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Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Wrapping Up The Final Details of New Fantasyland

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We’re getting down to the nitty-gritty on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This week contractors were kept very busy working on the long list of little details that needed finishing around the attraction. From new welding on the track, to a wider emergency staircase, to a whole bunch more trees, Snow White’s Mountain has really changed character in just the last few weeks.

Meanwhile, testing has begun with actual people riding the roller coaster. The May 2nd grand opening will bring the newest family-style coaster and the final element of New Fantasyland. On board the attraction, guests will be treated to an exciting, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine” as the lovable world of Sleepy, Doc, Grumpy, Bashful, Sneezy, Happy and Dopey comes to life.

One feature will be first-of-its-kind ride vehicles mounted in cradle-like pivots that allow the vehicles to swing back and forth during the ride. Adding to the fun, the journey will be accompanied by beloved music from the Disney film classic. On their adventure, riders pass by animated figures of Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs and playful forest critters.

More details in our photo gallery below the jump:

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Magic Kingdom Central Plaza Improvement Project Update

Black tube is a portable damn. Heard there was some water back in moat now

As announced in February, the Central Plaza, or Hub, at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is undergoing a major update. The finished version will have more of a park like setting, with ample walking space to navigate around parades and shows, more outdoor dining seating, plus special viewing areas for fireworks and more.

I took a walkabout of the hub area earlier this week and captured a little video to show the progress. Right now they’re concentrating on the section of the hub that is closest to Main Street, where the additional fireworks viewing areas will be. However, lots of little projects are underway around the hub. The video ends with a look at the Rose Garden as it blooms for one last season in its current form.

Can’t watch the video? I have selected photos below the jump in a gallery:

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Let it Go from Disney’s Frozen by Casey’s Corner Pianist at the Magic Kingdom

Mark, the pianist at Casey’s Corner in the Magic Kingdom, usually plays a more ragtime flair, but in this video he provides us with his rendition of “Let it Go” from Disney’s Frozen. I walked by later and he was playing it again for a… Read More »Let it Go from Disney’s Frozen by Casey’s Corner Pianist at the Magic Kingdom

Virtual Ride-Through of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Roller Coaster

Chalk one up for Disney’s marketing team at Yellow Shoes Creative Group. They’ve created this amazing computer graphic virtual version of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to use in advertising the ride. It’s only 15 seconds long, but does a great job of portraying the… Read More »Virtual Ride-Through of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Roller Coaster

Making The Maleficent Steampunk Dragon for Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade

The steampunk-inspired fire-breathing Maleficent Dragon is by far the most impressive float of Disney Festival of Fantasy parade at the Magic Kingdom. It’s one of the most detailed as well. In the video below, Parade Designer Richard Improta from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Creative… Read More »Making The Maleficent Steampunk Dragon for Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade

Magic Kingdom Central Plaza Construction Update – March 2014

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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:

The end result will be something new for the Magic Kingdom style parks, but I think it will work. See our gallery of additional images below the jump:
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Instapic: Fancy a Dole Whip?

from Instagram Something about the springtime at the Magic Kingdom makes me think of Dole Whips. That beautiful blooming tree doesn’t hurt either. Do you prefer the classic pineapple flavor or the orange? I’ll admit the orange and vanilla swirl is my current favorite.

3-2-1 Limited Edition Space Mountain T-shirts Now Available Online

Like many children, Space Mountain was my first big roller coaster. I remember how nervous I was as I wound my way through the queue at Disneyland. The show in the theater below helped distract me, as did the sneak preview windows in the queue.… Read More »3-2-1 Limited Edition Space Mountain T-shirts Now Available Online