The final phases of work on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train are rapidly approaching. Disney just removed even more walls from around the left side of Snow White’s Mountain revealing more of the track and theme details. It’s amazing how close the cars will pass in front of guests. There should be some great photo opportunities.
Still no official soft opening date, but the grand opening ribbon cutting for press will be on May 2! So expect it to be open to the public shortly before or after that date. If you can’t watch the video above, I have over a dozen photos from my walking tour around the mountain below the jump:
The Central Plaza / Hub area of the Magic Kingdom is scheduled to receive a major improvement to the walk-ability and flow from a guest perspective. We covered that story previously. But here’s a basic recap: a second ring of walkways will be added to the hub, new gardens will replace part of the moat and can be used as fireworks viewing party locations, the food vending and castle show out buildings will get makeovers, and lastly (but not least) Casey’s Corner and the Ice Cream Parlor will get expanded seating areas.
Now we’re back with the first of many updates tracking the progress of this major upgrade. Disney plans to take their time and make changes in small chunks so as not to disturb too much of the park’s central plaza at once, but some stuff just can’t be avoided. We’ll try and highlight how that might affect future visits as we go along.
As a starting point, here’s a short video with a look at how the hub looks as construction gets under way:
As we saw in February’s 2nd update, the walls are down around a small section of Snow White Mountain at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It will be the last area to open as part of Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland expansion. Since February a lot more landscaping work has been done, to the point where it is practically a forest in some parts. But in other areas there is still a ways to go on just covering the dirt. As we saw in the ride-through POV video, there is also a lot of finished touches on buildings and interior sets.
We still have no word on an official opening date, but some say soft opens could come as soon as late April or early May. We do know that the media event will be the last few days of April. Cast member previews usually start either shortly before media events or shortly after them and then once cast members are done, annual passholders get a chance, and finally soft openings. But sometimes that’s all thrown out the window too. So don’t make any plans until it is official or if you do make plans, have a backup ready in case it isn’t ready. Those coming in June should most likely be able to ride, but nothing is certain. This is a completely unique ride system that Disney had built. Nothing like it exists.
As usual, we have both video and photos from all around Snow White Mountain.
It’s not as well themed as Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, but Seaworld Orlando’s Aquatica water park has become my favorite destination for the family waterpark experience. They have a great range of water rides and a few unique experiences that make me want to return again and again. With Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, Aquatica is adding a new ride high on the thrill spectrum.
Those brave enough to ride will experience a watery free-fall when Ihu’s Breakaway Falls – the tallest, steepest and only multi-drop tower slide of its kind in the southern United States – opens on May 9.
This balloon represents the height of 80ft from which riders will drop into the slide.
At nearly 80 feet tall, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls is where thrill seekers face their fears and each other. After stepping into one of three clear “breakaway boxes,” they’ll watch each other fall one-by-one as the floor underneath them disappears. They’ll never know who’s going to breakaway first – and the anticipation of who drops next is part of the wild ride!
“With four unique slide paths, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls brings a whole new level of thrill to Aquatica Orlando,” said Bryan Nadeau, Aquatica Orlando vice president. “Riders can step into three breakaway boxes or test their bravery on a fourth open slide for a different, but just as thrilling experience. No matter which slide you choose, once you get to the top, the only way down is down.”
We were able to conduct a quick interview with Nadeau and then took a hard hat tour o the construction site where Nadeau offered a few more details.
Follow below the jump for some Fun Facts about Ihu’s Breakaway Falls:
A large sweeping drop will send passengers on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train speeding past a waterfall and over a wooden bridge.
The walls are down around a small section of Snow White’s mountain at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland expansion. So we’re back with a second update on the roller coaster this month. Work by Disney’s artisans and craftsmen (and women) appears to be is progressing at a rapid pace now. When workers aren’t putting finishing touches on the show details others are testing the cars on the track and working out the kinks of the dispatch and safety system.
Still no word on an official opening date, but some say soft opens could come as soon as April. Here’s video of taken of the newly open area yesterday as well as updates from all around Snow White’s Mountain.
Many more photos of the newly revealed vista and other progress on Snow White’s Mountain below the jump:
The last attraction to open in the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland expansion is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It’s a completely new kind of roller coaster with cars that swing back and forth. This allows for tighter corners and a slight increase in the thrill, while still keeping it kid friendly.
If it seems like the project has been taking forever, you’re partly right. Vertical construction of the coaster only began in March of 2012. It is currently expected to open sometime in early summer of 2014, which puts it at a little over two years from dirt to ride opening. Don’t make any plans based on that rumor as it may be pushed back. That’s about the speed for a major new attraction at Disney these days.
Those who have been paying close attention to the blog know I had an emergency surgery to correct a heart defect, so I’ve been limited in what I can do in the parks, but I was able to get out and get some new video and photos from the scene earlier this week.
There is significant progress from my November 6th update. The mountain is starting to look like a mountain, with actual real trees and some artificial ones dotting the show building. Queue and show elements are beginning to be installed and actual testing of cars on the track is occurring. Not on the day I was there unfortunately, but I did capture some video of the mountain to share with you:
Many more pictures of the construction site below the jump:
Just released today is Universal Orlando Resort’s third preview trailer for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley area. The preview uses scenes from the movies to hint at what’s coming to Universal Studios Florida. More details of the expansion will be revealed… Read More »Live Preview of Harry Potter Diagon Alley Expansion at Universal
Construction on the last attraction remaining to be completed for the New Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom has taken some exciting leaps since we last checked in. Although they weren’t testing on the day I was there, as you can see above, a complete train has been added to the tracks of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster. That’s an exciting bit of progress, but the attraction still is set to open sometime in 2014 with no official date yet announced.
Here’s more video from around the mountain and through the peek windows. Sadly the windows are getting progressively dirtier, but you can still make out most of the detail. I’m most excited about how the buildings that will house the entrance and exit queue are coming along. Notice the steel construction, gotta be hurricane proof in Orlando.
Thanks for watching. I’ve added a few photos below the jump if you can’t watch the video:
