Disney: It's all about the details with the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

[Rumors Rocks]

All In The Details: Sculpting A Seven Dwarfs Mine in New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park

In the months leading up to the unveiling of New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park, we regularly shared bits and pieces of this new land and its amazing detail in our “All in the Details” series here on the Disney Parks Blog. Today, we’re thrilled to share more of these images with you of the final attraction that’s set to debut in this area – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

In case you aren’t familiar, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a family coaster that will open in 2014 to tell the story of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” from the perspective of the dwarfs. Guests will enter through an interactive queue, take a seat in a mine train car and coast through the mine “where a million diamonds shine” – where plenty of surprises await.

Our friends at Walt Disney Imagineering just shared these new images with us, which showcase some of the smaller elements inside the attraction’s interactive queue area and mine scene. According to them, a lot of the detail you see here was hand-carved by Imagineers – sturdy logs, crumbling bark, rough wood planks, thick beams, smooth rocks and rusty hinges – that all appear to serve as “support structures” for the mine. After each item was carved, they were then painted to look aged and weathered through application of various colors of paint. Some parts have been aged to look older than others. Look closely and you may also notice how the composure of the walls change as the photos push you through the mine – from crumbly rocks on the exterior to more sturdily packed walls inside.

Click link for more pictures. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ine-in-new-fantasyland-at-magic-kingdom-park/

 

[Eoghann]

Stuff like that makes me almost sorry that I don't ride roller coasters.

Not actually sorry mind you because I don't like torturing myself...

But there are a lot of elements to the Seven Dwarves Mine I would probably enjoy otherwise.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Looks like Disney continues to be the tops........really amazing theming details..............the ride mechanics from what we have seen, seems to be the tops as well!

Really looking forward to this in May.....

AKK

 

[rteetz]

Looks like Disney continues to be the tops........really amazing theming details..............the ride mechanics from what we have seen, seems to be the tops as well! Really looking forward to this in May..... AKK

Disney always prides itself on its small little details.

 

[Borishack]

Disney always prides itself on its small little details.

Most of the time.

The photos are refreshing to see and show that when Disney is willing to expend the time and effort, they can absolutely excel at theming to the point of it being a work of art.

But it's not 100% uniform across the enterprise, likely because this sort of detail work is labor intensive and expensive.

What blew me away as a teen (many years ago) in my first trip to a Disney Park (Disneyland) was the fact the theming was not only amazingly well done but carried across almost every element of what you experienced. Not just in the attractions themselves, but in the small details of dining spots, shops and even administrative elements like the signs for parking. I was fortunate to experience this at a time when the park still reflected mostly the "Walt" era. Or put another way, pre-Eisner, pre-Iger.

But as Disney subsequently grew, it become more corporate and the pride in that sort of immersion has weakened somewhat, due to a bottom line mindset.

I provided an example of that in another thread, where I contrasted the theming and experience efforts Universal had put into a souvenir shop (Olivanders) vs. what Disney had done in replicating the Pizza Planet restaurant from Toy Story at HS. The former has been described by many as "more detailed and entertaining than the one in the movie" while the latter is a generic quick service establishment with no attempt made to even try and recreate the incredible environment displayed in Toy Story.

My point here is not to say Universal themes everything to the nth degree or that Disney doesn't care about theming at all. Rather, it's to point out that given its legacy Disney really should pride itself on all the small details.

But does not do that as diligently as it once did.

 

[Joben]

disagree with that almost universally

 

[kyomagi]

Any word on when its opening?

 

[wiigirl]

Disney always prides itself on its small little details.

Yup...can't wait to see it

 

[rteetz]

Most of the time. The photos are refreshing to see and show that when Disney is willing to expend the time and effort, they can absolutely excel at theming to the point of it being a work of art. But it's not 100% uniform across the enterprise, likely because this sort of detail work is labor intensive and expensive. What blew me away as a teen (many years ago) in my first trip to a Disney Park (Disneyland) was the fact the theming was not only amazingly well done but carried across almost every element of what you experienced. Not just in the attractions themselves, but in the small details of dining spots, shops and even administrative elements like the signs for parking. I was fortunate to experience this at a time when the park still reflected mostly the "Walt" era. Or put another way, pre-Eisner, pre-Iger. But as Disney subsequently grew, it become more corporate and the pride in that sort of immersion has weakened somewhat, due to a bottom line mindset. I provided an example of that in another thread, where I contrasted the theming and experience efforts Universal had put into a souvenir shop (Olivanders) vs. what Disney had done in replicating the Pizza Planet restaurant from Toy Story at HS. The former has been described by many as "more detailed and entertaining than the one in the movie" while the latter is a generic quick service establishment with no attempt made to even try and recreate the incredible environment displayed in Toy Story. My point here is not to say Universal themes everything to the nth degree or that Disney doesn't care about theming at all. Rather, it's to point out that given its legacy Disney really should pride itself on all the small details. But does not do that as diligently as it once did.

Disney in most cases still does do very well with details. Yes there are some cases in which they did short cut the detailing but even with new fantasyland the latest addition to WDW detailing was one of Disney's strong suits. Yes beasts castle would have been better but the entrance and restaurant are amazingly well themed. Same with the outside of Ariel and belle.

 

[Eoghann]

I'm always amused when people point to Walt of all people for examples of how perfect the parks should be.

Have you *seen* the photos of the way Disneyland looked when it opened? Never mind the details, there were holes in the ground.

He was just as inclined to skimp on his vision in order to keep business going as anyone who has come after him.

 

[ToyStoryMania1]

My guess is Disney is releasing this because of all the attention on Universal and their new ride. It looks good, but the wood detail isn't what I'm curious about more about the gems and jewels in the cave. Rainbow caverns was unique in its day at DisneyLand. I wonder if its using similar black light tech.

 

[rteetz]

My guess is Disney is releasing this because of all the attention on Universal and their new ride. It looks good, but the wood detail isn't what I'm curious about more about the gems and jewels in the cave. Rainbow caverns was unique in its day at DisneyLand. I wonder if its using similar black light tech.

my guess is yes but a more advanced technology than that was.

 

[Borishack]

disagree with that almost universally

Unbelievably vague, mickey mouse attempt at commentary

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

My guess is Disney is releasing this because of all the attention on Universal and their new ride. It looks good, but the wood detail isn't what I'm curious about more about the gems and jewels in the cave. Rainbow caverns was unique in its day at DisneyLand. I wonder if its using similar black light tech.

~Yes, me too! I really can't wait to see the diamond mine & all those fabulous diamonds & sparkly gems! I just hope they don't look like those LED Christmas lights -- Disney knows better than to do that.

~I can't wait!

~Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Track Layout!

~Seven Dwarfs Cottage!!!

--->~Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Pics~<---

 

[Rumors Rocks]

I'm always amused when people point to Walt of all people for examples of how perfect the parks should be.

Have you *seen* the photos of the way Disneyland looked when it opened? Never mind the details, there were holes in the ground.

He was just as inclined to skimp on his vision in order to keep business going as anyone who has come after him.

 

[Borishack]

Have you *seen* the photos of the way Disneyland looked when it opened?

Yep, and my, my, just look at what a slovenly mess it was. All that construction residue! Rickety scaffolding! Look at those massive holes in the ground!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I'm always amused when people point to Walt of all people for examples of how perfect the parks should be.

Have you *seen* the photos of the way Disneyland looked when it opened? Never mind the details, there were holes in the ground.

He was just as inclined to skimp on his vision in order to keep business going as anyone who has come after him.

I suggest a little history lessen

1. Money was very tight building DL, to the point Walt cashed in life policies, and sold his vacation home.

2. Time was short and due to contracts with ABC, advertising and other commitments, opening date was firm.

3. DL was built in a year and a day, very short time frame.

4. Walt drained all the nurseries for over a 100 miles away to get planting, but they plain ran out. Not to mention other shortages.

5. There was a construction union strike in the days/ weeks before opening day.

That is just some of the top problems Walt was dealing with, building the revolutionary theme park.

A lot of money was spent and improvements made in the months after the parks opening and of course the years since.

So feel free to be amused, but please know the *details*.

AKK

 

[rteetz]

New photos of the "trees" they have placed all over the mine in MK.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...rfs-mine-train-coaster-construction/20273.htm

 

[MinervaMouse]

Wow, it looks great! Can't believe I have to wait until 2015 until I can ride it.

I'm curious to see how the gems will look, too! That was my first thought when they announced the ride.

 

[hedberg1661]

Attention to detail in general is one of the reasons I love Disney. As long as they keep that as one of their standards Disney will always remain at the top.

I really don't know what to think about this ride. I love the concept of the mine cars moving back and forth. I will be interested to see what the speed of the train ends up. I don't expect it to be very fast as this is a family attraction.