First Space Mtn, now Matterhorn

[MermaidMommy]

On a Mice Age forum, someone posted that they emailed Disneyland to ask about the Matterhorn refurb, and this is the reply they said they received: "You may be pleased to know that the original project dates in May have been changed to 8/25/14 - 11/13/14. Please note all information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to your visit."

 

[gerilyne]

On a Mice Age forum, someone posted that they emailed Disneyland to ask about the Matterhorn refurb, and this is the reply they said they received: "You may be pleased to know that the original project dates in May have been changed to 8/25/14 - 11/13/14. Please note all information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to your visit."

Oh I hope that's true it was going to be closed during most of our trip. This would be very exciting!

 

[bbeagle]

They are pushing their luck with the number of A-list rides down during the summer time.

I don't think Disneyland gets it. I think it USED to be a locals-only park, and so what if major rides are closed? People can just come back later with their annual passes when it's open.

I went to get an annual pass at the ticket booth, and they noticed my address 'New York'. The ticket attendant asked 'Why are you getting an annual pass HERE?' - like it's a 'given' that Disney World is so much better and closer - a no brainer to go there instead of Disneyland. Really amazed me.

(I got an annual pass for the discounts, plus we were staying 8 days, and could not buy an 8 day ticket!)

 

[figment_jii]

I don't think Disneyland gets it. I think it USED to be a locals-only park, and so what if major rides are closed? People can just come back later with their annual passes when it's open.

In the end, it doesn't necessarily matter if it's a locals park or not. Rehabs and OSHA modifications have to happen and the schedule is all wonky this year. Some A-list rides have to go down in the summer because as much as it would be nice for summer guests, Disneyland cannot do all of the rehabs at the same time in a non-summer, non-Spring Break, non-holiday time period. I agree that it would be nice if the schedule was a little less erratic (i.e., rehab dates being changed), but there must be a logical reason behind it.

 

[JoKnee]

I'm bummed about matterhorn. First time I went to DL I was preggers, 2nd time it was closed.
This trip it's closed again! Boo!

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

I don't think Disneyland gets it. I think it USED to be a locals-only park, and so what if major rides are closed?

USED to be??

While it's not locals-only...with hundreds of thousands of annual passholders...most of the guests are locals (or guests you visit multiple times per year).

I'd much rather have a long rehab with a nice ride come out at the end (BTMRR) that a short rehab with a ride that still has problems (Indy).

 

[Disneyland1084]

If you haven't been on the Matterhorn since the new bobsleds were put in, you won't be missing a thing.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Actually, they do not always do that. In fact they rarely do that.

As has been discussed on this board, it appears DLR has been forced into some unusual and unpopular choices on refurb scheduling due to the mnay things they need to do as a result of the OSHA worker safety improvements from 2013 and prep for the 60th anniversary next year.

This. Last year I expected it would take at least two full summers for the resort to recover. I wouldn't expect the refurb schedule to line out until next spring. Do you think that's a reasonable estimate?

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

If you haven't been on the Matterhorn since the new bobsleds were put in, you won't be missing a thing.

So maybe they'll wise up and replace them this refurb? One can hope.

 

[crystal1313]

So maybe they'll wise up and replace them this refurb? One can hope.

Sure hope so! They are super uncomfortable. Ugh...or at least add some more padding!

 

[bbeagle]

USED to be??

While it's not locals-only...with hundreds of thousands of annual passholders...most of the guests are locals.

I think it's changing.

I'm from New York - MOST people I talk to are going to Disneyland this year/next, NOT Disney World.

And most people who are doing this are going the route of ONE person is getting an annual pass for the discounts, or ALL are getting it because they're planning on staying 8 days or more.

I think the 'annual passholder' statistic is very screwed up at Disneyland, with many people only going for one trip, and getting annual pass(es), where in Disney World, those same people would get a 6-10 day ticket.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I think it's changing.

I'm from New York - MOST people I talk to are going to Disneyland this year/next, NOT Disney World.

And most people who are doing this are going the route of ONE person is getting an annual pass for the discounts, or ALL are getting it because they're planning on staying 8 days or more.

I think the 'annual passholder' statistic is very screwed up at Disneyland, with many people only going for one trip, and getting annual pass(es), where in Disney World, those same people would get a 6-10 day ticket.

At DLR, it's locals with passes who go several times a year for one day each time, versus WDW visitors going once a year for an extended stay. It really does even out.

 

[Albytaps]

I've already listed my complaints on the refurbs multiple times... but I'll guess I'll say it once more!

I would also be very disappointed if Matterhorn was down, as that is one of my top priorities to ride being a WDW vet. However, being a Lucas fan, Indy was at the very top of my "must do's." I made plans 6 months in advance, which wouldn't be so bad , but the the plane tickets will cost $200 + any additional ticket prices to change the dates. Multiply that times 6... yea, we weren't about to lose all that money, but I just wanted to express how bad I wanted to go on Indy.

Now my wife on the other hand is disappointed about Indy being down, but is THE biggest Alice in Wonderland fan I have ever met. When I told her Alice would be down while we were there she almost broke out into tears. Add finding Nemo to that and we were depressed to hear all the bad news. The kids were also upset about it too but what can we do, we're going to make the best of it.

So considering I've been to WDW many times but never to DLR, I really wanted to see the non-WDW type rides more than anything. But to look on the bright side, I'm sure my family and I will love DLR enough to make a return trip some year.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

Personally, one attraction doesnt make or break a visit, there is always plenty of old favorites and new things to do when I visit the parks. In fact, when old favorites are closed, it gives me incentive to try new things or see shows or parades I otherwise wouldnt normally do.

My first trip to DLR was 6 months ago, and I've been back 11 days since, and I'm still doing new things each trip I'd "skipped" on previous trips. It's disappointing when a favorite is down for rehab but I can honestly say I've never felt there was a shortage of things to do at DL or DCA. Usually I run out of time long before I run out of things to do.

Space Mtn is my favorite ride at DL and I'll be disappointed while it's down but I can't wait to get back to finally ride BTMRR!

 

[seagodess]

If you haven't been on the Matterhorn since the new bobsleds were put in, you won't be missing a thing.

I actually like it a lot better now. I thought it used to be way to jerky and really uncomfortable. Now the padding helps A LOT. JMO.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I've already listed my complaints on the refurbs multiple times... but I'll guess I'll say it once more!

I would also be very disappointed if Matterhorn was down, as that is one of my top priorities to ride being a WDW vet. However, being a Lucas fan, Indy was at the very top of my "must do's." I made plans 6 months in advance, which wouldn't be so bad , but the the plane tickets will cost $200 + any additional ticket prices to change the dates. Multiply that times 6... yea, we weren't about to lose all that money, but I just wanted to express how bad I wanted to go on Indy.

Now my wife on the other hand is disappointed about Indy being down, but is THE biggest Alice in Wonderland fan I have ever met. When I told her Alice would be down while we were there she almost broke out into tears. Add finding Nemo to that and we were depressed to hear all the bad news. The kids were also upset about it too but what can we do, we're going to make the best of it.

So considering I've been to WDW many times but never to DLR, I really wanted to see the non-WDW type rides more than anything. But to look on the bright side, I'm sure my family and I will love DLR enough to make a return trip some year.

Totally valid points. I don't think on this side of things we stress enough for our WDW cousins that refurbs are volatile at DLR. Even before the past two turbulent years with the scheduling impacts from last year's DOSHA fines, refurbs are announced, moved, shortened, lengthened, and canceled pretty regularly. Since most DLR visitors are locals, TDA (Team Disney Anaheim) can do that and not make many people unhappy--locals can just drive back for another day visit later.

You guys on the WDW side of things are used to TDO (Team Disney Orlando) being extraordinarily deliberate with the refurb schedule, with shorter refurbs that are announced in advance and not moved thereafter. For what it's worth, since things aren't as set in stone in Anaheim, you never know what will happen between now and your trip to DLR. Just know even among locals and other DLR vets, it can be very annoying, too. You don't know what "AAARGH!" is until you arrive at DL the day before a multi-year closure of Space Mountain--your favorite ride--only to learn they closed it, by surprise, *one day earlier*.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I actually like it a lot better now. I thought it used to be way to jerky and really uncomfortable. Now the padding helps A LOT. JMO.

What padding? The current bobsleds have hard plastic seats.

 

[seagodess]

What padding? The current bobsleds have hard plastic seats.

I was just on it last week and there was some sort of padding on it I thought. Maybe it was just softer plastic. I remember when I went on it years ago it was really uncomfortable and hard seats. This time was much better and I liked it way more. DH said the same thing.

 

[allsaintsatx]

I'd much rather have a long rehab with a nice ride come out at the end (BTMRR) that a short rehab with a ride that still has problems (Indy).

This times 1000. We had so many trips where we weren't able to go on "must do" rides because they were constantly breaking down. At least with a scheduled lengthy refurb, you know long beforehand that the ride will be down and that when the refurb is over the chances of constant breakdowns are slim.

One of our trips we collected a handful of Splash and Indy fast passes that made great scrapbook souvenirs considering we never got on them because of breakdowns.

Besides, it gives you something to look forward to on the next trip! We've been going to DLR since 2011, and our DS was too little for BTMRR. The next 2 times it was down for refurb. When we go in August it'll be like a new ride opening because we've NEVER been on BTMRR!! Woo hoo!!

 

[Kemorr]

I'm disappointed, too. We're going the second week of June and I feel like all the rides that are at DL and not WDW are the ones that are going to be closed. We've been to WDW 3 x and will likely go again several times but I think it highly unlikely we'll ever go to DL again. We're going when DH has a conference in Anaheim, so he will be at his conference and the kids and I will be in the parks. I really only wanted to go to DLR to experience the rides that WDW doesn't have, so I am bummed that so many of the ones that are closed are the unique ones. The only good news is that I'm not going to tell the kids, so they won't be disappointed, although Space is DD's favorite ride so even though it isn't unique to DLR, she will be bummed it is closed.