Why Main Street, U.S.A. Isn’t What You Think

[@rygregory]

The small scale of Main Street at Disneyland is exactly why I don’t get the same nostalgic feeling when I go to Magic Kingdom. Disneyland feels nostalgic and personal. As if it’s my little town. MK feels grand and impressive but feels more like a big city where I’m just a visitor and not a resident.

[@gridley]

The design from 1971 has more of a somehow off-putting fancy, master-planned quality about it. The Disney Co had more $$ when WDW was built versus DL in 1955. But the personality of Walt Disney himself is reflected in DL, whereas he had been gone for around 5 years by the time the Orlando park opened. However, the Main Street at Tokyo Disneyland, because it's under a roof, is the most lifeless of all entry avenues of Disneyland-format parks in the world.

[@cagal1066]

Honestly Magic Kingdom feels too big but I grew up in southern California.

[@FunAtDisney]

Bricky - The coolest time I was ever on Main Street was as a CM in the late 1970’s. Back then during the off-season (yes, there was an off-season at one time) Disneyland was closed on Monday and Tuesdays. At the time cast members putt on plays at the old Fantasyland Theater (where Pinocchio ride is now). I was helping with the production as was asked to sign family members in at the gate. So I took a golf cart and I first drove around closed Disneyland before I headed down Main Street. It was dusk, the lights were on and the music was playing….but except for a couple of maintenance workers I was the only person on Main Street. I stopped and just ok it all in. It really felt like I was on a small town street after all the shops closed up for the evening. I will never forget how that felt - Truly magical!!

[@adrianramos4721]

As an international visitor, Main Street, USA, feels like what we are told America is growing up, a place where are welcomed, where you can feel free and safe; where you can dream big and feel those dreams can come true. A place that it’s not quite like home, but still feels like home. Or course, it’s a place where you can spend all your money with a smile, and what’s more American than that?

[@BryanWilson-wn5bs]

Main Street is a great example of the magic that the parks hold. I am a former Disneyland custodian, and the greatest joy was in seeing people getting caught up in the magic. One of my favorites of this was working around the matterhorn and hearing 2 older ladies discuss how it was so wonderful that there were these mountains for Disney to make into rides.

[@cagal1066]

I gotta add though some people are just clueless. I was in a bus of college students going through a ~1/4 mi straight tunnel with blast marks & one asked if it was man-made.

[@jasoncarbone5553]

Prof. Brickey giving us a psychology and anthropology class today. Your unique perspective is always illuminating B and this video is no different. “Disneyland is a daydream for what we want things to be,” said Brickey. And as I let that set in I was overcome with the realization that Disneyland is the epicenter of story, nostalgia, happiness. The way it makes you feel as you bask in the smells and sights is unique unto itself and that’s why I keep coming back. Thanks for giving me a moment to reflect on this inspiring place and the times I have had there.

[@lcflngn]

Same. Beautifully put.

[@Thrillahbee]

Main Street USA was Walt’s imagination of a utopia world of cleanliness, horse carriage, pedestrian, businesses, people from all different ethnicities invited to visit for the thrills and enjoyment of his harmonious world. With the ever changing modern technology seamlessly integrated with the timeless world. Kudos to you bud for this take on Main Street USA!

[@JP-1990]

"Anemoia" - nostalgia for a time period you were not alive during.

[@JobberJim]

How is that word pronounced?

[@kijekuyo9494]

@@JobberJim ˌænəˈmɔɪə

[@SagaciousSilence]

I am a massive urban planning geek and love discussions on creating a sense of space. I think there are certain cities that have places that create that feeling of wonder similar to Main Street USA, not in terms of appearances being similar but that sense of “wow this is a cool place.” What comes to mind are Abbot Kinney in Venice, Los Angeles; Charles Street, Beacon Hill, Boston; Pike Place Market, Seattle; etc.

[@HeyBrickey]

Great picks. Solvang also has some really cool little nooks.

[@SagaciousSilence]

@@HeyBrickey I absolutely love Solvang and it straight up feels like one of the EPCOT pavilions.

[@ct6852]

Pike Place was pretty special. And the capitol building in Sac. The Space Needle in front of the mountain backdrop. Manhattan-henge. There's quite a few...but the great ones are also kind of rare.

[@People_of_the_Mouse]

Victorian Village and the Short North in Cowtown before all the shootings.

[@JP-1990]

"Willoughby... next stop Willoughby..." If you know, you know.

[@CharlesGreggo]

@@JP-1990 I think that every time I walk down Main Street USA. We’ll all get there one day.

[@brianwisdom8051]

Perfect reference! My grandparents used to take me to Disneyland every summer as a child. They are long gone, but every time I walk under the arches and step onto Main Street, I’m suddenly a young boy and they both take me by the hand as we walk down the street. In a way, Main Street U.S.A. is a real life Willoughby!

[@JP-1990]

@@brianwisdom8051 And in a way, it's sort of a call to action to pass on that experience to our kids and grandkids.

[@AJ-hy9si]

I used to love Disney. The company is not what it once was. The corporate greed and discrimination against people with disabilities was the last straw for me. I don't give them money anymore.

[@xavierminchello8431]

GOOD! MORE SPACE FOR US ATVTHE PARKS! STAY AWAY!

[@jonlarsen002]

Bro, your editing is on point.

[@KaiyaKramer]

Main Street is an incredible culmination of the Epcot ideas that is living and breathing. It strives for a better yesterday and tomorrow, you’re absolutely right. Really appreciate you going on these deep dives on the place that we all love so much.

[@ckbarry]

Main Street has all the vibes. The few times I’ve taken the monorail in from DTD to Tomorrow Land, it just doesn’t hit the same way. Thanks, Brickey.

[@terrymiller9691]

Great video Brickey! So thoughtful and heartfelt. There is no place like Main Street, USA!

[@kevwertz]

So good Brickey...you brought me to tears with this one. Well done my friend.

[@GeoTactics]

Heeeyyyy Brickey. Great stuff here. Main Street USA at Disneyland makes me feel the same way as when I listen to the Beatles' Penny Lane. Like you said its what I would like to feel like... no rush... just smiles.

[@uss_04]

As a kid who grew up on the west coast and saw the promos on the Disney Channel in the 90’s about how great WDW got all the good stuff, I always thought Magic Kingdom was just better because it had all the space to do what it wanted. Now I really appreciate Disneyland for what it is, it’s smaller, every food needs to be thought out, and all the revisions over time reveals a history of the attractions that came before it, especially with Tomorrowland.

[@mattgraff]

Constructive Feedback: the title screens are too fast. Not enough time to read.

[@astrinymris9953]

I second that! It's a bit frustrating.

[@eizel10]

Main street in disney world just hits me in the feels everytime i walk in. the magestic castle at the end of it is the cherry on top.

[@damilla1958]

Walking through the tunnel into Main Street USA is such a special experience for me. Each time, I feel as if everything other than the people I am with fades away. No stress, no strain, just happiness. Before we go into the park, each person in our party is asked what they want to do first. My choice is a stroll down Main Street USA. We do return during our visit to go into the shops, but initially it is just soaking up the familiar atmosphere. Then on to the rest of the park!

[@williamevans9426]

Everything here on Main Street U.S.A. is so well designed and, by design of course, timeless. Nevertheless, the tiny detail of that half-red and half-white lightbulb - maintaining the alternate color pattern around the corner of a canopy (03:47) - demonstrates a particular pride in the execution of the concepts, and has stuck in my mind!

[@angelajones6319]

I LOVE the way you tell your stories! You described perfectly how I feel about Main Street! Thank you! 🩵💜🩵

[@rudolph_ci]

One of my most favorite moments in Disneyland was just sitting on the sidewalk of Mainstreet USA just feeling, hearing, seeing, smelling, everything around me. Not to forget the cream cheese Mickey pretzel on one hand and hot cocoa on the other.

[@Cheetapens]

The second I step into mainstreet, I can feel the stress of the outside world melt away.

[@itsHeatherKay]

Wow- great job, Brickey! This was fab.

[@barneyevans6940]

Main Street is nostalgic now for me as I have walked down it a number of times for the last 60 years.

[@catperson271]

Whenever I’m planning a trip that Disneyland, we watch the Disney Pollyanna movie before we give. It portends that happy nostalgia that I’m going to feel on Main Street.

[@LjCaOC2007]

I loved this video. This was a lovely video that reflects on what makes Main Street so special. Thank you.

[@tammycaserio3912]

Hey Brickey! You have truly been on this healing journey with me! I have been enjoying all your videos. Thank you for sharing all your thoughts and insights. I have recently gotten back to my happy place and even though my stamina is low, as soon as I hit Main Street my eyes teased up and joy filled my heart. I was back home in Disneyland. I am currently mostly in a wheelchair and seeing Main Street from a lower perspective really changed my view. I love all of the details! I recently got some great news from a Petscan! The tumor is in Necrosis and the Cancer numbers are way down. The Low Dose Chemo is working. I have 4 more weeks in a row and one dose in November and one dose in December. I will get another Petscan in December. I am sure I will have a maintenance protocol and I don’t know what that is yet but one day at a time! Did you have a chance to put my name with a face? My other passion besides Disney is Ballroom dancing.

[@scarletowl8337]

Thanks for featuring all the wonderful horses 🐴 they are my favorite ❤️ part of Main Street!

[@gkellogg]

Your ability to keep a narrative going from cut to cut is pretty amazing. Either you’re going back to look at your last clip before you continue, or you’ve cleverly scripted your narrative in way that is invisible to us. Looking forward to getting my Vibes over Rides shirt.

[@HeyBrickey]

I create an outline and, follow the outline, and record my thoughts as complete thoughts. Then in editing they all get stitched together, but like movies I do not film them in order, so it's a little bit of heaver load putting them back together, but I feel that it's important to try to make the location relevant to the topic and keeping me moving hopefully keeps your attention. THanks for asking, it's one fo the details that I put a ton of time and energy into.

[@Escape_AroundTheWorld]

Your videos are always so thoughtful! An essay in video form. I hadn’t previous made the connection to it being a small scale EPCOT but that totally makes sense

[@tom_reagan]

Excellent video and editing work, Bricky! Your text cards on the video are basically FLASH cards though, I had to pause to read them. 😂 - but an excellent video of my FAVORITE land in the park, still. 👏🏻

[@davidl.2061]

Hey Brickey, you did it again with this one, because I found a little Disney magic dripping from my eyes.

[@dreck32]

idk if I’m the only one but the moment you go under the tunnel and hit the street, I quietly say “AH MAIN STREET USA” 😭😭

[@DrStarlander]

Brickey, excellent video and super insightful of you relating Main St. to intent of Epcot! It would be interesting to explore what Main Streets are most effective at the castle parks. I think you are right that the details are a key part of slowing things down. The brick textures at Disneyland are phenomenal, for example, with the herringbone pattern in Town Square, brick sidewalks, and brick along the trolley tracks down the center of the street. Meanwhile, I notice at Magic Kingdom it's all pink 1970s concrete and boring gray concrete...not textured, not charming, and as a guest I don't feel surrounded by "old time" craftsmanship. It's been that way for so many decades -- while people have complained Magic Kingdom's Main St. is not as appealing -- I wonder if Disney realizes how adding brick alone could be an easy way to elevate the sense of quality there and make a better first impression? Again, thank you for the thoughtful videos Brickey!

[@user-farrelld]

Main street is home for all of us. Nowhere will I feel as safe and happy as Main Street Disneyland California!

[@JBX302]

Beautiful video. You’ve proven once again why Disney has theme parks and not amusement parks- there’s so much intention and design! At the same time, you’ve made me incredibly nervous that they’re going to tell us that main street is getting removed at the next D23 expo. 😬

[@SimplyBrandy23]

Makes me a little sad that I will not be walking down Main Street this year 😢. But I will always walk those magical streets because of your videos ✨️ ❤️

[@thebluetarp]

Dang i love your videos!

[@JosephYesh]

I never thought of it that way, but it makes so much sense. 😁

[@rebeccaleek3852]

I love the design aspects of Main Street, USA that you pointed out. I always loved Main Street and I thought it was just a childhood memory that drew me to it. But going back as an adult, it has that same effect on me as I think it did when I was a kid - calm, content, everything is right with the world.. So interesting that is all intentional in its design. Fascinating stuff. Brickey, please could you make the text cards in between appear just a smidge longer? I had to keep going back and pausing to read them. Although it could be that I am just the world’s slowest reader. 🙄

[@RobertBoyd-j6w]

Nice job, I really appreciate the way you capture Disneyland.

[@TheThelegitkoolkid]

Brickey! You should from designers perspective talk about the original Epcot and progress city. I’m curious to know if you think it would have been successful

[@nzjonty]

Let’s gooooo Brickey 🙌🏼

[@nzjonty]

Love this deep dive into what MS makes me feel that way it does

[@javiercortes5232]

Main Street is great because it complements that time travel advertised at the tunnel entrance. It's a magic space between the real world of Harbour and Katella streets and a timeless world. Incidentally, more time has passed since the Park opened to this year than from the turn of the XX century to the opening of the park.

[@-AcrossTheStars]

wow this was such a great video. thank you

[@IUmusicBoi]

That’s the same Omnimover that the ozmonds sang down on the corner on …you gotta give a little bang on handrails…”oh no where’s donny?”

[@ct6852]

Amazing how all the little careful details add up to form one grasp...that reaches into your wallet and takes whatever it wants. Lol. The power of nostalgia is strong.

[@CharlesGreggo]

When you’re in the park - we’re in the park! Hey Brickaaay! ❤

[@applejack2374]

I have 8 ticket booklets, from the 70s, for the rides at Disneyland. 3 of them are unused. Complete, with tickets from A-E. Two of those ticket booklets are from their 25th Anniversary.

[@scottmcv994]

Another great video from Brickey, thanks! But I'm not sure that you meant for the chapter headings to be under one second, too fast for me to read.

[@monorail4252]

According to the "Carousel of Progress" neighbors weren't always nice. Neighbors were willing to give neighbors a "what for".

[@kojinaoftheinvertedeye810]

It reminds me of my Victorian Christmas nostalgia or at least the idealised fantasy that's depicted in the arts, the orange lights beating on the ground and the warm lights from the houses and shops in the dark cold night while the snow falls and the quiet horses and carriages go by... Anyway I love Main Street USA, I generally dislike the Paris park buuuut their main street is my favourite because it has actual arcades like in my area lol

[@skatinemcee]

It’s the most successful land because that’s where all the shops are

[@ct6852]

And a lot of good snacks.

[@timreed6718]

You nailed it!

[@baumansound]

"There is no stress here, no rush here" Fades to rope drop with thousands of people running to get front row of space mountain hahahahhaha

[@vanceprestwood649]

My ADHD brain often makes it hard for me to articulate certain thoughts and feelings toward any particular subject. I feel your verbiage is 99.9% of what my feelings toward the park are, and this video was no different. Thanks for connecting the dots in my head. You're the best, bud!

[@allisongibbs4893]

Steve is amazing, and a big part of main street usa

[@keyman6689]

Well, truthfully, we've all experienced it in the movies. So, it's kind of like the fantasy of stepping into the movies in real life. Which is a theme of the rest of the park as well.

[@alfredgiovetti]

It would’ve been nice if Walter Disney had a chance to make Epcot a reality and try to make every day life like Main Street but unfortunately, he was never given the opportunity. he died and far too soon and we all miss Walt Disney.

[@r.reeves8629]

A walkable city with easy access to public transportation? Imagine if Walt had only lived even a few more years, we’d already have an LA to Vegas train!

[@TheTrumpReaper]

Woohoo, I got a Brickey video when it first dropped. I never have been to WDW but I always have liked Disneyland's Main Street. *ESPECIALLY* the candy store.

[@HeyBrickey]

WDW's Main Street is just big enough to lose the charm

[@Michaeland]

That is it. Space designed to please people at proper human scale. Nearly nothing else does this, most places want too overwhelm or distract, rarely to charm.

[@rantingrobbsreviews]

Bricky, I respect your content and admire your dialogue and execution. Do you memorize your script or are you reading it somehow? I’m studying your techniques.

[@HeyBrickey]

I write a video a outline of main concepts and then bellow the concept I right related ideas.: Main Street Feels Like Home: - Feeling when you walk in - Feels familiar but never been there - Not a real place but a memory When I was in a band I would write thoughts between songs on the set list, this is how I learned to public speak, perform and really even write. And then I just wander around, pull out my phone see where I'm at or what idea feels attached to that location and let it rip. And then put it all back together in the edit, because like a movie, I film out of order. Not bad for a kid that went to college for free because I have reading and writing learning disabilities Thanks for asking!

[@rantingrobbsreviews]

@@HeyBrickey Thank you so much for responding and sharing your process. It means a lot to me, and I enjoy watching your content. It sounds like you do what we call the "bullet point" script at Toastmasters: have a list of topics and improvise a little. I ask because your dialogue sounds organic and natural, but it's also a lot of very precise information that cuts with surgical integrity. I tend to use "Um" and "Ah" with many seasoned filler words on top. A habit 6 years at Toastmasters hasn't broken. But it's worse on video because I have a fear of the dreaded "Record light." I know editing saves the day, but I talk too fast for the edit. My biggest Bug-A-Boo is how to script. When I read a script, it sounds forced. When I improvise, it sounds like the rant of a madman. I'm going to try using your technique and hope for a miracle. LOL! Thank you for your insight. Was there ever a point where you realized your own flaws on video and corrected them? It looks like you've been doing this for a long time. P.S. I also had a learning disability growing up (and a band), so getting through the military and my second graduate degree has been more than I ever hoped for. I know the struggle.

[@People_of_the_Mouse]

The real EPCOT is Walt Disney World itself. People do live there, visit there and work there. In addition to the actual residences at Golden Oaks many thousands of people own vacation property there via DVC and thousands of workers live there in the massive College Program Apartment complex at Flamingo Crossing. All connected by multiple forms of transportation.

[@jetsons101]

Great watch. Main Street USA is the perfect way to enter Disneyland and leave at the end of the day. BUT Main Street USA needs a bit more Red, White and Blue like in years past....

[@Brandis13]

04:12 Speaking of details, what happend to the painted scrims that showed the buildings while being renovated. Those brown tarps covering the train station stick out like a sore thumb.

[@spaldingclan1]

I’m betting they’ll still do that

[@quinnhouk5369]

It was my birthday yesterday. We went to Disneyland on Monday. I’m 25 now

[@dinkbinkleman]

The only badly designed area on Main St is the section between the Horsecar exit gate and the Emporium. This used to be Bekins Storage (later Global Van Lines) 'Parcel Room' which had unique architecture and housed the in-park guest lockers. When the contract expired (or was not renewed) the decision was made to remove the lockers, expand the Emporium., and change the facade. But rather than have imagineers design the replacement facade, the always cheap and non-showman Michael Eisner farmed it out to an outside design firm. After all, 'What's the difference? The public won't notice.' That is why this section of Main St has no 'spark', lacks interest and is devoid of that Disney something. It should be redesigned.

[@seascape35]

I believe the town of Celebration had become the last vestige of the EPCOT dream of a real idealized town, but with mixed results. I would welcome any comments from those who have lived in Celebration.

[@JungleShrink]

One piece of feedback I have is can we make the chapter title interstitials last on screen for a little longer? It’s hard to read them that quickly. Thanks!

[@Jane-Roe1126]

I always wondered why I felt the wat I did when I went to Disney world. Thanks.

[@rollercoasterbee]

I consider Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom as my "Happy Place"

[@lcflngn]

Ahh Brickey. Perfect. All the vibes, and don’t forget it’s not really real. I’m for having/seeing/believing both. Many things can be true at the same time. I’ll never forget as a kid being disappointed (early 70’s) that the shops did not have in them what was advertised on the storefronts. (Why I love Galaxy’s Edge & that sort of thing) I suspect my love of history came from my early desire to “really” experience a time and place that Disney offered, but never entirely delivered. Nothing against DL, at 61 it’s still my best happy place. Just to say I truly appreciate your take on the reality of the love/nostalgia (for me, it’s the happiest place of my childhood) versus the desire to also believe it’s somehow truth. That, it is not. Ahh, Walt Disney, what a world you’ve created. Thx Brickey as always.

[@monorail4252]

Epcot was, based on Walt Disney's plan, would never have permanent residence, and there would be a 3 year limit for inhabitants.

[@xavierminchello8431]

MAIN STREET IS SIMPLY A CLEANED UP VERSION OF MAIN STREET THAT NEVER WAS!

[@alfredgiovetti]

Please don’t destroy any attractions to put in new attractions. Many of the older attractions that Disney is considering replacing are very popular with fans while the new attraction they intend to replace the old popular attractions with are untested.P

[@remyd8767]

It's popular because it's the only way to get in and out of the park

[@johnmanski6632]

So where is the cop shop (police station) there's a fire station

[@shashona3084]

❤

[@kevinvanlohuizen2709]

Brickey, your splash screens with words are way too short, impossible to read them. Add a few more seconds.

[@troystaiger6154]

Main street would be better if they rooms for rent, above the shops, sleeping on Main Street would be a cash cow!

[@Michaeland]

Haha, nothing is real, its all an illusion, and many architects have played with that notion. What is literally amazing here is that Disneyland uses art and illusion…for the public. It’s not a private garden or mansion or tower, but a place created to please and play with everyday people. It is the opposite of intimidating (WDW lost that plot going for typical grandeur).

[@ScarlitWidow]

I guess I'm a fake Disney fan, because I've always thought this area needed to be updated. Doesn't feel like any main street in any town in 2024. Yeah, not feeling what you are.

[@cramfive3205]

Transition titles are too short.

[@DocDoccus]

True that. A couple of them I didn't finish reading before they were gone.

[@lauri-jeancarlson8476]

Disneyland's main street USA is smaller than WDW magic kingdom main street USA

[@karebear3152]

Brickey... you've gotta leave those splash screens of words up longer than a fraction of a second. There's no way any normal person can read that fast and it's too fast to even pause on properly. lol

[@HeyBrickey]

Trust me I know what I’m doing. If you leave them up too long people stop watching. People that care will hit pause. It’s dangerous putting those in a video end even with them being that short I can already see people bailing at them.

[@DocDoccus]

@@HeyBrickey True Brickey fans DON'T BAIL!

[@xavierminchello8431]

ITS ALL GIMMICKY TO MAKE YOU BLOW MORE $$$$$$$$

[@joycemadrid8405]

❤