The Magic Kingdom Welcome Show is no longer presented at Walt Disney World. While the show has been retired, this page is dedicated to the lasting memories it created during its run. From its cheerful song to Mickey’s magical arrival by train, the Welcome Show became a beloved ritual for many guests starting their day at the Magic Kingdom.
“Good Morning, Good Morning!”
The Magic Kingdom Welcome Show is among my favorite performances. There is no better way to start a magical day than with a catchy tune like, “Good morning. Good morning. It’s great to stay up late. Good morning. Good morning to you and you and you and you.” It’s the first thing you’d experience at the Magic Kingdom—and the start of a day full of memories. “Let the Memories Begin!”
Mickey arrived via the Walt Disney World Railroad to greet guests during the show, which was performed daily just before park opening in front of the Main Street Railroad Station, inside the turnstiles. The area offered standing room only, and the only restrooms available before rope drop were outside the gate—plan accordingly.
The show started about 10 minutes before park opening, so if the park opened at 9:00 a.m., the show began around 8:50 a.m. On Extra Magic Hour (EMH) days, resort guests gained early entry, and the Welcome Show started earlier to match. If you weren’t a resort guest, it was best to avoid the park on those mornings.
To see the full performance, you needed to be at the gate 20–30 minutes before opening—factoring in transportation, security, and walking time. Guests driving to Magic Kingdom had to park, take a tram to the Transportation and Ticket Center, ride the monorail or ferry, and pass through security. Resort buses, monorails, and boats all had their own travel times too. Bottom line? Plan ahead.
A Cast of Characters
The show featured a cheerful Main Street citizen host—like Smokey Miller, Chief of the Volunteer Fire Brigade—joined by the Main Street Singers. They performed “Good Morning,” a 1939 song from Babes in Arms. My youngest once asked, “Why is it great to stay up late?” The lyrics—“Now the milkman’s on his way, it’s too late to say goodnight”—imply the gang stayed up all night having fun. It stumped me at first, but it makes perfect sense.
As the music wrapped, a train whistle signaled the arrival of Mickey and his friends, who waved from the Walt Disney World Railroad as it pulled into the station. The show transitioned to “Casey Jr’s Coming Down the Track” and “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,” before officially opening the park.
A Magical Beginning
The show was short—just six minutes—but absolutely worth the early morning effort. There’s nothing like seeing a child spot Mickey for the first time. “Look! It’s Mickey!” It truly was where the memories began.
Though the Magic Kingdom Welcome Show is no longer performed, it lives on through videos and memories like the video below.
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[…] or should I say “started”, with the Welcome Show. The Welcome Show, which was featured in SamsDisneyDiary #19, is sadly no longer part of the morning routine at Walt Disney World. However, the Main Street […]