Reliving Fond Memories
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The Theatre of Main Street
By David Mink

As a new habit, I enjoy a twilight dinner at the Carnation Café. I get seated as the sun is disappearing behind the gingerbread steeples. Before the meal ends the lights pop on, amber chaser lighting on the cool grey asphalt. Though the people are rushing past, they are on the other side of the wrought iron. On my side, time is a little slower, gentle. The lilt of the Dapper Dans seems to drown out the demands of the modern logo T-shirt sport life. A lively piano player is down the street.

Nearly forgotten is what made Disneyland a revolutionary experience: That this is a theme park, not the conventional amusement park with roller coasters and corn dogs. Nowadays, DL has both, but despite amnesia the original ideas making this place the favored travel destination of America and the world hasn’t been completely erased.

When Walt Disney envisioned his park, he wished it to be more than a mere center for percussive distraction. He saw as it a complete immersive experience. He wanted people to enjoy one of a kind shopping, relax on the benches in a mythical town of the past. Have some dinner at the themed restaurants. Then, if they were in the mood, join the kids and try some of the attractions. That was why a basic admission was charged, plus extra for the attractions. This was a park, not an amusement arena, or seedy row of carnival tents.

He was after the very thing those interested in Living History crave: That for a moment, the stimulated senses come together, the mind makes a leap of intuition, and you are actually in that small town.

This was a vision that born of Disney’s childhood. The people of his generation were changing from the country to the city. They lived in a world before film. Their entertainments were state fairs and live vaudeville. Then filmed stories took the culture by storm. Disney became rich off the public’s demand for clean entertainment. His genius was to fuse the old and the new. Using his film background, his storytelling talents, he created an imaginary world of film and the carefree atmosphere of the county fairs. He knew it would work, because it was what he wanted. He instinctively understood the taste and power of the ordinary.

Once the park was open, however, the interest of the guests diverted away from somewhat. While parents enjoyed the restaurants and the hat shops, they really wanted a more condensed interactive experience. The people wanted the attractions. Disney couldn’t have seen this himself. It was the organic growth of his dream child. Soon the tickets would fade, and one price was asked for admission.

I really savor the original charm and ambiance of Disneyland (What has survived the MBAing process that is). This is why the Carnation Café has become one of my favorite restaurants in the park. Here I can enjoy the fullness of the Main Street experience. Amongst the gingerbread and popcorn lights, there is the ghost of the original purpose of the street. Before the malling, I recall a time when different stores were along the street. A real hat store particularly hangs in my mind (Not to mention the Tobacconist). It was not something to run through on the way to the attractions. Main Street itself was an attraction, with the Omnibus, the horses, the smell of candy and popcorn.

Here the charm is complete, and I am able to completely relax amidst the running children and crackling of souvenir bags. For a time, I succumb to the Disney magic, the lull of the George M. Cohan tunes, a train whistle in the distance, and the place does seem timeless. It is the dawn of the 20th century, and the clang of the street cars call. Clarinets and drum parades. Life slows down. And the chicken pot pie arrives…

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-- David Mink

-- Posted October 16, 2003