Matterhorn question

[George Lucas on a Bench]

The WDW refurb (a refurb that made you wonder why they even bothered) kinda downgraded the attraction, or at least failed to improve it. The corny video games destroy the ambiance in the tunnel, replacing the classic space windows. The queue next to the load area typically routes you through a plain hallway behind a wall and you can no longer look up and see the ride with glowing rockets, starfield and that big asteroid, which was always memorable and awesome. I guess it's improved the ride experience since it's darker now, but it's a trade-off.

I sort of like the soundtrack in the ride itself. I understand the criticism of it, though, since it's basically being played on speakers throughout the building that you pass by and it feels kinda cheap. People were hoping for onboard audio and a rebuild of the ride. Once again, Disneyland does it better.

The exit "speed" ramp is also more annoying now since they added a bunch of TVs (I guess a throwback to RCA) where people like to watch themselves rather than exit the ride quickly. What is this, Space Mountain or Sears?

 

[Cosmic Commando]

The WDW refurb (a refurb that made you wonder why they even bothered) kinda downgraded the attraction, or at least failed to improve it. The corny video games destroy the ambiance in the tunnel, replacing the classic space windows. The queue next to the load area typically routes you through a plain hallway behind a wall and you can no longer look up and see the ride with glowing rockets, starfield and that big asteroid, which was always memorable and awesome. I guess it's improved the ride experience since it's darker now, but it's a trade-off.

I sort of like the soundtrack in the ride itself. I understand the criticism of it, though, since it's basically being played on speakers throughout the building that you pass by and it feels kinda cheap. People were hoping for onboard audio and a rebuild of the ride. Once again, Disneyland does it better.

The exit "speed" ramp is also more annoying now since they added a bunch of TVs (I guess a throwback to RCA) where people like to watch themselves rather than exit the ride quickly. What is this, Space Mountain or Sears?

The hallway thing to me is remarkably dumb, because they normally don't even use all of the themed queue space available there. I don't really mind the ceiling over the load area, though; it was pretty cool, but I thought it was too dark to really get the rockets to glow, but still light enough to mess with the on-ride experience.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

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

Okay, note to whatever genius designed the new bobsleds. See how those Space Mountain seats have CUSHIONING? That's a needed thing. Thanks.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Okay, note to whatever genius designed the new bobsleds. See how those Space Mountain seats have CUSHIONING? That's a needed thing. Thanks.

I think that's just the illusion of cushioning... a single layer of material over the same hard plastic.

 

[Boardwalker]

One more thing. I really like MJs music and respect his career. But this captain EO revisited thing has gotten out of hand. It's at DL too? Give me a break and show me a 4-D about Figment at WDW. It's in the same building as the ride! Capt EO is freaking creepy. No offense....

 

[Cosmic Commando]

One more thing. I really like MJs music and respect his career. But this captain EO revisited thing has gotten out of hand. It's at DL too? Give me a break and show me a 4-D about Figment at WDW. It's in the same building as the ride! Capt EO is freaking creepy. No offense....

In the original ride and the current postshow, there are hints that there are multiple "Figments"... I'd love to see them expand on this idea in a 3-D movie.

EO, didn't Disney close that a tasteful 18 months after MJ died? They wouldn't milk the poor man's death for years and years, would they?

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

One more thing. I really like MJs music and respect his career. But this captain EO revisited thing has gotten out of hand. It's at DL too? Give me a break and show me a 4-D about Figment at WDW. It's in the same building as the ride! Capt EO is freaking creepy. No offense....

It's now just a placeholder until the budget is approved for the Star Wars expansion. Then it'll be closed to make room for something else.

 

[lazyboy97o]

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

I'm not sure what you are saying. The Disneyland Monorail has two stops, Tomorrowland and Downtown Disney. It goes through Disney's California Adventure and the Grand Californian but does not stop at either one.

 

[Boardwalker]

I'm not sure what you are saying. The Disneyland Monorail has two stops, Tomorrowland and Downtown Disney. It goes through Disney's California Adventure and the Grand Californian but does not stop at either one.

Yeah I read that after I posted it. Oh we'll..

 

[TP2000]

I'm not sure what you are saying. The Disneyland Monorail has two stops, Tomorrowland and Downtown Disney. It goes through Disney's California Adventure and the Grand Californian but does not stop at either one.

I think Boardwalker is also an East Coaster or Midwesterner who is using WDW phrasing. Disneyland Resort doesn't have "resorts". It has "hotels". Three of them. If you ask a Disneyland CM "How do I get back to my resort?" they won't know what you are talking about. If you ask them "How do I get back to my hotel?" they will be happy to point out your options with walking or the monorail.

A few other thoughts from this thread...

The Matterhorn is "rough" for Disney theme parks. But compared to Ghostrider up the freeway at Knott's Berry Farm, or other rough coasters at average theme parks, the Matterhorn is like riding on a magic carpet of silk.

The Matterhorn opened not 11 years before WDW's Space Mountain, but 16 years. Matterhorn Bobsleds opened June, 1959. WDW Space Mountain opened January, 1975.

Disneyland's Space Mountain was closed for just over two years for a thorough rebuild; April 2003 to July 2005. They gutted the building and installed all new tracks and ride control systems, in addition to new rockets, onboard audio, and all new effects. It's now a very good ride.

WDW's Space Mountain was closed for a rebuild that lasted six months; April 2009 to November 2009. It was originally supposed to receive the major rehab and rethink that Disneyland's version got, but TDO cancelled that plan and went with a basic rehab that changed the experience only slightly and only aesthetically.

Disneyland's Matterhorn is home to the Abominable Snowman, a distant cousin to Expedition Everest's Yeti. The Abominable Snowman is named Harold, and you meet him three times on each ride through the Matterhorn. Due to lack of personality (or just no one cares out there, which seems more likely), the Yeti at WDW has no name. He is just called by his animal species name, Yeti.

But when you ride the Matterhorn, say hello to Harold! He usually answers back.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Disneyland's Matterhorn is home to the Abominable Snowman, a distant cousin to Expedition Everest's Yeti. The Abominable Snowman is named Harold, and you meet him three times on each ride through the Matterhorn. Due to lack of personality (or just no one cares out there, which seems more likely), the Yeti at WDW has no name. He is just called by his animal species name, Yeti.

But does Harold get his own personal disco lights????? That's what WDW's yeti gets: disco lights. And I'm torn between ending my silly WDW 70s fabulous reference with a --> or a -->

Have I mentioned how excited we are for DL.???

 

[Cosmic Commando]

But does Harold get his own personal disco lights????? That's what WDW's yeti gets: disco lights. And I'm torn between ending my silly WDW 70s fabulous reference with a --> or a -->

Have I mentioned how excited we are for DL.???

We also would have accepted or .