Are you ready to dive into the ultimate guide to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?
Don’t worry, I got you!
Walt Disney’s very first animated feature film was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which has been represented at the Disney Parks for years.
First at Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom with a dark ride called Snow White’s Scary Adventures.
Now at Walt Disney World the original princess has a brand-new ride in her honor called Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, right in the middle of Fantasyland!
The three-minute roller coaster ride is fast, with some elements that might be scary for younger kids.
Typically, it’s compared to the likes of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and The Barnstormer, with Thunder’s big drops and show scenes and The Barnstormer’s family friendly elements!
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Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Roller Coaster at a Glance:
- The entire ride is about 3 minutes long.
- You have to be at least 38 inches tall to be allowed on this ride.
- It is both a roller coaster and a dark ride at the same time, making for a unique experience
- The outside design of this attraction was built to blend the areas of Fantasyland.
- Top speed is 34 miles per hour (mph)
- How Tall is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train? This roller coaster is 39 feet tall.
History of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
I’m sure you all are familiar with the story of Walt Disney, how he first drew Mickey Mouse on a train ride, and the rest is history.
The story is quite inspiring really, he was just an animator, and not a very well-paid one at that.
Which brings us to present day New Fantasyland which had undergone an intensive refurbishment in 2012.
The Magic Kingdom’s land was expanded from 107 acres to 133 acres to occupy the new improvements that would be made to Fantasyland.
When the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride was taken down due to technical issues, there was a 10-acre gap in Disney’s most popular land. Something had to replace it.
When the idea of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was proposed in the early 2000s, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs was a 70-year-old film franchise.
There were numerous trials and tests done because it was to be a ‘family-friendly’ ride.
When did the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride open at Disney World?
Nonetheless, huge crowds turned up at the opening of The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster on May 28, 2014 and the ride has one of the longest wait-times in Walt Disney World.
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New Fantasyland Opens
Fast forward to modern-day Magic Kingdom, and the idea to create something new inside Fantasyland. In fact, the entire land was almost all redone to make room for new experiences.
Those experiences included the:
- Princess Fairytale Hall
- Storybook Circus
- Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
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Ride Layout of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The ride layout takes guests on an indoor and outdoor coaster adventure. You’ll experience big drops and slower hills.
The entire premise of the ride is that you’re taking a peek at the dwarfs mine where a million diamonds shine!
The Queue
The ride does take a large time commitment, not because of the actual ride time, but because of the wait time, which can be over two hours on busy days at Magic Kingdom.
The best way to not have to wait hours to ride the family-friendly attraction is to either get a Genie+ reservation or head there first thing in the morning just after the park opens!
The stand-by queue for the attraction has several interactive games and play areas to keep you entertained as you wait.
When you finally get to the loading area, strap yourself in the rickety mine train just as Heigh-ho starts playing in the background.
The Ride
The train moves slowly into the bright daylight and encounters a steep turn. That is when you realize that what the ride lacks in inversions, G-rolls and all that fancy stuff, it makes up by having a swinging train.
Yes, each car on the train has an individual swing, making it even more fun!
After taking a tour of the Dwarf’s mine you’ll go down one final drop before spotting the finale scene with the Dwarf’s cottage and Snow White inside dancing.
Keen eyes will also spot the old hag who is waiting to give Snow White the poison apple.
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Train Design
The train of the Seven Dwarf Mine Train ride is a one-of-a-kind swinging roller coaster. The coaster is designed to look like the cars that the Dwarf’s carry their treasures from the mine in.
Note that the actual seats and lap bar situation feels a little tighter than other Walt Disney World attractions. While most people will fit, it will feel snug.
This is because Walt Disney Imagineering wanted guests to feel like they were a Dwarf as well and Dwarf’s require smaller seats to feel secure.
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7 Top Tips for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Get a Genie+/Lightning Lane Reservation so you don’t have to wait as long in the warm Florida sun!
- Use the My Disney Experience app to monitor wait times for the attraction throughout the day.
- Try to ride first thing in the morning if you are not able to get a Genie+/Lightning Lane Reservation.
- Ride on the back row to get the most intensity from the ride.
- Look out for the Evil Queen lurking in the forest.
- Don’t feel bad waiting in the queue as it will give you an opportunity to mine for gems and other hidden goodies.
- This is a good beginners roller coaster for the little ones or newbies to thrill rides.
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My Final Thoughts
If you remember listening to a bedtime story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, you had always wanted a closer look at their cottage, maybe a peep into their window.
Or maybe you wanted to join the dwarfs at the mine for a day. Don’t let your inner child down.
Go and explore Fantasyland to your heart’s content. Going to theme parks with other people is nothing but a social construct, so don’t get caught up in it.
What are you waiting for? Go tick this ride off your childhood bucket list!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
(Original Article Date: December 18, 2013/Updated April 24, 2024)