Day: May 13, 2014

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is the final and centerpiece attraction of New Fantasyland to open on May 28th at the Magic Kingdom, and I was almost giddy with anticipation to ride at the Walt Disney World Mine Train Event.

Not long after I moved to Orlando, construction began on New Fantasyland and having the opportunity to experience this attraction after watching it being built was amazing.

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a family coaster that oozes charm with mild thrills (between Big Thunder Mountain and Barnstormer), an entertaining interactive queue, and story that not only showcases the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs but next generation animatronics that are stunning.

When you first walk up to the Seven Dwarf Mine Train, the first thing that you notice is just how beautiful the queue is! The pathway is lined with trees (and fans) to help give some shade while you wait, and at night the area is lit just enough so you can see while not taking away from how a forest would feel at night.

Hands down my absolute favorite part of the queue are the three interactive areas, which you find once you have entered the mine’s wooden tunnel.

Doc has prepared a series of mining stations for us to explore while we are waiting.

• Jewel Sorting – Follow Doc’s instructions, etched into a nearby plank, and help match jewels by color and shape as they flow down a wooden trough—a.k.a. dozens of touch-screen video displays. Watch out for the slippery bars of soap that appear out of no where!!!

• Jewel Washing – After the jewels are sorted, grab ahold of a musical water spigot and start cleaning. Each spigot plays its own melody—heed Doc’s tips and you may hear a collection of familiar tunes! When you are running your hands under the spigots, it helps to think of it as playing a harp rather than holding your hand under a tap.

• The Vault – Inside the door of the mountain, enter the center of the vault to find a collection of wooden barrels overflowing with glowing stones. Turn each barrel to see the ceiling above you transformed, and get all of the barrels going at once for a really great surprise.

If you are using FastPass+ for this attraction, which is already available on My Disney Experience, you will skip all of these interactive elements and hop right in after The Vault. If it is a slower day or if you have time, I would totally suggest taking the scenic route.

Once you have made it to The Vault, you will notice that you are in the mine! Once your eyes adjust to the darkness make sure to a moment to look around, because the detail that has been lovingly poured into this attraction is amazing! The carved wood and miner’s equipment laying around is such a great touch.

Well, now we have come to the part that we have all been waiting on for many a long year…and that is the ride itself!

The first thing I noticed about the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is that loads quickly and efficiently. You can bring your bags on the ride, and there is a reasonably sized pouch if you would like to use it to stow your items.

The ride doesn’t waste any time, going right into twists and turns that really put a spotlight on the innovative mine train cars.

The track is definitely designed with the rocking motion of the mine train cars in mind, but just because they sway doesn’t mean that this is a bumpy ride by any means. There are five cars per train, and there is a difference in where you ride. The first two cars are probably my favorite, because you can feel the sway the most and get the most visually from the track.  Cars two and three are much more mild on the rocking, but the fourth car steps it up a little. And the final car is just a lot of fun, because you are whipped all over the track while rocking at a steady pace.

In the middle of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train you head inside to the mine, where you are greeted with some stunning animatronics! Their new animated faces are amazing, and their movement is fluid and wonderful.

And before you know it, you are being called back to work whizzing down the most thrilling drop of the coaster before heading into some fun curves.

The ride ends with a familiar scene from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs that features pieces from Snow White’s Scary Adventure. I don’t want to talk too much about the end of the ride, because it is a great cherry on top of what is already a solid ride.

If I do have a ‘Best Tip’ for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, it is that you should definitely ride it at night. On my nighttime rides I felt like the queue was more stunning, the animatronics popped more, and the views of New Fantasyland from the coaster are great!

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a solid attraction, with mild thrills and memorable moments. I cannot wait for everyone to take a spin!

Can’t wait for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to open on May 28th? Check out the Miners Wanted Game, and then you can get your own Miners Handbook!

Disclaimer: I was an invited by the Walt Disney World Resort to receive a sneak peek at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train as part of a media event, however all opinions and thoughts are my own.

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