Low Seats on Rides

[DisneyFan0304]

Hi --

I'm thinking of trying to go on the Matterhorn during my September trip. Are the seats low? I have bad knees so any attractions with low seats (like Space Mountain) won't work. Are there any other attractions with low seats that I might not be able to ride? Do they have ride vehicles that you can look at/try before you get in line?

One more question -- I'm also considering going on the giant ferris wheel. I'd like to go in one of the cars that doesn't move. If you're by yourself, can you have the car to yourself or do they fill them up? How many times do you go around?

Thanks a lot!!!!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I'd say Matterhorn's seats are low and difficult to get into. But, part of that depends on your height and weight. If you're on the shorter side and the thinner side, it's not half as bad as if you're taller or bigger. My mom has gotten on Matterhorn and she has bad knees, but she almost couldn't get out once she got in. You could always go through the single rider line and if you can't get in, just skip it I guess (the single rider is usually short so you wouldn't waste a lot of time). I don't know if you have any other body issues but for me the issue isn't my knees so much as my back. It's very jarring (unless they somehow fixed that with the latest refurb).

Mickey's Fun Wheel of Death stationary cars, in my experience, are filled the same as the moving ones--you usually share with one other small group of 2-3 unless there is practically no line at all. It's not so bad. You get to talk to someone about the barf bags and listen to teenage girls squeal about how scared they are. I think it goes around twice? It's either once or twice, I can't remember.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The Matterhorn seats are low! I always ask for CMs to help me get in and get out safely. There has never been a problem with this. I just let them know when I am waiting to board that I will need help. Sharing a car on Mickey's Death Wheel can be fun. You will have someone to take your picture. The last time we rode, the wheel went around twice.

 

[SMD]

I think they'd put at least 2 people to balance the seats. I've never been in either Ferris wheel car without at least 4 people, even as a party of 2. As a party of 3 we were paired with another party of 3. As a party of 5 we did get our own.

What do you mean by low seats? I don't find the height of the actual Space Mountain seat to be low, but the ride does load below ground level, so you need to climb in and out of the car. You could probably ask for the alternate loading area, but you're still climbing down into your seat there. Matterhorn has low seats. In the front there is a little rise, a few inches, but your legs are outstretched in front of you. The middle seat as less of a rise and you bend your knees. The back seat you are basically sitting in the floor of the bobsled and you bend your knees while sitting. The ride that I have a hard time with is Astro Orbiter. You have to climb into the car, it's kind of angled away from you, and then the bench seat is low in the vehicle and the space itself is narrow.

Other rides that load below the platform that you need to climb in and out of are POTC, IASW, Splash, Jungle Cruise, Storybookland and RSR. There are other rides where you step down a little, like Autopia and Screamin, but the others are rides where the seat is below ground level when you're loading and unloading. The rides with vehicles you can sit in outside the ride are teacups, Dumbo and Mr. Toad. So not too helpful there.

 

[Geemo]

I thought the RSR cars were a low to get in and out of.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't find the height of the actual Space Mountain seat to be low, but the ride does load below ground level, so you need to climb in and out of the car.

I agree. I was wondering if the OP was thinking about WDW's Space? Because DL's Space doesn't seem much different than many other rides.

 

[figment_jii]

If the latter issue (stepping down into the ride vehicle), then I would also add Pirates into the mix. You have to step onto the seat and then down onto the boat floor to get into that ride vehicle. RSR (as mentioned before) is similar (step down into car, then to the floor). Another tough ride would be Nemo...have to climb down the narrow stairs into a cramped space! I agree that DLR's Space isn't really all that much different from any seated ride vehicle. MK's Space has ride vehicles that are much more similar to Matterhorn, where the seat and foot spaces are all the same level. If that's the problem, then Matterhorn is really the only ride I can think of with that specific issue.

 

[YukonMommy]

I would also add IASW to the list as you have to step down and in.

Have a magical time!

 

[coaches24]

Im a 6 ft 250+ and I too have some knee issues on some rides. Ive been once since they refurbished the Matterhorn and I had read that the new cars were small but I tried it anyway. It was definitely a tight fit but not nearly as bad as I thought. My knees were right up against the seat in front of me and my right knee banged against the seat the first turn on the ride but I was able to keep that from happening after that and had a fun ride.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

My DH had his knee replaced a year ago, before the replacement he struggled with a lot of the rides hurting his knee. Matterhorn was one of them. He is 6' 3" 200 lbs. His mane issue was not enough room for his legs without bending his knee too much as this HURT a lot. I would say he had a hard time riding Space Mountain, Matterhon, all the dark rides in Fantasy Land and any others that had small amounts of leg area. Since the replacement he says he does not feel nearly the amount of pain he did before.

 

[DisneyFan0304]

Thanks everyone. I was thinking of Space Mountain at WDW. Not only do you have to step down into the car, but the seat is practically on the floor. I would definitely not be able to bend my knee enough to get my feet under me to get out of the car. I ride Pirates, Small World, etc. with no problem because the seat is raised so I can get the leverage to get out. I guess Matterhorn is out. As for the Fun Wheel of Death (LOL), now that I've heard it called that maybe I'll have to rethink that!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Space at WDW is like Matterhorn. There's not a lot of knee room on DL's Space, but it's not the same as WDW seating-wise. Definitely go on Space at DL. Totally different ride!

 

[Eighty8Keys]

I agree with what everyone else said. I would also add Autopia to the list. It had been years since I rode this and thought it would be fun. I was able to get into the vehicle okay, but had a very difficult time getting out. Super embarrassing. The man waiting with his son to get into the vehicle I was supposed to vacate offered his hand to help me out. Will never do this again. I've had both knees replaced and can manage okay on everything else. Matterhorn is a struggle but it's such a jerky ride now that I rarely ride it.

 

[LizzyS]

I want you to ride the Matterhorn!

Are you sure you can't just tell the CM that you will need help getting in and out of the ride vehicle? I'm not sure how bad your knees are, of course, but I have to admit that it's a tight squeeze and a bit low.

 

[figment_jii]

I have not ridden it in years (long enough that I don't remember for sure), but another ride that might have tough to get in and out of vehicles is Astro Orbiter. Looking at the photo on Allears.net, it kind of reminds me of the flat seats on the Matterhorn and MK's Space.

 

[LisaT91403]

I have not ridden it in years (long enough that I don't remember for sure), but another ride that might have tough to get in and out of vehicles is Astro Orbiter. Looking at the photo on Allears.net, it kind of reminds me of the flat seats on the Matterhorn and MK's Space.

I was just about to post that one. I have bad knees, but I don't have trouble on any rides other than this one.

Goofy's Sky School does not have much room in the front seat, so it can be difficult to navigate depending on your size.

 

[TechGuy]

Another trick I learned was in Space mount and on the Matterhorn, lean your torso forward and the jerky-ness of the ride seems diminished (less pain). the new MH cars are different than the older cars.

 

[lorijohnhill]

One other ride I would add to the list is the Canoe ride. At my daughter's urging, well, ok, begging, I looked at the canoes and though I could do them. You step down on the seat and then to the floor. Well, along with many other issues, I have bad knees. While going to the sitting position on the quite narrow bench, I ended up missing the seat and wound up folded like a taco; my head in my daughter's (8) lap, luckily it wasn't a stranger sitting behind me, and my feet in the air. Fortunately, my daughter wasn't hurt (just destroyed her sunglasses, which Disney very kindly replaced). I still don't know how the CMs got me out of there!

So, if you have knee problems, be very careful getting seated in a canoe.

 

[kangamama]

I've got finicky knees, and I find that a lot of the ride cars are on the low side, but getting in and out has never hurt my knees. CMs are always there to lend a hand, so keep that in mind. WRT to the Matterhorn in particular, I'm not sure I'll ever ride again, because the one time I did, my back got really jacked up.

 

[Allison]

I rode the ferris wheel in a car by myself. I went around several times but I think I may have been the only person on the whole ride.