Bring back the old Matterhorn bobsleds!!

[FreshBakedDisney]

I agree that the new Bobsleds are uncomfortable, and I miss cuddling with my DGD on my lap. However, the reason for the change was not to speed up the line, as you posit (the new sleds hold only 3, rather than 4 as before). The reason was for legal liability. With the old arrangement, it was almost impossible for the CMs to ensure that everyone was buckled in. Now they can. I very much doubt that DLR will go back to the old system, unfortunately.

-Bob

Well said. Some forget how litigious our society has become. You can hardly blame them for doing this. Same thing for the height requirement for little ones. Disney certainly didn't do this just to piss everyone off.

 

[gunka]

I'm 6' tall, had no problems. I guess if I had to sit in one for a very long time it might be a problem, but the ride is not that long.

Still love the Matterhorn!

 

[Briarrose1306]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's gotten more bumpy with the new vehicles! I used to love the Matterhorn but I feel like I need to take Advil before I ride it now.

 

[bumbershoot]

They are meant to be like riding BOBSLEDS, though. Rough, bumpy, no padding, etc.!!!

That is how a CM explained it to me later. But...they don't suck all the oxygen out of the air when we're going into space, right? There's realism and then there's discomfort, and I think they had a popular ride that they made LESS popular with the change.

And that explanation doesn't help the nasty bruise I could still see for weeks after.


NOt sure how they couldn't figure out if someone was buckled. See the buckle, is it clipped? See the belt, is it over the outside person? There we go.


And they definitely got a good way to make the line shorter by not having those pesky little 35" kids waiting in it! Glad DS got to ride it when bitty and all safe-feeling with me. Because he might never choose to ride it again; kid hates it now.

 

[LizzyS]

I actually prefer the new bobsleds. I didn't like almost ramming my head back into my husband's when we rode in the same car with the old bobsleds because there was so much room there. I understand parents might like to have their kids in their laps, though.

Overall, for me, I like them better. I don't feel like I HAVE to brace myself now, tbh.

 

[Amommy21]

The new seats are miserable. And I am short. I can't imagine how average or tall guys get in and out. You have to train for it, seriously... 50 squats a day because you can't get in and our without being able to stand up from sitting to squatting to upright without moving your feet. It's so weird.

I think this is the first wave. They just retrofitted the old cars... and Eventually they will have new cars.

The thing that gives me the headache is the bumps at the end just before you deboard. They can surely fix all that harsh bumping it just kills me everytime!

 

[DisneyBiskit]

This is the only ride that I fear hurting my back on. The first time I rode with the new sleds I left in pain. (Rode the left side). Last Christmas, I rode with my nephews who begged me to go with them. It wasn't so bad that time (rode the right side).

 

[tdhickey]

I feel like my knees are at my nose the whole time. I don't want the old sleds back, but I would like more leg room!

 

[tdashgirl]

I agree that the new Bobsleds are uncomfortable, and I miss cuddling with my DGD on my lap. However, the reason for the change was not to speed up the line, as you posit (the new sleds hold only 3, rather than 4 as before). The reason was for legal liability. With the old arrangement, it was almost impossible for the CMs to ensure that everyone was buckled in. Now they can. I very much doubt that DLR will go back to the old system, unfortunately.

-Bob

ITA with all the above! The other thing that's a bummer about the new bobsleds is the increased height requirement. It doesn't affect our family anymore, but when my DD was in preschool, this was her first real roller coaster and it was such a fun experience holding her little preschool self on it

 

[qckrun]

This is the most uncomfortable ride ever. Your squated down, and it's extremely bumpy and whip-lashy(I know not a word).

 

[GrandBob]

NOt sure how they couldn't figure out if someone was buckled. See the buckle, is it clipped? See the belt, is it over the outside person? There we go.

Yes, you can see the buckle for the person in front, but you can't SEE the buckle on the person in back when two people are riding in one seat. Some CMs would have the front person scoot forward so they could see, some would just have the back person pull on the tail of the belt (but that doesn't really prove anything), and some would just ask and believe you. But visual verification was very difficult.

-Bob

 

[tdhickey]

Just some advice for those with leg room issue...

Put your feet up as high as possible in the foot holes, there is more room in there than I thought. Much better now!

 

[Jerry Horne]

I'm 6'1 and have to cross my legs. It's just uncomfortable! I have to ride it solo because no one I know will ride it now!

 

[Geemo]

I wasn't too excited about the ride on our last trip. Bumpy and rough for sure!
I'll ride it once each trip, if the group has it on the ride list.

I sure hope BTMRR doesn't have a similar result in ride comfort after the year long refurbishment.

Geemo

 

[rosie2283]

My DH likes to ride in them. He figures they do a better job on his back than his Chiropractor! ROTFL

 

[sarahb86]

No question, my least favorite DL ride. I rode it last weekend with my parents and it felt like my brain was jumping around inside my skull half the time.

Still, I did not care for the old cars because of the awkward lap-sitting. When you're with friends it can be a little weird. IIRC Matterhorn was a rough ride then, too. I hit my head more than once on the seats while being whipped around.

 

[squirrel]

Anyone know why they use only the one side near the smoking area when it's low season? Is that side better or something?

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I agree the new cars are a disaster. The new seats force riders to absorb all the coaster's bumps and jolts. The shape of the seats also makes people sit on their tailbone too! Bad bad! What the hay were the engineers thinking???

There IS a way to reduce the impact on your back and body. Do NOT try to conform your body to the seat in hopes you'll brace yourself against motion. That doesn't work. All you'll do is absorb every impact the car throws your way, making the ride very stressful on the body. What you need to do is sit with your knees gently bent and lean forward, holding onto the handles in front of you. This moves your weight off the delicate tailbone and onto the stronger ischium (the bottom of your pelvic bone). It also removes your spine's contact with the car and doing this you'll avoid taking a major pounding. Leaning forward with bent knees also gives taller people a lot more leg room!

We figured this out last trip and the ride went from painful to fun. Now we can ride it multiple times in a row w/out bruising.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I'm 5'6" and it sucks for me. My poor husband is 6'1" and barely fits. And, while not obese, I am overweight and fitting my rear end in there is a tight fit. I miss the old ones. Plenty of space for a full grown adult and their child. But, I think the new ones are probably considered safer and I doubt they'll ever go back to the old ones.

 

[tdhickey]

The new cars are much smoother than the old ones. For what it's worth, they are intended to imitate a true bobsled experience, bumps and all. Honestly though, it is less jerky than it used to be....just the seats are less comfy.

It is way better with the no lap sitting, nothing like bashing your nose on the person's head in front of you...not fun!