Spotlight on the Magic Kingdom’s Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

One of the hottest tickets at Disney World right now is a FastPass+ for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This new addition to the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland is a beautiful mash-up of dark ride and mellow coaster.

The good news: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a ride most everyone will love.

The bad news: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a ride most everyone will love.

If you only get a FastPass+ for one Magic Kingdom attraction on your Disney World trip, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is it. No matter when you visit, or how early you get there, there will be a line for this ride. And it will probably be at least one hour long.

Getting to the Mine Train ride at park opening time

On a recent morning Extra Magic Hour opening, we were among the first in the park. Park workers herded the crowd using ropes – be aware that you can end up in a mob headed the opposite direction you want to go.

If you want to go to the Mine Train immediately, stay to the right heading up Main Street and follow the crowd over the bridge around the right-hand side of the castle. This will lead you directly to the Mine Train queue.

Getting there early may not help

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train does not necessarily start running at park opening time. Look for cast members near the entrance to the queue line and find out if the Mine Train has started operating for the day. At least on the day we were there, workers told us Mine Train operation wouldn’t begin until almost an hour after park opening.

So even if you are one of the first people in line, you might still have a one-hour wait to ride. Do yourself a favor and reserve a FastPass+ well in advance.

Then go ride Haunted Mansion five times instead of waiting that hour in the Mine Train line.

The Ride

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is beautifully executed, with some really charming scenes – particularly the end scene which I will not spoil by describing here. The format of the ride is a bit like Splash Mountain, where you have lots of storytelling at a slow pace, but also some thrill elements.

This is a roller coaster, but a good one for beginners. The ride is extremely quiet and smooth, and the drops and turns are enough to get your heart rate up but nothing like Space Mountain or Expedition Everest.

Luna and I think it’s tamer than Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (definitely a smoother ride), and if you’ve done Splash Mountain this will be a piece of cake.

You should also know it’s a short ride – about two minutes long, but we think it’s absolutely FastPass+ worthy. We just wouldn’t wait in line more than 45 minutes for it.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is Wonderful at Night

Another cool thing about Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is the view when the train runs outside. We recommend riding Mine Train in the evening. The view over New Fantasyland is beautiful, and after dark you’ll see all the lovely lighting effects including the charming lanterns that light the surroundings of the Seven Dwarfs’ mountain.

Plus at night you won’t be blinded when you leave the dark interior and burst into Florida sunshine.

Not Recommended in the Rain

But whatever you do, don’t ride it in a rainstorm. We did that once and it was like going through a car wash in a convertible!

(You can read about that in this post: Disney World Weather Tips and Why August is a Great Time to Visit Orlando)

There is no photo kiosk at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and (gasp) no gift shop

Unlike virtually every other headline attraction in every theme park, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train does not have a gift shop at the end, or even a photo kiosk. This refreshing design can lead to confusion, so here’s what you need to know.

There are ride photos taken on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. If you are wearing your Magic Band, your photo will magically be added automatically to your Disney PhotoPass account. That’s it – no stopping to check your photo or buy anything.

Only guests wearing Magic Bands will get this ride photo, so this is one reason you may want to purchase a Magic Band if you stay off-site at Disney World. All on-site hotel guests receive complementary Magic Bands.

If you have purchased the Disney Memory Maker photo plan (which we highly recommend), your Mine Train photos will be included in the plan. And if you have Memory Maker, you get something extra-special.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Ride Video

If you wear your Magic Band and have purchased the Memory Maker package, in addition to your ride photo you will receive video of yourself on the ride! Just like the photos, this happens automatically and is loaded to your photo account, but only if you have a Magic Band and the Memory Maker plan.

If you don’t have Memory Maker you won’t see the video or have any option to purchase it.

Get Front-Of-The-Line Access Without a FastPass+

If you can’t get a FastPass+ you may still be able to cruise onto Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with an early breakfast reservation in the Magic Kingdom. Read this post for all my tips about using a breakfast reservation as a line hack at Disney World. And you can listen here to my discussion about this hack on the Go Informed podcast.

Are you planning a trip to Disney World?

Get my 55 Disney World top tips here!

Find out how to skip the line at Epcot’s Frozen Ride here!

Here are tips to help you get your family out of bed for park opening.

Listen to my 10 Days to a Better Disney World Vacation series on the Go Informed podcast.