Five Things to Know About Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

As you can maybe guess, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride is based on the Disney animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” It’s a unique and immersive adventure – and it’s one of the most popular rides in the Magic Kingdom. To learn a few things which will increase your enjoyment, read on. But if you want to skip through to the mother lode of info like where to find it and what the height limit is, here’s your shortcut.

1. You can mine some fun in the queue.

The queue for the Mine Train begins outside, where there isn’t a lot to do except wait. If you keep your eyes peeled, you can spot the dwarfs little cottage.

Once you enter the Vault (where it’s air-conditioned), you’ll have the chance to play with some fun 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 on the chromatic scale.

Then there’s an interactive area requiring you to work as a team of 7. When you get to the barrels overflowing with gems, spin them and look at the ceiling. 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!

2. It’s off to work we go!

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a roller coaster in three parts: outdoors, then indoors, then outdoors again. In between the two outdoor coaster sections is a dark ride portion, which is one of the things that makes this attraction unique.

You begin with your train going at a good clip, up and down to the mountain. Then you’ll change to a slow-moving dark ride speed to pass through the mine. This bit tells some of Snow White’s story. You’ll see the Seven Dwarfs audio-animatronics hard at work mining gemstones.

Exiting the mine, your speed picks up as you “race” around the track again. (More on those air quotes around racing in a minute.) You’ll slow down again to finish up in the cottage where Snow White and the Seven are dancing and playing music. In all, the ride lasts 3 minutes. A slo-mo video of your ride is taken during one of the downhill sections, which can be purchased with PhotoPass.

As someone with a tendency to motion sickness, here’s a part I wish I knew beforehand. 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.

The ride’s top speed is 34 mph, which is on the slow side for a coaster. But the dips and turns are exaggerated by the swaying motion of your cart, creating a unique experience. So even though there are no loops, inversions, or rolls, the 3-minute ride is plenty exciting! And even more so at night.

3. Here’s a little Heigh-Ho history.

New Fantasyland, built between March 2010 and May 2014, was a major expansion to the Magic Kingdom. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opened officially, on May 28, 2014. It was built where Pooh’s Playful Spot and the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attractions were previously located.

Earlier on in the project, Snow White’s Scary Adventures closed on May 31, 2012. 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.

4. Some secrets worth mine-ding.

⭐ Each of the mine carts looks a little different, suggesting they were hand-hewn by the dwarfs themselves!

⭐ As you leave the mine, the shadow dwarfs march uphill alongside you. The Imagineers built the animation of the marching Seven using roto-scoped images directly from the “Heigh-Ho” number in the movie.

⭐ As you climb the first hill, you’ll see a crane. The two vultures on top are repurposed from the closed ride, Snow White’s Scary Adventures.

⭐ There are two Hidden Mickeys worth mentioning. The first is carved in the mine woodwork as you exit. He even has a pickaxe! Also in the mine, above Grumpy’s head, is a Mickey formed by three gems.

⭐ It’s not only Hidden Mickeys, there’s a hidden Oswald the Rabbit! He’s carved into an overhead beam that sticks out a little more than others. You can spot him as your mine cart goes up the hill.

⭐ This one will make you a Disney trivia expert. Frank Churchill and Larry Morey composed all the music for the film, including “Whistle While You Work,” “Heigh-Ho,” and “Someday my Prince will Come.” The tune you hear in the queue and outside area is called “Music in Your Soup”, and it’s not in the film. It was originally intended to go in – but the entire sequence and song were cut when Walt felt it slowed the movie down. Thankfully, a version of the animation cels was saved and can still be viewed and enjoyed.

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. Inclement weather such as heavy rain or lightning can close Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. A portion of the queue is covered and there are fans overhead, but the heat can be a challenge, especially when the line extends far out of the actual queue into the Magic Kingdom walkway.

Before boarding, a little video will remind you to remove your hat and backpack, stowing them at your feet. 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. There’s also a grab bar in front to hold onto.

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

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is one of the most popular rides in the Magic Kingdom. If you want to reduce your waiting time, and you’re eligible for Early Entry, it’s not a bad strategy to rope drop and run. (You won’t actually be able to run. Cast Members will enforce a moderately fast walk for safety.) The other end of the day, right before closing, also sees shorter lines. Alternatively, you could purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass or Lightning Lane Premiere Pass. Mine Train is also open for Extended Evening Theme Park Hours.

The Bottom Line.

We rate this attraction as “not to be missed.” And personally speaking, I’m not a big coaster guy, but I enjoyed it. But it must be said that some of our readers have felt that the three minutes on the ride was not worth a 90-minute wait. You’ll never know until you try, so I think everyone 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. 

(Originally published June 22, 2023. Last updated February 13, 2025.)