Magic Shop on Main Street

MKCP 1985

MKCP 1985

Well-Known Member
Timekeeper said:
Was the magic shop open when the Magic Kingdom first opened? In other words, was it one of the original shops?

Timekeeper
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Yeah, the Main Street magic shop was an original shop in the Magic Kingdom, on the same side of the street as The Emporium and the Penny Arcade.

Mrtoad, I am fairly certain you could walk through a connecting shop to get inside, but won't swear to it. I remember walking through that front door to get inside.

The Magic Shop was across the street from the movie cinema. Are you all telling me the cinema doesn't show Charlie Chaplin silent movies and Steamboat Willie any more? :cry:
 
R

rosebud's mom

Active Member
My first trip was the year after the Magic Kingdom opened - I think it was 1972. I remember the Penny Arcade was actually a PENNY Arcade, though some things might have used higher value coins. These were the turn-of-the-century type games, so no flashing lights and loud bleeps or music. I specifically remember the sort of creepy gypsy fortune teller lady machine. I think I even still have a couple of those fortune cards that she gave out.

The Movie theater was a great place to cool off and get away from the crowds. I stood there by my Dad's side while he enjoyed telling me about when he first saw those old silents at the theater back home. I think you had to walk behind dark curtains which kept the Florida sunlight out.

I also remember the Magic Cart by the Haunted Mansion, but those were several trips during the month of October. I thought it possible that it was just a seasonal thing as it also had a lot of Halloween type merchandise.

In all honesty, I believe that my family and I spent MORE money on souveniers when every shop on Main street had its own merchandise and flavor. In the last few trips I've made it seems that you really only need to go in one shop. How about the rest of you "old-timers" ?
 
mrtoad

mrtoad

Well-Known Member
rosebud's mom said:
My first trip was the year after the Magic Kingdom opened - I think it was 1972. I remember the Penny Arcade was actually a PENNY Arcade, though some things might have used higher value coins. These were the turn-of-the-century type games, so no flashing lights and loud bleeps or music.
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The most modern thing I remember was this thing with a glas dome that you had do fly a helocopter around and around. It was on an arm and you had to raise and lower it so not to hit anything. The only other things I remember were the penny movie viewers. I believe there are some still in the Train Station. They were the type that you use to see in shoe stores all the time (at least when I was growing up in the 1970s in NJ).
 
mrtoad

mrtoad

Well-Known Member
MKCP 1986 said:
Yeah, the Main Street magic shop was an original shop in the Magic Kingdom, on the same side of the street as The Emporium and the Penny Arcade.

Mrtoad, I am fairly certain you could walk through a connecting shop to get inside, but won't swear to it. I remember walking through that front door to get inside.

The Magic Shop was across the street from the movie cinema. Are you all telling me the cinema doesn't show Charlie Chaplin silent movies and Steamboat Willie any more? :cry:
Click to expand...

They may have connected, I just can't remember.

Also the movie theature is now a store. I think they still play Steamboat Willie on it (at least they did a few years back).
 
MichRX7

MichRX7

Well-Known Member
I have plenty of fond memories from throwing foam rocks at my old brother in the MSMS. It used to drive my parents crazy when we were kids. That and the fact that no matter how they tried to get us to buy "Disney Souveniers" we just wanted a magic trick to remember our Disney Experience.

My brother bought one of those Haunted Mansion puzzle boxes. 31 years later and he still has it sitting on his shelf (I played with it last time I was over, lol). :D
 
mrtoad

mrtoad

Well-Known Member
MichRX7 said:
That and the fact that no matter how they tried to get us to buy "Disney Souveniers" we just wanted a magic trick to remember our Disney Experience.

My brother bought one of those Haunted Mansion puzzle boxes. 31 years later and he still has it sitting on his shelf (I played with it last time I was over, lol). :D
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My wife and I took my brothers (7 & 9) to WDW in 2000. My father gave them each $100.00 to buy souveniers. Of course everything they purchased could be purchased back home. Not one Disney style souvenier.

I always wanted WDW stuff instead. Though the HM puzzle sounds awesome being it is a WDW themed item.
 
Lauriebar

Lauriebar

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
mrtoad said:
My wife and I took my brothers (7 & 9) to WDW in 2000. My father gave them each $100.00 to buy souveniers. Of course everything they purchased could be purchased back home. Not one Disney style souvenier.
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That is the problem I have with Main Street today. There is not much that you can't find outside of the park. I can remember being a kid and going back home with a Mickey shirt and stuffy and feeling so special about it. Now that exclusive feeling is gone.
 
Steamboat_Kevin

Steamboat_Kevin

Well-Known Member
I never visited the Magic Shop at WDW, but I did visit the one at DL. It was great, one of the most original stores I've seen at a Disney park :sohappy:
 
MCMike37

MCMike37

Member
mrtoad said:
The penny arcade was awesome. They had the penny movie viewers as well as some early century games and some not as early ones. Very good way to spend an hour on main street.
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Here is another vote for the "old time" Main Street. As I remember, the Magic Shop only had the main entrance and was not accesible through the other stores. Also, there was of course a complete street at mid-Main Street which gave it a more main streety feel (If you get what I am saying there)

I really don't like how commercial Main Street has become, although it makes total business sense to a company that makes a huge chunk of their income on souvenirs. Give me back my Main Street with the old cookie and Magix shop, the Penny Arcade taht at least from Main Street looked like an old penny arcade (Have only been there since they had the penny viewers in front and modern games in back), the Walt Disney Story, and the Main Street Theater without the merchandise (Which was a great way to kill time while sitting on the curb waiting for the Electrical Light Parade:D)
 
mrtoad

mrtoad

Well-Known Member
MCMike37 said:
Here is another vote for the "old time" Main Street. As I remember, the Magic Shop only had the main entrance and was not accesible through the other stores. Also, there was of course a complete street at mid-Main Street which gave it a more main streety feel (If you get what I am saying there)

I really don't like how commercial Main Street has become, although it makes total business sense to a company that makes a huge chunk of their income on souvenirs. Give me back my Main Street with the old cookie and Magix shop, the Penny Arcade taht at least from Main Street looked like an old penny arcade (Have only been there since they had the penny viewers in front and modern games in back), the Walt Disney Story, and the Main Street Theater without the merchandise (Which was a great way to kill time while sitting on the curb waiting for the Electrical Light Parade:D)
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I miss the Walt Disney Story too. It was one of my favorites when I was a kid. In 1993 I signed a petition at city hall to bring it back. No luck...
 
RandeB

RandeB

Member
On ebay one secret panel chest sold for $202 (Disneyland version).

My MK version is in place of honor in my daughter's room (on loan!)
 
ralz28

ralz28

New Member
Magic Shop

I loved the magic shop. I also miss the penny arcade that was around it as well. Memories, the magic kingdom was an incredible place as a child. I am excited that soon I will take my child there for the first Disney vacation with them.

Thanks!
 

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