The Unique Rides Of Disneyland: The Matterhorn Bobsleds

The Unique Rides Of Disneyland: The Matterhorn Bobsleds

Disneyland was the very first theme park ever built bearing the Disney name. It was personally conceived and overseen by Walt Disney himself and every new park sharing the Disney name has followed the design outline and principles of this first historic park. Opening it’s doors in 1955, its popularity and influence rapidly grew from the original park into a hopping venue boasting a variety of scream-worthy rides, family-oriented hotels and shopping galore! These days, Disney theme parks are found all over the world; from the Walt Disney World resort in Florida, a well as locations in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Paris and Shanghai. Standard rides such as The Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain are found in every location – but there are some rides reserved for the original California location only.

The Matterhorn Bobsleds

This attraction is made up of two intertwining roller coasters. Opening in 1959, it was the first continuous-track, tubular steel coaster ever built. During the building of the Sleeping Beauty Castle moat, the idea took form; for awhile the dirt that was piled up in the spot between the Tomorrowland and Fantasyland areas, became a popular lover’s lane area and picnic spot. At one time Walt Disney wanted to use real snow in a toboggan ride creation, but it turned out to be too difficult an endeavor to build. Instead, the spot became home to the bobsled coaster ride, and remains so today.

The mountain isn’t actually as tall as it looks, but it looks stately because it has been build using forced perspective. Employees in climbing gear are often seen scaling the peak throughout the day, adding to the Swiss Alps theme. Riders of the Matterhorn are loaded into one of the two tracks, in cars that resemble bobsleds; there is one lift hill that pulls both sets of cars up, and the rest of the ride is powered only by the gravity of that initial high point. The end of each track features a splash-down pool; these act as a braking mechanism and help to cool the bobsleds. In the 1970s, the ride underwent a major renovation that included an addition of an Abominable Snowman to thrill riders. Three different Animatronic workings comprise the monster that is situated along various parts of the amusement; they roar at riders and have red glowing eyes.

The Matterhorn Bobsleds are only found at Disneyland in California; it is the only ride of its kind on the planet. However, the tracks at Space Mountain in Florida’s Walt Disney World are inspired by the Matterhorn designs (though aren’t identical). The Animal Kingdom, also in Florida, contains an attraction called Expedition Everest with similar elements–but rather than dodging the Abominable Snowman, riders face a terrifying Yeti in an abstracted Himalayan mountain. The Matterhorn remains one of the rides designed by Walt Disney himself, and proudly unique. Be sure not to miss it during your next visit to the park!

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