Height restriction ?-- Matterhorn and Gadget's Go Coaster

[tinknsnow]

Hi all

We are only five days out from our first trip to DL!

My son is 2 1/2 years old and 36.5" tall. The Disneyland website (official one) and Allearsnet.com both list only a 35" height restriction for both Matterhorn and Gadget's Go Coaster. However, the ride info page here at DIS also lists a 3-year age requirement as well as the 35" height.

Is there truly an age requirement? Does anyone know? We are very familiar with Goofy's Barnstormer at WDW (it was my two daughters' "break-in" to Splash, Thunder, and now Space Mtn) and I am sure my son could mentally handle a ride of similar action.

What are your thoughts on 1) any actual age restriction and 2) these DL rides being too intense for a daredevil 2 1/2-year-old boy?

Thanks!

 

[ralfrick]

Well, for what it's worth, up until recently there was no ht. requirement at all on the Matterhorn.

Cheers.

 

[JenJen]

Matterhorn and Go Gadget use to be a age restriction with no height. What happened was too many guest were lying about there child's age so they changed it to a height requirement and a age restriction. Technically your child needs to be three years old and 35 inches to ride. I won't get into the reasons why because you most likely can care less but the age is there for a reason. Star Tours is the same way 40 inches and 3 years of age unless it has been changed.
JenJen

 

[tinknsnow]

I won't get into the reasons why because you most likely can care less but the age is there for a reason.
JenJen

Actually, I do care and would like to know.

I definitely understand the purpose of the height restrictions, because some rides have seatbelts/shoulder restraints/etc that may not fit some smaller people and therefore, there would be a safety issue. However, the age restriction makes less sense to me because children at age 3,4, or even 12 can be so very different in height, weight, maturity level, etc.

 

[Aggie96]

Gadget's Go Coaster is very similar to Goofy's Barnstormer, so you can definitely make your own call on that one. I would worry that he just might be too small to hold himself in place and he'd be thrown around a lot. My barely 40" daughter and I went on it several times a few weeks ago and she did fine, but I did have to hold on to her. The things you would want to know about the Matterhorn before going on are that there are some dark passages and several appearances by a roaring abominable (sp?) snowman. And it's a very jerky ride. My daughter wouldn't ride it again (she loved Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad). So safety wise, I'd say if the cast members let him on either ride he'll be okay but you'll have to hold on to him (which I'm sure you would anyway). But the fear factor of the Matterhorn might be something to consider. I would definitely say you should ride it without him once so at the very least you can talk him through it.

My two and a half year old is also pretty fearless. She isn't phased by Snow White or Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, while my four year old won't ride them. But I personally wouldn't take her on the Matterhorn even if the cast members let me. I didn't try to take her on either of them though, so I can't offer anything on whether or not they actually ask about age.

Hope that helps! Have fun!!

 

[JenJen]

One of the reasons is a maturity issues with children under three they tend to freak out on Mattahorn or any of the bigger rides. When kids are scared they try to get up. Also there is a insurance issue. If your child gets hurt on the attraction that they do not meet the requirements for they are not covered. Disney put up the signs in the front and ask the age of the child and if they still get on then they do not have to cover any expenses if the child gets hurt. Another reason is that children under three do not have the same development in the spinal/Neck area as children over three and it can cause injury. These are just some of the things there is a age and height on those attractions not all.

 

[tinknsnow]

Thank you for all the great info.

Aggie96, I appreciate all the details about the rides. We will definitely check them out before taking our DS on, even if he is allowed to ride. I didn't realize Matterhorn could be scary for little kids!

It is funny, though, what different kids can handle and what they each find to be frightening. For example, my oldest DD at 3 1/2 was totally okay with Snow White's Scary Adventures but she freaked out on Winnie the Pooh! Yes, Winnie the Pooh! She did not like the thunderstorm sounds during the Heffalumps & Woozles song segment.

Meanwhile, my younger DD could ride on any coaster all day long, and took Haunted Mansion like a pro... but the Carrousel made her very nervous and she was "done" after only one ride.

Anyway, sorry to ramble but I really found your post to be quite helpful. I don't want to bend any rules or (worse) scare my son by taking him on a ride he's not ready for.

 

[Missus Toad]

I didn't know about the age restriction on Gadget! My just turned 2 year old went on it (the "train"!) and loved it!

 

[CalGal]

Currently, the DL "guide to the Magic" that you get at the park only lists height restrictions of 35" for both Matterhorn and Gadget. There are no age restrictions noted, but I also remember when Matterhorn listed a minimum age of 3. I agree that it depends on individual children, but I would agree that Gadget would be fine for most 2.5 year olds that meet the height restrictions. Matterhorn is rougher, much longer, and a bit spookier. I'd stick with GGC and the dozens of other rides without height or age restrictions.