Since 1955, Main Street Cinema has been a small theatre on Main Street U.S.A. that played classic Disney shorts. This spot had a way of taking us back to the good ‘ole days and never failed to make us smile.
Main Street Cinema
That is…until today.
In addition to the spot’s six screens starring Mickey Mouse, Main Street Cinema is now showcasing…merchandise.
Main Street Cinema
Here’s a close-up of one of the displays…
Main Street Cinema
Nothing major has been changed when it comes to the room itself, as the animated shorts still play in the background. But this just won’t be the same little movie theatre stop as it used to be if these items remain.
Main Street Cinema
Currently, an easel in front of the Cinema invites you to “Come on in” for “Cartoons and Collectibles.”
Main Street Cinema
And while merchandise is plenty of fun, I’m thinking that, in this case, we’d like to see more of those cartoons, and less of the collectibles. How about you?
What do you think of this change? Do you think it’s here to stay? Let us know in the comments below!
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I’m usually not fussed about changes to Disneyland, but this is really disappointing. It’s such a small space that it can’t have that much of an impact on retail sales. But it was one of the only attractions–along with the now-gone Big Thunder Mountain Ranch goats, which was another favorite–where you could step away from the crowds and experience something at your own pace. Plus, it celebrated the roots and history of the Walt Disney company. Maybe if each store had its own identity, like they used to, it would feel a bit different, but with every single store selling the exact same merchandise, expanding into this space just feels disappointing and boring.
This makes me really sad. I went in there every time to sit down and eat my corndog, watch a Cartoon clip, and take a breather from the crowds. Not everywhere we step foot into needs to be about spending money there. This definitely took away some magic. This is ridiculous.
This is WRONG in every way! There’s enough merchandise in the park (most of which I buy!). This seems opportunistic in an embarrassing and horribly distasteful way. The amount of sales in this one small space couldn’t possibly justify ruining one of the last spaces in the park of vintage Disney magic. This frankly scares me.
Super disappointing! There are plenty of places to shop in Disneyland! I really don’t understand why they would do this. I am hoping it is temporary!
3 words….
BLAME BOB CHAPEK.
We don’t need merch in the Cinema, super crazy!!!
The change in the Disney aura is not a good one. Money and profit has replaced the magic. These older venues serve to keep the history and the dream alive. Merchandise in Disneyland is repetitive and limited in variety throughout the park. The cinema could’ve kept the old cartoons without the merchadise and added shorts from current movies or ones coming soon. Disney could get some advertising that way and satisfy their dollar driven changes. Walt, sorry to see Main Street dismantled a little bit more.
I am in agreement with all who are disappointed that Disney is once again dumping a salute to the great history of the parks and Walt Disney himself. In WDW the wonderful Hollywood Studios “Disney the Man and his Dream” film and museum space shows mostly promotional trailers for upcoming films. Here’s hoping WDW doesn’t drop the incredible museum with its artifacts including an original Multiplane camera, Mousketeer costumes from the MM Club tv show, and more.
They just have to try and squeeze every penny out of us. Will they ever figure out how that makes the corporation look? Do they care?
Absolutely heinous. As if there aren’t a billion other ways and places Disney will get their last farthing out of you at the resort. Truly disgusting to ruin that space like that. Destroys the whole show staging/concept. Next thing you know, Disney will have vending machines attached to the turnstiles. Can’t they for once leave well enough alone and pay some homage to the past without having to make a buck in the present???? Come on Disney, get you act together and actually SAY to yourselves, WHAT WOULD WALT THINK?
Pavo, they changed this back within days, thankfully.