Since its introduction in 1959, the Matterhorn Bobsleds have been a prominent feature at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
When it opened, the ride was considered revolutionary and permanently altered the course of roller coaster design.
Curious about what sets this adventure through snowy peaks apart?
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Here are seven interesting facts.
1. It made waves when it debuted on June 14, 1959
The Matterhorn Bobsleds stand as the first roller coaster in the world to utilize a steel tubular track, as stated on the Disneyland website.
This innovative ride was constructed by Arrow Development and marked the park’s inaugural roller coaster.
The Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first roller coaster in the world to adopt a tubular steel track. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland via Getty Images)
Today, steel tubular tracks are a standard feature in many major roller coasters, but at its inception, it was crucial to create a new system for realizing Walt Disney’s ambitious vision.
“Walt envisioned an exhilarating bobsled ride in Anaheim (where it never snows), inspired by his travels in Europe where he admired the grandeur of the Matterhorn,” said Sarah Hirsch, founder of Well Traveled Kids, in an interview with Fox News Digital.
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Well Traveled Kids is a family travel agency based in Illinois, led by Hirsch.
According to legend, an inspired Disney “purchased a postcard depicting the mountain and mailed it to his Disneyland team from Europe with simply two words: ‘Build this,'” shared Hirsch.
The Matterhorn Bobsleds have thrilled millions since its opening in 1959, including notable visitors like the Shah of Iran and Empress Farah, who are seen at the front of the sled above. (Getty Images)
“The creative minds at Disneyland were able to craft the exterior to perfectly match the postcard photo, creating a unique experience that drew thrill-seekers to the park for the first time,” she explained.
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Fast forward 65 years, and the Matterhorn Bobsleds “feels nostalgic but still delivers an exhilarating thrill that makes you want to rejoin the line for another ride,” she continued.
2. The ride has undergone significant changes since its debut
Today, riders on the Matterhorn Bobsleds enjoy a “high-speed experience” that takes them “through darkened caves and along jagged cliffs,” all while evading the “growling entity known as the Abominable Snowman,” as highlighted on the Disneyland website.
This was not the initial experience.
When Matterhorn Bobsleds first came to life, the interior was completely hollow, as explained by Werner Weiss, curator of the Disney history site Yesterland, in an email to Fox News Digital.
The original Matterhorn structure at Disneyland featured a hollow interior. (Greg Doherty/Getty Images)
“The structural supports were camouflaged to look like rocks, but it couldn’t be mistaken for a true cave,” Weiss noted.
A significant renovation took place in 1978.
“The interior was transformed into ice caves, and the Abominable Snowman was introduced,” he shared.
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Another major update occurred in 1994 when the Skyway gondola ride was decommissioned and taken down, Weiss indicated.
Previously, the Skyway traversed through the Matterhorn, and its removal required patching up the hole in the mountain. “The area once occupied by the Skyway was converted into a glacier grotto,” he added.
The now-closed Skyway gondola once transported riders through the Matterhorn. (Albert Moote/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
3. The ‘sleds’ have evolved since the opening day
Initially, the bobsleds could accommodate four guests – two per “seat.”
“The larger passenger would sit against the backrest and serve as support for the smaller guest. It created a rather snug arrangement,” Weiss mentioned.
“No wonder teenage boys enjoy bringing their dates on this ride.”
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In 1978, the bobsleds transitioned to “tandem” models, permitting eight guests to ride per train.
“The prior single-car, four-passenger bobsleds were substituted with two-car, eight-passenger ones, which, complemented by upgraded computer controls, doubled the ride’s capacity—thereby reducing wait times,” Weiss elaborated.
By 2012, the bobsleds had evolved into tandem trains featuring two “sleds” with three individual seats.
The Matterhorn Bobsleds now utilize dual three-seater tandem trains. (FilmMagic)
“Gone are the cozy seating arrangements,” he concluded.
4. The paintwork is inspired by real snow
The “snow” adorning the Matterhorn at Disneyland isn’t uniformly applied, reflecting the true snowfall observed on the real Matterhorn.
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The authentic Matterhorn is located at the border between Switzerland and Italy.
“Over 800 gallons of paint were utilized to replicate the heavier snowfall on the northern side—just like the actual Matterhorn,” the Disneyland website states.
To capture the shimmering effect of genuine snow (which is rare in Southern California), designers incorporated glass beads into the Matterhorn’s decor, as disclosed by the website.
The painted “snow” on the Matterhorn Bobsleds, shown on the left, is designed to mimic the real Matterhorn. (Getty Images)
5. The Matterhorn Bobsleds features two separate tracks – and isn’t as tall as it appears
The Matterhorn actually encompasses two roller coasters, referred to as the “Fantasyland” and “Tomorrowland” tracks, named for their locations within the respective themed areas, with the tracks intertwining throughout the mountain.
The Matterhorn measures 147 feet tall (Mickey Mouse ascended it in 2005), and the bobsleds can reach a maximum speed of 27 mph.
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The Matterhorn is nearly twice the height of the 77-foot tall “Sleeping Beauty” castle but is a staggering 100 times shorter than its real-life counterpart, according to the Disneyland website.
Utilizing a technique known as “forced perspective,” the designers made the Matterhorn appear taller than its true height, as noted by the Disneyland site.
Mickey Mouse, dressed in traditional attire, scaled the Matterhorn in 2005, which has a height of 147 feet. (Matthew Simmons/Getty Images)
Although the Matterhorn may not match the height of genuine mountains, it initially gained the title of the tallest man-made structure in Orange County, California, according to Weiss.
However, it swiftly lost that honor with the rise of skyscrapers.
6. It’s a unique attraction
While several rides at Disneyland have replicas at various Disney parks across the globe—such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and Peter Pan’s Flight—there is only one Matterhorn Bobsleds.
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“When I book Disneyland vacation packages for clients, the Matterhorn is still a ride that excites everyone,” Hirsch expressed.
Although other attractions at Disneyland have counterparts in other parks, the Matterhorn Bobsleds remains exclusive to the Southern California park. (Patrick Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
He added that this is particularly true “because it’s exclusive to Disneyland and doesn’t exist in the Disney parks in Orlando.”
7. The animatronic Abominable Snowman has an identity
The animatronic Abominable Snowman that resides within the Matterhorn has been given a name.
He’s known as “Harold.”
The latest version of “Harold” was installed in 2015.
“This nickname isn’t official,” Weiss acknowledged. “As I understand it, Matterhorn ride operators coined the name Harold without any specific reason.”
This moniker quickly became popular among staff, Disneyland enthusiasts, and “eventually among regular guests,” Weiss detailed.
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The current “Harold” figure has been on display since 2015, but the original isn’t far away; it’s now featured in the queue for the Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout ride at Disney California Adventure Park.
