Review of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride

Dwarfs Cottage

Hi Ho! Hi Ho! Off to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train we did go! And it was fabulous! 

Some of the Disney Devoted team were lucky enough to ride the Seven Dwarf's Mine Ride, during a soft opening for the 24 Hour Rock Your Disney Side Party. We heard rumors that there might be a soft opening and were thrilled when we found out it was true.

After months of sneaking peeks through construction walls. it was exciting to finished product, and well worth the wait.

By the time we made our way back to that part of the park, it was midday. The wait at that time was listed at 60 minutes standby. It was a no-brainer for us and we got on line. As it turned out, the wait was about half that, and we quickly found out why-the interactive queue. It is so beautiful and fun, that everyone wants to get their turn trying out the different stations. Below are some photos of the stations. 

 

This was a super cute part. You run your hands under the water spouts to "play:" the spouts like a organ. Again, more beautiful jewels.

         
After we had our fun in the queue, we entered the loading area and were quickly on our way. Before I get into the actual ride, I did want to mention my one and only complaint about the ride itself-the seats. I am not sure if it had something to do with the issues in the sway of the mine carts, which caused a mid-construction redesign, or the size was intentional, but the lap bar that comes up from the floor is a bit awkward. Most adults legs don't comfortably fit inside the U-shaped bars, and it feels off having your legs on the outside of them. When you sit down, you are a bit lost for a few seconds, as to where/how to position your legs. But you work out the way that is best for you and are on your way, and don't ever feel like you are riding unsafe.

The ride itself very much reminds me of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad-with one very nice difference, the Seven Dwarf's Mine Ride is VERY smooth. There is none of the jerking and bouncing about that Big Thunder Mountain can sometimes have. The thrills are moderate, but lots of fun. The drops are controlled so there isn't that stomach-in-throat feeling that makes some of us who really dislike that, all squirrely. But the carts do go fast and there are lots of twists and turns and drops into curves that get you smiling and having a ball.

I know there has been buzz that Disney missed an opportunity to add a big thrill ride, that would be more competition to some of the other Orlando theme parks rides, but I wholeheartedly disagree. I feel the Fantasyland reimagining and additions were very much created with children in mind and kept with the whole magical, but fun feel of many of the other Fantasyland rides. I think it would have been a mistake to put a big thrills roller coaster in Fantasyland, and I am really glad that Disney created a ride that is fun, thrilling, but still very approachable for the younger guests and the big chickens among us. It is definitely one of our new favorites and a Disney must-do!