If you’re here because you’re literally wondering where Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is…
It’s in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World (the one in Orlando, Florida).
More specifically, it’s near the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, directly across from Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and right in the middle of Fantasyland.
Also, if you’re here, you probably realize how popular this ride is and the long waits it attracts throughout the day. There are a few strategies to avoid the longest wait of the day, but opting for Early Entry or Rope Drop is probably the most common choice.
P.S. We know the Disney lingo is confusing and at times interchangeable, so we break down the terms “Rope Drop” and “Early Entry” and how to plan your Magic Kingdom day in our guide here.
If an early morning start works best for your group, there are a couple of key things to know so you don’t waste your precious (and expensive) park time.
What to Know Before Rope Dropping
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a popular option for Rope Drop for guests of all ages because not only is it a family-friendly coaster, but it also sees the longest waits of the day at Magic Kingdom.
There are a few ways to ride it:
- Standby: Just getting in the plain ol’ line and waiting however long it takes.
- Rope Drop/Early Entry: In theory, you’re getting to the park early (or taking advantage of Early Entry if you have it) and heading to the ride first thing.
- Lightning Lane Single Pass: Pay to play – not our favorite way to ride, since it’s expensive to buy a whole group of passes just to ride once. And chances are, you’re already paying for Lightning Lane Multi Pass on top of it.
So ultimately, Rope Dropping is a strategic way to avoid either a) paying or b) getting caught in a long standby line.
Rope Drop Basics
Because SDMT is such a popular attraction, you’ll need to enter the park before Early Entry starts and line up for it.
Yes, you are going to paradoxically wait a bit to avoid a wait. But Rope Drop is exciting once you get there, and you won’t have to shell out for the expensive Lightning Lane!
You should ideally get there at least 20-30 minutes before the official EE start time to be one of the first groups on the ride, without a long wait.
Note: If, for any reason, the ride is down or you didn’t show up early enough (and the wait is unreasonable), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan’s Flight, and/or Space Mountain all make solid alternative choices for Rope Drop!
Where to Go During Early Entry
If you are planning to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train during Early Entry, there is only one spot you can go, and there are signs and Cast Members there to direct you.
You’ll head to the walkway/bridge that’s first to the right of the Castle, in between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. The front of the waiting area is right near the Cheshire Cafe and Mad Tea Party.
Once they drop the rope, you’ll want to go to the left at Mad Tea Party and take just a few more steps to get in line and enter the queue for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
If you aren’t eligible for EE, you can still enter the park early; you’ll just wait at a different spot! Peek at the map and know where you’re going so you can make an effective beeline.
The Bottom Line on Rope Dropping
If an early morning start to Magic Kingdom is your game plan and SDMT is a high-priority attraction, then the above approach to Rope Drop is a solid, smart strategy to get you on the ride with a chance for the lowest possible wait.
Alternatively, if you aren’t an early riser like us, our favorite time to ride headliners like SDMT is either during the fireworks (a perfect option if you have more than one night at Magic Kingdom) or at the end of the night. It’s a whole thing, and we’ll tell ya all about it here.
Whichever method you decide, with the right timing, riding Seven Dwarfs Mine Train doesn’t have to cost half of your park day!
Need more insight into your Magic Kingdom day? We have itineraries for every size and guides on everything from the best snacks to top attractions to the best places to stand during the fireworks!