Tell me about the Matterhorn

[MouseMadness]

We're big WDW people, but will be going to DL this summer. OK, so I love BTMRR. It's one of my favorite rides. The drops aren't too steep for me, and I don't mind the bumpiness and all the curves. However, I will NOT ride Splash ever again...the drop at the end scares the daylights out of me. Also, never ridden Space because I don't know what the drops are like and not about to attempt that in the dark

So, how's the Matterhorn? Is it some kind of combination of these others? What does it seem most like?

TIA!

 

[kailuagirl]

The matterhorn is no way like Splash at the drop. I don't like that drop either, I'll ride it, but that drop scares me too And I love the matterhorn, it's just kinda a twisty turney fun ride, similar to Big Thunder, but yet it's not. Its a little bumpy and a little jaring, some people's neck and backs hurt after riding, but the refub should help with that. Its a fun ride. Make sure to do both sides, although they are the same view, they feel different to us, one seems move fast and smooth and the other is more bumpy, but still really fun. My DD4 loves the matterhorn, but hates Big Thunder and she only rode it once.

Go for it! There is no big drop, just a little swoosh down and one point and I don't like drops at all. If you like Big Thunder, you'll like the Matterhorn

 

[kailuagirl]

Is it the drops you don't like?

As for Space, I was also scared to ride it, and now it's one of my favorite rides, there's also no big drop in there, it's kinda fun going around in the dark. We took DD4 for the first time in Dec. on it and she loved it, we rode it over and over and over again. Lucky for us there was no real long line

you might want to also try that one if it's only the drops you are afraid of, they aren't bad

 

[Renae De Liz]

Hello! I am a lot like you, those drops KILL me! I love Splash outside of that drop, so I make myself ride it every time My husband is the same.

BTMRR is one of my favorites, and you'll find Matterhorn is much the same, though it is an older coaster (the 1st steel one I believe?). It has 2 tracks, and doesn't have any big drops or anything. Lots of twists and turns It used to be quite bumpy with the old sleds, but with the new ones I'm guessing it's a lot smoother.

The Space Mountain at DL is my favorite!! There are no huge significant drops either, lots of twists turns, and little tiny drops. But it goes faster than the other two coasters

I hope you have a great trip!!

 

[Astylla]

I am going to reply here because I completely understand your feelings and fears. I am about to turn 34 and refused most of my child and dult life to ride anything with a drop..it just always intimidated me. My late mother lived out in Southern California for many years and always raved about the Matterhorn - and Space Mountain was her favorite in WDW but I was always too scared to ride.

It wasn't until YEARS later in my 20's that I would ride Space Mountain for the first time ( right after my mom's death no less) and began to enjoy Splash Mountain and the like. For me it was the anticipation of the drop that scared me for years and I let my fear overtake my enjoyment and for me personally now it's not worth it. I STILL get scared lol but I embrace it

As for Space Mountain honestly the drops are no worse IMO than BTMRR just it is in the dark. And Matterhorn is definitely right in line with what you are comfortable with now with no major defining "drop" moment. I hope this helps some. You aren't alone in your feelings and it's good to ask questions

 

[CamoMama]

I have always loved the Matterhorn, and I'm not one for drops myself, I'm the same as the PP who loves Splash and endures the drop for the sake of the rest of it. They're in the midst of a refurbishment right now, so I don't know for sure how it's going to be. It has always been a little bit jarring for me, but with the new bobsleds that may be fixed. And Space Mountain at Disneyland is a much better ride than the one at WDW, I would recommend it. The drops are not bad and it's much smoother than the WDW ride.

 

[christinaspring]

When is the Matterhorn reopening? (And yes I'm sure I'm the only one here that DOESN'T know the answer to this haha!)

 

[DisneytheKid]

The Matterhorn is a relatively gentle ride. There really arent any big drops or steep declines.

 

[GrandBob]

When is the Matterhorn reopening? (And yes I'm sure I'm the only one here that DOESN'T know the answer to this haha!)

June 15.

 

[CamoMama]

When is the Matterhorn reopening? (And yes I'm sure I'm the only one here that DOESN'T know the answer to this haha!)

From what I understand it's due to reopen on June 15th, along with the Carsland opening. I'm sad that I won't be able to ride it when I go next week, but I'll be all over it in July if I'm still able to go then.

 

[MouseMadness]

Thank you all so much for your responses. It sounds like I will enjoy the Matterhorn and I might even get the courage to (gulp) get on Space Mountain.
Splash however...not again in a million years! That drop terrifies me so much I can't even sit still and enjoy any of the ride leading up to it!

Disneyland here we come!!!

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Hi MouseMadness! Thanks for referring to BTMRR - that helps me understand what works for you.

The Matterhorn Bobsleds is (IMO) a step down in visceral thrills when compared to BTMRR. There are more dips and drops in BTMRR. The Matterhorn is fast, jerky, and twisty with some very minor dips. I'd consider the Matterhorn to be more about the speed, scenery and Yeti-ness

You shouldn't have a problem with Space Mountain either. Space, like the Matterhorn and BTMRR, gets its thrills from speed, swift direction changes, mild dips, and above all - the scenery. I'd say Space is on-par with BTMRR for its dips and drops. The amazing scenery and theming makes Space Mountain so great. There aren't any drops on Space anywhere NEAR as steep, intense, and long as the drop on Splash! I think for new riders, the scariest aspect of Space is the darkness. But just imagine riding BTMRR in near dark with a sky filled with stars and you'll be fine!

Have a great time!

 

[minniecarousel]

I have to say - you guys are almost convincing me to try Space Mountain again. I love Matterhorn and BTMRR, but have been avoiding Space for quite a while. (I was coming off of that ride shakey!)

OP - you must try the Matterhorn! It is a classic. It'll be fun for us Disneyland veterans to see if the track is smoother after this big refurb. I'll be there June 18-22, so I'll report back.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

For those of you who are leery of the Matterhorn for any drops, I advise that you go on the Fantasyland side where there are basically no dips. The Tomorrowland side has a very small dip as you go down the track. So try the Fantasyland side first, and then the Tomorrowland side.

 

[Huff]

To me Matterhorn is a rather slow tame coaster, seems slower than BTMRR. Very bumpy but hopefully the refurb addresses that.

As others have said, Space Mountain has no large drops. You'll go up an initial lift, turn left then up another shorter lift. At the top you'll hear a count down sequence. When it reaches zero you'll turn to the left and begin picking up speed...but NO DROP!

Space is in the dark but not pitch black. Think night time in space, stars, galaxy etc. all around you.

Space is not very fast. About the same at BTMRR. However, the special effects such as lighting, turns, wind etc. give you the illusion you are moving much faster than you really are.

Space Mountain 30mph
Big Thunder 28mph
Matterhorn 27mph
California Scream'n 55mph

 

[sweethannah]

Space Mountain was the only ride as DL that made me feel pukey.

I'm taking some Bonine with me this time

 

[DarthMole]

This thread is great. I'm not one for dips. I don't even like the one on Pirates but I do it anyway. Rode Splash Mountain last time and that pretty much did me in for the others, plus my boy was only 7 at the time and he said no way to The Matterhorn. With all this info, I think I'm going to make it a point to ride all four of the big rides at DL this year.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

This thread is great. I'm not one for dips. I don't even like the one on Pirates but I do it anyway. Rode Splash Mountain last time and that pretty much did me in for the others, plus my boy was only 7 at the time and he said no way to The Matterhorn. With all this info, I think I'm going to make it a point to ride all four of the big rides at DL this year.

to the DIS!

 

[halfmonkey]

Splash Mountain has what I would call a finale drop whereas Space Mountain and Materhorn don't have finale drops. They have various little to medium drops/dips throughout the ride.

What I would recommend you do is go to youtube and do a search for borth rides as you will find numerous video recordings of the ride and then you can detemrine for yourself if it's something you want to go on.

Of course Space Mountain is in the dark so that adds to the excitement/fear. When you search on youtube for Space Mountain, please note that there is a video that shows the ride with the lights on so be sure to look for that video.

Good luck.

 

[Astylla]

Splash Mountain has what I would call a finale drop whereas Space Mountain and Materhorn don't have finale drops. They have various little to medium drops/dips throughout the ride.

What I would recommend you do is go to youtube and do a search for borth rides as you will find numerous video recordings of the ride and then you can detemrine for yourself if it's something you want to go on.

Of course Space Mountain is in the dark so that adds to the excitement/fear. When you search on youtube for Space Mountain, please note that there is a video that shows the ride with the lights on so be sure to look for that video.

Good luck.

I think this is great advice. This is what I actually did before our last trip because I was TERRIFIED of ToT and I made a deal with my husband that I would go on..lol. Though I still walked off there scared to death , the point is it did prepare me for the experience so it wasn't totally blind to me going in. There are also videos of Space Mtn with the lights on too.