Disney posts POV of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train testing

Here's a link to a more complete POV - http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-ranger...7627.story

. Now that the media fanfare and events are done I'm curious to see when a soft opening for guests will start happening. The official opening is May 28th, you can now set up FP+ on and after that date.

Another park fan site has posted a complete ride thru, both front and back seat, from media day. I guess it looks fun enough, entertaining for the whole family, which was the idea.
We saw the ride when it was nearing completion and it seemed a little smaller than I had imagined, and the videos kind of bear that out. Visually, the ride area and it's little mountain make a nice centerpiece for the new land, but I wondered if it might've been a better back end piece. That would have allowed for a larger show building and a lengthier ride, at least.

Not to complain, though, especially not having ridden it. (hopefully this fall) The indoor portion is so colorful, it's cute as can be, and the animatronics are super cool. I'm glad the Hi-Ho song is there, and thankfully comes in at the end during the lift. I imagined "small world syndrome" with the music pervading the entire experience. The coaster portion seems thrilling enough to include a larger audience, kids will especially enjoy it. The rocking motion seems better in the back seat. I've heard comments that it compares to Big Thunder. Maybe in its own small way... So, no. I think it compares better to the tamer portions of Everest, if anything.

I'm most looking forward to Simon's review of the ride.

I knew it was going to be a tad tame when I learned two things. (One) the height req is only 38". And (B) people describe it as Big Thunder Mountain Lite. Looks pretty though.

Really? I thought the fact that it's a mine train themed to the Seven Dwarfs might have been a pretty good clue that it wouldn't be a thrill ride.

Right. I guess those looking for a new coaster thrill in central Florida should just head on over to the Gringott's Bank...

If you're expecting a thrill ride there, I think you'll be sorely disappointed.

Oh. The commercials, while not revealing the real ride, at least make it seem like it might be full of fast action.

Crap.

Dont forget that this is Universal we are talking about, Spiderman never leaves the ground nor move particularly fast, but yet I would still classify it as a thrill ride.

Im sure the coaster portion of the ride, if it was taken away from all of its effects, would be quite a boring ride; however I fully expect my mind to be blown by this attraction when viewed as a whole.

They moved Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Universal? Since when?

Based on the POVs I am excited for the ride. Looks like a fun little coaster with a nice (although a bit short) dark ride segment. Mostly I'm happy that it looks extremely nice and really beautifies Fantasyland. Of course I feel that its insane it has taken this long to open, but that's OK, it will be nice when it finally does open to guests.

We noticed interesting attention to detail last week. They had a temporary irrigation system winding under some of the canyon area near the Be Our Guest end of the ride. The purpose? To keep the walls wet so moss would grow. That's dedication.

I have never been a big fan of theming but Disney does an amazing job of it.

Concrete midways > Main Street USA.

Today was the grand opening, I had a fastpass set up and waited about 15 minutes with that. The stand-by line was posted between 70-120 minutes from what I saw during my time at the park.

It is a fun ride. If you're expecting a great coaster or something on par with Space Mountain or even Big Thunder in terms of thrills you will be disappointed, but I think everyone knew that by now. The ride is beautiful, one of the best looking rides I have seen. As far as the actual ride goes, I rode one time in the middle and noticed the swinging pretty well from there. The dark ride section is nice and tie the two, short coaster sections together well. I could not imagine waiting longer than 45 minutes for the ride. I have another fastpass set up to come back to the park and ride at night next week and figure I'll ask to sit in the front or back that time and see how it compares.

I didn't think ahead enough to score a Fastpass, so I probably will avoid it until I can get one. Are they opening more FP inventory day-of as they have been recently for other rides?

I ended up setting up my fastpass only a couple days in advance, not sure if that was them opening up more availability or just lucky timing with someone cancelling there's and me being on the mobile app looking at the right time (for the previous couple weeks I couldn't find anything closer than a week out from opening). It looks like as of now I can find availability as early as the end of this week.