Let’s admit it. We all love “walking right down the middle of Main Street, USA” in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Once your countdown to vacation is finally finished and it’s time to kick back and hang out with no one other than Mickey, remember these facts. Here are ten hidden secrets about Main Street, USA that will make you feel as if the pixie dust went up ten levels!
1. Flags
As you are coming through the entrance underneath Main Street Station, you are welcomed by our beautiful American Flag with a background of Cinderella Castle. Take a peak on top of all of the buildings on Main Street. You’ll notice each building holds a flag on a pole. These flags are actually fake. If you look closely, you will see that each of those flags is either missing stars or stripes. The poles that hold the flags play a major role! They are used to protect guests down on Main Street from lightning. All of the flags are fake because, according to the United States Flag Code, any real American Flag must be raised, lowered, and flown at half-mast daily. This job would be too tedious for cast members to do every morning and night.
Read More: Shocking Secrets about American Flags in Disney World
2. Flag Retreat Ceremony
Since you know the Pledge of Allegiance by heart and Disney music is always better, at 5 pm near the Main Street train station, you wouldn’t want to miss the retreat ceremony. Every night, there is a special tribute to those who serve this country by the Dapper Dans and band! Just when you thought it doesn’t get much better, a veteran is handed the flag. Hear the joy and pride of military music flowing down Main Street.
3. Window Displays
I know I’m not the only one who kind of gets frustrated when my nieces and nephews are constantly asking to be picked up to look in the windows of a store. Disney, yet again, beats the system. All window displays on Main Street begin lower than normal so little guys and gals don’t have to ask to see. With just a little tip-toe peak in, they can have their hearts filled with joy and say they saw it first!
4. Smellitizers
As you’re walking down Main Street, have you ever wondered “How on Earth does it smell so good?!” Well, Disney installed a fragrance system that pumps out smells so the sweet smell of the Confectionary makes you want to race inside. The name of this system is Smellitizers!
They look similar to a wall speaker and are found under some window displays, or hidden in the molding of the exterior of a shop. Now, be on the lookout for these smellitizers so you can breathe in the deliciousness.
5. Singing Lessons
Continue down Main Street, and to your right just after Uptown Jewelers, there is a hidden cove. This cove is a wonderful place to kick back and enjoy a beautiful Florida day. If you sit long enough, you might catch singing lessons! Look up on the second floor for a window that says “Voice Singing Lessons” and listen close! You will hear a girl practicing to be the newest cast member from the open window.
6. Building Perspective
The buildings on Main Street, modeled after Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri, seem a lot taller than they actually are. To make this illusion possible, they are constructed to be smaller the higher they go. Next time you glance up and take in what is around you, notice the size of the detailing compared to the scaling of where you are standing! Pretty neat, right?
And guess what? Up on that second story, there are actually Cast Members that have offices and get to work there. Can you imagine having your desktop on the second story of Main Street USA?
7. Imagineers
While we are talking about the buildings, I’d like to mention this cool fun fact. On the second floor of the Main Street shops, you’ll notice each window has lettering decals. These names and positions signify each Imagineer who held a great responsibility for the making of Magic Kingdom. Try to spot Roy Disney’s window; Walt’s older brother!
Walt has two windows. One on the outside of the train station as you are walking in, and just above the ice cream shop. They chose this location because ice cream is Walt’s favorite and it is facing his beautiful dream that turned into reality – Cinderella’s Castle.
8. Main Street Slope
At the end of a long night, crowds are pushed to the exit and it usually takes forever. This is why we will always recommend hanging around after the fireworks and not making a dash for the exit.
The good news is your tired legs may find it’s a lot easier to walk out of the park than you would have thought! Main Street is actually on a slight incline as you approach the castle so when everyone exits, they are technically walking downhill. This makes the exit swifter and a little more faster. Who knew, right?
9. Utilidors
Your mind is probably already all wacky from #8, but this fun fact will top that! The Magic Kingdom is 13 feet above sea level. You’d never expect that because Seven Seas Lagoon is right as you exit, but here is why! Located underneath the Magic Kingdom, there is an underground system called “Utilidors”. This is where cast members prepare themselves for magic, and how they transport from land to land.
Fun Fact: At Magic Kingdom, you never see a cast member from a different land walking amongst the crowd.
10. Hub & Spoke
As you are in or out of the park, be sure to grab a park map. Take a close look at the way the castle and lands are set up. They follow a hub-and-spoke layout, the castle being the hub and the lands branching off as the spokes. Walt Disney made it extremely easy to get from place to place, including access to the castle from wherever you are standing.
Conclusion on Main Street USA
Hey guys, welcome back! Now that we journeyed up and down Main Street, USA I think it’s time to head to the Main Street Bakery for some Starbucks, am I right? I hope these 10 hidden secrets about Main Street, U.S.A make your trip extra magical. If you want even more Disney history we highly recommend taking the Keys to the Kingdom tour. Share your favorite hidden Disney gems in the comments below. Thanks for reading! If you want some more Magic Kingdom tips read our Magic Kingdom Must Dos!
Hi Mousketeers! I am 20 “ears” old and have been going to the parks since I was two. Each time I’m there, I learn new things. Just like yours, my world revolves around Mickey, so a New York girl traveling to Florida as much as possible may seem crazy, but it’s very much worth it. WDW Vacation Tips is the perfect outlet to gain fast and reliable knowledge for your upcoming trip to the parks. Whether it’s your first or one hundred and first visit to Walt Disney World, there is plenty to know before you go. Stop by and read some articles so you can experience the magic in a whole new way!
