7 Dwarves Mine Train totally underwhelming

[Davey Jones II]

I said that kids are the primary audience. That's natural for any Fantasyland ride. After all, it's a coaster with a height requirement of 48".

Of course Disney hopes it won't appeal solely to kids, and in their marketing and attraction descriptions, they're not going to imply that it's a kiddie coaster with little appeal for adults.

They pulled off a good balancing act: make sure to please the kids, but make many adult fans, too. But, as always, you can't please everyone.

 

[Robo]

Imy current favorite is Lumiere from Enchanted Tales. That thing is just a jaw dropping sight.

Absolutely agree!

 

[BeachClub2014]

It's not even a question of right or wrong. If you don't like the ride, fine. You don't have to like it. I'm not arguing that anyone "should" like this ride. But comparing it to rides like Splash and Mansion is comparing apples and oranges.

I agree with you that it isn't a question of right or wrong, but you have posted "facts" to point out why some of opinions expressed here are wrong. I have never said that I didn't like the ride, but I appreciate your thought that I don't have too. I have said that I think it could have, and should have been better. The entire point that many of the posters here have made is that they are underwhelmed by the product that the imagineers put into the park. Why is that a bad opinion to have? I don't pretend to know with any degree of certainty that Disney targeted one demographic over another or what the imagineers intended. Interestingly, the attraction description for the Barnstomer which says its for pre-schoolers and kids would suggest that had Disney meant the same for 7DMT then they would say the same thing on the attraction description. Not the case.

 

[Davey Jones II]

It's fine if people feel underwhelmed. I just disagree with some of the reasons that people have expressed, and I've explained why. No need to rehash my arguments.

I think it's self evident that everything in Fantasyland is intended primarily (not solely) to appeal to kids. If we can't agree on that simple premise, I won't argue it endlessly. But nothing in Fantasyland has height restrictions that freeze out most kids.

If you're talking about pre-schoolers, no, I don't think Mine Train is really intended for them. They do have to be 48" high.

 

[Planogirl]

I see on Disney's own website that the ride is intended for all age groups. Nowhere does it say that it's intended more for some than for others. I would argue that overall MK is not primarily intended for kids either but that is just my feeling.

This ride is pleasant and pretty and way overhyped. I think that all of the hype before it opened caused some disappointment. Some of that hype came directly from Disney.

 

[edolee]

The most indisputable fact is that the ride is a hit with the people it was targeted at: kids and their parents. It accomplishes exactly what it was intended to do. I call that a success, even if some people have complaints.

You are making some strong assertions.

1) The ride is a great success
2) It was not intended to be an "E" ticket
3) This ride is targeted at kids and parents

How do you know any of this? You would need to have Disney research, or insider information to know it.

The fact that the ride is busy now doesn't mean much... people know it is hard to get on, so the fastpasses go quickly, and people rush to ride it... sort of a self fulfilling prophecy. It is possible that many people feel the same as a goodly portion of the posters here, that the ride is a belly drop. If, and I repeat IF, that is true, then I doubt the Disney folks are feeling terribly excited about the results (regardless of the current wait times). I am at WDW now, and rode it a couple days ago for the first time. I will ride it again in a few days, but I had the same "meh" reaction as many of the posters here.

As for the "thrill" ride aspect, I could care less. I have no love for thrill coasters. My criticisms are the same as many previous posters above... the ride is too short, and primarily the theming is underwhelming. My main disappointment was with the part where you go slowly through the mine... It just seemed so uninspired to me, compared to what I had hoped for.

I have no idea if this is an "E" ticket or not, but I sincerely doubt Disney consciously says... "This is a "D" ticket ride, so it doesn't have to be that good."

*********************

I WILL tell you this... I rode Escape from Gringots at Universal two days later. And it was fabulous. From my perspective it was not much more "thrilling" than 7DMT. But the theming was fricking fantastic. It cleverly combined the story with the ride... the coaster did not just "coast", it also fell, and spun, and was just REALLY compelling.

I am a huge Disney fan, and admit to not having any inside information about their thoughts about the success (or lack thereof) of 7DMT... but if every new ride at Universal kicks the crap out of every new ride at WDW by this same magnitude, I'd bet a fudge-sickle Disney loses market share consistently.

Ed

 

[Davey Jones II]

That's your opinion, Ed. We rode Gringotts, too, and we preferred Mine Train. It's only your opinion that Universal "kicked the crap" out of Disney's new ride. I still say Universal relies way too much on screens and 3D. Spider-Man was an innovation, but virtually everything since then has been, more or less, a variation on that ride. It's time they gave us something else.

My assertions don't depend on insider info, and they are not bold statements. Nothing in Fantasyland has the scale and scope of E Ticket rides, and nothing in Fantasyland has height restrictions that keep most kids out. That's just coincidence? Fantasyland rides have a minimum of thrills and scary effects. Can you imagine Disney ever putting a ride like Tower of Terror in Fantasyland? The idea is laughable.

I think most Disney fans know by instinct that Fantasyland is primarily for kids. Just enter the land and look around; it looks like a great place for kids! It doesn't mean adults won't enjoy it, too. It's a difference of degree.

You wrote this: "The fact that the ride is busy now doesn't mean much... people know it is hard to get on, so the fastpasses go quickly, and people rush to ride it... sort of a self fulfilling prophecy."

That statement makes little sense. The ride is incredibly popular, and almost everyone books FP+ for it before any other ride at the MK. And you want to argue that the ride is not a great success? If a ride is packed with people all the time, then, by definition, it's a success. What other definition is there??

 

[AliceinMaryland]

We thought it was ok but I wouldn't wait longer than 15 minutes to ride it again. I think a lot of us think it is underwhelming because we wanted something exciting! We've been going to DW for so long and so many times that we just wanted something new, thrilling, bigger, and better like we keep seeing over at US/IOA. I do think they are going to WOW us with all the new stuff announced at D23 though.

 

[DisneyPrince1982]

Although I think much more could have been done with the ride, I still enjoy it. I'm not going to wait in a long line for it but I will get a FP+ for it.

As for comparisons with Universal, yes Univeral's Harry Potter World "kicked the crap" out of Disney's recent innovations.

 

[DisneyOma]

Although I think much more could have been done with the ride, I still enjoy it. I'm not going to wait in a long line for it but I will get a FP+ for it.

As for comparisons with Universal, yes Univeral's Harry Potter World "kicked the crap" out of Disney's recent innovations.

Except Universal only added one new ride. If WDW did that, my guess is that people would be all over it. Most of Diagon Alley is a set. Fake store fronts were very disappointing - sure they had some nice effects, but there was nothing to do after you watched each one for a few seconds.

 

[Jon84]

Except Universal only added one new ride. If WDW did that, my guess is that people would be all over it. Most of Diagon Alley is a set. Fake store fronts were very disappointing - sure they had some nice effects, but there was nothing to do after you watched each one for a few seconds.

Agreed, DA is really good the first time you go, Leaky Cauldron food is very average . After that first time, it's a bit meh. Hogsmeade has 3 attractions (4 if you count 2 dragon challenge tracks) so that is better for me

 

[Jennasis]

E-ticket...not E-ticket. Pretty sure it would be considered a "headliner". Also SMALL WORLD was considered an E ticket back when E tix were a thing. I personally would say that Disney considers it's headliners to be E tix. An E ticket doesn't mean thrilling...it means POPULAR.

And the QUEUE for Gringott's is more impressive and entertaining than the entire 7DMT experience.

 

[AlixaLock]

The fact that the ride is busy now doesn't mean much... people know it is hard to get on, so the fastpasses go quickly, and people rush to ride it... sort of a self fulfilling prophecy. It is possible that many people feel the same as a goodly portion of the posters here, that the ride is a belly drop. If, and I repeat IF, that is true, then I doubt the Disney folks are feeling terribly excited about the results (regardless of the current wait times).

Ed

I'm with you in that I have no idea what Disney intended for 7DMT, in terms of audience etc. I love the ride, but I'm all good with others who don't. But, I have to say that I've seen some pretty compelling evidence that the ride is a success. Every time I ride, most people break out into song and laugh along with the dwarves singing "Hi HO!" Multiple times, the whole train has broken out into applause as we pull into the station. Recently, I've been seeing people have fun working together to get their cars swinging and laughing and having fun with it! Every time, I ride I hear people say how awesome it was. Whenever I talk to people in the parks, they always say they loved it ... Most are annoyed they couldn't get FastPasses. I had a little boy tell me it was too scary ... Lol!

My point is that Dis posters are über-fans who (quite rightly) hold Disney the highest standard and I don't think we can use the fact that it's underwhelming to many on this site as evidence that the ride might not be a success. As early pointed out, really only time will tell.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

The 7DMT is already and will continue to be a Disney classic. As pointed out people sing during and clap away after and walk away with delight and Disney Magic over there faces. Something you rarely see in other parks,.The story and attraction follow a Disney classic. The whole attraction is amazing and if it did have a negative its a bit short. The theming is tops, the animatronics are excellent and its just what they intending, a family coaster.

AKK

 

[johde]

Except Universal only added one new ride. If WDW did that, my guess is that people would be all over it. Most of Diagon Alley is a set. Fake store fronts were very disappointing - sure they had some nice effects, but there was nothing to do after you watched each one for a few seconds.

If you want to get technical, Universal added 2 rides with the Hogwarts Express. Yes, I know with the second ride you need a park to park ticket to enjoy it.
So comparing, New Fantasyland added 2 new rides, a new interactive meet and greet and shopping/dining. Also, the rethemed the area around Barnstormer and moved/doubled up Dumbo.

It's tough to get "all over" Universal when they have been constantly upgrading the parks rides recently. Comparing what the 2 parks of Universal has done recently compared to Universal's 4 parks is interesting in terms of rides and major attractions.

USF- 2009, Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket, , 2012 Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, 2013 Transformers and Springfield retheming, 2014- Diagon Alley with Gringotts and Hogwarts Express.
IOA - 2010- Hogmeade , 2012 - "plussing" Spiderman

Looking forward, 2016- Kong is opening (at IOA), 2017 - Fast and Furious is supposed to open in the Studios, 2018+ Nintendo is expected to take over Kids Zone, Twister is supposed to be replaced.

Looking at WDW during the same time frame,

MK - 2012, Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with bell, Dumbo move and retheme, 2014 - 7DMT
EPCOT - 2009 - Sum of all Thrills, 2012-Test Track Retheme
DHS - 2008 - TSMM
DAK - 2014 New home for Festival of the Lion King, 2006 Everest.

Disney has a lot of interesting things coming 2017 or 18, Avatarland with 2 new rides, Frozen attraction in EPCOT, 2019+ Toy Story Land and StarWars land.

Universal had it's "dark time" prior to 2009 and their attendance showed for it.

E-ticket...not E-ticket. Pretty sure it would be considered a "headliner". Also SMALL WORLD was considered an E ticket back when E tix were a thing. I personally would say that Disney considers it's headliners to be E tix. An E ticket doesn't mean thrilling...it means POPULAR.

And the QUEUE for Gringott's is more impressive and entertaining than the entire 7DMT experience.

And Peter Pan was originally a C ticket. So, ticket did not necessarily equate to popularity. In general, the "E ticket" had a grand or state of the art nature for it's time. I'm not sure 7DMT quite lives up to that in my book. It is a very popular "D ticket" in my book.

 

[Mom2Kids2003]

We loved 7DMT especially if you can go on it at night. We went on it two different times during the MK fireworks and it was so cool to see the fireworks from the ride. Definitely something we would try and do again!

 

[Pageantprincess]

We did FPs for this ride, and I'm very glad. It was totally underwhelming, just a slight variation on Thunder Mountain. Can't believe this is something they spent all that time on. Or that people wait 80 minutes to go on!

Also went on the new(ish) Figment ride. What another underwhelming ride! What has happened to the Imagineers?

On the plus side, there were few lines for rides. And they sure are in a building frenzy now. And the new Test Track is a big improvement.

We haven't been to WDW in a couple of years. We went to Universal last year, and WDW definitely feels like it got left behind in the technology race. I sure hope they turn things around with the new Star Wars and Toy Story lands.

We'll go again this year sometime to use our annual passes, but after that will take a break for a year or two. It's not that we aren't having fun -- we are -- but I thought the new rides would be a lot more spectacular, especially after being blown away at Universal.

I have to agree that 7DMT is underwhelming and basically a blinged out version of Thunder Mountain. It is awfully short as well. Right now I believe that the only reason the lines are ridiculously LONG, is because the ride is new and everyone wants to try it out for the first time. We were unable to get FP+ for it 60 days out. Of course we couldn't get it as our 4th FP+ either...silly us for thinking that we could. We waited 40 minutes for this ride only because it was new. We never wait more than 30 minutes for anything. We've got better things to do.

Anyway, eventually this ride won't be a novelty anymore. Then the lines will be short, because as OP said, it is "totally underwhelming."

 

[bsbrady]

We did FPs for this ride, and I'm very glad. It was totally underwhelming, just a slight variation on Thunder Mountain. Can't believe this is something they spent all that time on. Or that people wait 80 minutes to go on!

Also went on the new(ish) Figment ride. What another underwhelming ride! What has happened to the Imagineers?

On the plus side, there were few lines for rides. And they sure are in a building frenzy now. And the new Test Track is a big improvement.

We haven't been to WDW in a couple of years. We went to Universal last year, and WDW definitely feels like it got left behind in the technology race. I sure hope they turn things around with the new Star Wars and Toy Story lands.

We'll go again this year sometime to use our annual passes, but after that will take a break for a year or two. It's not that we aren't having fun -- we are -- but I thought the new rides would be a lot more spectacular, especially after being blown away at Universal.

I think I agree with you. it was a nice ride, but definitely not worth anything more than 20-30 minute wait. I like the inside, its cute, but the ride is underwhelming.

 

[marthachick]

7DMT was being built on our last trip, so I'm excited to ride in November. I'll have to do FP+ or RD so we don't wait forever though. I'll just have to tell DH & DS it's a short ride and not a thrill ride.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

7DMT is wonderful as is. It is the centerpiece and headliner of New Fantasyland and it is undeniably very popular. I have heard several families that are friends of ours and have tween or younger kids say that it was their FAVORITE RIDE IN THE MAGIC KINGDOM! It isn't just first timers in line either. It is a "family coaster combined with a dark ride that is done on a classic story. The animatronics are first rate. The mountain itself is fantastic theming, the queue is fun. And based on the continuing long lines and desired FPs, Disney hit the nail squarely on the head. Remember, it is a FAMILY coaster & dark ride, not a thrill ride in the high level sense such as Rockin Rollercoaster. It is a thrill ride in that it is thrilling for some, especially younger children, so Disney's description is correct, but "thrilling" can have a wide range. If you don't like it that is perfectly cool, but obviously many, many people love it!