Tag: Main Street USA

The Sounds of Main Street

What sounds do you associate with walking down Main Street, USA, Disneyland? Is it the the magical music in the background, the beeping horn from the street car, the clip clop of the horse’s hoofs, the announcements from the Disneyland Railroad? I do love hearing all these things, but I have some new sounds for you to discover on Main Street!

If you have ever rented a locker in Disneyland you have walked through this secret sound location. You can find it just past the Market House to your right as you are heading towards the castle. Pre-C0vid, there were tables here where you could sit and rest your feet while snacking on churro or Mickey Pretzel.

Hopefully the tables are still here, and if not, you can just stand and listen for the magical sounds I am about to share with you. If you look around at the shop windows that are lining this little alley you will notice signs for piano lessons, a dentist, a hotel and a detective agency.

Here you see Dr. Bitz’s Painless Dentist office and dental school, where dentists, in training, will happily work on your teeth, oh, and they are licensed to use Laughing Gas.

Would you be willing to let one of Dr. Bitz’s students work on your teeth? After you listen to the sounds coming from this office you may or may not change your mind.

Piano Lessons are also offered, just ask for Sara. Miss Sara is very patient with her beginning piano students, just make sure you practice!

Across the way, look for the Detective Agency where they never sleep. It seems like you should be able to count on them to always be an attentive detective. After you listen to the sounds coming from this office, you may think differently.

Who wouldn’t want to stay in the Hotel Marceline? They have clean rooms and good rates. You might want to stop and listen to the current residents at Hotel Marceline, they might be a little disruptive.

I hope your next stroll down Main Street USA allows you some time to stop and listen to this unique piece of unseen magic. The few times we’ve sat there and listened for these sounds we have been surrounded by many people sitting at the tables eating, having a drink, playing on their phones and I have never once noticed someone actually hear these sounds. They are subtle and you have to be paying attention.

Here is a little background on the name of the hotel: Hotel Marceline. Marceline, is the name of the town where Walt Disney was born and Main Street USA at the Disney theme parks was created after downtown Marceline, MO. Although Walt only lived here for 5 years of his young life it left a lasting impression on him. His family had moved from the big city, Chicago, to this small, quaint little town and Walt said, “The cows, pigs, chickens gave me a big thrill, and perhaps that’s the reason we use so many barnyard animals in the Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony pictures today—who knows?”-1938 letter to the Marceline News

The Flag Retreat Ceremony

Main Street, U.S.A., Disneyland, California

Karen and I both have a deep love for the American flag and what it represents. Our patriotic spirit runs deep within our souls. We both have family members that have served or are currently serving our country in the military. I, Mylee, first noticed this emotional connection to the flag while I was in high school. The high school I attended has a tradition of staying silent after The Star Spangled Banner is sung, unlike most other events, where the crowd cheers loudly after. I appreciate people showing their emotions through clapping and cheering too, but the silence and reverence after always tugs at my heartstrings. I still remain quiet, no matter where I am, and reflect on the blessings I have in my life because of this great country we live in. I know our country isn’t perfect. I know there are people who want their voices to be heard, so they choose not to stand while the anthem is sung. Our country is based on freedoms and no one should be forced to stand for the flag. Because of the events leading up to the establishment of our flag and our national anthem, we have the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Every day, there is a flag retreat ceremony. The time varies depending upon the sunset but it’s somewhere between 4:30 and 5:30 pm.  I’ve seen this listed on the entertainment schedule over the years as we’ve visited the parks but we were always on a mission to ride as many rides as possible. We missed out on this unseen magic. Last year, after we became annual pass holders, I was determined to be a part of this event! I was not disappointed. I made the decision to see this at least once every trip and so far I have.


On our last trip to Disneyland, Karen, and my daughter, Tenley, and I spent some time at the circle on Main Street, U.S.A, watching the flag retreat ceremony. It was scheduled to start at 4:30 pm and we sauntered down to the circle to find a spot. Arriving about 20-30 minutes before it is scheduled to begin should enable you to find a bench or a railing to sit on. There will be cast members milling about letting you know what places are available to sit. They have to keep certain areas clear for the marching band and the veterans and service members. The marching band makes it way down main street towards the flag circle and settles in at the bottom of the circle. There is narration that plays through the loudspeakers and the band plays a few patriotic songs while the Dapper Dans sing along. The band then plays the anthem of each branch of the military and any members of that branch are invited to stand around the flag. It is a sobering experience to witness retired and active military members approach the flag, many saluting and singing their song as they stand and gaze at the flag. After each branch is presented, they invite everyone to sing the National Anthem and God Bless America together. The flag is taken down and folded and the band retreats. It is short and sweet, lasting about 20-25 minutes. There is a camaraderie felt as you stand around the flag and sing the national anthem with a group of strangers. You will leave with a spring in your step and an increased feeling of patriotism.

Main Street, U.S.A, Disneyland, California


As far as unseen magic goes, this is at the top of the list for us.  We both feel like we don’t have enough opportunities in our lives to participate in patriotic ceremonies like this.  We don’t get to sing our national anthem often enough. Taking the time out of our day, while we are fortunate enough to be at a Disney park, to participate in the flag retreat ceremony is a wonderful way to express our gratitude for the freedoms we have.  If you’ve experienced this event we encourage you to continue to participate and share it with everyone you know. If you have never witnessed the flag retreat ceremony we encourage you to go. This is one attraction we wish was a little more crowded. That would make us extremely happy.