Matterhorn: "Must Do" enough to plan our trip around?

[iujen94]

We are a WDW family planning our first trip to DL for June 2012. We are from the east coast, so this may well be our only DL trip. I see that Matterhorn is closed for refurbishment until June 15. I'd really like to go June 9-14, but am wondering if I will be sad to miss out on Matterhorn. We could push our trip back a week (June 16-21) (assuming of course that Matterhorn actually re-opens when scheduled). Is Matterhorn "must do" enough to justify pushing our trip back, or should we stick with going when we really want to go?

 

[jemimabean]

I don't find it to be so. I ride it one or two times each visit, but honestly it's pretty jerky and sometimes hurts my back (and I'm not very old/don't have a bad back). I like riding it in that the kids love making sure that we ride all of the mountains each day, but on the days that we skipped (due to long lines or other time constraints), I didn't miss it.

I'd say that you should plan your trip for a time that works well for your family.

 

[sonnyjane]

First of all, I agree with the previous poster that I wouldn't really say it is so amazing that you need to plan your trip dates around it. It's fun and it's exclusive to Disneyland, but it's not life-changing

Secondly, I want to mention that I don't usually recommend planning a trip around ANY ride. Imagine the disappointment if you did push your dates back just to ride the Matterhorn even though different dates worked better for your family, but for some reason the refurbishment was behind schedule, or the ride was acting up and had to be closed for repairs. Talk about disappointment!

 

[Rhonna]

I am going to also agree with the pp's. It was the first mountain ride at disney but it's not anywhere near the quality of Space, Big Thunder, Expedition Everest, etc.

And just for background, I grew up going to DL once or twice a year when it was the only mountain. Even so, it doesn't hold the same nostalgia for me as say, Pirates or the original Tiki room.

(I've also been to WDW several times and DLP once.)

It can throw you around and be jerky and it doesn't have much of a theme.

There is also some refurb stuff going on with it that seems to not be set in stone.

If it was open I'd say try it once. But to change your trip for it alone, not at all.

 

[Eeee-va]

Secondly, I want to mention that I don't usually recommend planning a trip around ANY ride. Imagine the disappointment if you did push your dates back just to ride the Matterhorn even though different dates worked better for your family, but for some reason the refurbishment was behind schedule, or the ride was acting up and had to be closed for repairs. Talk about disappointment!

Excellent advice. Will you be in the parks 6/14? It is POSSIBLE the Matterhorn will open a day early (if so, with massive lines, granted). And it's also possible it would open a week late.

I don't find the Matterhorn very fun to ride, because of the bumpiness. I think with the new cars it might be a better experience (provided you can fit in to them!). It is a Disneyland classic, but I don't even feel a need to ride it every trip. I rode it this most recent trip because it was there with a 2 minute line, and because I knew it was my last chance to ride in the old cars.

Other attractions MAY be down that early in June, but it's hard to say. I don't know when CarsLand is opening--if it may possibly be open during your trip or not? That will create massive crowds, almost certainly, but it will be CarsLand, so I guess you win either way.

 

[skiingfast]

If you like rollercoasters the Matterhorn may be a must. It's the first tubular steel railed coaster in the world. It's a historical landmark not just a ride.


I would suggest delaying your visit. A month or more if possible.

Just because the odds are that you might also want to see Carsland with 3 new attraction and only one has similarities to anything in WDW. It's not know when it will open. Waiting until summer is in full swing will raise the chances it's open for you.


Also and this is big chances are good that visiting during June, 10 through 12th is setting you up for the busiest days of the Summer. A large group of AP may go then before being blocked for the Summer. It may be worst if Carsland opens right around that time.

 

[GrandBob]

I have to agree with Matt (Skiingfast) and disagree with the rest. The Matterhorn is a historical landmark, both for Disneyland and for roller coasters in general. Simply put, it's a classic.

I first visited Disneyland in 1960, when I was 8 years old. My brother and I hit Matterhorn more often than any other ride, waiting for up to 2 hours. It was our favorite ride. Now it's the favorite ride of our 8 year old DGD. Family tradition!

So, as Matt says, if you can delay until sometime in July, you get Matterhorn and Cars Land! Worth it if you can possibly swing the delay. But if not, and you have to go in June, then perhaps the "don't plan a trip around any one ride" mantra may be correct. You can always hope for an early opening.

-Bob

 

[rentayenta]

I am going to go against the grain and say the Matterhorn is a must if you've never been on it. Both during the day and night. It's totally iconic and Disney. I wouldn't plan my trip around one ride but if other dates are viable options, I would consider those.

 

[Briarrose1306]

I seem to be in the minority here too, I LOVE the Matterhorn! It's tied for first as my favorite ride at DL with Space. My BFF and I ride it as many times as we can when we're there. Riding it at night is a must in our opinion. I know I'm majorly bummed when it's not open while I'm there. I don't know that I'd plan my whole trip around it, but if you can push back to July, I'd do it.

 

[theokris]

i would wait to ride it ,its classic, we planned a trip for febuary found out it will be down, now were shooting for next week! i try to plan our trip so that the big 5 are all up and running,

 

[Roook22]

I love the Matterhorn, but after riding it twice last week during my visit, my back was very sore.
It is a rough ride and unique experience. I don't think it is enough to plan a trip around, but that is coming from someone who has already experienced it.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We are a WDW family planning our first trip to DL for June 2012. We are from the east coast, so this may well be our only DL trip. I see that Matterhorn is closed for refurbishment until June 15. I'd really like to go June 9-14, but am wondering if I will be sad to miss out on Matterhorn. We could push our trip back a week (June 16-21) (assuming of course that Matterhorn actually re-opens when scheduled). Is Matterhorn "must do" enough to justify pushing our trip back, or should we stick with going when we really want to go?

I don't know how tall your kids are (assuming kids since you said family), but there is suspicion that the height requirement will be raised after the refurb so I'd hate to push back a trip for a less convenient time and have a kid still too short.

 

[Huff]

I enjoy it but its not a must do. The kids love it and ride it over and over. I believe it is the worlds first steel coaster and a Disney classic. As others have said, it is VERY rough. Have no clue why since the track has been completely rebuilt a few times over the years yet still rough. No where near as good as modern coasters such as Everest. None the less, it is a fun classic but not a must do.

 

[HydroGuy]

If you like rollercoasters the Matterhorn may be a must. It's the first tubular steel railed coaster in the world. It's a historical landmark not just a ride.


I would suggest delaying your visit. A month or more if possible.

Just because the odds are that you might also want to see Carsland with 3 new attraction and only one has similarities to anything in WDW. It's not know when it will open. Waiting until summer is in full swing will raise the chances it's open for you.


Also and this is big chances are good that visiting during June, 10 through 12th is setting you up for the busiest days of the Summer. A large group of AP may go then before being blocked for the Summer. It may be worst if Carsland opens right around that time.

I have to agree with Matt (Skiingfast) and disagree with the rest. The Matterhorn is a historical landmark, both for Disneyland and for roller coasters in general. Simply put, it's a classic.

I first visited Disneyland in 1960, when I was 8 years old. My brother and I hit Matterhorn more often than any other ride, waiting for up to 2 hours. It was our favorite ride. Now it's the favorite ride of our 8 year old DGD. Family tradition!

So, as Matt says, if you can delay until sometime in July, you get Matterhorn and Cars Land! Worth it if you can possibly swing the delay. But if not, and you have to go in June, then perhaps the "don't plan a trip around any one ride" mantra may be correct. You can always hope for an early opening.

-Bob

I agree too with Ski and GB. Matterhorn is the icon of Disneyland and the first Disney mountain. The ride itself is cool but not super-spectacular. But IMO it is a must do because of what it represents.

For an entirely other reason, I would agree with Ski about pushing the trip even further if possible because of Cars Land at DCA opening sometime around then.

 

[goofiNess]

It is one of the most exciting rides..i hope you have decided when to go. Im sure you will have a blast even if you dont go on this ride...

 

[Disneyland1084]

The Matterhorn's a classic because my dad's elderly grandmother rode it in 1962 thinking it was a slow fantasy ride. Boy, did she get the shock of her life. She was okay when she got off though.

 

[tanyaewa]

Just be prepared - and since you know WDW you are aware - that even changing dates does NOT guarantee you will get on the Matterhorn (or any ride)
I have been 3 times in 5 years and each time it has been closed- for one reason or other, or there was 45 min lineups. We got all the way to the fron - maybe 6 people away last time and they closed it for the day.
It is a big park - actually 2! - so personally I would make my vacation work with flight & hotel dates.