Can I enjoy Main Street USA?

[Expo_Seeker40]

Of the what will soon be fifth trip I make to WDW *woo hoo can't wait :sohappy: * ...I seem to always be looking, thinking, and trying to plan out how I can enjoy the atmosphere and what Main Street USA has to offer...yet I never seem to!

Just so everyone knows...I do not stay on property at WDW. I haven't done that since my first trip back in 1996. 2004, 2005, and 2006 I stay at a relative's home only a hop skip jump and away and during my stay in FL each year we rotate two parks each with its own seperate day.

This year I will be doing MK and Epcot *just as I did last year* because new and interesting things are there that I have to see...however I might be able to make a bonus trip to finally see AK for my very first time!!!

Anyway...I plan on doing the MK monday january 8th, 2007. It will be the second week of january, and because it is a monday and a school day, I know from experience that many people have left, and quite a few of the marathoners have also left too, or even on that day.

While the crowds are very flexible as I love going in January...would the best time to experience Main Street USA, it's shops, themeing, and exposition hall, etc best be done early evening around dinner time?

I seem to remember last January that many people in the late evening were busy eating or going back to their hotel. Main Street seemed very easy to get around at this time.

Any tips or help or suggestions is most appreciated! :wave:

 

[Pixiedust1393]

This year I will be doing MK and Epcot *just as I did last year* because new and interesting things are there that I have to see...however I might be able to make a bonus trip to finally see AK for my very first time!!!

Anyway...I plan on doing the MK monday january 8th, 2007. It will be the second week of january, and because it is a monday and a school day, I know from experience that many people have left, and quite a few of the marathoners have also left too, or even on that day.
Just a heads up incase you haven't read info on the other forums-Splash Mountain will be closed Jan 2-Jan 27. And since you mentioned going to AK, definitely experience Expedition Everest. I'm going Dec. 31-Jan 6, and I'm not too sure if the crowds will be bad. But my tip to you is get to AK early (when it opens, or a little before) and get a fast pass for Everest.

While the crowds are very flexible as I love going in January...would the best time to experience Main Street USA, it's shops, themeing, and exposition hall, etc best be done early evening around dinner time?
I think the best time to experience Main Street USA w/ minimum crowds is early morning, when the park opens. Usually people are so gun-ho on getting on their favorite ride or attraction that they don't want to "waste" their time around Main Street USA.


Have a good trip! Any other quetions just ask:wave:

 

[Teenchy]

I agree that Mian Street is great in the morning. In the evening you have alot of people leaving and their last stop is to shop and carry put their packages that they didnt want to lug around all day.

Also you must go to AK...even if its only for a half day.....not only EE but the new Nemo Musical would be something else you dont want to miss.

 

[mrtoad]

While I enjoy Main Street, USA, I don't as much as I used to before it lost it's identity and became one big extention of the Emporium. It was so much nicer when all was unique.

 

[Expo_Seeker40]

Thank you all for your tips!

Ughhhh I think I will rather have to do Main Street USA in the late afternoon then. I think dinner at Tony's would sound good.

I agree mr. toad, though I never payed much attention to main street usa when it really was main street usa, I am a little troubled by not being able to experience some of that atmosphere from yesteryear

the walt disney story is long gone, though I can sit in the theater and watch old school 4x3 cartoons

west street is gone as is the basis of the penny arcade and cinema....UGHHHH

 

[Vernonpush]

This year I will be doing MK and Epcot *just as I did last year* because new and interesting things are there that I have to see...however I might be able to make a bonus trip to finally see AK for my very first time!!!

Anyway...I plan on doing the MK monday january 8th, 2007. It will be the second week of january, and because it is a monday and a school day, I know from experience that many people have left, and quite a few of the marathoners have also left too, or even on that day.
Just a heads up incase you haven't read info on the other forums-Splash Mountain will be closed Jan 2-Jan 27. And since you mentioned going to AK, definitely experience Expedition Everest. I'm going Dec. 31-Jan 6, and I'm not too sure if the crowds will be bad. But my tip to you is get to AK early (when it opens, or a little before) and get a fast pass for Everest.

be sure to check out the Finding Nemo The Musical stage show if you go to AK

While the crowds are very flexible as I love going in January...would the best time to experience Main Street USA, it's shops, themeing, and exposition hall, etc best be done early evening around dinner time?
I think the best time to experience Main Street USA w/ minimum crowds is early morning, when the park opens. Usually people are so gun-ho on getting on their favorite ride or attraction that they don't want to "waste" their time around Main Street USA.

Also in the morning there are more "streetmosphere" players in the park: The singers on the trolley singing "Welcome/the trolley song", the Dapper Dans, the Casey's Pianist, etc.

 

[I luv WDW]

Main Street

The best time to be on Main Street USA is in the morning, when everyone's arriving well rested and not cranky after a day slogging through the park. Besides, the horse-drawn trollies are operating then.

Will be walking on Main Street USA tomorrow, Nov. 23, 2006:xmas:

 

[mrtoad]

Thank you all for your tips!

Ughhhh I think I will rather have to do Main Street USA in the late afternoon then. I think dinner at Tony's would sound good.

I agree mr. toad, though I never payed much attention to main street usa when it really was main street usa, I am a little troubled by not being able to experience some of that atmosphere from yesteryear

the walt disney story is long gone, though I can sit in the theater and watch old school 4x3 cartoons

west street is gone as is the basis of the penny arcade and cinema....UGHHHH

I miss all of those. I love the WD Story and the Penny Arcade was a good cheap way to spend some time.

 

[dreamscometrue]

Go to AK.

 

[SallyShine]

I agree with enjoying Main Street in the morning. The one exception would be the bakery. Wow, is that line long in the morning!

 

[AliciaLuvzDizne]

I agree with enjoying Main Street in the morning. The one exception would be the bakery. Wow, is that line long in the morning!

:lookaroun

 

[slappy magoo]

When/if you hit a lull and need to recharge your batteries, go to Exposition Hall and find the little mini-movie theater. They play old disney cartoons (now that the Main Street Cinema is nothing more than a Disney store annex), and the seats are fairly comfortable. I've even grabbed a cat nap in there. Then, when you're rested up, you can better appreciate a slow walk back up Main Street to the other lands. Time it right, you might be getting out just in time for the afternoon parade.

 

[scottnj1966]

Best time is at opening.

Most of the people are actually shuffling through to get to the attractions anyway.

At opening you will be able to ride the horse drawn trolley, firetruck, or sometimes the double decker bus (which I saw running again two months ago)

You may see the fire chief (funny guy) or even the mayor. Great photo ops.

Near the trolley house (which you can talk to the people in there and get some cool info about horses) there is a barber shop where you can actually get your hair cut.

Go into City Hall if it is your birthday. Tell them and you can get a button to wear all day, everyone will wish you a happy birthday.

Like it has been said here about the old games at main street, they do still have one or two of them up on the train station level. If your looking for more of those games, Disney quest has three of them, boardwalk has three of the old movie projectors you look into.

All the way across from City Hall is the exposition hall.
When they let you in, all the way in the back is the old movie screen to see old Disney cartoons. They also have an old mr toads car you can take a pic in. They also have other photo ops things. Most of that part is closed. Could not get into it last week, well unless you do it anyway.

Remember to look up at all the windows on the second floor. Lots of names from people who made the park possible.

Most of the rest of the place are gift shops now. Some do have specialty stuff. The glass and watch shops are two nice ones.

Since you will be there early go into the bakery and get a ham egg and cheese crossinwich. mmm mmm good...they have many other things too.

They have two reservation type places to eat also. Many people don't know about them. One is next to exposition hall, and the other is near the ice cream shop around the corner.


Well that's about all I can think off.....