guest Services, and the Magic Kingdom is no different. In keeping the theme of Main Street, U.S.A., City Hall is where you’ll find Guest Services (where you would go if you have issues with tickets, want to share a Cast Member compliment, ask questions, set up a DAS (Disability Access Services pass), or find help for anything else you might need during your trip.

Next door, the Chamber of Commerce is package pickup for when you have packages sent from merchandise locations around the park to the entrance to pick up on your way out. (Note: As of this writing, package pickup was paused during the pandemic and it has not yet returned.)

On the other side of City Hall is the Fire Station, where Guests can take in more of the theming of Main Street. (In years past, this was where Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom was headquartered, an interactive card game that took place around the park. As an aside, I would love to see Disney bring this back or something new along a similar concept.)

Next to that is the Harmony Barber Shop. (Yes, the Magic Kingdom has a functioning Barber Shop!) The shop is a go-to location for first haircuts, and they have a whole package to celebrate the occasion that comes with customized Mickey ears and plenty of adorable photo ops, but basic adult haircuts are offered as well. Availability is very limited because the shop is so small, so you’ll want to make reservations on Disney’s official website. If you do not see any open reservations during your trip, it never hurts to stop into the Barber Shop in the morning to ask about walk-up availability.

If you are looking for stroller, wheelchair, ECV, or locker rentals, those are located just outside Main Street, on the other side of the train station closer to the park’s entrance. While not technically part of Main Street, the other side of the train station is also a great place to stop for a photo, and there is often a Disney PhotoPass Cast Member stationed there if you are using Memory Maker.

ATTRACTIONS

Main Street, U.S.A. is light on attractions compared to every other land in Magic Kingdom Park, but the attractions that are here really are rites of passage for Disney fans, and they should be done at least once.

Walt Disney World Railroad

The Walt Disney World Railroad has a station on Main Street, U.S.A. While there are also stops in Frontierland and Fantasyland (specifically Storybook Circus), the station at the front of the park is its “headquarters.” Inside the station, guests can check out all kinds of antiques related to the story of Main Street and the age of steam trains, along with information on how each of the park’s locomotives was named.

The trains were built between 1916 and 1928 and purchased and restored by the Walt Disney Company to use in the theme park in the 1960s. A ride on these original narrow-gauge steam trains really does offer quite a unique experience that most people would not have outside of Walt Disney World.

Main Street Vehicles

The other attraction located on Main Street, U.S.A. is the Main Street vehicles. Several vintage vehicles run earlier in the day, including a horse-drawn trolley, omnibus, jitney, and fire engine. As far as catching a ride on one of the vehicles, guests can take them one-way from either Town Square or in front of Cinderella Castle.

You can check current hours for the Main Street Vehicles in the My Disney Experience app, and you will also want to note that they will not be running during parades or character cavalcades.

Much like the Walt Disney World Railroad, the Main Street Vehicles are a unique (and underrated experience) that I’d recommend doing at least once. It’s not going to save you time going from one end of Main Street to the other, and on busy days there might be a wait as the vehicles are small (and I’d totally get not wanting to wait for this) but it is one of those smaller Disney experiences that really does add some extra magic to your day so if it works out, it’s worth the ride in my opinion.

Character Meet and Greets

Main Street is also home to Mickey Mouse’s meet and greet location, where Guests can meet the main mouse at Town Square Theater. Lines can get long to meet Mickey, so if seeing him in this location (as Magician Mickey) is a must-do, you may want to rope drop it or purchase Genie+.

ENTERTAINMENT

Some of the most iconic entertainment in the Magic Kingdom can be found on (or best viewed from) Main Street, U.S.A. including fireworks, stage shows, and streetmosphere performers.

Disney’s Happily Ever After Fireworks

Disney’s Happily Ever After Fireworks have been a fan-favorite since they debuted in 2017, and with their recent pause for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World (when Disney Enchantment ran instead) guests are thrilled to have the show back.

Technically fireworks can be viewed from several locations around the Magic Kingdom, they are in the sky after all, but Happily Ever After is very projection heavy and for that reason, I recommend watching it from the hub in front of Cinderella Castle or anywhere on Main Street. Projections on the buildings going down Main Street, U.S.A. were added to the show in 2023, so even standing closer to the Town Square side of Main Street will now offer a unique view of the show.

Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire

Each day, a packed lineup of beloved Disney characters take to the stage in front of Cinderella Castle for a live performance that really is one of my favorite shows to see in the Magic Kingdom. Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire follows Mickey and Minnie hosting a celebration for their friends, and as such, the show comes with appearances by Anna, Elsa, and Olaf from Frozen (2013), Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from Tangled (2010), and Tiana, Prince Naveen, and Louis from The Princess and the Frog (2009), along with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, and Goofy.

Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire is a daytime experience, though the time of the last show varies by season and crowd levels. Check the My Disney Experience app during your next trip for current showtimes.

Dapper Dans

Many of the performers who used to appear on Main Street, U.S.A., have not returned since Disney World reopened in 2020 (but I’m hopeful we’ll see them again someday…) though thankfully, the Dapper Dans have stuck around. The Dans are a barbershop quartet that performs turn-of-the-century songs along with the occasional tap dancing and musical instruments. They’re a fun addition to Main Street that I highly recommend stopping to watch if you see them out during your trip (as they also perform earlier in the day.)

In terms of turn-of-the-century music, Main Street is also home to an incredibly talented ragtime piano player who performs daily outside Casey’s Corner, but I’ll touch on that when we get to dining…

Parades and Character Cavalcades

Parades and character cavalcades are not specific to Main Street as they move throughout the park, but many Guests tend to stake out spots to watch them from on Main Street. While there is something extra magical about seeing the parade go by in front of Cinderella Castle, you will likely find it easier to grab a spot (especially last minute) in Liberty Square or Frontierland.

Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade is available on Genie+ if you purchase it. Genie+ operates differently for parades and shows than rides, so if you purchase the service and make Festival of Fantasy one of your selections, you can see the parade from a reserved viewing area on Main Street.

DINING

There are actually a lot of amazing dining options on Main Street, U.S.A. and some of them are really underrated. The restaurants on this end of the park are some of the more budget-friendly (both quick service and table service locations) and some of my favorite snacks in the Magic Kingdom can be found right here on Main Street, U.S.A.

Casey’s Corner

Casey’s Corner is a close second in my personal lineup of the best quick-service restaurants in the Magic Kingdom. (The #1 spot goes to Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland, thanks to Sonny Eclipse, to the adorable singing Audio-Animatronic alien who performs in there.)

Back on Main Street though, Casey’s really captures the theming of Main Street so well, serving up hot dogs and corn dog nuggets all within a vintage baseball theme. The menu is fairly basic, unless they happen to be serving up some kind of seasonal specials for hot dogs, but that’s all a place like this really needs.

The corn dog nuggets are one of my favorite snacks at Walt Disney World, and while you can sometimes find them in other locations (primarily resort quick-service restaurants) there is just nothing like picking them up from Casey’s. This location is also inspired by the Ernest Lawrence Thayer poem, “Casey at the Bat,” and while the interior of the restaurant is very small it’s always fun to see what details you can pick up from the poem or vintage baseball in general.

Mobile ordering is the way to go at Casey’s Corner as the lines can get very long here, and if possible I’d recommend grabbing a table on the patio so you can listen to the piano player. If you do not see any open tables here though, and you don’t mind a little walk, head across the street and toward Tomorrowland. The Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant is only open seasonally, and it’s huge so you can usually pick up your food at Casey’s and find a table over there if you need to.

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor & The Plaza Restaurant

I firmly believe The Plaza Restaurant is the most underrated restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. I have never had a bad meal here, and the prices for a table service restaurant are just slightly above Disney’s quick service prices. So if you are looking for a budget-friendly way to relax with a delicious meal (in the air conditioning) right on Main Street, U.S.A., The Plaza Restaurant is a great location to add to your list.

Next door, the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is a walk-up counter where Guests can order ice cream (in cups or by the cone) and sundaes. It’s not a must-do for me personally, as if I’m getting a sundae at Disney World I would probably wait until I can get over to Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, but if you are looking for hand-scooped ice cream in the Magic Kingdom, this is your best bet.

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

The other table service restaurant on Main Street is Tony’s Town Square. Themed to the iconic spaghetti and meatballs scene from Lady and the Tramp (1955), Tony’s, of course, serves up Italian-American cuisine.

Tony’s does have a sort of not-great reputation among Disney fans as it is often compared to, well…Olive Garden, but recent reviews have been much more positive since the menu was revamped. I haven’t dined at Tony’s in a few years, so I can’t speak to the new menu, but based on my last experience I’d say the food was okay for what it was; however, it’s a nice restaurant to keep in mind if you want to sit on the patio to see the parade while you eat or if you have picky eaters with you who might prefer what’s on the menu, even if it does feel a little like Olive Garden.

Main Street Confectionery

The Main Street Confectionery is a must-visit for anyone heading to the Magic Kingdom. It’s packed with all kinds of sweets and treats, including a bakery case with several specialty items made right on-site like Mickey Rice Krispie treats, cookies, candy apples, brownies, and more.

I recommend going with the ‘make your popcorn’ where you choose the toppings and a Cast Member mixes it up for you, or the cake pop pictured above.

Main Street Bakery

In years past, the Main Street Bakery was the spot to pick up a massive and delicious cinnamon roll at Walt Disney World. This hasn’t been the case for quite some time, though as the Main Street Bakery is now the Magic Kingdom’s Starbucks location.

I rarely get Starbucks at Walt Disney World (with the exception of the location inside Creature Comforts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where I will order a flat white since proceeds from this drink at this location go toward funds that support cotton-top tamarins.) Honestly, the lines for Starbucks are typically really long, and I prefer Joffrey’s.

If you do not need Starbucks specifically, I’d say enjoy the facade of the Main Street Bakery, but head to Joffrey’s in Tomorrowland to grab a coffee or something sweet instead. And about those cinnamon rolls– You can now find them at Gaston’s Tavern in Fantasyland.

SHOPS

The front of any Disney Park is typically where you’ll find all of the major shops. On Main Street, these include:

The Emporium
Disney Clothiers
Crystal Arts
Uptown Jewelers
Curtain Call Collectables

Many of these shops include general Disney merchandise and Magic Kingdom-specific items, though Crystal Arts also offers specialty glass and art items, and Uptown Jewelers is a great place to shop for higher end Disney merchandise like Pandora and Alex and Ani jewelry, Dooney and Bourke bags, and dresses and accessories from the Dress Shop collection.

You can also find small shops offering basic necessities (sunscreen, hats, sunglasses) near locker rentals outside of the park.

Did I miss anything in this guide?! Let me know in the comments below, and thanks for reading!

Everything There Is to Do on Main Street, U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom - The Disney Outpost (2024)