The iconic peak of the Matterhorn has been a landmark on the Disneyland landscape for more than fifty years. Inspired by the 1958 Disney production Third Man on the Mountain, the story of the bobsled adventure is told through details within and around the attraction. Every aspect, from the yodeling in the background music to the wintry furs at the tree line, helps set the stage and transport Guests to the Swiss Alps.
The nearby gift shop, Le Petit Chalet, is dressed as a Swiss cottage with appropriately charming embellishments. Inside can be found props, skates and sleds, that reinforce the idea of a snowy mountain setting.
The chalet that houses the attraction queue and load area is adorned with elaborate ironwork and heraldic crests representing the various cantons (states) of Switzerland.
More crests mark the gates to the load zone. Once through, we board our bobsled and are on our way to an exciting adventure through the glaciers and grottoes of the Matterhorn.
The journey up and down the mountain is fraught with rapid twists and turns, along with the occasional surprise, like the magical ice crystals and the abandoned equipment of a lost expedition (the Wells Expedition, a tribute to former Disney President Frank Wells who was himself a mountain climber). There is also evidence of inhabitants in these parts.
From time to time, mountaineer brothers Hans and Otto may be found ascending the icy slopes of the Matterhorn. You might even catch a glimpse of Mickey and the gang (in their lederhosen) making the climb.
Deep inside the mountain, though, can be found a more terrifying (or at least grumpier) presence... the Abominable Snowman. Not originally part of the Matterhorn, the Abominable was added in 1978 as part of an overall enhancement of the attraction. Today, a close encounter with the red-eyed yeti is a quintessential part of the Matterhorn experience.
Matterhorn Bobsleds opened at Disneyland in 1959 and represented several firsts. It was Disney's first true thrill attraction. The first mountain. The first tubular steel roller coaster (a design that is still used in almost every steel coaster built today).
From my first trip to Disneyland, the Matterhorn has always been my favorite attraction in that park. On subsequent visits, I've tried to ride it as much as I possible could, taking in everything from the snowy vista on the uphill climb to the sheer joy of the splashdown at the finale.
Recently, I had the pleasure of taking my boys to Disneyland for their first time. Growing up in the shadow of the Magic Kingdom, they were particularly excited to experience those attractions that are unique to the West coast. The Matterhorn was our first stop, their first Disneyland attraction. I'm pleased to say, they loved it! In fact, they went back three more times during the week.
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