Goodbye to MK Welcome Show

Oh no, that's my favorite! :(

This may well be a stop-gap measure while the trains are in rehab. We shall see if this is permanent....

On our last three trips, I had planned at least one day to attempt to see this show. On each trip, that got cut out. Now, I won't have a chance to see it. So sad.

On my first couple of trips back in the '70's this was the way they did it. Main Street was open for about an hour before rope drop, and you could get as far as the hub where CM's were "standing guard" at each spoke with a rope (go figure) across the path. There was a brief announcement with Disney music & then the ropes were literally dropped & the stampede of guests thundered down each path to start their fun Disney day.

Thanks for the heads-up, Carrie!

Here's the official announcement for those interested:

Disney Parks & Resorts wrote:

Beginning January 9, guests will be allowed to enter the Main Street, U.S.A. area of the park even earlier than the park’s scheduled opening time. This will allow guests time to savor the charm of Main Street, U.S.A., enjoy breakfast or a warm drink at the Main Street Bakery featuring Starbucks. Then promptly at opening, a new welcome show will officially open the park for the day on the Castle Forecourt Stage. A Royal Herald will appear to deliver a proclamation and welcome a few familiar characters to the stage, officially opening the park so “the magic can begin!”

Any idea how early they will let people in? We always plan an early breakfast at Chrystal Palace and love having main street to ourselves. I suppose that will change and many more will be on the streeet, unless they don't allow other people in that early. We usually try for as close to 8 as possible.

I'm wondering if this is because of the Train refurb ... and then depending on feedback/how it goes we'll have to see if it becomes the new norm, or if they go back.

PopPhan;2495158 wrote: This may well be a stop-gap measure while the trains are in rehab. We shall see if this is permanent....

Fingers crossed.

brad192;2495161 wrote: On my first couple of trips back in the '70's this was the way they did it. Main Street was open for about an hour before rope drop, and you could get as far as the hub where CM's were "standing guard" at each spoke with a rope (go figure) across the path. There was a brief announcement with Disney music & then the ropes were literally dropped & the stampede of guests thundered down each path to start their fun Disney day.

I did not know this....

I can see how this would manage park guests more efficiently at opening. I am sure the shops (assuming the shops will be open) and eateries and the opportunity to get the coveted Main Street and Castle pictures are going to absorb a number of people who are not in a hurry to get in line at 7 Dwarfs Mine Train, etc.

I'm just going to miss that Welcome from the train area. :train:

Very good points made about the train refurbishment. It will be interesting to see if this change is permanent...

brad192;2495161 wrote: On my first couple of trips back in the '70's this was the way they did it. Main Street was open for about an hour before rope drop, and you could get as far as the hub where CM's were "standing guard" at each spoke with a rope (go figure) across the path. There was a brief announcement with Disney music & then the ropes were literally dropped & the stampede of guests thundered down each path to start their fun Disney day.

I remember them doing it this way as late as the 90's. Last time I saw this, the announcement came and then they played Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah as people ran towards there favorite attraction.

ibelieveindisneymagic;2495175 wrote: I'm wondering if this is because of the Train refurb ... and then depending on feedback/how it goes we'll have to see if it becomes the new norm, or if they go back.

The reports are that this is permanent.

( sarcasm on) Good. ( sarcasm off) It always made me cry as I was so happy to be back "home" and a 40+ year old woman in tears because she's so happy is embarrassing for us all!

Now that I'm thinking about it, this will probably kill one of my favorite things to do each trip. I always loved to be there for the morning opening celebration, and then I parked myself at the end of the train station "traffic circle" & watched as the guests arrived, rounded the corner, and got their first view of Cinderella Castle. I usually just stood there about 10-15 minutes and watched people's reactions when they saw that Disney icon. It's really quite entertaining! A lot of smiles, open-mouthed wonder, etc. Heck, once I even saw a grandmother in a wheelchair stand up & applaud! A great way to start my day at MK!