You're on stage at Disney World : an analysis of Main Street, USA in the Magic Kingdom

by (Marisa Newkirk), 1976- Scalera

This thesis explores the image and physical characteristics of Main Street, USA in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Florida. The first chapter explores the questions: What thematic roles does Main Street, USA play within the Magic Kingdom, within our collective national consciousness, and across the world? The second chapter asks: How does the visitor relate to Main Street, USA? How do these interactions change throughout the course of a day? The third chapter asks: What are the defining physical characteristics of Main Street, USA? How do these characteristics influence the experience of the visitor? All three chapters use the metaphor of a show that takes place daily on the Main Street, USA stage and in which visitors are both audience and actors. Through this examination both reader and author will gain a better understanding of the composition of Main Street, USA and insight into this undeniable design force.