Poll: What's your favorite Park Opening Experience?

[larryz]

Each park does it a little bit differently... which park opening gives you the greatest thrill, heightens your anticipation, prepares you for the long day ahead, or puts you in the right frame of mind?

Pick your favorite in the poll and discuss! And no park bashing, please!

 

[AFwifelife]

MK hands down. When I first hear the train coming around the corner, the anticipation starts to build and I can't help but feel completely giddy about the day ahead. By the end of the Welcome Show, I'm usually brushing a few tears away.

 

[snowybelle]

Magic Kingdom by a mile. I saw the Welcome Show live for the first time last week (after seeing it many times on youtube) and it brought me to tears. When that steam train rolls in, that is the essence of Disney to me!

 

[BigAlsGal]

MK! I love starting the day with Mickeys face.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

MK is the only park with an "opening" show currently. I managed to make it to opening to see it once. It was ok but I'd have rather gotten more sleep. LOL

When the other parks had opening shows I made it to AK once and DHS once. I enjoyed DHS because the street characters were a hoot - I liked it better than MK's show.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Magic Kingdom show always brings tears to my eyes. I love that show. It's the perfect start to our vacation.

 

[asbyrneva]

I love MK and it is my favorite. But the AK CMs are really fun at the ropes. They may be the friendliest I have seen. They seem to be so excited for us to go in that they get us excited even at 7 am

 

[Robo]

MK, by default.

There are no other opening shows at WDW.

 

[TPrice]

Yeah - the train coming in to the station with Mickey and the gang just added to the excitement for the whole family.

One morning a CM at the gates at MK did Disney World trivia and jokes. It was a soggy morning, and that really helped to lift the spirits of my kids before the train arrived.

Also had a nice chat with a CM at the front of the line at DHS - hardly a show, but did help pass the time!

 

[SureAsLiz]

At WDW, I love the speech broadcast over the system at Epcot

Though of all the parks, Disneyland's current opening is my absolute favorite. It's special for the 60th and embodies all that a Disney park is supposed to be.

 

[Peepster]

Magic Kingdom is the only show in town, as Robo said. But it is my favorite because of the opening song...my older Sis used to sing a version of it as she woke me up when I was a kid and, she's gone now, I always think of gear when I hear it. Makes my heart warm! In addition, we love the Main Street Characters!

 

[larryz]

MK is the only park with an "opening" show currently. ... I enjoyed DHS because the street characters were a hoot - I liked it better than MK's show.

MK, by default. There are no other opening shows at WDW.

Magic Kingdom is the only show in town, as Robo said.

Please don't limit your responses to "show" -- I purposely used the word "experience" to allow those who might not like the MK opening show, but actually prefer the low-key opening at Epcot, for example, where you walk between waving cast members to either side of Innoventions, to the waiting point for park opening...

 

[momof2n2]

MK, by default.

There are no other opening shows at WDW.

This is what I thought...
Larry are you messing with me?

 

[momof2n2]

Please don't limit your responses to "show" -- I purposely used the word "experience" to allow those who might not like the MK opening show, but actually prefer the low-key opening at Epcot, for example, where you walk between waving cast members to either side of Innoventions, to the waiting point for park opening...

Ooooo. You ARE making me think too hard.

They all can't hold a candle to my former "opening" tradition: running people down to get me some FPs.

I'll vote in May.

 

[SnackCredit]

I remember the AK opening show. I was during the Artimals era, so a few of them came out with a bunch of characters (King Louie? Rafiki?) with an announcement about entering the world of animals.

 

[monorailmom]

I just love the MK Welcome Show, always tear up every time I see it. My second favorite would be Animal Kingdom. I really enjoy that once you are through the tap stiles, you have some time to wander through and enjoy the Oasis before being held at the ropes for the running. Epcot is just stressful. I know Soarin' is closed at the moment, but being held in the bright hot sun waiting for the rope to drop and then deal with everyone surging toward the Land is really no fun at all. The same can be said for the Studios with the mad dash for Toy Story Mania. We love rope dropping in general, but it's definitely more stressful at some parks than others.

 

[TPrice]

Magic Kingdom is the only show in town, as Robo said. But it is my favorite because of the opening song...my older Sis used to sing a version of it as she woke me up when I was a kid and, she's gone now, I always think of gear when I hear it. Makes my heart warm! In addition, we love the Main Street Characters!

You know what's funny: during the ceremony and the singing of "Good Morning" my wife and I actually listened to the lyrics. Never knew they were saying "good morning" after staying out all night!

 

[DWillowBay]

I don't even remember a big splashy open to any other park than MK. There's an announcement of some kind, but nothing that makes me emote!

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

I have very fond memories of rope drop at Epcot during the old FastPass era, which was during my college days and early- to mid-twenties. I was the runner in the family who sprinted to Soarin' for our FPs while my parents meandered slowly after. It was hilarious every time, and made for fun camaraderie with everyone around you.

That said, I just love the MK welcome show. I think everyone does!

 

[Jennasis]

Good mornin', good MORNIN'!

MK for the win, for sure. Just the sound of the train horn and seeing the steam puffing over the tree tops as it chugs its way in makes me get all weepy!