Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
100 people ahead of you
13 minutes.
Assumes
Both tracks operating with 10 sleds per track
with 23-second dispatch intervals.
Loading speed
Moderate.
DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS
The Matterhorn is the most distinctive landmark on the
Disneyland scene, visible from almost anywhere in the park. Open since 1959, the Matter-
hornmaintains itspopularityandlonglinesyearinandyearout.TheMatterhornBobsleds
is a roller coaster with an alpine motif. On the scary scale, the ride ranks about 6 on a scale
of10.ThespecialeffectscannotcomparetoSpaceMountain,buttheydoaffordafewsur-
prises. In 2012 the Matterhorn completed its first top-to-bottom overhaul since the 1970s,
receiving rehabilitated tracks and a more-realistic exterior paint job. More controversially,
the old four-passenger vehicles with straddle seats were replaced by three-passenger cars
with individual seats (similar to Florida's Space Mountain) and seat belts. Future children
will be robbed of the traditional thrill of riding nestled between their parent's legs, and
thankfulfatherswillbesparedthetraditionalbruisingoftheirfamilyjewels.Thenewcon-
figuration also increased the minimum height from 35" to 42" and reduced the theoretical
hourly capacity, though an added single-rider line helps move things along. The revamped
vehiclesarealsounfriendlytothelong-legged.Tallridersareadvisedtoaskforthemiddle
or back rows, which have marginally more room, and slide their feet forward into the snug
footwells on either side of the seat ahead. A Richboro, Pennsylvania, dad disagrees with
our scary rating of the Matterhorn:
MybiggestdisappointmentwastheMatterhorn.Iunderstandit'siconic,butthe
notion that it could rate as a 6 out of 10 on the scare factor is pure insanity. I'd
rate it as a 1! After the steep climb in the dark, you basically just go down in
circles until you are left baffled that the “roller coaster” ride is over.
TOURING TIPS
Lines for the Matterhorn form as soon as the gates open and persist
throughout the day. Ride first thing in the morning or just before the park closes. If you
are a roller coaster person, ride Space Mountain and then hurry over and hop on the Mat-
terhorn. If roller coasters are not the end-all for you, we recommend choosing one of the
other coasters or saving one for a second day. The Matterhorn's poorly marked single-
rider line, which can save you an hour in the queue, is currently one of the park's best-kept
secrets. Ask an employee at the Fantasyland side exit how to take advantage of it.
One of the things we like about the Matterhorn is that the entire queuing area is vis-
ible.Thismakesthelineslookmoreoppressivethantheyactually areandalsoprovidesan
opportunity to closely approximate the time of your wait. If the line extending toward To-
morrowland reaches a point across from the Photo Spot, your wait to ride the Matterhorn
Bobsleds will be about 16 minutes. Most people stay to the left when the queue splits, of-
ten leaving the right loading station with a shorter line. Though the two sides are similar,
