I originally compiled a history on this thread of Walt Disney World's Main Street Cinema in 2019 when the Disneyland version briefly seemed to be going on the same trajectory of both Florida's, and Tokyo's, Main Street Cinema: from attraction into shop. I have since deleted it to create a more comprehensive record of Florida's Main Street Cinema, on the eve of the permanent closure of another two of Magic Kingdoms earliest, and most special offerings: Tom Sawyer's Island and the Liberty Belle Riverboat. This history is based on multiple resources (texts, images and videos), including my firsthand experiences with each and every one of its various incarnations.
Main Street Cinema, like most early attractions, originated from Walt Disney himself. He wanted to present some exhibit on Main Street to honor the earliest years of cinema, and it possibly evolved into the 6-screen format from Walt's boyhood account of viewing a silent version of Snow White at a Kansas City paperboy event (he boasted being able to see two of the several screens from his seat). Main Street Cinema was enthusiastically promoted for its 6-screen format in the 1955 ABC Disneyland Opening telecast and later became an Opening Day attraction at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom (also featured in its Opening Day special).
From 1971-1988, Magic Kingdom's Main Street Cinema's six screens simultaneously showcased the following four silent films:
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Great Train Robbery, The Rounders, &
Crashing Thru. The fifth screen was
Steamboat Willie. Although the first synchronized sound cartoon, it was showcased as a silent film as well. The sixth screen was a cycle of "silent movie house" notices (ie "Ladies, Please Remove your Hats," or "Don't read the titles out loud"), but they were presented in a comical way.
As part of a multi-faceted celebration of Mickey's 60th Birthday, in mid-1988, (not 1978 as 1996's
Since the World Began misstates) Main Street Cinema began simultaneously showcasing the same 6 Mickey shorts that continue to showcase in Disneyland as of today.
Since the World Began was accurate, however, when stating that starting in December 1994 Main Street Cinema showcased, simultaneously on two of the six screens, the star-studded animated/live action hybrid "Mickey's Big Break" (originally made for the Disney-MGM Studios as
Mickey's Audition), followed-by
Steamboat Willie (but this time with its soundtrack included).
Birnbaum's Guide to Walt Disney World misstated that the Mickey short following
Mickey's Big Break would change from time-to-time from
Steamboat Willie. It never did. The other four screens remained blank.
In early 1998, Main Street Cinema (the attraction) closed, the viewing platform and the original screens were all removed to maximize the square footage for the new retail format. Its original retail incarnation made some effort to connect to the cinema roots. Among other Disney shorts, such as
Peculiar Penguins and
Mickey's Garden, it showed some of Walt Disney's Kansas City films (including his very first), and the decor included film reels and filmstrip props scattered throughout. It specialized in selling videos and animation art.
Birnbaum's Guide to Walt Disney World was again inaccurate in stating the films of Main Street Cinema moved into the Town Square Exposition Hall.
Steamboat Willie indeed moved to the new location, but it was accompanied with
Flowers & Trees and
The Band Concert the entire time (under moniker
Milestones of Animation), until that attraction closed for the 2011 opening of the meet-and-greet attraction, Town Square Theater.
The Main Street Cinema store soon steered away from its original decor and merchandising, over the years becoming the hub for the interactive Pal Mickey, Virtual Magic Kingdom, the temporary Confectionary, and the 50th Anniversary Store (since 2021, to the date of this posting, they've showcased 1972's
The Magic of Walt Disney World). Although the inner foyer always connected Main Street Cinema to its adjacent retailers, two additional passageways were made directly from within Main Street Cinema's retail space.
Update (11/15/25)! I
just learned something that confirmed something I've
suspected since the early 1990's.
I've noticed that on photos and videos taken from mid-1988 to mid-1994, the lettering of the main (overhang) marquee kept "going back and forth" between the 1971 & 1988 offerings. Turns out, from the link below, that at least two of the posters inside the glass cases advertised
actual silent films on one side and Mickey shorts on the other...indicating that they alternated between the 1971 & 1988 lineups during the 1988-1994 era of the attraction.
(Walt Disney World, 1971-90s) A double-sided Main Street Cinema sign from Walt Disney World. The first side lists the C
www.liveauctioneers.com
From 1994-1998 they simply layered a "Coming Soon" ribbon over the 6 outside posters while "Mickey's Big Break" was showing, until they were all completely replaced as part of the retail revamp.
