What are we missing on Main Street?

[Mouse Ear]

I've tried to plan the last few trips to Disney on both coasts so on the last day, right after the fireworks (or right around closing), I hang around up the stairs at the train station and watch everyone file out of the park for a while. It's always been pretty empty when I do it, the crowd thins, and I can take in Main Street without all the craziness of being down in the crowd. Maybe it's kinda cheesy, but I enjoy it.

 

[yulilin3]

Favorite spot to relax is the alley between the jewellery store and crystal arts, there are a few tables and chairs back there and if you're lucky you hear a singing lesson happening on the second floor.
Also the marching band and the trolley show.
In the morning you can ride different turn of the century vehicles

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I like to look at all the special windows that have little scenes in them.

If you like to play Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom there are quite a few windows to play along Main Street as well (you can start a game/get a pack of cards at the firehouse, also on main street).

 

[SureAsLiz]

Main Street Philharmonic
Dapper Dans
Trolley Show
Move it Shake it
Citizens of Main Street

And the Hub Grass is one of my favorite places to take an afternoon break

 

[Sajchinook2015]

What is sorcerers magic?

 

[SureAsLiz]

What is sorcerers magic?

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is an interactive card game that takes place on Main Street, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, Frontierland, and Adventureland.
The general story is that Hades is trying to control Magic Kingdom with a magic crystal and some villain friends. The player is Merlin's assistant and uses cards (given for free when starting the game) at magic portals to defend the kingdom.
There are 10 sections to each level, and each section takes about half an hour.

To start the game, visit the fire station on Main Street (next to City Hall). They will give you instructions and cards

 

[scrapquitler]

We've never "toured" Main Street. We always do rope drop, so coming in we are in a mad dash for rides. Leaving, we are usually so tired and just want to sit down. Other than Casey's, I don't think we've been in any of the stores. Is it just shopping? What are your favorite things on Main Street?

We like to ride the Main Street vehicles in the morning

 

[AshleeH]

As others have said, the glass blowing is amazing to see! We'd always bypassed the shop on previous trips, but I put a reminder in my phone to stop in and get my husband's aunt a gift (she was house-sitting/pet-sitting for us the whole time we were gone). My kids stood and watched an entire Sorcerer Mickey created from scratch while I toured the entire shop. I won't be skipping over it often in the future!

 

[Accident]

You can get a haircut.

 

[Klayfish]

Main Street is a favorite activity for my wife and I when we have our babysitter. We get a cup of coffee and slowly stroll through the shops. It's cool, everyone has pointed out the great places. We've only really "discovered" it in the past 4 or 5 years. I've always loved it, but like OP said, especially when the kids were little, we'd often blow right through it to get to the ride we wanted to be on. My kids love Goofy's Candy Shop and the Emporium.

My kids always like to ask "Dad, what's your favorite thing in WDW"? I really can't pick just one thing, but toward the top of the list is the view of Main Street just as you walk into the park...and as you're walking out and are right near the Crystal Palace....especially at night. I just love staring at it all.

 

[gatorlisa]

Another vote for the glass blowing. We just discovered the hot shop in the back of the glass store about 3 trips ago. I had seen the lamp workers (glass blowers who make smaller stuff with blow torches and pipes) many times, but I never realized there was a full hot shop for large glass work in the back. We spent probably 45 minutes or more in there watching and listening to the glass blower. He was making bowls and vases with Disney character themes and talking and answering questions the whole time. We love glass blowing, so was very entertaining for us.

 

[MrPTato]

Another vote for the glass blowing. We just discovered the hot shop in the back of the glass store about 3 trips ago. I had seen the lamp workers (glass blowers who make smaller stuff with blow torches and pipes) many times, but I never realized there was a full hot shop for large glass work in the back. We spent probably 45 minutes or more in there watching and listening to the glass blower. He was making bowls and vases with Disney character themes and talking and answering questions the whole time. We love glass blowing, so was very entertaining for us.

They are very interactive. This is my hotspot when my wife wants to shop Main Street. She knows where to find me!

 

[rlk]

We always try to take a ride on the trolley. If you get on the trolley (at the castle stop),sit in the last row. The Dapper Dans get on there and will serenade you all the way back up Main Street.

 

[mindeola]

I love to look for and experience the hidden "secrets" of Main Street- like the names in the windows, the specific smells and sounds coming from the top floors.

 

[mco65]

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is an interactive card game that takes place on Main Street, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, Frontierland, and Adventureland.
The general story is that Hades is trying to control Magic Kingdom with a magic crystal and some villain friends. The player is Merlin's assistant and uses cards (given for free when starting the game) at magic portals to defend the kingdom.
There are 10 sections to each level, and each section takes about half an hour.

To start the game, visit the fire station on Main Street (next to City Hall). They will give you instructions and cards

My 12 year olds play this nearly every trip.. its a nice distraction during PEAK times.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

In all of the 17 years we've been going we have never stopped for the glass blowing, it's now on the list for next trip. Most of the time we just use the shops, starting from Casey's as an extra bit of A/C as we are exiting or to escape the parade crowds. I want to slow down and see more of it next trip, sounds like we've been missing a lot!

 

[Pmlocke]

I have always said I felt sorry for those who feel they have to over plan, rush from attraction FP to attraction FP because they want to do everything that they never get a real chance to experiance the Magic Kingdom. Since my wife and I have started to go to WDW every year without the children or grandchildren we have discovered the magic of the Magic Kingdom. Stop and look at the architecture. Take a seat on the main porch in front of Tonys or from the train station and watch the people as they pass by. Enjoy the cast members. Go into every shop and explore the wonders inside. My wife and I usually take two hours just to enjoy Main Street. I understand your kids won't want to slow down. They want rides and excitement. Just a note that things get better with age and that goes for touring WDW as a senior.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

Favorite spot to relax is the alley between the jewellery store and crystal arts, there are a few tables and chairs back there and if you're lucky you hear a singing lesson happening on the second floor.
Also the marching band and the trolley show.
In the morning you can ride different turn of the century vehicles

I did a solo trip a few years ago and when it was time to call my family, I tried to find a quiet place to sit. One of those quiet places was this little alley. It was surprisingly peaceful and relaxing! Then the singing lesson started and it just cracked me up! Our next family trip, I had to bring them all to see it. My DH also likes the marching band (we're both still band nerds, so we both do enjoy it).
We also came upon the glassblowing a couple visits ago. It was amazing, and a nice way to get away from the heat and crowds.
On our way out (whether for our nap or at the end of the day) we walk through the shops. My DD14's favorite is the jewelry shop.

 

[bebec22]

Glassblowing--live glassblowing--at the back of Crystal Arts.

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Wait, what??? I have been to WDW 15 times and never knew this existed!! Makes me wonder what else I've been missing out on.... I'm so glad I've found this board. So much to learn!

 

[Newsies]

Just a few things I love doing on MSUSA:

• Meeting Tink & Mickey
• Grabbing the bags of rice krispie treats at the Confectionary (SO much better than the shaped ones on a stick!)
• Getting some ice cream at the parlor
• Window shopping/stepping into the emporium and buying a new hat or pin
• Stopping to talk to the Mayor, who always has something fun to say
• Watching the Trolley show