The Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort welcomed its first thrill ride called Space Mountain on January 15, 1975.  Now 40 years later it still is one of the famed Disney World Mountains and guest favorite attraction.

STARPORT SEVEN-FIVE

There are several references to the 1975 start for this iconic attraction.  As you make your way through the queue you will encounter this sign that says "Welcome Space Travelers STARPORT SEVEN-FIVE Your Gateway To The Galaxy"


Again as you are preparing to board your rocket you will see the reference to Startport Seven-Five.  By the way, in case you didn't know the two sides of the track are referred to as ALPHA and OMEGA.


You can even see a nod to Starport Seven-Five while you are riding the Peoplemover (aka Tomorrowland Transportation Authority).

Racing Rockets

Back when Space Mountain debuted it was certainly the first of its kind.  Originally inspired by the Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland, Space Mountain needed to fit into the Tomorrowland theme.  Placing a roller coaster inside a darkened building was never done before, but aided in making the sharp turning roller coaster feel much faster than it actually was and greatly enhanced the "thrill" of the ride.

The ride vehicle is shaped and styled to look like a rocket for you to enjoy your trip into space.  The tight fitting, single wide, rocket transports you only up to speeds of 27 mph, but you will swear it is much faster.



Here is a rare picture that captures some of the track while the lights were on.  This 2 minute and 35 second ride is non-stop excitement that uses the dark combined with quick turns and elevation changes to provide a great experience for all who dare to ride.

Space Mountain - Disney World Mountain

Disney World's first mountain still provides the iconic shape that is recognized all over the world.  After the original was created for Florida, 4 other Space Mountains have been erected in Disney parks all over the world, giving us five in all.

Forty years seems like a long time, but this iconic Disney Attraction continues to be one of the most popular Rides in the Magic Kingdom and thrills guests of all ages!

Disney World's Fantasyland Expansion is complete and the last attraction is open to the public.  Only WDWorld had the opportunity to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train during its opening days and we will share our impressions of Disney's newest Roller Coaster.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

After collecting feedback from many different people who have ridden the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and combining that with our personal first hand observations, we will have to say that this is a fun attraction that you will definitely want to experience for yourself.  The overall ride experience falls between Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Barnstormer starring the Great Goofini Roller Coaster.


Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (aka 7DMT) has great theming from the Disney animated classic Snow White and has tied it in well to the attraction.  If you utilize Disney's FastPass+ system the line moves very quickly, otherwise you will probably be in for a 100+ minute wait.


The attraction is built to look like a mountain with a mine built into the side of it.  The landscaping and stonework is well done and makes the attraction look like it has been there for years.  It seamlessly fits within its surroundings of new Fantasyland.



Inside the entrance to the ride you find yourself in the mine.  The FastPass+ line is short and quickly transports you to the boarding area, while the Stand-By Entrance takes through a number of interactive mining and Disney Dwarf related elements.  These won't shorten the wait, but they will help you pass the time.


The mine car styled train that serves as your ride vehicle utilizes patented Disney technology that allows the car to rock back and forth.  Unfortunately we did not really notice much of this effect while we are riding.

The ride itself is the smoothest running roller coaster at Disney World by far.  This made for a tremendous experience that even non-roller coaster fans will enjoy.  Soon after your journey begins you leave the mine and head outside.  Multiple times during the attraction, you are outside and then return inside.





During one extended inside portion of the attraction, the mine cars slow down purposefully so that you can see the animatronic Dwarfs and the stunning visuals inside the mines.  Our night time pictures are admittedly awful, but you will have to imagine for yourself what this looks like.  Prepare to be impressed!

Perhaps most impressive when riding at night are the views of new Fantasyland and Cinderella Castle that you get during the outside portions of the ride.  You get great views of Beast's Castle and a bird's eye view of a large part of Fantasyland.


At the end of the ride you are witness to the famous scene where Snow White and the Dwarfs are dancing in their house, including Dopey standing on his fellow dwarf's shoulders to be dancing eye to eye with Snow White.

Ride Review Summary - E Ticket Attraction!

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is an attraction that fits perfectly into Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. It is more thrilling than most of the rides at the Magic Kingdom, but will still appeal to the younger guests that frequent Fantasyland.  It will most definitely help provide that sought after counter balance for the boys that want something other than Princess attractions.

The adults will love the theming and enjoy the smooth action of the Roller Coaster.  They will also enjoy the great animatronic characters that they will encounter during the attraction.

This will not be the new thrill seeker destination when they enter the Magic Kingdom.  The triple mountains of the Magic Kingdom - Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Splash Mountain retain their thrill seeking titles.   That being said it is still a quite enjoyable ride that has the aura about it that will cause guests to want to ride it over and over again.

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is definitely deserving of an E Ticket rating!

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride has become one of the most talked about and anticipated attractions to open at the Walt Disney World Resort in years.  This family friendly roller coaster not only will use unique Disney patented technology in the ride system, but it also culminates the multi-year Fantasyland Expansion of the Magic Kingdom theme park.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Opens On May 28th

Many Disney World fans were sad to see the former attraction that was dedicated to the landmark animated Disney classic Snow White called "Snow White's Scary Adventures" dismantled and replaced by a Princess meet and greet location called Princess Fairytale Hall.  The new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will make people forget quickly.


The first roller coaster to be added to Disney World since Expedition Everest debuted with the opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom in 1998, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride will feature advanced audio-animatronic figures, as well as, patented five-car trains designed to swing independently from side to side as they move along the track.



The track itself transitions from indoors to outdoors multiple times during the ride.  The use of real trees in the design of the landscaping really befits the fantasy that the mountain-like attraction has been there forever and fits seamlessly into the new Fantasyland.

The most talked about new attraction for the Walt Disney World Resort will officially open to the public on May 28th as announced by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs.

The newest Magic Kingdom Roller Coaster will complete the multi-year Fantasyland Expansion and bring a thrill ride to the Princess heavy area of the theme park.  Not only is the new attraction a roller coaster, but it brings new technology that allows the ride vehicle to move side to side to allow the guest to feel like they are really traveling along the track in a mine car.

Here is the statement from Tom Staggs: 

“Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is both literally and figuratively the centerpiece of New Fantasyland, so we knew it had to be something special,” Tom said. “The attraction appeals to everyone in the family and provides just the right blend of heart, humor, and thrill while keeping with the charm of this special land.”

In addition to the innovative ride vehicles you will also encounter some of the most advanced audio animatronic figures that Disney has ever created.  It is certainly an experience that many Disney World fans are looking forward to.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

The Magic Kingdom Fantasyland Expansion is almost completed!  Shortly the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will open, thus completing this multi-year expansion that has totally reshaped the look and feel of Fantasyland.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Fantasyland's newest roller coaster is not to be confused with the Barnstormer.  The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train looks like a coaster that the teens and adults will love.

As we wait not so patiently for the official opening, we have taken a number of pictures of the portions of the track that are on the outside of the main building of the attraction.  A good portion is also contained inside as well.  It is obvious that there are going to be a number of times where you go inside the Mine and then come outside and then return inside again.

One of the best features of this attraction is the lush landscaping the is incorporated into the mine and surrounding track.  Disney chose to utilize a lot of real trees to build into the landscaping and it looks great.

Roller coaster fans will not that the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is now the 4th Roller Coaster at the Magic Kingdom and Disney World's 6th Coaster.

Enjoy the pictures and let us know what you think!











The transformation to the land and area is amazing.  The entire attraction and grounds are so well done it feels like it has been there since the beginning and blends in seamlessly with Beast's Castle and grounds.  It is hard to believe that it looked like the construction photo below not that long ago.

The last major piece of the Fantasyland expansion in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort is almost completed.  The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is over 2 years in the making, but will be open for guests any day now!

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

The wait for the newest Roller Coaster at Disney World has been over two years long, but Disney guests will soon be able to ride this attraction with special mine cars that promise to provide a different coaster experience.


Only WDWorld is taking a look back at the past two years to share some pictures we took that captured the progress as the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was being built.  The above picture shows some of the initial framework being built as seen from Dumbo!


Early on in the process, construction continued everywhere throughout the new Fantasyland Expansion.




As construction progressed, you can notice the rest of the new Fantasyland Construction eing completed.


Soon all signs of construction will be gone and Disney World Guests will be able to enjoy this new area without the distraction of construction walls and cranes.

Over two years in the making, but an amazing transition from the original Fantasyland.

What Do You Think About The Fantasyland Expansion?

Now that it is nearly complete, what is your impression of the Fantasyland Expansion in the Magic Kingdom?  Did it live up to your expectations?  Share your comments with us!

There is significant damage to the track at Disney's Animal Kingdom on the roller coaster known as Expedition Everest.  We have photographic evidence that a Yeti is to blame!

Yeti Warnings All Around Forbidden Mountain

It really shouldn't surprise anyone that the damage has occurred, there are sufficient warning signs everywhere around Forbidden Mountain that the Yeti has been spotted.

Tempting fate sometime results in serious consequences. The Yeti just isn't a creature to be trifled with.  Thrill seekers, just chose to repeatedly ignore these warnings in order experience Forbidden Mountain.

The initial damage was spotted at the very top of the mountain.  Fortunately the passengers that took this picture were able to stop in time before proceeding.  They were even able to get their train to operate in reverse to begin the treacherous trek back down the mountain.

Evidence Of The Yeti Destroying Track

Believe it or not we do have photographic evidence of the Yeti destroying sections of the track.  Check out the sequence of photos below:





You can definitely see the progression of emotions for the Yeti who appears to feel challenged by the presence of the humans and wishes to make sure that they understand who is in charge.  That last telling picture is the proof that we had been seeking with the Yeti caught in the act of ripping up a section of track.

Expedition Everest Continues To Operate!

Repairs are underway, and attempts are being made to operate the ride anyway.  We were not able to get anyone from Disney World management to comment about whether they believed it was safe to continue to send so many travelers into Forbidden Mountain along the known paths that the Yeti lives.

Will You Challenge The Yeti?

The choice is now up to you.  Do you ride the exciting Expedition Everest attraction, or do you respect the Yeti's wishes and leave him in peace?  Only you can decide.