Magic Kingdom's Let the Magic Begin Welcome Show Not Returning After Castle Work

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Let the Magic Begin overview

Posted: Friday May 8, 2026 1:12pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Magic Kingdom's "Let the Magic Begin" welcome show will not return to its character format after Cinderella Castle refurbishment work is complete.

The show will stay audio-only permanently, with no characters or stage performances returning to the castle forecourt.

This brings Magic Kingdom in line with EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, all of which use audio-only welcome messages before rope drop each day.

Let the Magic Begin overview

Disney introduced "Let the Magic Begin" in 2017, replacing a welcome show that had performed at the train station near the park's main entrance on Main Street U.S.A.

The castle-based character show ran for seven years before shifting to an audio-only format during the current Cinderella Castle refurbishment which began earlier this year.

Rope drop procedures remain unchanged. Guests wait in designated areas until park operations begin following the audio welcome.

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Tha RealestMay 11, 2026

I just think it’s important he gets the help he seems to need.

TrainsOfDisneyMay 11, 2026

I’m never awake to actually see the open show, but I’m still sad it’s gone. i did see the open show at the train station once many years ago and it was a really nice extra touch of magic.

Chi84May 11, 2026

The profession is not an excuse . . .

Woof. That's a rich post. Until last year, I hadn't been to WDW since 2017. Did that make me unable to comment on things because I hadn't been there for 8 years? Let's all just "let the magic begin," shall we?

Tha RealestMay 11, 2026

Respectfully, those in your profession grapple with constant stress and substance abuse issues to cope with said stress. Perhaps take a deep breath and read these posts with a clearer mind and see how disproportionate this response is to the OP.

Disstevefan1May 11, 2026

It doesn’t matter what the subject is or if I agree or not, I can’t ignore you. It’s too entertaining.

donaldtooMay 11, 2026

MisterPenguinMay 11, 2026

You need to dial it back a few notches.

JMcMahonEsqMay 11, 2026

No one cares how old you may be, or when you first went. As if an experience that took place over 50yrs ago, is at al relevant to today. Nor does it exuse your constant posting that is either off topic, or clearly not about the post. Finally so you haven't been there in 7 years, so basically you have no personal knowledge, experience, or anything to add about anything that has been done or is going on at the parks for 7 years.

John park hopperMay 11, 2026

For your information my first WDW visit was May 1972 (20 yrs old) have been there more times than I count. honeymooned there @ the Contemporary -took my kids countless times, last stay was @ POFQ was late 2019. Sorry my views don't jive with your pix dust rose colored glasses. No need to respond Ignore is a great feature

Br0ckfordMay 10, 2026

👏 👏 👏 👏

Mr. SullivanMay 10, 2026

He seems to’ve read this one but his post history shows he does not often (such as recently blaming Disney for the Swan and Dolphin taking away a pool perk despite Disney not owning or operating S&D).

MrPromeyMay 10, 2026

At this point, their stock feels like the Wonders of Life pavilion. That growth from the good old days has been gone so long we can almost pretend it never existed when talking about what we have now. But even if you got in after the fall, thinking you'd be riding it back up, they're not exactly hitting it out of the park for anyone who didn't experience that massive loss, either.