7DMT 3 years in -lines at RD

[DVCcurious]

Do you remember 2014? Obama was President, No one had heard of Uber, the Seahawks had just crushed the Broncos in the Super Bowl, and 7DMT was brand new.

At Magic Kingdom's rope drop 96% of the crowd went to 7DMT or Anna/Elsa. People wondered: would 7DMT always be so crazy at RD?

Back then I wrote on this very website that the RD lines for 7DMT would drop in 3 years. My reasoning is that "regular" visitors came at least once every 3 years. So it would be 3 years until the ride wasn't "new" to anybody. I said that if you visited less frequently than 3 years then all rides would have a novelty factor and Splash would be just as novel as 7DMT to those guests.

I said that in 3 years 7DMT would be just another tier 1 attraction and would see rope drop wait times on par with Princess Fairy Tale Hall, Space, Splash, Thunder, and Peter Pan.

I haven't been to WDW since April 2016. But for those who have been recently: was I right? Or is 7DMT still seeing abnormally long lines at RD?

If it is, why do you think so? Is 7DMT that much better than the other tier 1 attractions?

 

[pitpat]

Still by far the most popular RD ride.

You can easily ride Space Mountain a couple times in a row first thing. Not true with 7DMT.

Not that it's "better" but it still seems more like a novelty. Its reputation as the thing to do keeps its waits high.

 

[iujen94]

I think the fact that it's so appealing to so many people and age groups keeps the lines long. It's a great first "thrill ride" for young kids, but still fun enough to keep teens and adults interested.

 

[srauseo]

Still crazy lines. Crazy enough that I am overpaying for breakfast at Be Our Guest to get a jump on the line. I agree with PP that it's a ride on the "thrilling" side that (almost) the whole family can enjoy. The animatronics are great. I love the music and always end up singing along. It gets a "Wheeeee!" out of me but is not really scary or jarring.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Here's a few numbers: For the ride, the early after opening wait and the average mid-day wait.
7DMT, 60 min, 120 min
Space, 20 min, 90 min
Splash, 10 min, 80 min
PP, 30 min, 70 min

Those are the 4 most popular MK rides. Space is too thrilling for many. Splash is thrilling and a great story but has the "wet" factor, deterring some. PP is not thrilling, but a great story.
I think 7DMT has held popularity because it is a moderate thrill and an endearing story that can be ridden by almost everyone.

 

[Redbudlover]

Dumbo and Soarin had crazy long lines until they doubled the size of the rides -

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Still crazy lines. Crazy enough that I am overpaying for breakfast at Be Our Guest to get a jump on the line. I agree with PP that it's a ride on the "thrilling" side that (almost) the whole family can enjoy. The animatronics are great. I love the music and always end up singing along. It gets a "Wheeeee!" out of me but is not really scary or jarring.

Still crazy enough that we are paying for Early Morning Magic, twice!

My husband and I are going the week we are at Disney. And my girlfriend and I are going the week we are at Disney.

And I am counting the days to each one.

 

[DisAWin]

We were there in 2014 and just returned from a July 10-18 trip. In 2014, my kids were 5 and 3 and we rode 7DMT once with a FP. After, they said it was too much for them and we didn't ride again.

Fast forward to 2017, we rode it several times- 2 FP and once after CRT before park opening. At ages 8 and 6, it's their favorite ride in MK.

Our next trip is planned to be 2021- ages 12 and 10. I can see it being a favorite then, too, even if just for nostalgia.

 

[Harlaxton]

Lines are still terrible enough that with my recent trip in the middle of May, we were unable to get FP's for it (could only book 30 days out) and it was consistently over 60 minutes the day we were at MK that we decided to just skip it and wait till next time.

 

[sharonabe]

Still crazy lines. Crazy enough that I am overpaying for breakfast at Be Our Guest to get a jump on the line. I agree with PP that it's a ride on the "thrilling" side that (almost) the whole family can enjoy. The animatronics are great. I love the music and always end up singing along. It gets a "Wheeeee!" out of me but is not really scary or jarring.

You do know you don't have to overpay for breakfast, right? Just grab a cupcake and a cup of coffee and head on out and over to the line.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

Wow still that long.

 

[HopperFan]

You still fight for a PPO Breakfast at BOG, Disney is able to sell out EMM to get early rides, it still has long lines during EMH and parties, FP+ still go very fast and folks still try to scam their way in FP+ on a very regular basis (I say that because I see it virtually every time we ride).

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

We were there for opening week in 2014. The lines were crazy long during the day but decreased considerably in the evening. We were able to ride twice in less than 30 minutes just by waiting until closer to closing time.

The next year, we found 10 minute waits right after the firework show ended.

The point is that there are ways to ride even the most popular attractions with very little wait time and not have to get up before dawn, purchase overpriced breakfasts, etc.

 

[srauseo]

We were able to ride twice in less than 30 minutes just by waiting until closer to closing time.

The next year, we found 10 minute waits right after the firework show ended.

Sure - but with little kids staying until closing time is in no way guaranteed.

 

[srauseo]

You do know you don't have to overpay for breakfast, right? Just grab a cupcake and a cup of coffee and head on out and over to the line.

Yes, I know. I'm being a little flip to emphasize the point. We're actually going to split entrees as with the pastry plate I feel like you get plenty of food. But folks are always complaining that BOG is overpriced.

 

[ucfknight]

Rope drop is at 8:55 these days. By 9:00 the queue is full and the end of line is down by the Mad Tea Party.

 

[Dolby1000]

I've been on this twice, right after the fireworks with about a 20 minute wait and right at rope drop for about 20 minutes too. I'm one of those that just don't get this ride, i really don't. It is short, very short, the twist and turns on BTMR are much better and the scenery is cute, but there is not a lot of it. No need to ride again and I just don't understand how it stays so popular. For really, what less than a 2 minute journey?
I know, different attractions for different people. I'm not a big fan of Toy Story Mania, nor the similar in concept Buzz Lightyear's spin thingy too, nor, at another part, Men in Black attack.

2 hours for this thing is nuts, just my humble opinion.

 

[Mainemama]

I have observed less intensity in the crowd movement towards SDMT. Still ton a of people, but the running and jostling has stepped down a notch.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I think part of why it is still popular is that it is still - more or less - the new ride in MK.

It should also be noted that it occupies the spot once held by Dumbo. When Dumbo was there, it was also wildly popular, so perhaps the location helps.

It also seems to be in a number of WDW ads.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Sure - but with little kids staying until closing time is in no way guaranteed.

Even when they were little, I found it much easier to let my kids stay up late vs making them get up early.

My fondest Disney memory is chasing my then 3 year old daughter back to the entrance of Space Mountain moments before midnight with her screaming "One more time Daddy" all the way.