Seven Dwarves So Close...

[Minnesota!]

In Wisconsin, early summer is before noon on August 15. The afternoon of August 15 is late summer.

Ha ha ha! So true And honestly, as much as us northern midwesterners complain about the winter, by August 16, we are are ready for fall!

BrandyShoe I'd say you're probly in for a letdown regarding Storybook Circus. Been there, it's... average. Hot, tree-less. If the Dumbo ride is your thing, that's cool that they doubled the capacity. But it's not really my ride. Barnstormer too is okay... but I put that somewhere between "too quick and jolty for a toddler" and "not all that exciting for a tween". Thus I don't see the precise best age for it. 7-9 maybe? I'm looking forward to the Enchanted Forest moreso than going
back to Storybook. Other than as a quick exit from the train from Frontierland to get over to Fantasyland w/o a long walk!

My almost 7 year old still likes it. My 9 year old thinks it is for babies.

I love thrill rides, but that is not what I go to WDW for. I love that they make rides enjoyable to all - with theme. They are truly a family destination vs. a thrill seekers destination...

Hoping the mine train will be open, at least maybe a little bit, when we go in 3+ weeks!

 

[lugnut33]

If you are waiting for Disney to build a big Bolliger & Mabillard mega coaster to rival the kind you'll find at Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Universal, Cedar Point, or your local Six Flags, you are going to be waiting a very long time.

Walt Disney World has never been about that, and never will.

Disney builds well themed (for the most part) family friendly coasters.
Disney builds coasters where you can keep your backpack or purse at your feet.
Disney builds coasters with maximum height requirements of 4 feet or lower.

I don't see that strategy changing.

People are going to be disappointed in the new coaster because their expectations are going to be too high. Just like with the new Little Mermaid ride people complained about that because it wasn't exciting enough. Well, it's in Fantasyland, where kids reign and the attractions are designed with them in mind. It's built for everyone in the family, not just the 22 year old X-Games participant.

 

[JanaDee]

In Wisconsin, early summer is before noon on August 15. The afternoon of August 15 is late summer.

Oh so true.

 

[mejo]

People are going to be disappointed in the new coaster because their expectations are going to be too high. Just like with the new Little Mermaid ride people complained about that because it wasn't exciting enough. Well, it's in Fantasyland, where kids reign and the attractions are designed with them in mind. It's built for everyone in the family, not just the 22 year old X-Games participant.

I don't think the majority will be disappointed, it will be well themed and that is why most go to DW, if you want thrill rides go to someplace that concentrates on thrill

 

[rteetz]

I don't think the majority will be disappointed, it will be well themed and that is why most go to DW, if you want thrill rides go to someplace that concentrates on thrill

I agree if you want big thrills go to some place like six flags.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Whether they will build them is another issue. The thrill rides they do have are some of the most popular at the parks (Rock n Roller Coaster, Everest, Space Mtn, etc.).

 

[coconutprincess]

~Sorry, I missed this. If this June thing is true then I believe the mine train is done and Disney is just strategically stretching out "construction." Again. It is no coincidence that Universal's Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Express is rumored to debut in June as well.

~So, the Summer 2014 theme will be the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Malificent versus Universal's Diagon Alley. Clearly, the Mine Train is no match for Hogwarts Express and Diagon Alley but this is a marketing war. Disney is looking to dominate the headlines and press this summer and steal all the buzz away from Universal's Harry Potter expansion. Disney tries to act like they are above it all, but they're not. It's crystal clear if you look close enough. I will be watching.
~But, this sparkly diamond mine part may be worth the painful wait!

Excellent Excellent Point!!!! I agree on all points!

 

[lugnut33]

I don't think the majority will be disappointed, it will be well themed and that is why most go to DW, if you want thrill rides go to someplace that concentrates on thrill

I agree, it's all about the theming and story, not thrill. That said, I was just saying I expect a lot of people to be disappointed because they are expecting a thrill ride, when clearly it's not going to be because it's built for families and it's in Fantasyland, a place where there are no thrill rides (except for the Tea Cups).

 

[frozengurl]

I agree, it's all about the theming and story, not thrill. That said, I was just saying I expect a lot of people to be disappointed because they are expecting a thrill ride, when clearly it's not going to be because it's built for families and it's in Fantasyland, a place where there are no thrill rides (except for the Tea Cups).

I'm pretty much expecting it to be similar to Thunder Mountain, except a bit tamer geared more towards the barnstormer crowd (38inches, only a few inches more than the barnstormer riders), with an awesome 7 Dwarfs theme like only Disney can do... And I'm expecting at some point to hear the song "yo ho yo ho it's off to work we go"
If all this happens.... I won't be disappointed at all!!! Can't wait actually!!!

 

[elaw]

... I'm with the OP......it's so close yet so far away....the last day of Spring is Friday June 20th.

I sure hope it opens sooner than June 20th (or at least a soft opening) ... we'll be there the first week of May.

 

[ucfknight]

And I'm expecting at some point to hear the song "yo ho yo ho it's off to work we go"

Are they adding Johnny Depp to the 7 Dwarfs ride too?

 

[AthenaBolina]

Are they adding Johnny Depp to the 7 Dwarfs ride too?

hahaha thanks for the laugh

Hi Ho Hi Ho, it's off to work we go!

 

[Minnesota!]

Are they adding Johnny Depp to the 7 Dwarfs ride too?

I have had a pretty cranky day, but this actually made me LITERALLY laugh out loud...thank you!!!

 

[disneydreaming4now]

Disney gets me back every year based on nostalgia and the incredible memories we've made there as a family. There's a lot to be said for eating that tuna fish sandwich every year and remembering the time DS danced around the tables and knocked over a chair to the loud laughter of his siblings. And countless other memories like that. I'm crazy about Disney and literally cry with relief every time I'm able to get myself down there. But I admit, with the recent changes, feeling like I'm getting less for my money, and watching Universal add so many new attractions, I'm considering giving it a whirl soon. Especially with two older boys who would love it. And if I'm understanding the FOTL system correctly, it sounds like they beat out FP+ by leaps and bounds for ease of touring.

 

[frozengurl]

Are they adding Johnny Depp to the 7 Dwarfs ride too?

I'm such a dork... But sure a little pirate action on the mine train would be fine with me too! Bahaha my bad

 

[Redcon1]

I wonder how much time you'll actually spend inside the mine?
I've only seen that one drawing of the dwarves posted above, so I'm wondering
if the carts spend more time outside on the mountain or more indoors.

Hopefully, it's more indoors touring the mine. I'd love to see more scenes like the one pictured.

 

[MrInfinity]

2012
1. Magic Kingdom: 17,536,000 (+2.3% change)
2. Disneyland Park: 15,963,000 (-1.1% )
3. Tokyo Disneyland: 14,847,000 (+8.5%)
4. Tokyo Disney Sea: 12,656,000 (+8.5%)
5. Disneyland Park, Disneyland Paris: 11,200,000 (+1.9%)
6. Epcot: 11,063,000 (+2.2%)
7. Disneys Animal Kingdom: 9,998,000 (+2.2%)
8. Disneys Hollywood Studios: 9,912,000 (+2.2%)
9. Universal Studios Japan: 9,700,000 (+14.1%)
10. Islands of Adventure: 7,981,000 (+4%)

11. Disney California Adventure: 7,775,000 (+22.6%)
12. Ocean Park (Hong Kong): 7, 436,000 (+6.9%)
13. Everland (South Korea): 6,853,000 (+4.3%)
14. Hong Kong Disneyland: 6,700,000 (+13.6%)
15. Lotte World (South Korea): 6,383,000 (10.4%)
16. Universal Studios Orlando: 6,195,000 (+2.5%)
17. Universal Studios Hollywood: 5,912,000 (+15%)

Nice to see the numbers, Yellow, thanks!

You do realize there are plans to add additional rides to Jurassic Park, right? You do realize there are plans to add a Kong attraction to IOA, right? You do realize there are plans to build a big water park with a Minion Island, right? You do realize there are plans to overhaul the Woody's Kid Zone, right?

You do realize that Comcast has committed to investing $1.5 billion in it's parks over the next 5 years, right? Where Universal is investing money on attractions in it's parks, Disney invested that same amount in a weak plan (MM+) to try to keep people from going to Universal to enjoy the new enhancements. You may think Universal is second tier and write them off. I guarantee that Disney doesn't think that now.

It's all really funny when you stop to think about it!

You do realize Universal is a thrill ride park, right? My local Six Flags changes up a thrill ride every year. If they don't, they won't sell tickets to the local teens they're trying to get to visit. If Universal did not keep adding rides, they will quickly become stale rides... and stale rides -- are boring.

WDW is a totally different entity. Attractions at the MK, like say POTC or Haunted Mansion - have been there for 30 years - they were never thrilling, yet, ppl are willing to travel the world over to come spend a week and experience them. To meet Cinderella. To see the castle. To be there in Disney World.

HP land is great! I am not dissing Universal at all. Just a different style of park. Universal is going to thrive on the teen crowd. Go to Disney with teens? Yes take a few days and go see HP land. Then come back to Disney and finish your vacation. That's the difference... VACATION vs THEME PARK. Tho WDW includes 4 theme parks of its own, it is a vacation destination. It is the biggest tourist destination in the world. Universal is just a park you go to cuz you live there or cuz you're taking 2 days off from Disney.

AKA. You would plan a 2-week trip to Disney to see DW and a few other local attractions which may or may not include Universal. But you wouldn't plan a 2-week vacation to come see Universal or Busch Gardens.

It's okay to love Universal and accept that it's different from Disney. Universal is about the rides. Disney World is about the vacation.

Universal is trying to be like Disney... i.e. they're adding resorts... they're trying to get you to stay on property, cuz that's how you make the money (which Disney pioneered first). But Universal's deal is buy 2 get 3rd free. Disney's is Buy 4 get 5th free, with many guests staying a week or more!

Huge difference. You have to grasp the difference between a Vacation Destination... and Universal... which benefits from being near the vacation destination that is Disney World.

 

[rteetz]

2012 1. Magic Kingdom: 17,536,000 (+2.3% change) 2. Disneyland Park: 15,963,000 (-1.1% ) 3. Tokyo Disneyland: 14,847,000 (+8.5%) 4. Tokyo Disney Sea: 12,656,000 (+8.5%) 5. Disneyland Park, Disneyland Paris: 11,200,000 (+1.9%) 6. Epcot: 11,063,000 (+2.2%) 7. Disneys Animal Kingdom: 9,998,000 (+2.2%) 8. Disneys Hollywood Studios: 9,912,000 (+2.2%) 9. Universal Studios Japan: 9,700,000 (+14.1%) 10. Islands of Adventure: 7,981,000 (+4%) 11. Disney California Adventure: 7,775,000 (+22.6%) 12. Ocean Park (Hong Kong): 7, 436,000 (+6.9%) 13. Everland (South Korea): 6,853,000 (+4.3%) 14. Hong Kong Disneyland: 6,700,000 (+13.6%) 15. Lotte World (South Korea): 6,383,000 (10.4%) 16. Universal Studios Orlando: 6,195,000 (+2.5%) 17. Universal Studios Hollywood: 5,912,000 (+15%) Nice to see the numbers, Yellow, thanks! You do realize Universal is a thrill ride park, right? My local Six Flags changes up a thrill ride every year. If they don't, they won't sell tickets to the local teens they're trying to get to visit. If Universal did not keep adding rides, they will quickly become stale rides... and stale rides -- are boring. WDW is a totally different entity. Attractions at the MK, like say POTC or Haunted Mansion - have been there for 30 years - they were never thrilling, yet, ppl are willing to travel the world over to come spend a week and experience them. To meet Cinderella. To see the castle. To be there in Disney World. HP land is great! I am not dissing Universal at all. Just a different style of park. Universal is going to thrive on the teen crowd. Go to Disney with teens? Yes take a few days and go see HP land. Then come back to Disney and finish your vacation. That's the difference... VACATION vs THEME PARK. Tho WDW includes 4 theme parks of its own, it is a vacation destination. It is the biggest tourist destination in the world. Universal is just a park you go to cuz you live there or cuz you're taking 2 days off from Disney. AKA. You would plan a 2-week trip to Disney to see DW and a few other local attractions which may or may not include Universal. But you wouldn't plan a 2-week vacation to come see Universal or Busch Gardens. It's okay to love Universal and accept that it's different from Disney. Universal is about the rides. Disney World is about the vacation. Universal is trying to be like Disney... i.e. they're adding resorts... they're trying to get you to stay on property, cuz that's how you make the money (which Disney pioneered first). But Universal's deal is buy 2 get 3rd free. Disney's is Buy 4 get 5th free, with many guests staying a week or more! Huge difference. You have to grasp the difference between a Vacation Destination... and Universal... which benefits from being near the vacation destination that is Disney World.

i agree with you. Universal has great parks but they don't have enough to spend a week there. Disney has enough reports, shopping, entertainment, and parks to go to for a week or more. Comcast also is working a deal to purchase time warner cable for 45 billion. I wonder if that will hinder some future park additions with that purchase. Universal still has a good ways to catch up to Disney in terms of park attendance. I also can't stand when people say I'm not going to Disney because they're aren't enough thrills or something like that. Disney by no means are they trying to be a thrill park. Disney imagineering loves telling a story because that's what Walt loved putting you in the magic. So instead of have a bunch of metal in loops and big drops they have slower rides that have smaller drops that last longer to put you in the magic. It's also an endless argument when people say oh Disney is better than universal or vice versa. I will say tho if Disney doesn't add something new every few years not saying every year or even every two years but 3-4 years they will remain number one. If they don't add anything for 5 or more years than they will be in trouble. One more point is disney has a lot more room in order to expand a ton more. Universal has to either start buying up places around or continue to tear down and build.

 

[damo]

i agree with you. Universal has great parks but they don't have enough to spend a week there. Disney has enough reports, shopping, entertainment, and parks to go to for a week or more. Comcast also is working a deal to purchase time warner cable for 45 billion. I wonder if that will hinder some future park additions with that purchase. Universal still has a good ways to catch up to Disney in terms of park attendance. I also can't stand when people say I'm not going to Disney because they're aren't enough thrills or something like that. Disney by no means are they trying to be a thrill park. Disney imagineering loves telling a story because that's what Walt loved putting you in the magic. So instead of have a bunch of metal in loops and big drops they have slower rides that have smaller drops that last longer to put you in the magic. It's also an endless argument when people say oh Disney is better than universal or vice versa. I will say tho if Disney doesn't add something new every few years not saying every year or even every two years but 3-4 years they will remain number one. If they don't add anything for 5 or more years than they will be in trouble. One more point is disney has a lot more room in order to expand a ton more. Universal has to either start buying up places around or continue to tear down and build.

Universal has been buying up land like crazy around Wet 'n Wild. There is a rumoured 3rd gate for around 2020 including major ride additions every year in the current parks for the next several years, many of which are family dark rides.

 

[rteetz]

Universal has been buying up land like crazy around Wet 'n Wild. There is a rumoured 3rd gate for around 2020 including major ride additions every year in the current parks for the next several years, many of which are family dark rides.

they have had a rumored third gate for a while now. But to expand where there existing two parks are they are pretty much land locked.