Thursday, April 19, 2012

New Height Requirement for Matterhorn Bobsleds



When the Matterhorn Bobsleds reopen on June 15th, it will not only have a brand-new paint job, new bobsleds, new queue areas, but a new height requirement as well. 

During its first 45 years of operation, the requirement was only that a rider must be 3 years of age or older. Then about ten years ago the requirement was changed to 35 inches. But with the locking lap bars and redesigned seats in the new bobsleds, the Matterhorn will have a new height requirement of 42 inches when it opens on June 15th. That’s two inches taller than Space Mountain or Splash Mountain, but the same height requirement as Goofy’s Sky School.

Attraction height requirements are based on a combination of factors, including the point on a seated torso at which a restraint can reasonably be assumed to contain the rider in the vehicle. With the taller height requirement, the Matterhorn Bobsleds will cease to be one of the first big-kid rides that young Disneyland visitors have conquered since 1959.

I know my four year old will not like this!!! ;-)

3 comments:

Disneyland Obsession said...

I just know that the last two times I've been to the Park, I've missed riding the Matterhorn. So I look forward to it opening again in June. And if I had to, I would we're elevator sneakers, just to make sure i could ride again.
/;-)

Unknown said...

What a shame. My 2 year old rode this right at 35" and he wanted to ride it over and over again. This ride is a little jolty due to rough tracks, but other than that, I see no reason why they had to raise the height requirement. If there were no major accidents prior with little ones, then why change.. If those parents don't like it and think its too small at 35" then just don't have your kid ride!

MG Ainsworth said...

It has been my son's favorite ride since he was 2 1/2 and just 35" tall. I was relieved when he measured at home at 42 1/4 inches prior to our visit thinking crisis averted. He had no problems with Goof's Sky School or Grizzly Rapids, measuring up, but after waiting an hour for the Matterhorn a piece of paper slipped between his head and the height marker and he was told he was too small. I had one devastated 4 year old :-( I didn't even consider adding height to his shoes because he was tall enough. I can only figure the marker on one side is off by a 1/4 inch. We're halfway home to Oregon and he's still sad. This was his 3rd trip to the park.