The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – No FastPass? Arrive Early!

You have heard the rumors, watched the commercials, and attempted to get a Fastpass + and now you are waiting your turn to experience the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (7DMT) in the Magic Kingdom’s new Fantasyland. Information about this ride is everywhere but I would like to answer a few questions that many may be wondering about. How early should I arrive at the park? What is the best route? What is this new rope drop procedure? How long will the wait be without a Fastpass? These are all questions that will be answered by the end of this post.

If you are not so lucky as to have snatched a FP for the ride don’t worry because you are not particularly out of luck just yet. If you are not interested in standing in the blazing sun (though the fans are a nice touch in the queue) for two hours to experience this attraction you do have another option. I have two words for you. Rope. Drop. You want to be at the Magic Kingdom by 8:00 AM for a 9:00 AM park opening time. (I was on a bus from my Walt Disney World resort by 7:35 AM) arriving this early will allow you to be one of the first people behind the new rope procedure at park opening. Cast members will form a straight line holding a rope that you must stay behind. They will lead you all the way through the castle and back to Fantasyland.

After the opening show you will head toward the castle with thousands of other people. A major heads up to watch where you are going and don’t take this statement with a grain of salt. You will be pushed, shoved, and your foot my occasional twist from the trolley train track. Watch your children, better yet hold their hands and stick with your party. Since you are heading toward the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train you want to be on the right side of Main Street heading toward the castle. Make a right hand turn at the Tomorrowland Entrance (I wanted to do this instead of going through the castle like cast members were saying to do. When I went to turn right Cast members were blocking the way. When I looked back they had opened the walkway. Do not make my mistake.)

You will continue to the follow the rope that the Cast members are holding until you reach the Mine Train. At this point park the stroller, grab the kids, and get in that line. If you are there at the time mentioned (If you forgot that was 8:00 AM for a 9:00 AM park opening) you would walk through the queue and have only about a 10-20 minute wait. This is much better than waiting two hours in the hot sun in the middle of summer. You have been forewarned that the walk up Main Street is no picnic so be prepared to stick with your party and be careful!

I want to close out with one last comment about the ride before you open a new browser and try to grab that FP you have been searching for the past five weeks. I want to state that I am 5’10 and my legs were cramped in the seat. I would not want to go through all the hassle to ride this and have to be turned away because the seats are too tight. The rumors are out there and many are posting about the ride being too small for them or even being turned away from the attraction. I had heard that a possible test car would be added at the front of the line but I did not see this when I was there.

The ride itself is a nice smooth ride but I don’t want to give out any more details than that. Arrive early, be careful, and have a fun ride on the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train! If you have more questions please feel free to ask and I can help to the best of my ability. See you at parks!