The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was previewed for the press and travel agents earlier in May. The official opening was announced for May 28, but additional opportunities to preview the roller coaster are expected between now and then. If you won’t have a chance to ride or just want a bit more insight into what to expect, I’ve written my take on this journey into the story of the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, sharing moments from the movie that have never been possible before today.
No matter which direction you approach Snow White’s Mountain from, you are greeted by a Fairytale Forest. As you approach, you notice a small mountain rising out of the forest. It appears to be the home to a gem mine, and if listen close, faint sounds of happy work emanate from within. Near one end of the forest you spot the work of talented craftsmen and a sign inviting you in to tour the mine.
Moving down the wide trail, you can just see a small carefully cared for cottage through through the woods. Ahead of you are small wooden shelters that appear to be part of the mining operation. Inside the largest of the two shelters is a slough used to wash and sort gems from the mine. You can even stop and help for a while if you like. There is also a gem washing station that plays a musical tune as you help clean the gems. It’s quite clever and you scratch your head wondering how it’s done.
Behind the gem cleaning station is “The Vault” and a “hidden” key. No key is needed as the door is open for you. Inside the dark vault are wooden barrels full of the day’s gem haul. Each barrel has a different name on it, Bashful, Happy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Doc, Sleepy and Dopey. Some of the barrels spin making a marvelous pattern on the ceiling. It’s almost as if each of the barrel’s owners was dancing up there.
As your eyes adjust to the mine interior, you see evidence that the happy seven miners must be nearby. A few feet away you can see the tracks upon which a short train of carts are set for a journey into the mind. A helpful resident of the Fairytale Forest is there to help you into your car and make sure you’re safely stowed away, as the miners have set up a small, but thrilling, adventure for you. As you leave the mine and travel through the forest, your train car sways back and forth, although, never quite in danger of losing its cargo, you.
A little ways through the hills, you pass by an opening to the mine. It looks abandoned, but you can hear singing from deep within the mine. Whatever they’re doing, they sound happy doing it. Don’t be tempted to linger too long, as a pair of hungry looking vultures are perched nearby just waiting to pick off and devour potential carrion along the tracks.
After zipping through the woods, you enter the working mine through another tunnel. Inside seven dwarfs each show their unique personalities as they work the mine full of colorful gems. There are also an assortment of forest creatures helping them with their daily chores.
Your mine train appears to have come right at the end of their shift. For the clock chimes and the seven dwarfs depart singing “heigh-ho, hi-ho, it’s home from work we go.” You follow them up a hill, but your paths soon diverge and before you know it, your mine train its off on another quick paced trip through the woods. The cars swing to and fro as you pass a water fall and a beautiful castle.
You then arrive at that same small cottage you spied earlier while walking through the forest. Through its large windows you can hear and see the seven dwarfs playing music and dancing with a beautiful young princess. It is, in fact, Snow White. She is dancing with a tall man, who turns out to be one of the dwarfs riding the shoulders of another.
All is happy and well in the forest cottage, but just as you prepare to move on, you notice a scary looking old hag peering into the cottage through a window. She turns toward the mine train and cackles menacingly. It’s time to move along.
Just a bit further down the track and you’re back in the mine where friendly Fairytale Forest workers help you disembark your mine train and head out back into the forest. Stop and take a photo of the cottage, if you want, but the line for another ride on the Mine Train grows longer and you know you want to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs again real soon.