Drawf mine train - are we setting ourselves up for disappointment?

[tatorswife]

I think it will be cool. As far as a thrill ride I copied this from the allears website update and it looks like it will not be a thrill ride but thrilling to ride none the less..lol

ATTRACTION

A Disney World prototype shows the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train starting in the dwarfs' cottage and then it "will take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine ‘where a million diamonds shine'."

Disney says the coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system with a train of ride vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the dwarfs.

Models and artist renderings show the coaster will travel indoors and outdoors, and this has been confirmed by Tom Staggs, chairman of Parks and Resorts for The Walt Disney Co.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has been billed as a family-friendly coaster and not a thrill ride.

 

[damo]

Here is a bit of a video where you can judge for yourself whether it is thrilling or not thrilling...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvF0WO0Dzms

 

[LSUfan4444]

ITA. Disney can still offer great things no matter what Universal does. Hopefully this new ride will be great.

The thing is, Disney is losing money to Universal. Why??? because of the attractions Universal is offering.

In reaction to that, Universal is pumping out new attractions as fast as they can. Disney, in turn, is rather investing their money into incentive programs and incentives to keep the guests there.

Make no mistakes about it, Disney has lost, and is, losing money to Universal because of attractions and Disney is not trying to counter-punch in that department.

While the two parks may seem very different, Disney is obviously reacting to Universal by some of their marketing strategies (HUGE DVC AP discount) and until it reacts by truly counter-punching Universal in the thrill ride department, it will continue to lose more and more guests.

EDITED: The caveat is Disney looks like it's hoping to just ride out the "newness" that keeps happening with Universal. Eventually the newness and popularity will wear off (like it has with Harry Potter), but as long as they keep turning out new exciting attractions, things will be interesting. In the end, people going to Disney one way or the other will definitely benefit.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I will enjoy it.... Not a thrill ride, great! Disney is about family and entertainment that all can enjoy together is fantastic....

WDW has been to us, a world of " attraction"... Entertainment that tells a story... Dwarfs Mine Ride is just that... We don't need huge hills, inversions and breakneck speeds, if that's what I want I'll go to that " other " park...

I look forward to this attraction with my granddaughters in tow, kudos Walt Disneyworld.

 

[d1gitman]

I think i would have to slightly disagree with the notion that Disney is not about thrill. In total i would agree with that statement but looking at some if their key attractions, the thrill is there. Tower of Terror is unmatched by any other theme/amusement park. Rock-n-Roller Coaster is a bonefide thrill coaster on par with many coasters that exist plus it has the added benefit if theming. Space mountain as well. Maybe they aren't the highest or fastest but IMHO they certainly have high thrill factor and could stand alone as traditional outdoor coasters. A good argument for that is California screamin at Disney Land / California Adventure I also would consider the high speed portion of Test Track to be a high thrill. Radiator springs racers in cali as well. Disney is not a cedar point nor should it be but to say they don't have thrill rides is a misnomer IMHO.

With regards to the op on whether or not we r setting up ourselves for disappointment. I guess that depends what ones expectations are. While Ariel is not very interesting to me i wouldn't say that I'm disappointed. It is a very well done attraction that just so happens to not grab me.

 

[Tormania]

I think it will be perfect........for Disney.

Now I am a self-described thrill junkie and the bigger and badder the ride/coaster the better for me....but I also know that is NOT the goal of Disney with their attractions. If I want massive rides then I go to Cedar Point or SF Magic Mountain. And based on many replies I have seen over the months I have been on DISboards I see that for many folks here, their thrill meter tops out on kiddie rides, some folks just aren't built for speed per se.

As for SDMT, I don't expect to be wowed because of it's size or speed or thrilling drops or turns.....what I hope for is a unique experience, a ride that immerses you in the world of the Seven Dwarves and is a fun ride.

 

[Redcon1]

When first hearing about DMT, I immediately thought of the Casey Jr. Train at DL.

If you're familiar with that attraction, I'm thinking it will be a slightly faster and a bit more detailed version than Casey.

 

[CheetoGuido]

Now that my DD is getting older (almost 10) we do have the need for a little more thrill and I can say we have not spent any time in Fantasy Land in the past 3 visits. BUT this next trip is our first time back with the new FL and we are excited to visit it just not CRAZY excited. And another BUT; this trip will also be our first stay/visit to Universal. We decided to visit because my DD does need a little more oomph in her rides. So we shortened our WDW trip to accommodate Universal. We are actually CRAZY excited to visit there.

All that said, we would LOOOVE for SDMT to be as "thrilly" as BTM; if so we will visit again next year. If it is like Barnstormer then we will not plan another trip that soon, even with all of the added theme. I understand that WDW is for family riding, and sometimes families consist of only older children. So yes, they are losing some of my money but I am sure there is also a new family with small children to take my place. I guess it is the circle of life.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I never read anything that said The Mine Train ride would be a thrill ride. I DID hear that it would be great for the entire family. Disney is for "The Family" so i find it ridiculous to think they would make a ride in Fantasyland of all places, that wouldn't allow the entire family to ride together.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I think i would have to slightly disagree with the notion that Disney is not about thrill. In total i would agree with that statement but looking at some if their key attractions, the thrill is there. Tower of Terror is unmatched by any other theme/amusement park. Rock-n-Roller Coaster is a bonefide thrill coaster on par with many coasters that exist plus it has the added benefit if theming. Space mountain as well. Maybe they aren't the highest or fastest but IMHO they certainly have high thrill factor and could stand alone as traditional outdoor coasters. A good argument for that is California screamin at Disney Land / California Adventure I also would consider the high speed portion of Test Track to be a high thrill. Radiator springs racers in cali as well. Disney is not a cedar point nor should it be but to say they don't have thrill rides is a misnomer IMHO.

With regards to the op on whether or not we r setting up ourselves for disappointment. I guess that depends what ones expectations are. While Ariel is not very interesting to me i wouldn't say that I'm disappointed. It is a very well done attraction that just so happens to not grab me.

There is not a single ride at WDW that would rate above a 2 or 3 at Cedar Point. WDW does not have a single "thrill" ride when taken into the context of coaster parks around the country/world. The only rides that approach that level are the virtual coasters and Summit Plummet.

Now, that doesn't mean that they are not "thrilling", just not in the same "scare the poo out of you" way that other coaster parks achieve.

 

[rustyanchor]

Maybe it's just me, but I sense a LOT of anticipation for the Drawf Mine Train. I think it's been a long while since Disney dropped an awesome ride on us (this while US has done HP) and it feels like there is a pent up hunger for something really cool.

And it seems like everyone is waiting for DMT, and even though we know it's a kids coaster (given placement in Fantasyland) I still feel like people are unconsciously anticipating something awesome.

I know that I can't quite help myself and sort of unconsciously am expecting something really cool.

Could it be crazy amazing? Yes.

But that seems unlikely.

I wonder if we're just setting ourselves up for disappointment by expecting too much.

I know what you mean and have wondered myself if it might end up being a letdown. For instance, the Little Mermaid ride was somewhat disappointing to me (I enjoyed the queue more than the ride!). But there are a few things that make me feel that the Mine Train will be able to meet or exceed expectations. First, I think the ride will LOOK wonderful, hopefully on par with the rest of what the Imagineers have done in New Fantasyland. I love the idea of starting in the Dwarfs' cottage and then taking a trip through the mines and can only imagine how beautifully done that theming will be. Also, this will be a step above the traditional "dark ride" thanks to the indoor/outdoor track and the revolutionary swinging mine cars (so, a lot different from the "conveyer belt" feel of moving through Under the Sea). It's not going to be a "thrill ride," per se, but it will be something new, different, and unprecedented as far as theme park rides go.

 

[lroger01]

My guess after watching the ride-along video, is that it will be a thrill ride for those who don't like thrill rides. Similar to what Soar'n and even Toy Story Mania is to people who don't want the drops or adrenalin rush of thrill rides.

For those of us that do like thrills, it will likely be fun but not exciting. Kind of like Test Track is. The first part is indoors and fun, but not really thrilling. The outdoor part ups the thrill factor but in only one way - speed. The SDMT won't have so much speed, but will have the banked corners and swinging cars. It looks to be super smooth too.

I'm looking forward to it as something fun and new to try, but likely won't need to ride it more than once or twice a trip.

One thing I know for sure is lines will be long. Hopefully they've designed it to load fast and carry lots of people.

 

[labattblue]

I read somewhere that the thrill factor is in between Barnstormer and BTMRR, so it will be pretty tame.

I have no problem with it being somewhere between the two attractions you mentioned in terms of thrill level, but it is rumored to be really short in terms of length of ride. That would be a bummer especially considering the lines you will be waiting in to get on it.

 

[mattsdragon]

The thing is, Disney is losing money to Universal. Why??? because of the attractions Universal is offering.

In reaction to that, Universal is pumping out new attractions as fast as they can. Disney, in turn, is rather investing their money into incentive programs and incentives to keep the guests there.

Make no mistakes about it, Disney has lost, and is, losing money to Universal because of attractions and Disney is not trying to counter-punch in that department.

While the two parks may seem very different, Disney is obviously reacting to Universal by some of their marketing strategies (HUGE DVC AP discount) and until it reacts by truly counter-punching Universal in the thrill ride department, it will continue to lose more and more guests.

EDITED: The caveat is Disney looks like it's hoping to just ride out the "newness" that keeps happening with Universal. Eventually the newness and popularity will wear off (like it has with Harry Potter), but as long as they keep turning out new exciting attractions, things will be interesting. In the end, people going to Disney one way or the other will definitely benefit.

You got the stats to back that up?

 

[LSUfan4444]

Can I wait to see what they do Avatarland first? lol

Cars Land and Fantasyland expansions were big, but not "attraction" based expansions like what Universal is doing.

Now, maybe Disney has incredible attraction plans for Avatarland and I am just unaware, but the new next gen system and Fantasyland haven't been that attraction based.

 

[nansmama]

There is not a single ride at WDW that would rate above a 2 or 3 at Cedar Point. WDW does not have a single "thrill" ride when taken into the context of coaster parks around the country/world. The only rides that approach that level are the virtual coasters and Summit Plummet.

Now, that doesn't mean that they are not "thrilling", just not in the same "scare the poo out of you" way that other coaster parks achieve.

Yes, I agree with this. Maybe Tower of Terror comes closest to being a true thrill ride. The coasters at Disney are kiddie coasters, albeit excellently themed kiddie coasters. Compared to something like Superman/Bizarro at Six Flags, they just do not rate in the thrills category.

That said, I prefer Disney over Six Flags any day of the week. The "theming" at our Six Flags is a total joke compared to Disney. Getting back to the Dwarf train, I expect a memorable, themed experience, and I'm confident that's what I'll get.

 

[DebbieB]

Here is a bit of a video where you can judge for yourself whether it is thrilling or not thrilling...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvF0WO0Dzms

It looked a lot faster when it was shown at D23 in August 2011. The cars swung side to side.

Yes, I agree with this. Maybe Tower of Terror comes closest to being a true thrill ride. The coasters at Disney are kiddie coasters, albeit excellently themed kiddie coasters. Compared to something like Superman/Bizarro at Six Flags, they just do not rate in the thrills category.

That said, I prefer Disney over Six Flags any day of the week. The "theming" at our Six Flags is a total joke compared to Disney. Getting back to the Dwarf train, I expect a memorable, themed experience, and I'm confident that's what I'll get.

I would not call Expedition Everest or RnR "kiddie coasters".

 

[d1gitman]

.....I would not call Expedition Everest or RnR "kiddie coasters".

I agree with this. RnR, ToT, Expedition Everest and California Screamin' at Cali Adventure are thrill rides. Maybe not the 'baddest in the land' but definitely hold their own and then some in comparison to many parks. I'm not saying they are the tallest, fastest, scariest by any stretch, but certainly thrilling.

 

[damo]

It looked a lot faster when it was shown at D23 in August 2011. The cars swung side to side.



I would not call Expedition Everest or RnR "kiddie coasters".

Here's the 2011 version for comparison... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLE0_l2Z14E

 

[Planogirl]

I wonder how this ride is different? Coasters that hang and swing from side to side have been around for ages.

I don't think that RnR and Everest are kiddie coasters. I think that they would rate about 5.5 to 6 on a 10 scale. A true kiddie coaster would be way lower.