Do you count Main Street as a "land"

Ghoulish Delight · 08-20-2005, 02:39 PM

I know technically it's a land, and it's alwas counted as part of the 5 original lands, but growing up, I never really considered it as such myself.

First of all, it alerts you to the fact that it's not with its name. There was Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Frontierland, and Main not land.

Secondly, no significant attractions. There's GMWML (a late addition), some cars, a train station, and lots and lots of shopping.

So for me, it just isn't on the same level as the "true" lands. Perhaps because my family was never one to do much shopping, and our favorite eateries were elsewhere in the park. So Mainstreet was nothing more than what I think of it as, which is a portal into the "real" lands.

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't appreciate it. It served it's purpose beautifully, to act as a buffer between the outside world and the magic within. To set the mood needed to transport you on the way in, and to gradually bring you back to earth on the way out. It was, for me, a place to admire and the site of it was always special, but it was not a place to linger.

Tref · 08-20-2005, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I know technically it's a land, and it's alwas counted as part of the 5 original lands, but growing up, I never really considered it as such myself ...

... Secondly, no significant attractions ...

... So for me, it just isn't on the same level as the "true" lands. Perhaps because my family was never one to do much shopping, and our favorite eateries were elsewhere in the park. So Mainstreet was nothing more than what I think of it as, which is a portal into the "real" lands ...

Like you, I suppose I never really thought of Main Street as a "land," though it was always my favorite place to be, especially at night. And if Rod Miller is not a "significant attraction" then I do not know what is! Give me a nice table, a hot pretzel and a cup of coffee and I'll sit there all night long.

Isaac · 08-20-2005, 05:06 PM

Um, it's a land.

It may not feature the best attractions in the park or have the word 'land' tagged to the name but it's a piece of land that's themed & features attractions just the other lands in the park. I don't spend much time in that particular land either but I don't exclude it from being what it is.

Ghoulish Delight · 08-20-2005, 05:24 PM

I suppose it's a matter of semantics. Main Street just occupies such a different realm in my mind than the other lands that I don't really consider them the same type of entity. All the other lands feel conceptually linked to each other in my mind, so Main Street just stands out as it's own thing. Not lesser or worse, just unique.

Isaac · 08-20-2005, 06:55 PM

Well it's definitely different than the other lands but it's meant to be a gateway into the rest of the imaginative world so it has to be odd in that way.

Motorboat Cruiser · 08-20-2005, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

First of all, it alerts you to the fact that it's not with its name. There was Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Frontierland, and Main not land.

Is Toon Town a land? If yes, then I would think that Main St. is, as well. They are both specifically-themed areas with clear cut boundaries, even though they didn't get the "land" extention. They have rides and attractions that are themed to that particular area as well.

I say it's a land.

sleepyjeff · 08-20-2005, 10:13 PM

Walt used to go down to Main St in Marcieline MS and wonder(as any boy would do) at all the lands the Train going thru town would travel....he would take in a movie and dream of Traveling to the darkest jungles in South America or the Veldt of the African Plain. Surely he saw Comic books in the 5 and dime depicting Space Adventures and Worlds of Tomorrow.

Some may say Main St. USA isn't good enough for land status....I say quite the opposite.....the lands are the Subjects of the Street

Not Afraid · 08-21-2005, 12:23 AM

Of course it is a land. It's got the main feature of the other first lands of Disneyland - particularly atmosphere. It's a turn of the century main street. The Vehicles, the Main Street Cinema and the shops all give the feel of what a Main Street in Anytown USA was like. Granted, the original shops were unique and a bit more appropos, but it still is one of lands of Disneyland.

DisneyDaniel · 08-21-2005, 01:07 AM

Yes, I do count Main Street, U.S.A. as a land--just like New Orleans Square, Critter Country and Mickey's Toontown are also lands without "land" attached to its name.

Beside its detailed theming, Main Street is one of the most important lands as the first-and-last land most guests see.

On a side note, Main Street also holds sentimental value from my childhood because the first four things my family always did on each visit took place on Main Street: Take a family photo in front of the Mickey flowers, board the Disneyland Railroad for a roundtrip, watch Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and ride one of the Main Street vehicles. Of course, this land was also the location for a very special and unique parade--Main Street Electrical Parade.

Drince88 · 08-21-2005, 06:58 AM

I'm interested in what those that don't think of it as a 'land' think of World Showcase in Epcot.

I REALLY didn't appreciate that area of Epcot the first visit, because (for the most part) all there was there was shopping and buildings and restaurants - oh yea, and atmosphere (mind you, I WAS an adult at the time!) Fortunately, on either our first or second trip, my sister and I had a package that included a choice of options that didn't really appeal to adults traveling without kids - EXCEPT the World Showcase tours. We did the "Hidden Treasures" one and it REALLY opened our eyes to the wonder that is World Showcase. At the end of that tour we said "We need to spend more time here just soaking in things" - and our next trip we did just that.

I never really made that connection between the two parks - now I'm going to pay attention to it the next time I stroll down either Main Street. I'm wondering if anyone thinks there might be some sort of parallel there.

08-20-2005, 02:39 PM	#1
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Do you count Main Street as a "land" I know technically it's a land, and it's alwas counted as part of the 5 original lands, but growing up, I never really considered it as such myself. First of all, it alerts you to the fact that it's not with its name. There was Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Frontierland, and Main not land. Secondly, no significant attractions. There's GMWML (a late addition), some cars, a train station, and lots and lots of shopping. So for me, it just isn't on the same level as the "true" lands. Perhaps because my family was never one to do much shopping, and our favorite eateries were elsewhere in the park. So Mainstreet was nothing more than what I think of it as, which is a portal into the "real" lands. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't appreciate it. It served it's purpose beautifully, to act as a buffer between the outside world and the magic within. To set the mood needed to transport you on the way in, and to gradually bring you back to earth on the way out. It was, for me, a place to admire and the site of it was always special, but it was not a place to linger. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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08-20-2005, 05:06 PM	#3
Isaac the one n only Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Anaheim Posts: 1,236	Um, it's a land. It may not feature the best attractions in the park or have the word 'land' tagged to the name but it's a piece of land that's themed & features attractions just the other lands in the park. I don't spend much time in that particular land either but I don't exclude it from being what it is. __________________
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08-20-2005, 05:24 PM	#4
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	I suppose it's a matter of semantics. Main Street just occupies such a different realm in my mind than the other lands that I don't really consider them the same type of entity. All the other lands feel conceptually linked to each other in my mind, so Main Street just stands out as it's own thing. Not lesser or worse, just unique. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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08-20-2005, 06:55 PM	#5
Isaac the one n only Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Anaheim Posts: 1,236	Well it's definitely different than the other lands but it's meant to be a gateway into the rest of the imaginative world so it has to be odd in that way. __________________
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08-20-2005, 10:13 PM	#7
sleepyjeff Go Hawks Go! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parkrose Posts: 2,632	Walt used to go down to Main St in Marcieline MS and wonder(as any boy would do) at all the lands the Train going thru town would travel....he would take in a movie and dream of Traveling to the darkest jungles in South America or the Veldt of the African Plain. Surely he saw Comic books in the 5 and dime depicting Space Adventures and Worlds of Tomorrow. Some may say Main St. USA isn't good enough for land status....I say quite the opposite.....the lands are the Subjects of the Street __________________ River Guardian-less
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08-21-2005, 12:23 AM	#8
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	Of course it is a land. It's got the main feature of the other first lands of Disneyland - particularly atmosphere. It's a turn of the century main street. The Vehicles, the Main Street Cinema and the shops all give the feel of what a Main Street in Anytown USA was like. Granted, the original shops were unique and a bit more appropos, but it still is one of lands of Disneyland.
	Submit to Quotes

08-21-2005, 01:07 AM	#9
DisneyDaniel California Adventurer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 537	Yes, I do count Main Street, U.S.A. as a land--just like New Orleans Square, Critter Country and Mickey's Toontown are also lands without "land" attached to its name. Beside its detailed theming, Main Street is one of the most important lands as the first-and-last land most guests see. On a side note, Main Street also holds sentimental value from my childhood because the first four things my family always did on each visit took place on Main Street: Take a family photo in front of the Mickey flowers, board the Disneyland Railroad for a roundtrip, watch Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and ride one of the Main Street vehicles. Of course, this land was also the location for a very special and unique parade--Main Street Electrical Parade. __________________ Yes, I do LOVE Disney California Adventure. Disneyland is not so bad either ;-)
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08-21-2005, 06:58 AM	#10
Drince88 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 481	I'm interested in what those that don't think of it as a 'land' think of World Showcase in Epcot. I REALLY didn't appreciate that area of Epcot the first visit, because (for the most part) all there was there was shopping and buildings and restaurants - oh yea, and atmosphere (mind you, I WAS an adult at the time!) Fortunately, on either our first or second trip, my sister and I had a package that included a choice of options that didn't really appeal to adults traveling without kids - EXCEPT the World Showcase tours. We did the "Hidden Treasures" one and it REALLY opened our eyes to the wonder that is World Showcase. At the end of that tour we said "We need to spend more time here just soaking in things" - and our next trip we did just that. I never really made that connection between the two parks - now I'm going to pay attention to it the next time I stroll down either Main Street. I'm wondering if anyone thinks there might be some sort of parallel there.
	Submit to Quotes