Five Things to Know About Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train can have a really long line, so you want the experience to be great when you finally take your seat. To help with that, I’ll be highlighting some things I wish I had known about the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train before I rode it. Not only would they have prepared me better for the experience, but they would also have deepened my enjoyment and appreciation of the attraction. I hope they do the same for you!

But if you want to skip through to the mother lode of nuts and bolts info like where to find it and what the height limit is, here’s your shortcut.

1. It’s off to work we go!

As you can guess from its name, the attraction is based on the classic Disney animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” It tells Snow White’s story which you’ll experience as a roller coaster ride, with some dark ride elements, and some animatronics – all of which work to create a unique and immersive adventure!

You begin by riding up a mountain. Then you’ll slow down to pass through the mine, where you’ll see the Seven Dwarfs audio-animatronics hard at work mining gemstones. (The Imagineers built the animation of the marching Seven using roto-scoped images directly from the “Heigh-Ho” number in the movie.) This change of speed with a dark ride section in the middle is one of the things that makes Seven Dwarfs Mine Train unique. Exiting the mine, your speed picks up until you reach the cottage where Snow White and the Seven are dancing and playing music.

Be aware that a video of your downhill ride will be taken. You can download it from your PhotoPass account.

2. You’ll be carted along for the ride

As someone with a bit of a tendency to motion sickness, here’s a part I wish I knew beforehand. Disney Imagineers created unique mine carts to serve as your ride vehicle for the Seven Dwarfs attraction. Although your “train” is comprised of five mine carts, each can move independently of the other. Using this patented track-mounted pivot mechanism allows the carts to sway from side to side, adding an extra layer of motion to the ride. Two guests fit in a cart seat and thankfully there is a handrail to hold on to. Worth noting: each of the carts looks a little different, suggesting they were hand-hewn by the dwarfs themselves!

While most of the ride moves slower than its max speed of 34 mph, the dips and turns are exaggerated by the swaying motion of your cart, creating a unique coaster experience! So even though there are no loops, inversions or rolls, the 3-minute ride is plenty exciting – at least it was for me!

3. There’s some Heigh-Ho history

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opened officially on May 28, 2014 (there was a soft opening the week before). It was built where Pooh’s Playful Spot and the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attractions were previously located.

Snow White’s Scary Adventures closed two years before, and the Imagineers took the opportunity to reutilize some of the figures. (I guess you could call that “mine-full” recycling…) When you look into the cottage at the end of the ride, the vultures, the Evil Queen in her guise as the Witch, as well as Grumpy, Doc, Bashful, Sleepy, and Happy are repurposed from the older attraction. Snow White, Dopey, and Sneezy are new figures, built expressly for this ride.

Bonus Fact: There’s Music in Your Soup?

Yes, that’s the name of the tune you’ll hear in the queue and outside the area as you wait.

Originally composed back in 1937 by Frank Churchill, and with lyrics by Larry Morey, it was intended to be part of the Snow White animated feature. The entire sequence and song were cut when Walt Disney felt it slowed the movie down. But thankfully, a version of the animation cels was saved and can still be viewed and enjoyed. Churchill and Morey composed all the music for the feature film, including “Whistle While You Work,” “Heigh-Ho,” and “Someday my Prince will Come.” Not a bad legacy!

4. You can mine some fun in the queue

If you don’t buy an Individual Lightning Lane, you’ll have the chance to spend some time in the queue. Be aware that it often extends outside, and in the Florida heat this can be a challenge – even with fans mounted overhead.

But once you enter the Vault (go indoors), you’ll have the chance to play with some interactive features. Who knew that you could run your hands under the barrel spigots to create music? Each of the 12 is carved to look like a different animal, and each corresponds to a musical note.

One interactive area requires you to work as a team of 7. When you get to the barrels overflowing with gems, spin them and look up. Each spinning barrel projects an image of one of the dwarfs on the roof. Get seven people to work together and spin all seven at the same time — and Snow White herself appears with the dwarfs. When I was there with my wife, daughter, son-in-law, and three granddaughters, it would have been fun, if I’d only known!

5. The Nuts and Bolts.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is in the Fantasyland area of the Magic Kingdom across from the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. It’s one of the most popular rides in the Magic Kingdom, so if you want to reduce your waiting time, your best bet is to rope drop and run, especially with Early Theme Park Entry. Alternatively, you could purchase an Individual Lightning Lane. Mine Train is also open for Extended Evening Theme Park Hours if you’re staying at a qualifying resort hotel. Be aware that inclement weather such as heavy rain or lightning can cause the Mine Train to close, so you may not want to get into a long line if the weather is looking dicey.

Each mine car seats four guests with two in the front row and two in the back row. Guests ride in bucket seats each with their own lap bar which is a little thicker and rather snug compared to those on other coasters. There’s also a stationary handrail to hold onto.

Guests must transfer from a wheelchair or ECV to the ride vehicle. Expectant mothers should not ride. Service animals are not permitted, and guests must be at least 38 inches tall to ride. As with all rides that have a height requirement, this attraction offers Rider Switch.

The Bottom Line.

We rate this attraction as “not to be missed.” And personally speaking, I’m not a big coaster guy, so if I can enjoy it, anyone should be able to ride and enjoy all the creativity Disney has put into this coaster. Heigh-ho!

Have you taken a trip on the Mine Train? What was your favorite part? Let us know in the comments below.