New Magic Kingdom Welcome Show & Main Street Opening UPDATE: Page 15 - Post #281

[mikedoyleblogger]

Wow, this looks totally underwhelming. Just the latest in the long line of things either discontinued or ruined by Disney in the last couple of years in the name of "progress" (translation: $$$).

That is how a lot of people felt a decade and a half ago when Disney stopped allowing people onto Main Street an hour early and created the welcome show instead.

 

[isabellea]

I just saw the train show yesterday on you tube because I didn't have any interest at waiting in a cramped area for RD before (we always had a PPO ADR or arrived at 9-9:10am). Personally, I prefer the new show. Not perfect but I know my kids would like to watch this one whereas I'm not sure they would have been interested in the train show with characters (Main St citizens) they don't care about.

 

[Farro]

I think it is uninspired and boring with zero energy.

We'll just have to agree to disagree!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I just watched the video...you guys are all nuts!!!

I though it was great! Maybe better than the old one (just watched it, the train was cute...), which quite honestly I didn't care for one way or the other. This just fits better. Strolling on Main Street, looking in shops and waiting to enter the "kingdom". Then everyone comes to greet you? Loved it! Will make it a point to watch this (once, and then I won't care).

I mean, it's not Broadway, they are just opening the park...

That is how a lot of people felt a decade and a half ago when Disney stopped allowing people onto Main Street an hour early and created the welcome show instead.

I also think though some of it is expectations that have changed over time. If you're used to the welcome show you come to expect something of that length or grandeur. You might also expect something to welcome you but may be disappointed in the finished product you know built up this anticipation of being welcomed into the "happiest place on earth" and then felt like corners were cut. I really don't know so I can't speak with actual knowledge here but did they have anything like that that welcomed guests 15 years ago or was it just enter the gates and there ya go wait at the ropes til the park actually opens?

 

[SuperTink]

I've never seen that many princesses in all my visits--kinda neat to see!

Not especially attached to the old show (I think we were one of those families close to the ropes and stuck under the trestle--heard, not seen).

We'll enjoy Main Street, and then get close to whatever gate we need.

 

[cmarsh31]

Well, we have an 8am PPO CP breakfast hopefully for a few good pictures and for nostalgia. We're planning to hit Adventureland after breakfast anyway, specifically to avoid the Fantasyland masses (with first-timers, figured we'd have more fun with a slightly more relaxed morning). Waiting to hear the reports of when PPO breakfasts can get in. If it's just at 7:45 with everyone else, we'll still be in Disney World!

Loving the idea of metal detectors on the CR path - with that and the park hopper buses (oh please please please keep them on through Feb), we might be able to avoid a lot of the big security lines!

 

[kaabost]

There's no singing, no dancing, no energy. It needs something more than just a cluster of characters. Dialog is clunky.

My thoughts exactly! With all of those characters, it seems that it could be spruced up with some singing and dancing to become a great high energy show.....but....the show I just watched was slow and therefore way to long. Perhaps it is different when one is actually there watching?

 

[David Brent]

At least I don't have to have my son standing on my 5'1 shoulders like during rope drop. LOL.

 

[shelbyg75]

The person that was there this morning streaming asked at the tapstiles and told that they are only making reservations for 8am onwards
Quick check on mde shows both BOG and CP opening at 8 with CRT opening at 7:55.
I know some of you have reservations earlier than that, so there's some misunderstanding
I'll go to MK early on Thursday and ask around, I'll also check where are the ropes for each land and report back

Thanks yulilin3! We have 7:55 CRT reservations later this month so certainly interested in what you find out!!

 

[Mousetopia]

I think breakfast is a new thing since December. Here's the menu
Entrées
Egg, Ham, and Cheese Croissant
$6.49

Croissant
$2.99

Chocolate Croissant
$3.59

Danish
$3.59

Crumb Cake
$3.79

Bagel
$2.99

Muffin
$3.29

Beverages
Assorted Fountain Beverages - Regular
$3.29

Assorted Fountain Beverages - Large
$3.69

Dasani® Bottled Water
$3.00

Odwalla® All-Natural Lemonade
Includes a souvenir Mickey Straw
$4.69

Simply Orange® Orange Juice
$3.99

Minute Maid® Apple Juice
$3.29

Coffee
regular or decaf
$2.79

Hot Tea
$2.49

Casey's Batter Up! Souvenir Cup
served with odwalla® Lemonade Slushy
$9.69

They will have a croissant donut too

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

They will have a croissant donut too

Will it cost $24?

 

[Mousetopia]

Will it cost $24?

hehehehe! special pre park open price $29.99 !! Kidding!

 

[ArielSRL]

They will have a croissant donut too

Oh yeh....hmmmmm.....will need to add this to my list!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

It may be just that you never waited close to the rope during the previous welcome show. The awful sight lines took away a lot of the view, and the giant metal awnings eliminated it completely if you were at the front.

View attachment 214245

Yeah but the thing is you could watch the old show by one of the trees, have a great view and still only have maybe 100 people in front of you on your way in. We used to always watch there and many times I was the first person on space mountain after the show. I'm just guessing here but it seems to me if you want a good view for this new "show" (if you can even call it that) you may be behind hundreds of people.

 

[WEDWDW]

If it's just at 7:45 with everyone else, we'll still be in Disney World!

Yes,EVERYBODY got in at 7:45 AM.

There are either ropes or a CM at EVERY "spoke" of The Hub.

There is a rope at the entrance to the little bridge just before Adventureland that leads to Liberty Square.

ADR Guests(BOG & CRT) go in here to access Fantasyland by walking across the bridge and then using the walkway on the left of Cinderella Castle.

 

[Greenfield1984]

Havn't made a post in quite some time. Only logged in to echo, seemingly, everyone else's comments. Namely that this show was a huge letdown.

I was optimistic with the royal herald declaring that "All are welcome in this happy place, where the young and young and heart can explore and laugh and play together."

Was very reminiscent, to me, of Walts opening of Disneyland :



“To all that come to this happy place, welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future.


Unfortunately that is where the goodness ended. Then it became an extremely generic intro.

I also like the fact that main street is now opened up early. Allows Starbucks and other stores to start filtering customers in earlier which both relives later lines as well as allow people to not have to choose between dashing for the rides or getting a coffee at rope drop.

Also sounds like a great and unique way to experience main street before the crowds envelope it. Get a few nice calm photos.

I wonder though if it wouldn't be too challenging to simply recreate the original opening ceremony but swap out the train with a trolley show. You could still have the mayor set it up, have a nice dance number, keep the amazing songs, and then have the characters arrive.

The reason I fell in love with Disney is because they went the extra mile by plus-ing everything. When they figured they were done with an idea or product they would then ask "what can I do to plus this?"

This show really isn't bad. It's alright, decent, maybe even slightly above average. There just isn't anything special about it. I think they forgot to plus it.

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

Overall I like the idea of not being crammed in at the train station and being able to notice details on Main St (even though I 'll probably be waiting at the spoke that feeds 7DMT). But of course they changed it for this trip in March since we booked a 8 am Keys to the Kingdom Tour on a 9 am opening day (bucket list item). They told us to get there early 7:45ish to enjoy an empty main st and get checked in. Now it seems like that experience will be totally spoiled!!! I know the change has only been for one day but if anyone has any feedback on how the tours will run? I would really appreciate it.

 

[tsme]

I can't be the only person who knows this is way better from a security standpoint, right???

That was my first thought. Packing people in an enclosed space made everyone an easy target. Sad to say. But I did love the old show. No matter how annoyed or anxious I was getting from the crowd when they started dancing and singing, I felt lighter and happier. I will miss it. I do like the idea of being able to shop for an hour before the lands open. I love looking in all the Main Street stores, which my DD doesn't usually allow me to do without complaining. The castle show isn't on the same level as the old show. But they might change it & add more music or something as they go. If not, then more time to shop!

 

[ericaseiler]

Does anyone else feel you need to be there for RD even earlier now? Also, the extra time to shop and enjoy Main Street (which I would like)..is that really extra? Won't most people be 'lining' up near the land they want to get into first?

 

[AngiTN]

Does anyone else feel you need to be there for RD even earlier now? Also, the extra time to shop and enjoy Main Street (which I would like)..is that really extra? Won't most people be 'lining' up near the land they want to get into first?

They can of course but the change is it's not the only choice they have. They can opt to stand at a rope and wait or they can opt to shop. When everyone was held at the Train Station the only option you had was to stand and wait (or look in the tiny little gift shop there)