Matterhorn

[WebmasterMaryJo]

We got routed onto both sided this last trip! I'm not so sure which is Fantasyland or Tomorrowland side though... is Fantasyland the right side when you split, closer to the Alice in Wonderland bathrooms? We did that one first, pretty bumpy, but not too bad. Then we did the left side and Holy Crap! It was a bit more bumpy, but the thing that I noticed is that you got A LOT more side to side jolts because it seemed like the track was higher on one side of the sled than the other, so when you went around turns, it slid your butt to the low side, and I actually yelped a few times in a combination of pain and excitement! So very fun, though!! Love the Matterhorn! Am I correct in thinking that it was the world's first steel track coaster? Pretty impressive stuff!

Agree with your assessment, and yes, this is the first steel track coaster - so it's iconic for different reasons.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I haven't read the comments before mine, so apologies if it's been said. If/when you ride, lean forward in your seat and maybe even grab the bar on the seat in front of you, especially if you're in the back of the bobsled. The key is to not have your tailbone hit the seat on that last drop where you get some air. The new enhancements are really cool, but they did nothing to the smoothness and there are still the crummy seats to deal with.

 

[grandmajan]

How does it compare to other coasters in disneyland. I love the Matterhorn but have been afraid of any other coasters. Are there any that are comparable.

 

[wench]

I love the Matterhorn, especially with the new updates. But, it does hurt. I still try to do it at least once per trip, but ouch!

 

[RKKUNK]

It is bumpy and it hurts! My husband is tall and it is a tight squeeze for him, making it even more uncomfortable. We rode it once to see the new effects and that is it for us. My DS used to love this ride and he said he didn't even want to ride it anymore. And he is a teenager!

 

[V.I.N.C.E.N.T.]

Very cool effects, and I found a way to make it tolerable for me. I plant my feet firmly on the "footrests" and press my back to the seat, slightly lifting my tailbone off of the seat. Gives a little more room for vertical and horizontal movement during the ride. I try to lift up a bit more for the drops right before. Was able to ride it several times without issue last week. I think the one thing you want to avoid is staying loose, it really throws you around.

 

[agamble]

How does it compare to other coasters in disneyland. I love the Matterhorn but have been afraid of any other coasters. Are there any that are comparable.

If you want to try a different coaster I recommend Big Thunder Mountain first. With the new track it is very smooth. It's not too fast and doesn't have big drops. If you like that one, then head over to Space Mountain. Space is my favorite ride in Disneyland. It is much faster than Big Thunder or the Matterhorn though. However, it does not have big drops either. It is mostly sharp turns in the dark with a few dips. The coasters to avoid if you're afraid of coasters are those at DCA. Screamin' has the launch start, which is why my mom hates it, and then several large drops and a loop. Goofy's is not super fast and doesn't have dips, but the turns are incredibly sharp. And it isn't themed like the Disneyland coasters so you can see the ground the whole time, which makes it seem scarier too.

 

[GatorChris]

It's a once per trip ride for me. I can't handle more than that. I always come away with a headache and a sore butt!! The new effects are cool though.

Exactly how we feel. Once a trip. Any more and we can't ride anything but dark rides.

 

[sunshine1]

Found it painful when i went on it two weeks ago which is a shame as i enjoyed seeing the Yeti.

Back felt it had been slapped.

 

[Canuck16]

It has been closed for refurb on all but one of our trips and it was rough then.....sounds like the recent closure didn't address that issue.

 

[HopLow1968]

Space Mountain is my favorite ride in Disneyland. It is much faster than Big Thunder or the Matterhorn though.

My understanding is that its actually not. Its just effects to make you think that you're going fast.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's actually surprisingly like riding a real bobsled

That is what they were going for, so it's not that surprising. That's what a few CMs told me, at least!

Of course, not everyone wants to go on a bobsled while at a themepark...

yes, this is the first steel track coaster

Wow, that's cool.

How does it compare to other coasters in disneyland. I love the Matterhorn but have been afraid of any other coasters. Are there any that are comparable.

All other coasters are much smoother. (Indy isn't a real coaster IMO...if it is to you, that's bumpier than Matterhorn)

It has been closed for refurb on all but one of our trips and it was rough then.....sounds like the recent closure didn't address that issue.

They weren't wanting to address it; they MADE it bumpier with the big huge refurb. It was their intention.



So...I've posted a lot about my rotten trip in July, but WEIRDLY Matterhorn was one bright spot! Last time I rode, when it was newly made bumpier, I got a bruise on my leg that lasted for months. I hated it! DS wanted to ride, we went single rider, I think I was in the back, and this time I really LIKED it. I didn't feel beat up or shaken up or anything. I just liked it. So...that was weird. But nice.

 

[Canuck16]

Yikes I don't think my back could take it being MORE bumpier.

 

[agamble]

My understanding is that its actually not. Its just effects to make you think that you're going fast.

You are probably right. I looked several years ago and both were listed as about 35mph. However, a CM told me that I was wrong and Space is about 50mph. I doubt the CM is correct that Space is that fast, but it made me wonder if it was actually faster than I found online. A quick search still shows both coasters around 35mph. But even the feeling could be enough to keep someone who's timid about coasters off. My daughter will ride any of the rides, but she definitely finds this one scarier than Big Thunder. She finds the TOT the scariest of all, but she isn't yet tall enough for Screamin'. She's five.

 

[8lovesmickey]

I'm not sure if this helps, but I've found that if I brace myself as if I'm in a real bobsled (feet pushed against the rests, back snug against the seat, hands holding the bars tightly) that the ride feels much smoother. It's actually surprisingly like riding a real bobsled, as the ice tracks end up pretty beat up throughout the season. I just imagine that it's the real thing, and the experience seems less like a bumpy rollercoaster, and more like an icy adventure!

Good advice - I rode in June and after that started calling it the Batter Horn. I honestly didn't even get a good look at the new Yeti because I was trying to figure out a way to brace myself better. I ended up with bruises on my forearms and shins... and it's not like I'm a tiny little thing getting thrown around . It's such a tradition for me that I'll probably try again when I go in a few weeks, but maybe I'll try your method! Or some padded clothing!!

 

[LizzyS]

It's bumpy but it doesn't bug me in the slightest. I ride it multiple times per trip. Love it!

Me, too!

 

[MommyLove]

This was my DH's fave ride, but now he can't even ride it anymore, he says it hurts too much. So sad.

Next time we go, we'll have to try the tips of sitting in front and leaning forward. I really want him to at least see the new effects. We'll probably do it the last day of our trip if I can convince him!

 

[Indiana Scott]

Like others, it's a one time per trip ride for us now. It's just too rough and painful now.

 

[Blondie Mom]

Could anybody tell me how it compares in roughness to Space Mtn. at Disney World?

 

[OKW Lover]

We did the right (Fantasyland) side in July and found it tolerable. The new effects are nice!