July 1955 – present
LOCATION
Main Street USA – If you are facing the castle, you’ll find the Main Street Cinema on you right hand side, close to the plaza in front of the Disneyland Railroad station.
BACKGROUND
Like any classic main road in the American heartland, Main Street USA has its own small movie theater. The Main Street Cinema has been in operation since Opening Day, and was one of the first structures built on Main Street. Since 1955, the Main Street Cinema has brought the original Disney animated shorts into the park, presenting the classics to new generations of fans.
EXPERIENCE
Details:
- Single Rider Line – no
- Fast Pass – no
- Height Requirement – none
- Duration – N/A
The entry of the cinema is a traditional ticket booth, with sweeping curtains protecting the interior. Upon entry, guests find themselves in an old-fashioned cinema, with six screens projecting black and white Disney cartoons. The five smaller screens play classic shorts without sound, and the main screen shows Steamboat Willie, complete with original score and sound effects. The small room has a raised center for a panoramic view of the theater, and without seats, guests are free to roam the space and watch all the different films.
MY RATING: ★★★☆☆
What’s special about the Main Street Cinema is its history; this 1955 original has stood the test of time and is one of the most beautiful buildings in the park. But the cinema’s tight quarters and its lack of seating make it difficult to take in the classic shorts. The interior is definitely worth exploring at least once, but the Main Street Cinema is not a must-see attraction for every park visit.
VISITING TIPS
As a walkthrough attraction, there is no good or bad time to visit the cinema. On extremely hot or rainy days, guests often stop in to get a break from the weather, so the cinema can be a bit crowded. Otherwise, the cinema never sees much traffic, even during the busy season.
TRIVIA
Though usually fairly empty, the Main Street Cinema is a very popular resting spot during the 24 Hour Kickoff, and crowds sometimes extend out the door.
You may have noticed the ticket taker in the booth outside the Cinema. Her name is Tilly, and she’s from Marceline, Walt Disney’s hometown! You can see her name and hometown if you look closely at her cast member name tag.
