Hi Danielle,
Just a few more weeks until your magical memories begin! I share your love of the
Magic Kingdom Welcome Show. In fact, just this week I was finally able to get my boys there in time to see it after many attempts! They loved it and I know they will want to see it again and again, just like their mama.
You are correct that the show typically starts about 20 minutes before the park opens, even on days with
Extra Magic Hours. If you are not staying at a Disney Resort hotel and you want to see the show, you will need to arrive prior to the Extra Magic Hours opening time and then wait until the park opens to the general public to enter.
If this is your only day to enjoy the Magic Kingdom Welcome Show and it's a must-do on your list, you might consider hopping on the Resort Monorail to enjoy some breakfast and coffee at one of the nearby Disney Resort hotels during that hour before starting your fun-filled day at Magic Kingdom park.
I hope the "sun beams will soon smile through" on your Walt Disney World Resort vacation, Danielle. Thanks for your question!
Happy planning,
Andrea U.