Chillin on Main St

[NuttyDisneyDad]

Every time I get to the MK I run right to the attractions at rope drop and tell myself Ill have time to meander Main St later on in the afternoon or evening. But when that time rolls around Im so exhausted I just want to get back to my resort. Next month I really want to focus more of my time on Main St poking around. Anybody else have the same problem?

 

[Disneylover99]

I know what you mean. I never really notice the little details or take the time to observe and explore when I'm there. Good luck in your mission.

 

[TML2012]

We definitely have that problem too! I have been listening to some podcasts lately that are making me want to spend more time absorbing some of the details on Main Street and other parts of the park. I may look for some of the Easter eggs next time (i.e the names on the upper windows of Main Street, hearing the vocal lesson coming from the window on Centre street off Main)

 

[pa. dad]

A lot of that may have to do with there's always some mob we're trying to stay just one step ahead of. Fireworks or parade or some castle show plus we have to catch a ferry or boat back to our cars.

 

[pens4821]

I always say I'm going to step back and just take it all in, but that never happens. We only go every couple years so it's not as easy as people that go a couple times a year, but I do want to some time.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think that in order to change that you have to change your mindset about the trip. I look at the park itself as park=t of my vacation, and love to wander in and out of the shops. Main Street is awesome, but I woudl encourage you to take time to check out the details on all of the buildings in the MK. If you pick up a book about the MK before you go you can be on the lookout for all those lovely details that you read about.

My DH, DD and DDIL took a behind the scenes tour a few years ago, and they loved showing me some of what they learned, but you can do that and more with just a book. My DSIL is a Hidden Mickey junkie, so we will often slow down to find one he is searching for, and when you do that....you see a lot!

 

[gzmtlock]

Every time I get to the MK I run right to the attractions at rope drop and tell myself Ill have time to meander Main St later on in the afternoon or evening. But when that time rolls around Im so exhausted I just want to get back to my resort. Next month I really want to focus more of my time on Main St poking around. Anybody else have the same problem?

This is one of the main reasons why I book a solo trip every few years! I find it much easier to stick to the resolution to slow down when it's only myself I am trying to please.

 

[AllieBoo]

I have the same problem! I am usually trying to soak it up as much as I can while we are walking out on our last night. I always say I'm going to make more time for it, but no one else in my family is all that interested in spending much time there, so it always gets put off.

 

[Tomh]

OP, I have done EXACTLY the same thing. My advice, pick one day of your trip, schedule your FP+ for that day a bit later, with the first one perhaps being 11 to 12 and spend the first hour or so on Main Street. It is well worth the time spent there, and better first thing in the morning, as you will see performers, and the Main Street Vehicles, and all the CM's out greeting guests. It is truly a wonderful atmosphere!

 

[Mamaoftwo24]

I have this same issue... We are already talking about RD at our house and how we will be 'running' to SDMT... But the last day there is a MK day, DF will be in the room napping for the drive back around 7pm so I will be taking DD 7, DS 9, DSD 12 and DSS 10 back to MK myself for the last Wishes of our trip so maybe we will have time to walk through and enjoy... As we probably won't ride any rides. Just wonder around and watch the fireworks.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

It's hard to do with a park that already takes two days to properly enjoy. That's about all the time we have in the MK, too. A few trips ago it was just my mother and me for the first few days. We went to the MK three times, got there at RD every day, and let the crowd rush past us. It was so relaxing strolling down Main Street without a care in the World! We spent a lot of time people watching, we got breakfast at Gaston's, which is something we'd never normally do, and we staked out a spot on the train platform two days in a row to watch FoF. It was magical just sitting there, watching the crowds and enjoying each other's company.

 

[Shellyb84]

Every time I get to the MK I run right to the attractions at rope drop and tell myself Ill have time to meander Main St later on in the afternoon or evening. But when that time rolls around Im so exhausted I just want to get back to my resort. Next month I really want to focus more of my time on Main St poking around. Anybody else have the same problem?

Same here! Have a longer trip (11 nights) planned in July and I'm really going to try to make sure we spend more time doing things other than rushing from attraction to attraction!

 

[marielynn724]

This is something that I've made time to do on my more recent trips. I love it! Allot an hour or so to meandering, window shopping and people watching. Get a goodie at the Confectionary or some corn dog nuggets at Casey's Corner for a snack while you walk around. Sometimes you can catch Dapper Dans or the pianist at Casey's. It's lovely - just make sure you avoid the parade time when Main Street is not quite so pleasant (and harder to navigate!)

 

[lvdis]

and we staked out a spot on the train platform two days in a row to watch FoF. It was magical just sitting there, watching the crowds and enjoying each other's company.

Do you remember how early you needed to go to the train platform to do this? Did you have a bench you could sit on. I am thinking about trying this when I am there with my mom and sisters at the end of April. I'm sure they'll be ready for a break and wouldn't mind sitting for a while. Thanks!

 

[TravelingTotMom]

We now make it a point to catch the Main Street Trolley Show because it has become a Disney favorite of DS (he likes to dance along).

The Flag Retreat they do each day is also great to experience. The Dapper Dans and the Main Street Philharmonic participate in it.

 

[lvstitch]

I have always toured full commando but on my last trip I got to the MK at rope drop, stopped at Starbucks and actually just sat down and enjoyed my coffee with a view of the castle. It was one of my favorite times at WDW.

 

[sharadoc]

After the 3:00 parade is also a nice time to hang out. They usually send out the Dapper Dans and the Marching Band to keep folks entertained. Although now that the parade ends on Main St. it is probably more crowded than the times when the parade started there.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Do you remember how early you needed to go to the train platform to do this? Did you have a bench you could sit on. I am thinking about trying this when I am there with my mom and sisters at the end of April. I'm sure they'll be ready for a break and wouldn't mind sitting for a while. Thanks!

Word is that this is no longer allowed, which is too bad. There's a recent thread about it. FoF is an amazing parade, but it really takes on a whole different dimension from the platform.