Conquer the mountain and meet the Monster! The Matterhorn Bobsleds is an iconic attraction exclusively at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and was inspired by the actual Matterhorn, a famous mountain in the Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy. The ride opened in 1959, making it the first tubular, steel, continuous-track roller coaster in the world.
The mountain stands at 147 feet tall, which is 1/100th the size of the real Matterhorn. There are waterfalls and glaciers adorning its exterior. The water from the waterfalls actually helps cool the ride's braking system. Inside the structure, there are two separate coaster tracks, each offering a slightly different ride experience. Historically these have been known as the Fantasyland side and the Tomorrowland side. Riders board bobsleds and embark on a thrilling journey up, around, and through the mountain. The journey includes dark, enclosed segments, sharp turns, and rapid descents. One of the signature elements of the attraction is the Abominable Snowman, or "Harold" as he's known to fans and cast members. This creature can be heard roaring throughout the ride and is seen in several animatronic encounters. "Harold" has gone through a few design and technological updates over the years to enhance the overall experience of the attraction.
The Matterhorn has undergone several refurbishments over the years. In the 1970s, the simple hollow interior of the mountain was expanded to include icy caverns and more detailed scenery. The original single bobsleds were also replaced with tandem bobsleds to increase capacity. In 2012, the ride vehicles were updated again, this time changing from the tandem configuration to a single-row seating design, and the Abominable Snowman animatronics were upgraded.
The Matterhorn is not just a popular ride but also an iconic symbol of Disneyland. It's visible from many locations within the park and even from areas outside Disneyland. It set the stage for many other thrill rides and innovations at Disneyland and other theme parks worldwide.
Overall, the Matterhorn Bobsleds combines the thrill of a roller coaster with the storytelling and theming that Disney is known for, offering guests a unique and memorable experience. Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first roller-coaster-style attraction at Disneyland Park—and the very first tubular steel coaster in the world. The iconic attraction is also one-of-a-kind—no other Disney park can claim a Matterhorn mountain. Do you have what it takes to find out if the legends are true?
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