You think its more stimulating to have something that people aren't familiar with, have no connection with or understanding of, and is viewed by many as just unrelatable or old?
I mean seriously? The choice of the design and theming of Main street back when the park was first conceived was done intentionally, with the purpose of evoking certain emotional feelings and attachments. But while Pepperidge Farm might remember some of the "good" old days from people who where born in the 50/60/70 those times are over. The main driving economic force for the parks now, and in the future, people in their mid 20's to late 30's who are bringing their kids and raising the next Disney generation and the kids who are going to the park now don't have any connection to old fashion main street. Just like most of them don't and have never worn racoon skin caps, played cowboys and Indians, built a fort in the woods, or have much of any idea who Tom Sawyer or the Robinson's are anymore.
There was a reason the timeframe of Main Street was decided as the theming for WDW, as opposed to earlier in American history such as 1800's or colonial times. It was meant to connect with the generations paying to visit the parks, and the kids who heard about how things used to be from their parents/grandparents, and now how the opportunity of idealized shared experience. After 50 years and multiple generations, times change, as does new generations triggers for nostalgia.
WDW was never meant to be a time capsule that never changes. I mean I love IASW as much as the next person, but when our kids start saying that the figures on the ride look silly, and they made better animatronics in their engineering class in middle school...and their right, you have a problem. I hate to make the argument against another of my favorite rides but take living with the land at Epcot. When we first went to the park, it was an amazing ride both with some history of agriculture, and unique and futuristic look at what the future may hold. Now you can get hydroponic and vertical planters for fruits and vegetables at your local home depot store. At some point like Brad Pitt said in Money Ball you have to "Evolve or Die." It doesn't mean every attempt to implement such changes are going to be done well, but change is inevitable you want the parks to hold the same place in kids hearts now, as they did in past generations. It just has to be recognized that present and future generations won't necessary connect the same way, to the same things.
