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Imagineers Program First Full 3D Audio-Animatronics at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

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It’s been 50 years since Walt Disney debuted the first full sized audio-animatronic Abraham Lincoln figure at the 1964 World’s Fair, the next generation of figures debuting in Seven Dwarfs Mine Train might just be as big an evolutionary jump as the original Abe Lincoln figure was. (Let’s just hope they don’t have as many problems as “Leaky Lincoln” did at his debut.)

Walt Disney Imagineering has prepared this short documentary look at how these new audio-animatronics were created.

I saw a few new figures in there and a few more show scenes. As the video says, I think Walt Disney would have loved how advanced these figures have become and would be exploring the storytelling potential on many new attractions.

More photos below:

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All the Walls are Down at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – April Construction Update #3

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All the Walls are Down at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train giving us our best view yet of the queue area, and finally revealing all the exterior track on the roller coaster. Sounds like a good excuse for our third update this April.

There was still quite a bit of finishing and touch up work going on. Among some painting and landscaping, Imagineers were tinkering with the new interactive queue elements and the ubiquitous on-ride photo was being installed while we were there. Cast members are telling guests it will open sometime next month. However, media have been invited for a ribbon cutting ceremony to be held on May 2nd. Everything is subject to change, of course.

There are a few elements around the track that have me worried. It looks like they’ve jury-rigged evacuation lighting around part of the track. They might have to make that more permanent before it can open to guests. But the good news is they have been testing the coaster with people, and even filmed a commercial recently.

Here’s some video taken of newly opened areas:

I hope they’re able to open it soon, it looks amazing. Head below the jump for a huge gallery of photos of the newly exposed areas.

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New Track Revealed as More Walls Come Down Around Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

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Inevitably, I release a construction update video and a day or two later, more walls come down around the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It happened again, so yesterday I went back to get photos and video of the newly opened areas.

Operations training is well underway with many cast members on Day 3 of training. We could start seeing Cast Member previews and then soft openings next week some time, but no official word on that.

A few more photos below the jump in case you can’t watch the video.

Read More »New Track Revealed as More Walls Come Down Around Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

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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A First Look at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Next-Generation Audio-Animatronics Figures

If you were among the guests invited to the Disney Social Media Moms event out in California, then you were among the first to see this short video from Walt Disney Imagineering highlighting a few of the next-generation audio-animatronics that will populate the Seven Dwarfs… Read More »A First Look at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Next-Generation Audio-Animatronics Figures

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

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Removes More Walls As Work Continues

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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:

Read More »Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Removes More Walls As Work Continues