Matterhorn & Indy

[GoofySon'sMom]

Ok, I had mentioned on another thread that DS and I are serious wimps when it comes to ride. It took us years to work up to Test Track and BTMRR in WDW. We both love TT, he loves BTMRR more than I but I can ride it a couple of times each trip. No Splash, Space, TOT for us!

In reading about Matterhorn, we are under the impression that it is similar to BTMRR --- is that true? I know it will be rough but are there any steep drops? Is the speed about the same?

Dinosaur in Animal Kingdom TERRIFIED us both. DS was 9 and I didn't think he would ever trust my opinon again! Is Indy similar? I am not sure that I can do the snake room if I can convince myself that the rest of the ride might be ok.

I hate to miss two of the DL classics but we are truly fraidy cats when it comes to rides! Any insights?

 

[sonnyjane]

I haven't been on Dinosaur, but from what I have read on these boards, Indy and Dinosaur are very similar - basically the same ride with different theming. In my opinion, Matterhorn is not that much like Big Thunder - it is more like a "bobsled" ride with lots of twists and (JERKY) turns, but not any dramatic drops. You can always YouTube the ride to see what the twists/turns are like.

 

[Dobie]

Indy is way better than Dinosaur--I don't know why, but it seems less jerky.

Did you know that the drop incline on Splash is only 45 degrees? Thats the same as a playground slide!!! It only looks like a straight drop.

 

[tanyaewa]

Splash is easy from the back - but FRIGHTENING from the front!
Mulholland Madness is the most terrifying for me.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I think that Matterhorn is much tamer than BTMRR, however, in the beginning it is almost pitch black as you are going up the hill (in case that may scare you or your son). There is only one small drop towards the end that is so small I don't even get that "falling" feeling.

I have been on both Indy and Dinosaur, although I don't remember much about Dinosaur. Indy IMO is extremely jerky, I always end up with a sore back after that one. I took DD on it when she was 7 and it terrified her, she hated it. That being said I know it's a favorite of lots of DISers.

 

[HydroGuy]

I agree Matterhorn is tamer than BTMRR. No steep drops. And much slower. At least it feels much slower to me.

Yes Indy and Dinosaur are similar in style of ride systems. However IMO Dinosaur is scarier by wau of theming. Indy has a more fun feel. Dinosaur has scary looking dinosaurs everywhere.

 

[AliceCullen]

I am a big baby when it comes to roller coasters and I cannot do steep drops either so I've never been on Splash, Space or anything similar. However I LOVE BTMM and was so disappointed that it was closed when I was there last week. The only thing that made me feel better was that I got to ride the Matterhorn which I feel is similar in that there are no big drops and it's just really fast and exciting. I also LOVED Indy and there are no big drops in it either, though it is jerky as other people mentioned.

And I agree with a previous poster who said Mulholland Madness is the scariest. I thought I was going to fly out of the seat on every turn. I will never do that one again.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Thank you all for the input/advice. We just watched ride videos and feel very confident that we can do the Matterhorn. I don't see that I will be going on Indy - really can't handle the snakes and then what -- bats? Unfortunately Disney's ability to hit all your senses makes those a little to real feeling for me! I don't even like Its Tough to Be a Bug! DS is debating Indy ... he may try it with DH. He really, really hated Dinosaur though and can't get that out of his mind. The snakes don't freak him out though.

Seems that Mulholland Madness is like Primevil Hurl ... errrr ... Whirl. Yeah, thats a no go not as much for fear as for the nausea factor!

 

[DLtorgo]

I would encourage you to give Indy a chance. There is only one large snake and it doesn't even touch the car. There are no bats. There are jets of air that will blow on you right near the end that are supposed to be poison darts shooting at you. The ride is very jerky, but no drops and nothing will reach out and brush against you or anything.

I am a big scaredy too. I could never ever go into one of those haunted house places where actors grab you. I would have heart failure!!!!

The Matterhorn has no drop sensation either. Be aware that if you have never ridden Pirates at DL there are two small drops at the beginning. Just so you are aware.

 

[Mister Toad]

I would encourage you to give Indy a chance. There is only one large snake and it doesn't even touch the car. There are no bats. There are jets of air that will blow on you right near the end that are supposed to be poison darts shooting at you. The ride is very jerky, but no drops and nothing will reach out and brush against you or anything.

I am a big scaredy too. I could never ever go into one of those haunted house places where actors grab you. I would have heart failure!!!!

The Matterhorn has no drop sensation either. Be aware that if you have never ridden Pirates at DL there are two small drops at the beginning. Just so you are aware.

The worst part about the matterhorn is the jerkiness and the yeti. The ride itself isn't too scary.

From everything I know about Dinosaur, it isnt the ride thats scary, its the theming. Indy isn't too scary of theming in my opinion (as stated before, big snake, some more tense moments, etc.) but the ride itself isnt too scary either (no drops, etc.)

Good luck, I would say ride them and have fun, its Disney, they won't kill you or anything!

 

[skiingfast]

Surely do Indy. I think overall it is jerky like Dinosaur, but has move smooth areas. It's not as dark either and doesn't have the sudden dinoaurs popping out and screaming at you.

If you don't go that's too bad, if your son is considering it and doesn't thats a shame.

Matterhorn has a little jerk to it when compared to BTMRR which is curvy and smooth with lots of humps. But the Matterhorn is really not steep at all and is really fun and well lit during the day.

 

[skiingfast]

The worst part about the matterhorn is the jerkiness and the yeti. The ride itself isn't too scary.

QUOTE]

Whoa there, the Matterhorn doesn't have a Yeti, that's on Expedition Everest.
And that Yeti is scary, on the Matterhorn is Harold, and he doesn't lunge out like the Yeti on EE, he just waves a hello as you go by.

 

[nana50]

The abominable snowman does not wave.....he growls at you with glowing red eyes. Scared my daughter until she was a teenager.

 

[Eeee-va]

I agree with others that the Matterhorn isn't particularly scary (maybe marginally worrisome if you're afraid of heights, but even then, it's OK)--but it is very jerky. Try to go limp.

If you or your son get on Indy, I'd try to get seated as near to the center of the vehicle as possible. That will make the motion somewhat less pronounced (and "protect" you/your son from any outlying effects like the giant snake).

I'm not so bothered by the psychological elements in the rides, but I don't like large drops at all. DLtorgo is right that there are two flume drops in PotC out here. I think if you're prepared for them you will be OK, but they are definitely there.

Have a great trip!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Seems that Mulholland Madness is like Primevil Hurl ... errrr ... Whirl. Yeah, thats a no go not as much for fear as for the nausea factor!

 

[Mister Toad]

The worst part about the matterhorn is the jerkiness and the yeti. The ride itself isn't too scary.

QUOTE]

Whoa there, the Matterhorn doesn't have a Yeti, that's on Expedition Everest.
And that Yeti is scary, on the Matterhorn is Harold, and he doesn't lunge out like the Yeti on EE, he just waves a hello as you go by.

Haha, my mistake, not Yeti, Harold the Abominable Snowman

 

[mom2rtk]

The worst part about the matterhorn is the jerkiness and the yeti. The ride itself isn't too scary.

QUOTE]

Whoa there, the Matterhorn doesn't have a Yeti, that's on Expedition Everest.
And that Yeti is scary, on the Matterhorn is Harold, and he doesn't lunge out like the Yeti on EE, he just waves a hello as you go by.

I'm thinking that the EE Yeti isn't very scary any more either..... now that he just stands there motionless...........

 

[WonkaKid]

Live in Chicago and made it to Disneyland 3 times last year! Hope to make it 2 this year if I can!

Hey, I live in Chicago too. Made it to DL in February and hope to make it again in either late August or early October.

Rob

 

[nannyz]

I am a super big scaredy cat and went to DL several times before I got up the nerve to go on Splash Mountain. All through the ride I was sure I was going to my death. But when the big splash came, it was so wonderful!!! I felt so silly for being scared so long. Now it's the first thing I want to ride.
As for Indiana Jones, it's very jerky and scary but also very fun. If snakes scare you, you can just close your eyes when you see the big snake; and there aren't any other snakes that I can remember.
I find Matterhorn to be more frightening than Indiana Jones or Splash Mountain.

 

[Hauntedmansion13]

I am a Big Thunder Mountain Fantic. I hate rollercoasters and when I go in October I am most definately going to try it. Try out SM it's just dark and jerky not bad at all.