Matterhorn question

[Boardwalker]

Ride looks like fun. Quick question, what kind of ride track/system does it utilize. I guess my question is, is there a comparable ride (that uses that system, I know there isn't a Matterhorn at WDW) at WDW? It just looks kind of unique. Kind of like Indy/Dinosaur use the same ride system.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Apparently it's a little like MK's Space Mountain.

 

[Boardwalker]

Is it an older ride?

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Is it an older ride?

It's the first tubular steel coaster or something - it opened in 1959. It's old, and you feel every year.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Is it an older ride?

Oh, yes. Matterhorn opened twelve years before Space Mountain, in 1959.

 

[Boardwalker]

It's the first tubular steel coaster or something - it opened in 1959. It's old, and you feel every year.

So it is similar to SM.

 

[Boardwalker]

Oh, yes. Matterhorn opened twelve years before Space Mountain, in 1959.

Cool pic, looks like I learned something today!

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Apparently it's a little like MK's Space Mountain.

They've been compared to one another, but I would say they are ultimately very different beasts.

I expected a Magic Kingdom Space Mountain-esque ride from Matterhorn. I was shocked by the very rough ride and the way the bobsleds seemed to kind of slip and slide along the track. It's pretty unique. Very rough, but fun. Nothing like Space Mountain for me.

 

[Californian Elitist]

They've been compared to one another, but I would say they are ultimately very different beasts.

I expected a Magic Kingdom Space Mountain-esque ride from Matterhorn. I was shocked by the very rough ride and the way the bobsleds seemed to kind of slip and slide along the track. It's pretty unique. Very rough, but fun. Nothing like Space Mountain for me.

Thank you for this. Your perspective on the subject is better than mine. Very interesting.

I've heard so many times that Space in MK is rough like the Matterhorn. Interesting to hear a different opinion.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Space Mtn at WDW IS rough. The only thing I like about it is the single seat rows, and sitting in the front. It's rad. Other than that, the ride is awful - inaudible sound, bumpy and painful track. The mountain is SO huge though! I wish they had gone through with a refurb on it like DL's Space got in 2005 with a whole track rebuild. It needs it.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

See, I don't find it that rough. Rough compared to other Disney coasters? Of course. But that's how it's supposed to be. It's a much wilder ride than Disneyland's, where you basically glide around in circles and there's only one drop.

Matterhorn really does feel like you're careening down a mountain. The turns and little dips feel dangerous, like you could fly off the track. The WDW Space Mountain rockets are also much more comfortable than the new bobsleds. Of course, another factor here is the size of the person riding.

I mean, I guess they're similar. Being able to see where you're going is what really sets them apart. Still, I've tried closing my eyes on Matterhorn at night and imagining riding WDW's Space Mountain, and it still doesn't feel the same.

 

[lazyboy97o]

While they have different track layouts, the ride vehicles are very similar. That is what makes Space Mountain the closest comparison.

 

[Boardwalker]

Space Mtn at WDW IS rough. The only thing I like about it is the single seat rows, and sitting in the front. It's rad. Other than that, the ride is awful - inaudible sound, bumpy and painful track. The mountain is SO huge though! I wish they had gone through with a refurb on it like DL's Space got in 2005 with a whole track rebuild. It needs it.

DL SM has had a track rebuild??? Whaaaaat? Ok now I'm excited!

 

[Boardwalker]

And I just noticed the monorail goes to my resort, DL, DCA, and DTD. Sweet!

 

[Boardwalker]

Space Mtn at WDW IS rough. The only thing I like about it is the single seat rows, and sitting in the front. It's rad. Other than that, the ride is awful - inaudible sound, bumpy and painful track. The mountain is SO huge though! I wish they had gone through with a refurb on it like DL's Space got in 2005 with a whole track rebuild. It needs it.

Agree with the rough ride. However the themeing of the mountain and the sheer size of it make a bench mark experience for WDW. The ride is pretty fun too, but brace yourself or it will make you pay!

 

[mcstensrud]

Probably one of the longest lines I waited in while I was there. Although I do not ride Space Mtn I came off the Matterhorn laughing because that ride is just so old I couldn't believed I survived it!!!!!

 

[Californian Elitist]

Yes, I've learned to brace myself and alter my seating position when I know a bump is going to hit. It helps.

 

[BubbaQuest]

My understanding is that the WDW SM track is based on the original Matterhorn roller coaster. DL SM is a different design/layout because of the smaller space in DL Tomorrowland. And yes, the DL SM track was rebuilt a few years ago. It is the same DL layout, just with new track/supports. It is fast and smooth!

As someone else mentioned the Matterhorn is a tubular steel coaster originally manufactured by Arrow Dynamics. If you have been on any Arrow coaster (the original corkscrew being their most famous), it is a similar system, without the corkscrew off course. The main difference is the tandem seating. I think this is what makes the ride rougher. Instead of a contoured seat to keep you in place, you slide side-to-side on the flat open seating.

I hate the new bobsleds that were introduced last year. I have to sit on my tailbone to fit in the car. This means I feel every single bump in my back. I definitely still recommend a ride at least once. It is a very unique experience and a great piece of Disney history.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

DL SM has had a track rebuild??? Whaaaaat? Ok now I'm excited!

Our SM got a complete rebuild in 2005 and new queue, show effects and soundtrack. WDW had a similar refurb planned for their SM in 2009, but cut it down to the barebones and the result was the placement of speakers along the track that may or may not pump out music your may or may not hear as you whizz by.

Our Big Thunder is undergoing a complete track rebuild right now as well, reopens in February. Matterhorn has had several refurbs that if I'm not mistaken, have resulted in a complete track replacement, but the new vehicles are painful. It's more bumpy and uncomfortable now than it ever has been in my experience.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

They aren't exactly the same system/layout, like Dinosaur and Indy, but if you're trying to find the ride at DLR most like MK's Space, it is absolutely the Matterhorn.

- older, rougher, steel coasters
- dual tracks
- low-slung ride vehicles
- single file seating
- trains of two cars with 3 seats each
- single lift hill
- similar height
- no big drops
- top speed 27 MPH
- very twisty layout