New Matterhorn Cars

[Spassvogel]

Just a heads up for those who haven't gone on the new Matterhorn cars and are big & tall...I'm 6'7" 360 and one of the things I liked about the old cars was that they had plenty of room, but the new cars with the fixed seats are a lot tighter. The CM suggested the front seat of the front car and I was able to scissor my legs (crossed at the ankles) and with my hands push my knees under the edge of the sled. I did get a calf cramp and had to stand up and they were about to throw me off before I jammed myself back down, hehe. I was determined after that line.

Anyway, just a heads up. I will probably cross Matterhorn off the list form here on out because it was pretty uncomfortable even though I did manage to stuff myself in. You really feel every jerk, bump, and turn in the front boy howdy.

The only other rides I can't fit at all in are the Mulholland Madness (now Goofy's Sky School) and Space Mountain. (still mad about that one, I loved that ride before they remodeled). What sucks is that I think even if I dropped some weight, I still wouldn't able to fit because of my height. Ah well, still plenty of fun to be had.

 

[TinkFreak988]

I agree about the new bobsleds. We did not have size issues as much as the bobsleds are not at all comfortable.... I rode twice last week, and came up later with a back ache that I have never experienced at DL. I will probably always ride the Matterhorn at least once per trip, because it is a "have to" ride for us, but will not do it over and over again as in the past.
My DD, who is 12, had no issues and still loved it.

 

[sandgrace]

On the plus side the new bobsleds do look better for smaller and shorter people ( like me and my DD7). I've always felt less than secure on the Matterhorn in the past although I've always enjoyed it, my legs and my body would just slide around. My DH who is 6'3" may have a different opinion though!

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

I'm 5'4" and I didn't enjoy the new bobsleds at all! I will not be riding again. It's very hard to get comfortable and I couldn't reach the hand bars because I couldn't get my arms back far enough.

Both DBF and I had sore backs after riding.

 

[stitchluver]

Actually, the front of the bobsleds aren't as comfortable compared to the other seats

 

[elgerber]

Actually, the front of the bobsleds aren't as comfortable compared to the other seats

I have no experience with the old cars but we ride the new ones twice and my whole family agreed that was plenty. I am 5 foot 8 and kept sliding almost off the front seat through the entire ride, it was so rough and there was nothing really to hang onto well.

 

[Gisele]

I am the same height as yourself, so between that and all else that I have read so far about the new bobsleds I am most unfortunately not looking forward to this ride now. Why in hades was it changed anyway? If it ain't broke don't fix it!

~~ I love you Phil and you will forever be with me! Forever my very best and most special friend! I love you to no end. ~~​

 

[DisneytheKid]

Thanks for the insight on the new cars!

 

[karrit2000]

Based on the pictures I've seen of the new bobsleds they look very similar to the rockets for Space Mountain at WDW. I am no longer able to get myself in & out of those rockets easily so I rarely ride SM at WDW anymore. Looks like I may only be trying Matterhorn once.

 

[elgerber]

Based on the pictures I've seen of the new bobsleds they look very similar to the rockets for Space Mountain at WDW. I am no longer able to get myself in & out of those rockets easily so I rarely ride SM at WDW anymore. Looks like I may only be trying Matterhorn once.

Actually they are easier to get in an out of than the Space Mountain rockets, but they are not as comfortable or secure.

 

[Virgoinab]

I have to agree about the new bobsleds for tall people.

I was just there last week, and the cast member suggested that I sit in the front seat.

I am tall, and carrying around some extra weight. Not much but enough to make my hips generous.

Well, that sadly will be the last time I ride the matterhorn. There is very little leg room, and I had to jam my knees just to sit.

The width was fine in many ways, did not have a problem with that, just the leg room. My neicie who is almost 6' had a heck of time in the middle seat, and even my mother who is all of 5' 4" felt very cramped in the back seat.

Not to mention it almost feels like you "feel" the bumps more, compared to the old bobselds.

For those who like the new sleds, great, I am happy for you, honest.

But for me, that could be the last time I ride the matterhorn, not worth the pain my knees and backside afterward.

 

[Spassvogel]

@Virgoinab Your experience sounds identical to mine. I felt every bump, jag, turn, and slowdown. It was not a comfortable ride. I wonder whether they were forced by some regulation to re-do the sleds and the old ones were grandfathered in.

You'll recall the old sleds had a seatbelt that was almost as spindly as the Autopia ones. Gravity held you in the sled, seat-belt or no.

Bleah.

 

[kverdon]

I'll agree here. I just rode Matterhorn Yesterday and it's my last time for life!!! I'm 5'9" and though overweight I fit in the seat just fine but had a hard time jamming my feet in the foot holes and my legs just would not fit. I had to sit with my knees spread out and jammed up towards my shoulders. It was so bad it hurt, I was in abject PAIN! I felt every little bump that sent waves of pain through my legs. When the ride was over I could hardly stand much less walk. My wife said my face was so grey she was very concerned. I hobbled to a bench while my wife went in search of Advil. 4 Advil later and I got ambulatory again. It took about an hour for all the pain to subside and I could walk normally again.

These cockpits are much smaller than WDW Space Mountain as I fit those just fine. I don't see these lasting long, there are going to be many complaints.

Kevin

 

[pixiewings71]

I have to agree about the new bobsleds for tall people.

I was just there last week, and the cast member suggested that I sit in the front seat.

I am tall, and carrying around some extra weight. Not much but enough to make my hips generous.

Well, that sadly will be the last time I ride the matterhorn. There is very little leg room, and I had to jam my knees just to sit.

The width was fine in many ways, did not have a problem with that, just the leg room. My neicie who is almost 6' had a heck of time in the middle seat, and even my mother who is all of 5' 4" felt very cramped in the back seat.

Not to mention it almost feels like you "feel" the bumps more, compared to the old bobselds.

For those who like the new sleds, great, I am happy for you, honest.

But for me, that could be the last time I ride the matterhorn, not worth the pain my knees and backside afterward.

I'm 5'4" and I just sat in the back car yesterday, I wasn't cramped at all. I had plenty of leg room and actually couldn't touch my feet to the end of the "leg holes" in the front of the car at all, I held onto the handles in the side of the car and was fine, not cramped at all.
DBF is 6'3", he was in the front and he had no problems either. He is 200 lbs and I'm about 140, just for reference.
We rode on the TL side and it was extremely bumpy, I did not enjoy it at all, in July I rode with DD and was in the middle car, we were on the FL side (I prefer the FL side so we usually ride on that side) that time and it was not as bumpy, the TL side is definitely not as easy on the back.
I am not a fan of the new sleds either, but I fit just fine, I did have trouble getting up, that was awkward to say the least, if DBF's Dad had ridden I don't think he could have gotten back up.......

 

[sunny45]

this is pretty good video showing the new bobsleds


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv9JxWqJfrU

 

[Virgoinab]

I'm 5'4" and I just sat in the back car yesterday, I wasn't cramped at all. I had plenty of leg room and actually couldn't touch my feet to the end of the "leg holes" in the front of the car at all, I held onto the handles in the side of the car and was fine, not cramped at all.
DBF is 6'3", he was in the front and he had no problems either. He is 200 lbs and I'm about 140, just for reference.
We rode on the TL side and it was extremely bumpy, I did not enjoy it at all, in July I rode with DD and was in the middle car, we were on the FL side (I prefer the FL side so we usually ride on that side) that time and it was not as bumpy, the TL side is definitely not as easy on the back.
I am not a fan of the new sleds either, but I fit just fine, I did have trouble getting up, that was awkward to say the least, if DBF's Dad had ridden I don't think he could have gotten back up.......

Well, we did find the new cars uncomfortable.

As with most things, everyone's experiance will be their own.

 

[PHXscuba]

I appreciate the tips. We will be putting our tall DS16 with his nice young back in the front and I will sit in the back!

PHXscuba

 

[pixiewings71]

Well, we did find the new cars uncomfortable.

As with most things, everyone's experiance will be their own.

I didn't say the cars weren't uncomfortable. I simply reported my own experience, being the same height as your Mother my experience was different. That's also why I posted our weights, I have no idea what size your Mom is so that may have contributed to her situation. I wasn't disagreeing with you, I simply stating my experience and giving that information to others who may be 5'4" and want to ride the Matterhorn. In fact, I believe I did say that I found it to be bumpy, in other words uncomfortable, on the TL side, much worse then on the FL side.

 

[algae]

I was hoping the new cars would give us a smoother ride, but it's still a bumpy, painful ride. It might be a bit harsher ride than the older cars. They need to smooth the track or put in some shock absorbers and cushy seats, but we continue to ride it anyways I like the older cars for the space because I'm usually the odd man out and don't have to sit with someone in my lap--just a backpack Even still, the back seat in the new cars have plenty of room for me and my backpack.

 

[Virgoinab]

I didn't say the cars weren't uncomfortable. I simply reported my own experience, being the same height as your Mother my experience was different. That's also why I posted our weights, I have no idea what size your Mom is so that may have contributed to her situation. I wasn't disagreeing with you, I simply stating my experience and giving that information to others who may be 5'4" and want to ride the Matterhorn. In fact, I believe I did say that I found it to be bumpy, in other words uncomfortable, on the TL side, much worse then on the FL side.

I agree that is why I said "as with most things everyone's experiance will be their own"