Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: The Most Enchanting Coaster at the Magic Kingdom
Disney doesn’t get more classic than Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The first-ever full-length animated feature in the United States, Snow White quickly captured the hearts, minds, and imaginations of viewers across the country. It was a shining moment for Walt and his company, glittering more brightly than all the gemstones in the dwarven mines.
Today, Snow White is still beloved, and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train pays homage to Walt’s film in a fun and whimsical way. A gentle rollercoaster with moments of dark ride magic, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train takes you through a day in the life of a dwarf (everyone’s favorite fantasy race—shoutout to Thorin Oakenshield!).
Explore the mines, sing the day away, and zoom around the mountain on one of the most endearing rides in the Magic Kingdom! Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s off to Disney World we go!
Walt and the Seven Dwarfs
Snow White was a gamble, but the project was something Walt was deeply passionate about. He believed in his story about seven quirky dwarfs, and he believed audiences would love them, too. However, sharing it with the world was a long way off. First, he needed to convince his company—his artists—that they should commit to drawing the dwarfs to life. After all, it was a monumental and unheard-of task to create a feature-length cartoon, and his own beloved wife had expressed her fear that the idea was, well, a bit dopey.1
Walt was undeterred. A fantastic storyteller, he decided the best way to snag his artists’ approval was to simply show them his story.
The crew assembled together, and without any preamble, Walt waltzed out and put on a one-man show. He manifested a special voice for each character, particular postures, and gestures—each one was lovingly brought to life, and everyone watched, glued to his every word, his every action.
“We were spellbound,” Art Director Ken Anderson recalled. “He was all by himself and he acted out this fantastic story.”2
Walt’s performance ultimately inspired his crew, leading to the production of the ground-breaking film we know and love today. Charlie Chaplin, of silent comedy fame, had high praise for Walt’s work, saying, “In Dwarf Dopey, Disney has created one of the greatest comedians of all time.”3
The film achieved worldwide success at the box office, changing the course of Disney studios and film-making forever.4 Animation was not to be sneezed at!
Today, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride at the Magic Kingdom takes guests back to Disney’s roots in a delightful journey that will have you whistling a happy tune for the rest of the day.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: Don’t Be Bashful!
Perhaps one of Disney’s most accessible roller coasters, this adorable ride is fun for little kiddos and adults alike. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train height restriction is only 38 inches, which makes sense, considering this is the same transportation adorably short-statured Grumpy, Doc, and Sleepy themselves use!
Located in Fantasyland, this ultimate fairy-tale ride fits in perfectly with the likes of Peter Pan’s Flight and Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel. However, when it comes to the line, this one stands out from all the rest. Perhaps the most interactive of Disney’s queues, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is not only lavishly landscaped and bountifully decorated but there are also lots of activities along the way! There’s a station for jewel sorting (a touch screen game), jewel washing (where you make music by placing your hand beneath the water spigots), and the barrel game (where spinning the barrel creates a neat surprise—make sure you look up!).
Although the queue is fun, it still tends to be long, as the ride has remained pretty popular since its 2014 debut. It’s not uncommon to be waiting well over an hour for this ride. While it’s undeniably cute, it’s up to you whether the two-and-a-half-minute ride is worth the hour-plus wait. The best times to try and ride are generally early in the morning and late in the evening. Some folks get lucky with a mid-afternoon lull, too!
However, if you don’t want to risk being stuck in the mines all day, you can opt for a Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Lightning Lane pass to cut down on your wait time. Generally part of Disney’s Genie+ plan, you can also purchase a limited number of individual Lightning Lane passes without having to pay for a Genie+ package! If Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is on the top of your must-ride list, then you might consider budgeting for a pass.5
Heigh-Ho, Silver! I Mean…Off to Work We Go!
While Seven Dwarfs Mine Train might not be classed as a thrill ride, it’s still a unique rollercoaster with plenty of pep! There aren’t any big drops or loop-de-loops, but the ride cars swing back and forth, barnstormer style, as you glide along the steel track. Curvy and stocked with steep turns, the track is optimized to create that barnstormer action, especially the further back you sit!
When you enter the mines, the ride slows down so you can take in the scene: of glittering, glowing gems illuminate the cave in a kaleidoscope of colors as the seven dwarfs we know and love mine (or attempt to mine) the riches. Keep your ears open for favorite tunes from Snow White as you pass through!
At the end of the ride you’ll pass by one more scene—the dwarfs’ cottage—where you can peek in the window at the group dancing merrily with Snow White. But who’s that lurking at their door? The sinister specter of the Evil Queen implies that, even as your ride comes to a close, the dwarfs’ adventure is just getting started.
With darkened tunnels and characters like the Evil Queen on the loose, some might be wondering, is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train scary?? Unless your kiddo is wigged out by animatronics in general (I’ve been there!), then no, there is nothing inherently scary about this coaster! The dwarfs, as seen in their natural habitat, are all cheerfully working and there are no jump scares. The ride itself, though entertaining, is not overly fast or intense in comparison to other rollercoasters.
(Note: for a truly enchanting experience, we suggest giving it a ride after dark, when everything is beautifully aglow!)
All in all, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is an excellent ride that bridges the gap between all age groups, offering wholesome, whimsical fun for the entire family!
Have you ridden Seven Dwarfs Mine Train? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below! Oh, and tell us who your favorite dwarf is! Out of the diminutive Disney crew, I’ve always loved Dopey!
Cover Image
Photo Kelly Verdeck via Flickr
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