I’m in Orlando to help out my client at a ginormous convention at the Orange County Convention Center.
The plans to attend came together very late, so the only flights available got us here a day early.
So of course we went to the Magic Kingdom, where I had a chance to see parts of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train where the construction walls had been taken down. (Click the images to enlarge them.)
This new ride will be the final component of the New Fantasyland expansion.
There’s a press event for it at the end of April/beginning of May, so all expectations are that it will be open by then–and perhaps well before.
It looks really, really fun!
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Thanks, Dave… we’re there earlier in May so here’s hoping for soft openings and the need to have resort guests test it out! 🙂
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Any news, insider info, or wild speculation to share on this yet, Dave? How soon after a press event does Disney open new attractions to the public? We’re there in May and so hoping to try it out!
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Kristi I’m hearing all kinds of different dates, a lot of the noise is suggesting later May…but I’m hoping for at least soft openings before then…
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Can’t wait to jump on it in July…
Would I be able???
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I’m pretty sure, Tom. There’s a press event at the end of April, and it should open around then, or even sooner.
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Does the Mine Train opening chance your crowd recommendations for Weeks 5 and 6 for 2014?
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No, Lalani, because it doesn’t change the school holiday schedule of kids–which is what drives crowds…Disney opened even more stuff in early December 2012, and it had little impact on crowds for the same reason.
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That is what I thought…thanks!
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OK – looks like early Nov will not work and we will heading to Florida (Sandestin) for Christmas with the in-laws. I know that those weeks of winter break are the most crowded at WDW – BUT it might be the only option. Would it be much better at Epcot and MK on Dec 18th and 19th then later in that week? On the 20th, we could head to Harry Potter World (staying at a hotel that gets us front of the line passes)…would the crowds be better than if we arrived on Friday and went into the parks Sat – Tuesday, Dec 20th – 22nd?
It means missing two days of school – something I very rarely (read as never!) do, but as long as we are in Florida…hate to miss out on WDW because of crowds. Thanksgiving was busy enough (well, except Thanksgiving itself because it was rather cold…)
Thanks for any advice,
Wendy
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Wendy, the 18th and 19th will be MUCH better than the 20th and following!!
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