3. 1990s and 2000s

Michael Eisner’s Disney Decade was packed with changes designed to improve the parks division’s profitability. One of the most tangible effects was the massive refocusing of Main Street USA from turn-of-the 20th century nostalgia to turn-of-the 21st century sales goals.

In 1989, the table-service Town Square Café received a Lady and the Tramp overlay, transitioning into Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. Although this change was fairly subtle and tastefully done, it served as a preview of things to come. Most prominently, in 1996, the popular and reasonably priced Crystal Palace was reimagined as a buffet-style character meal, complete with a massive price hike.

During the mid-1990s, synergy was in and individuality of merchandise was out. Many of Main Street USA’s quaint shops closed to make room for a massive expansion of the Main Street Athletic Club—a giant catchall gift shop with a loose sports theme. Two of the most prominent victims were the Penny Arcade and the House of Magic, both shuttered in 1995. Thankfully, some of the vintage mechanical arcade games were relocated to the second floor of the Main Street Railroad Station.

The Walt Disney Story closed in 1992. The space was used for annual pass redemption, then converted into a Welcome Center for the park’s 25th anniversary celebration in 1996, complete with a short promotional film for the then-under construction Disney Cruise Line and Animal Kingdom. It then became Exposition Hall, featuring some of the original memorabilia from the Gulf Hospitality House days.

4. Today’s Main Street USA

Today, Main Street USA largely resembles the version of Michael Eisner’s era, with a few additional changes. The Firehouse is now headquarters for the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom in-park collectible card game. Exposition Hall is now a character greeting location. Modern merchandise opportunities still reign supreme.

However, if you scratch the surface a bit, you can still find echoes of Main Street USA’s original theming. Inside the Chapeau, or hat shop, the party line phone that once graced the wall of the General Store is still waiting to give those who lift the receiver a surprise. All along the street, the second floor windows still bear tribute to those who created the Magic Kingdom, including a listing for Walt himself above the Main Street Cinema.

Check the side streets and quiet corners, where flowers still bloom and the crowds seem to disappear. Although nothing will ever be as it was, those who intentionally search it out will find a glimpse of Walt’s original vision for this recreation of his beloved childhood hometown.