3. If you want a long ride, once again brace for disappointment
These train tracks represent a significant portion of the outdoor portion of the ride. Image © Disney
Those of you who are like me and have been consumed by watching video in anticipation of the ride’s debut are unsurprised by this revelation. In fact, the 135 second run length is a bit better than initially indicated. The catch is that at one point, the ride slows to a crawl in order to let the user appreciate the ambience.
The indoor portion of the ride encompasses a full minute of the 135 seconds. Plus, there is another 30 seconds at the end where the train cart is effectively stopped. In total, there is less than a full minute of meaningful movement, reinforcing the above statement that we are not discussing a thrill ride. While the ride is brief in terms of actual time investment, I would note that it does feel a bit longer. The explanation is that the indoor portion featuring the dwarfs themselves is engrossing. This leads to point number four…
4. Pirates of the Caribbean animatronics fans, I have GREAT news
The real selling point of Disney’s latest offering has nothing to do with the cart itself, the tracks, the velocity or any of the other concepts generally attached to the concept of an amusement park ride. What is being sold with the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is the popularity of the film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. One of the most revered Disney classics, Snow White and her friends must be treated with reverence in an amusement park ride. In order to accomplish this feat, the ambience of that world must be recreated.
In order to deliver on that concept, Imagineers have gone back to the drawing board. The animatronic figures that have been the lifeblood of the company since the 1960s have been reinvigorated by new technology. The primary reason why the ride slows down so much as mentioned above is because the ride’s developers want to give people extra time to appreciate the specificity of detail. No longer are blatantly artificial marionettes acceptable. Customers demand more in 2014.
The appeal of Pirates of the Caribbean has always been that the concept has been represented well in the product. In rebuilding Fantasyland, Disney has determined that the linchpin product is another ride of similar design, only with state of the art character design. The result is a level of detail that not only raises the bar for future Disney products but seems to be openly challenging Universal Studios’ Harry Potter to a fight for next-generation technological supremacy. When people look at the Dwarfs, they can tell which is which simply by examining the detailed facial expressions. That is a far cry from the ridiculously artificial yet much beloved pirates of old. The idea is the same. The (dramatic) difference is in the execution.
5. It’s not about the ride but the journey
Dopey enjoys the journey of his mine train ride. Image © Disney
Perhaps the best overall comparison for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is Peter Pan’s Flight, which offers a similar wait time, ride length and story-centric atmosphere. Based upon another fantasy staple, Peter Pan’s Flight continues to be extremely popular. The afternoon wait time is rarely less than 45 minutes, and it increases further during the popular summer months. The explanation is that Peter Pan’s Flight delivers exactly what it promises, a few moments of entry into the realm of Neverland. In exchange for a significant wait in line, people are provided with a couple of moments of escapism.
The same is true of the newest ride in Fantasyland. My companions and I took a slew of photographs during our Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride. What we all noted in reviewing them was the astonishing attention to detail in all phases of the ride. The above picture of the spigots demonstrates the sweeping artistry throughout the ride. Similarly, the dwarfs themselves, while intentionally not exactly life-like, feel as if they have jumped straight out of the movie. Simply stated, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train may not be a thrill ride. It is, however, as impressive a feat in merging artistic sensibilities with the state of the art technology at an amusement park as I have ever seen.
Comments
I love Disney! For me, I don't care about the thrill of the rides or how long it is because I love the magic of Disney World. I've gone seven times and every time I feel like a little kid because of the atmosphere. I thought the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was awesome because of their attention to detail and how they tell the story. I'm also not a huge roller coaster fan in the first place, so the few thrill rides at Disney are perfect for me.
Three things you need to know about the Snow White and Seven Dwarves ride:
1. The lines are usually long and always slow
2. The ride is both short and boring
3. It's mercifully cool inside on a hot day
I thought it was pretty freakin awesome myself. I rode it four times. Twice with fast passes and twice as a walk on, and I never waited more than 30 minutes. In fact, the line went so quickly that I didn't even have time to play with the toys... which I was slightly sad about. Only slightly.
Did we miss the awesome 'floating' feature on the tracks? The cart sways the entire time to make you feel every turn with a more increased angle and when you come to the sudden slow down as you enter the mine, the cart continues to sway and gives it a happy little bobbing boat-like effect. I was very impressed with that fun feature. Not to mention, that one you are at the track exit, waiting to get to the platform, if you bounce in your seat, it still sways. Fun to annoy your fellow riders... but really, it's Disney. HAVE FUN! Frankly, if you aren't able to grasp on to your inner child and embrace the magic, you're just not gonna get it.
I absolutely loved the ride, and while it wasn't a thrill seeking ride, it was definitely not a disappointment.
I wish I would have seen this before I rode it last week. My family and I got the impression it would be similar to Big Thunder Mountain and be a roller coaster type of ride. Although it was a cute ride, the commercials, fb posts, and hype made it out to be something more. They should advertise it more as the ride it actually is. I will suggest to wait in line around fireworks time if you do go.
Agreed. I was so irritated by the lack of thrills that I have sworn off this ride until the wait time is less than 20 minutes.
I really expected something spectacular and was so disappointed that I couldn't even enjoy it for what it is. And by all accounts it is spectacular. But talk about setting up expectations for failure!