Take a video ride on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Walt Disney World's new roller coaster (*Updated)

April 30, 2014 at 12:15 PM ·
Is this a Joke - This is Big Thunder Mountain...Nothing to see here...

Now compare this to Universals WWOHP and the new Diagon Alley....

April 30, 2014 at 12:40 PM · Well, to be fair, the video doesn't include the inside portion of the ride, which offers all the new stuff. But, no, this isn't an E-ticket ride, though it will have E-ticket level demand for at least this summer.

April 30, 2014 at 1:16 PM · As long as this ride is as long as big thunder im ok with it. Nothing wrong with a pleasant mild coaster, provided its themed well....and this one is.

How long is the Big Thunder ride time-wise? This looks like its probably 2 minutes long.

April 30, 2014 at 1:22 PM · I love the way they did the hybrid animatronics, great theming and detail. The line to ride this will be painful, I am thinking. Would love to see someone post wait times after it opens.

April 30, 2014 at 1:25 PM · I don't understand why everything has to be a thrill ride. I think this looks awesome. It's perfect coaster for the whole family.

April 30, 2014 at 1:57 PM · I'm pretty uninspired by that POV. Hopefully the swinging carts make it a bit more exciting, because it looks incredibly tame based on that video.

If this is not an E-ticket ride, as Robert suggests, then why did it take 3 years to complete? Also, if this isn't an E-ticket ride, then what is the centerpiece of the Fantasyland expansion? The Little Mermaid clone, Be Our Guest, Mine Train, or the stuff that was moved? Disney seems to be doing a lot of publicity to prop this attraction up to validate the Fantasyland expansion. After all, this was supposed to be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and painful, unsightly expansion process.

April 30, 2014 at 1:51 PM · It looks really beautiful. It may not be as advanced and amazing as gringotts coaster, but it looks like a fun ride.

April 30, 2014 at 2:23 PM · Can't watch.... have to resist.... will see everything in 2015 when I go back to the World!

April 30, 2014 at 2:32 PM · This looks cute. I could not tell that the cars were swinging side to side. I guess time will tell

April 30, 2014 at 3:27 PM · Cars Will only swing when there is a change in direction of the track, and I'm guessing for only 1 or 2 seconds depending on how damped they are, then as the turn or strait track normalizes the carts will reach equilibrium and stay vertical until another turn. It actually sounds like a strange experience. Normal coasters are most thrilling at the apex of a turn, due to the swinging carts the apex of turns will be the most mild part, and the more thrilling will be at the beginning and ends of a turn.
This looks like a fun addition to any fantasyland, unfortunately my opinion is that new fantasyland deserved an eticket dark ride as an anchor(beauty and beast incorporated with restaurant would've been my choice), and a nice d ticket like this as an extra attraction.

April 30, 2014 at 3:28 PM · Big Thunder ride portion is apx. four minutes.

April 30, 2014 at 3:41 PM · The indoor portion looks more interesting than the outdoors part. Too bad that the outdoors look like the longer part.

April 30, 2014 at 4:16 PM · My thought is that the cut in the video is another lift hill. It makes sense because of how it looks after the cut and they were probably trying to save time in the video.

April 30, 2014 at 5:48 PM · I agree with the indoor lift. I also have to imagine the Wicked Queen makes some kind of appearance in the ride, and it would make sense that she'd be on the lift as that is where tension grows..

April 30, 2014 at 5:51 PM · This is ABSOLUTELY an E-Ticket. And I suspect a legion of parents with kids ages 3 to 11 would concur with my opinion.

April 30, 2014 at 5:54 PM · Robert Niles: But, no, this isn't an E-ticket ride, though it will have E-ticket level demand for at least this summer.

I Respond: The E-Ticket status is based upon the original ticketing system from WDW -- wherein admission to the Magic Kingdom's most popular attractions required an E-Ticket.

If the original ticket to ride system were still in place, this attraction would (without question) require an E-Ticket.

Swing and a miss, RN.

April 30, 2014 at 6:05 PM · Doesn't matter what legions of kids call it. I'm sure most have no idea what an e ticket is. Usually if something is e ticket Disney imagineers will call it that like they did openly with Radiator springs racers during interviews. I know e tickets are rare with Disney so it's hard to remember. It doesn't have the scope or scale to be an e ticket. If this is an e ticket then so are all the other fantasyland dark rides. Its essentially that on a mild coaster track.

April 30, 2014 at 6:46 PM · TH, I think that the public's perception of an "e-ticket" has changed from the most popular rides to the highest quality/most fun rides perceived by those able to ride and appreciate most of the attractions. Back in the day, even the Sailing ship Columbia was an "e-ticket." The Enchanted Tiki Room was even considered above an "e-ticket," requiring guests to pay even more than the regular "e-ticket" price(thanks to Yesterland for that info: http://www.yesterland.com/eticket.html). The new coaster does not appear to stand up when compared to universally considered e-tickets like Thunder Mountain (seemingly longer and more thrilling), Pirates (More AAs and more scenes), or Tower of Terror (incredibly immersive and grand in scope). Now the Seven Dwarfs coaster may surprise me, but for now it looks like the world's nicest d-ticket, nothing more.

April 30, 2014 at 6:49 PM · I like the idea that all the fantasyland dark rides with seven dwarfs and mermaid are at the same scale.

May 1, 2014 at 12:09 AM · This ride is like a mini-Everest ride with the emphasis of characters inside. I'm not so sure what the big deal is and I fail to see why the New Fantasyland needs this ride since it doesn't seem to break new ground with the exception of the new animatronics. Overall, not again.

May 1, 2014 at 1:36 AM · David L.: TH, I think that the public's perception of an "e-ticket" has changed from the most popular rides to the highest quality/most fun rides perceived by those able to ride and appreciate most of the attractions.

I Respond: The status of "highest quality/most fun" are based upon a subjective opinion. Whether public perception has changed or not, I believe that if the old ticket system were still in place the Dwarf Mine Train would be an E-Ticket attraction. The only logical counter to that assessment would be an assertion that the attraction would be listed as "A," "B," "C," or "D".

May 1, 2014 at 3:18 AM · Other Fantasyland dark rides were considered D ticket rides -- and this has a coaster. Even the Country Bear Jamboree counted as an E ticket. So I have a feeling that the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, with dark ride + coaster, would indeed be an E ticket.

Of course, we'd probably have F and G tickets by now as well.

And the reason that Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room needed 75¢ instead of an E ticket isn't that it was considered "more" than an E ticket, but because Disneyland didn't technically own it (WED Enterprises did). It had to have a separate admission price to keep the money separate.

May 1, 2014 at 7:07 AM · I am sure Disney Fans will love this new attraction, But I just got back from Universal Orlando where we hit Studios for 1 day and 2 days at IOA… We rode Forbidden journey 4 times and it got better each time.

Yes not every ride has to be a thrill ride, but I believe Universal is doing it better, faster and more amazing than Disney and here is the Proof….. Diagon Alley VS a knock off train ride from Big Thunder Mountain. Which one is better?

I am now worried about Avatar…. I really hope it is fantastic….But I have my doubts.

On the Bright side, the Movies have been great by Disney lately, especially Marvel movies…

May 1, 2014 at 8:14 AM · I still think Disney knows its market better than the majority of theme park fans. Most fans want Disney to build cutting-edge rides and attractions to rival Universal. But Disney know that a softer, simpler attraction will anchor new Fantasy Land just as effectively, possibly more so. From what I can see the Seven Dwarves Mine Train isn't going to set the pulse racing or leave your heart in your mouth, but it IS going to enchant millions of visitors who couldn't give a toss whether it's 'cutting edge' or not but just appreciate the detailing, the landscaping, the magical animatronics and the gentle, mild thrills of the coaster sections. It's clearly going to be a massive hit and if the coaster community wants to sulk about it I think that's kind of sad.

May 1, 2014 at 8:19 AM · I agree with one of the other posts that A Beauty and the Beast dark ride should have been a much welcomed new addition. If they had pushed back into the "Circus Land" they still would have had room for The Little Mermaid--even if it is pretty much a yawn. When the que is better then the ride; there is a problem.

May 1, 2014 at 9:07 AM · Attractions Magazine has a full time POV of the ride, both front & back views. The witch is at the end of the cottage scene. The Dwarfs do Dig Dig Dig & Hi Ho (Hi Ho didn't seem to be on for the second run) in the tunnel scene. Looks like its a great kids and parents ride.Pretty short though. Not much of the side to side motion on the cars, but maybe there's more when the trains are fully loaded with people.

May 1, 2014 at 10:35 AM · The ride took a long time because when it was announced, Imagineers were starting from scratch. It wasn't even in the design phase. They added this ride to the NFE plans at the last minute, because of the backlash over the princess-centric nature of the expansion.

I don't watch spoilers, but I'm very excited about riding this on our next trip in the Fall. As for the new Potter ride, why are people just assuming that it will be head and shoulders above the Mine Train? Maybe it will, but no one really knows yet.

I remember when Transformers and RSR opened at roughly the same time. Some were predicting that Transformers would be a smash and RSR a flop. Today, the RSR fast pass line is usually much longer than the stand by for Transformers.

May 1, 2014 at 11:07 AM · THCreative, I am reluctant to call you out, but I'm not sure I understand your take on Seven Dwarfs. I hope you will not find this rude. What our family sees in the video is:
(1) a one-of-a-kind coaster ride that adults can share with their children or grandchildren, not as long (time) as a traditional coaster, but one very much in tune with 'Fantasyland' and 'Magic Kingdom'. Nothing else like it.
(2) a ride that supports and maybe extends the life of a one-of-a-kind video (Disney's 'Snow White'), that could have faded to black years ago. Smart move. 7D is now the 'center' of Fantasyland, in more ways than one.
(3) a ride that may be avoided (scorned?) by adolescent males, but embraced by all sorts of other types of park guests. Which increases the appeal of sharing the experience with others.

Are these comments consistent or in conflict with your point of view? Just asking.
We are eager to plan our next trip to WDW and experience 7D.
fred

May 1, 2014 at 11:11 AM · Looks great. And you don't even have to wear 3D glasses to enjoy it ;)

May 1, 2014 at 11:16 AM · Attractions has posted the full ride here is the link:

May 1, 2014 at 11:19 AM · TH is right that this would be an E-ticket under the old system, for at least the first summer or two. But I doubt that it would endure at that level of demand (unless the hourly capacity is terrible, which I doubt it will be). Long-term, this is a nice ride that stands one level below the most elite attractions at the park, for which "E ticket" endures as a descriptive term.

May 1, 2014 at 1:08 PM · 204.128.192.32 - No 3D glasses ON Forbidden Journey..

I like when we say something not so positive about Disney - all the soccer Moms come out of the woodwork with arms flailing, screaming - It a good ride...

May 1, 2014 at 1:16 PM · I see a lot of people are bagging on the ride length, which is understandable, but two and a half minutes isn't that bad for a coaster. If I remember correctly, that's about what Space Mountain is in California.

May 1, 2014 at 1:44 PM · I think it is unfair to judge this ride based on a video. While the video gives you an idea of the experience, actually riding the coaster I feel is a much more engaging experience. There are some types of rides that a video very closely resembles the riding experience, but with Seven Dwarves I think the video reduces the overall experience you would actually feel on the ride.

Have said that, this coaster is a perfectly acceptable, cutting-edge ride, but it had a huge excess of expectation upon it that it could not possibly fill. I feel that if the ride was announced a half-year ago it would seem like a great ride, but announcing it years in advance makes people feel like it's going to be some beyond amazing experience. Expectation management is a fine art in the theme park business.

May 1, 2014 at 2:18 PM · The Anonymous Poster asks: "Are these comments consistent or in conflict with your point of view?"

I Respond: Yes. They are consistent and in conflict with my point of view. I'd call you out on the conflicts but I don't know who you are.

May 1, 2014 at 2:22 PM · RN: "TH is right that this would be an E-ticket under the old system, for at least the first summer or two. But I doubt that it would endure at that level of demand."

I Respond: I'm sorry, but are you claiming they are going to suddenly stop making families with small children?

May 1, 2014 at 3:04 PM · Twitter feed from folks who have ridden 7D today is overwhelmingly positive. Good sign considering most folks would have gone in with fairly high expectations.

May 1, 2014 at 3:17 PM · TH: No, but by the end of this summer, the Mine Train will be forced to close from lack of demand due to no one being able to get to it, due to the length of the Anna and Elsa stand-by line.

Actually, families with kids will want to ride the Mine Train going forward, but I think that the crowds of others queuing to ride will diminish after this summer, reducing the wait.

Anyway, the Mine Train page on disneyworld.com now says "14 days" until opening, but also that visitors should come back to ride starting on "May 18." Here's the link.

May 2, 2014 at 8:14 AM · The interior portions alone make this an instant-classic in my book. Kudos to Imagineering. Is a near month long soft-opening period after an official dedication standard these days?

May 2, 2014 at 10:36 AM · Looks awesome. I think it's funny that, from the comments, it seems that some people were expecting a rollercoaster with a 200' drop that goes 60mph. Don't people know Disney World (and especially Magic Kingdom) is geared towards children? I can't wait to ride it on my next trip.

May 2, 2014 at 2:08 PM · This looks like a fun family oriented ride. The fast stomach dropping coasters don't appeal to everyone- I can't wait to ride this one!
I guess I can only pray and dream about the possibility of a Disneyland ride?

May 3, 2014 at 2:45 AM · This is a very nice coaster/darkride hybrid we have seen in many theme parks but done to a very high standard. They only thing that is unforgivable is that the original ride had a larger dark ride portion. For the story telling company the Disney company is saying they are they should have gone with that concept but due to cost cutting we got the shorter version with less capacity. A shorter, cheaper version in their flagship resort in Florida where money is poring in. Hell they even charge you extra if you are not leaving Epcot with the rest of the cattle with a drink and a bit (something I did for the costs of those bites and drinks for many year but I guess Disney has to point it out to their guests and overprice the experience).

So yes this is an amazing little ride. For a hybrid it's to short though and for easing the crowds in Fantasy land it's also not the big e-ticket ride where lots of people can enjoy a premium ride it needed. It's building time is a slap in the face to their customers. There is no reason this needs to take so many years no matter what they say. More complex and innovative things on a much grander scale are done down the road for less money and a quarter of the time. If it's not incompetence then it's cheap.