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Main Street USA

414 bytes added, 20:47, 21 August 2017
/* History */
In 1995 the Penny Arcade, which had been an opening day attraction also closed its doors <ref> http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id90.htm </ref>. It was replaced (along with the Main Street Bookstore and the House of Magic) by the new Main Street Athletic Club (a shop) <ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/main-street-athletic-club/ </ref>. Another opening day attraction would soon follow in the Penny Arcade's footsteps, when in 1998 the Main Street Cinema was redone. Instead of being a classic movie theater like it had always been, the Cinema was rethemed to become an Art of Disney gift shop <ref> http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/msusa.htm </ref>. During the refurbishment, the facade on the outside of the cinema was changed to read “Now Showing: The Art of Disney”. Perhaps in homage to the old cinema, guests can still see old Disney shorts being played on a screen in the back of the current shop. In 2001 the next major change happened when the Harmony Barbershop was moved from West Center Street to Town Square <ref name= "widen"> http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/msusa.htm </ref>. The move was made so that the [[Emporium]] could expand into what had previously been the barbershop <ref name= "widen"/>.
 
On July 15, 2017, Disney announced that a new theater based on the Willis Wood theater in 1920s Kansas City <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/main-street-usa/news/16jul2017-new-theater-inspired-by-kansas-citys-willis-wood-theater-to-be-built-at-the-magic-kingdom </ref>. This new theater is expected to house live entertainment and be built in the backstage area between Main Street USA and Tomorrowland.
In February of 2014 Disney announced that the "hub" section of Main Street USA would be redeveloped <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/main-street-usa/news/25feb2014-photos---magic-kingdom's-hub-set-for-big-changes-to-help-traffic-flow-and-provide-more-fireworks-viewing-locations.htm </ref>. As part of this redevelopment the Rose Garden and the former landing of the Swan Boats were removed. In their place, new lush courtyards were added, as well as mew walkways which were designed to ease crowed congestion <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/main-street-usa/news/26feb2015-photos-and-video---take-a-walkthrough-of-the-new-main-street-plaza-west-at-the-magic-kingdom.htm </ref>. Furthermore, the seating areas outside of [[Casey's Corner]] and [[The Plaza Restaurant]] were expanded. In February of 2015 the Main Street Plaza Gardens West and the Main Street Plaza Gardens East opened to guests <Ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/main-street-usa/news/02mar2015-photos---main-street-plaza-gardens-east-opens-to-guests.htm </ref> <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/main-street-usa/news/26feb2015-photos-and-video---take-a-walkthrough-of-the-new-main-street-plaza-west-at-the-magic-kingdom.htm </ref>. Besides featuring new foliage and water features, these gardens also house special FastPass + Wishes viewing areas <Ref> http://www.mousesteps.com/denises-corner-mainmenu-121/1571-review-of-fastpass-wishes-viewing-area-in-expanded-hub-at-the-magic-kingdom </ref>.