Disneyland: Main Street

What do you see on Main Street? Look carefully. Identify some characteristics.
Answers:

  • well-maintained,

  • pastel colored,

  • late-19th century architectural styles,

  • retail stores,

  • buildings are only 5/8 (63%) in height of actual buildings -- this was purposefully designed to make people feel relatively larger and more important (to create that "happy" feeling). The second and third stories of all buildings on Main Street are each in turn shorter than the ground level -- this is called "forced perspective," buildings seem taller than they actually are.

    • Compare this scene to an actual Main Street in the Midwest. What is the different? Why do so many people prefer visiting fantasy landscapes rather than enjoying their own real places? What are the consequences in our personal and collective lives? Something to think about.

     

    Created by Ingolf Vogeler on 1 June 1996; last revised on 03/09/05.