Is Matterhorn really that great of a ride?

[Amy and kids]

I am really, really bummed right now because I just saw that the Matterhorn is going to be closed on April 19-23 and of course the days we will be at DRL are the 20th-23rd. Are we really going to be missing out on something great to not be able to ride the Matterhorn?

 

[DizNee Luver]

Riding the Matterhorn for our family is tradition....but usually riding it once is plenty for me.
The ride tends to be a bit jerky & not near as fun or comfortable a ride as say.....Space Mtn or Thunder Mt RR.........

Not getting to ride it is sad for the historical value of the Matterhorn.....but other than that.....I think you'll be fine!!

 

[Disney Dreams]

It's a fast, coaster-ish ride (no upside-down), in terms of the physical ride itself. The decor/themeing is fun.

Are you missing something? Sure. The Matterhorn. Are you missing the greatest thing ever? No.

Are you "really, really bummed" because it's your favorite? Or because something is closed? If it's the second, eh, there are lots of fun things to do at DLR.

- Dreams

 

[Amy and kids]

We've never been to DLR and Matterhorn is one of the more "well known" rides, so that's more or less why I was really, really bummed. I guess if a ride has to be closed I would chose that one over several others.

 

[haydeecm]

I know how you feel. I am visiting in 1.5 week, and will be my first time. I have been to WDW Orlando many times, and Matterhorn is one of the best known rides in Disneyland. I dont know if/when Ill be in Disneyland again, since Orlando is closer to relatives. So I am definitely bummed too.

 

[Eeee-va]

I like it for the history, but truthfully it's the only coaster at Disneyland Park that I don't actually enjoy. I find it too bumpy and the cars are far too big for me, yet too cozy for me to enjoy riding with someone else in the car. (I suppose that aspect might be different with a boyfriend/husband though. )

A short rehab like that MIGHT change dates too--of course I wouldn't count on it, but I would keep an eye on the schedule, just in case. I hope you can ride it, but no, I wouldn't say you're missing something "great" by its closure. (Unless by "great" you mean "great" in the way that all of Disneyland is wonderful. )

 

[blackjackdelta]

The world does not end with the ride being closed. Just a family thing we do each time we visit. It is not fast like screamin or Space Mtn, just fun but bumpy.

Jack

 

[Amy and kids]

A short rehab like that MIGHT change dates too--of course I wouldn't count on it, but I would keep an eye on the schedule, just in case. I hope you can ride it, but no, I wouldn't say you're missing something "great" by its closure. (Unless by "great" you mean "great" in the way that all of Disneyland is wonderful. )

That's what I was kinda thinking too, it is closed from now until March 11 for refurb and then again on April 12-16 and then again on the 19th-23rd for "additional work" is what it says. I can hold out hope that it will end up being unnecessary and it really won't need to be closed the whole time we're there, not counting on it though.

 

[Judy from Boise]

it is well known because it is been there a long time....the flip side of that is it is pretty lowtech, and very rough by today's standards. Many of us have such fond memories of when it was THE e-tcket, that it colors our opinions on it being a "must do".

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

I LOVE IT!!!!! Makes me giggle! Love the whole thing, from being in the line with the music to getting the seatbelts on to the end going through the water and hearing the message to stay seated!

 

[DanT]

Matterhorn was the first "steel" roller coaster in the world. Very old technology (1959). Bumpy, rough and tons of fun.
It is a very original ride as it is now....track and ride vehicle technology has come a long way in 50 years, but still a ride we do 1-2 times at every visit.

 

[EPRipley]

This is my first DISboards post. I just wanted to mention that Matterhorn was not always a rough ride. It only became rough after they added the tandem bobsleds. Regardless, I still think it's a fun ride. Especially at night. But with all there is to do at Disneyland, I don't think you'll miss it.

 

[Amy and kids]

Thank you all for your replies, it has me feel better about missing it. Although we may get 5 day hopper tickets and go for the evening of the 24th and then it is supposed to be open, so it's possible we may not miss it.

 

[lcasa]

If it makes you feel any better the brilliant imagineer who designed it - Bob Gurr - won't even ride it!
He hates coasters! But no one said no to Walt...

 

[auntiegem]

I love all thrill rides, but for me the Matterhorn just hurts way too much. It would be nice for you to be able to ride it, but I personally don't think it's anything to be too disappointed about missing. One year when we went in September, Splash, Space and BTMRR were all closed! We knew about the closures, so we were prepared. Even with that, we still had a great, great time. Now if POTC was down . . . THAT would be another issue altogether!

 

[Leofoenget]

I am really, really bummed right now because I just saw that the Matterhorn is going to be closed on April 19-23 and of course the days we will be at DRL are the 20th-23rd. Are we really going to be missing out on something great to not be able to ride the Matterhorn?

It's a Disney classic. Will it ruin your trip? No. I'm sorry you will miss it.

 

[PoohBearFriends]

The best thing about Matterhorn is that you get to see it and it is part of the park you can see from far away, even from the airplane. I think that is the special part for me. i don't know if they will totally "hide" it during rehab, but if it is there I will be ok.

I am also in the camp of too bumpy, do it once not more than that per visit.

 

[HydroGuy]

Matterhorn is cool for a number of reasons including being the unofficial icon for so many years. For my family and everyone else I knew, it was always a game when we drove to DL to see who would be the first to glimpse the Matterhorn peak from outside the park.

Now you have ToT and CA Screamin as well and the Matterhorn is not quite so unique of a landmark. When we drove in last August we were all trying to be the first to see Matterhorn, Space Mtn, ToT and Screamin. But in my heart Matterhorn is still king.

The other thing that no one has said is that Matterhorn is cool because it takes you up above DL. When you ride you get these quick glimpes of Tomorrowland, Nemo Sub lagoon, Fantasyland, etc. And of course you have to ride it both in the daytime and again at night because it feels so different.

I love it when we can time it to be on the ride when fireworks are going off. A couple years ago we got on BTMRR during the fireworks and it was very cool. On a different night we were all setup to be on Matterhorn during the RDCT fireworks and right before we got on they had a glitch and stopped the ride.

 

[joeysmommy]

I like the Matterhorn because as a kid it was one of favorite rides.
Though, now as an adult I find it to be sooo bumpy and uncomfortable- so my back and bottom don't care for it but the kids love it.

Every time we ride it I try to take pictures of different views of the park for a scrapbook page "Views from the Matterhorn".

You're not missing too much.

 

[Roandlilsmum]

Your not missing much, i dont really like it, when i went on it it was too jerky and i bruised all my legs, so i never went back on it again LOL. there are lots of other rides that are alot better in my opinion.

hope you have a great time