10 Fascinating Facts About Matterhorn Bobsleds

Matterhorn Bobsleds is Disneyland’s first thrill ride. Since its opening day in 1959, this ride has not lost its popularity. Guests still form long lines to experience an exciting bobsled adventure through the Matterhorn mountain – zooming through the ice-covered caves, making quick twists and turns, and dodging the Yeti.

As you make your descent down the mountain, you may not be aware that the Yeti isn’t the only thing hiding within this attraction. There are also many hidden details and secrets! Disney Imagineers always go out of their way to use an immense amount of details to assist in the storytelling of each ride and attraction.

Matterhorn Bobsleds is no exception! Follow along as we share 10 facts and secrets with you about Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds.

1. First Mountain Structure at Disneyland

Today, we’re used to having many different mountain structures throughout Disneyland Resort, both as attractions and as landscaping. When the Matterhorn was built, it was the first mountain at Disneyland!

Not only was it the first mountain structure, it was an exceptionally accurate mountain. Disneyland’s Matterhorn is a 1/100th scale model of the real Matterhorn that’s located in the Swiss Alps.

During his time in Switzerland, Walt fell in love with the Matterhorn mountain. It’s said that Walt sent a postcard back to the Disney Imagineers that featured a picture of the mountain and simply added the words, “Build This”. After he returned from the trip, the planning of the Disneyland Matterhorn began.

2. Two Different Tracks

Matterhorn Bobsleds has two different tracks. Overall, the experience on the two tracks is very similar. However, there are slight differences. If you want a smoother ride, I recommend heading to the track on the right side. For a ride with a little more jostle and speed, head to the left!

The track that you go on also makes a difference in how wet you get. While Matterhorn Bobsleds isn’t a water ride, there is an area of water that your bobsled dips into towards the end of the ride. On the right track, the bobsleds seem to just glide over the water, making a splash, but not getting riders wet. However, on my most recent experience on the left side, we were in for quite a surprise when we all got a face full of water as we went through that dip!

While you may have a preference as to which ride experience you have, sometimes you don’t have a choice. On days when attendance is low, there’s a good chance that only one track will be in operation.

3. The Yeti

As you make your way down the mountain, you’ll try to avoid crossing paths with the legendary Yeti. However, you actually come face to face with him multiple times! Did you know that the Yeti has a name? It’s Harold!

Harold wasn’t a part of Matterhorn Bobsleds when it first opened. The attraction opened in 1959, but the Yeti didn’t start spooking unsuspecting bobsledders until 1978.

During Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary in 2015, Harold was upgraded. However, he wasn’t simply renovated, he was completely replaced! Rather than being a stationary snow monster, Harold now moves and looks even more terrifyingly life-like. If you feel reminiscent of the original Yeti, don’t worry. You can find him hanging out in the upper level of the boiler room in the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! queue.

4. Another Attraction Was in the Matterhorn Structure

Prior to Matterhorn Bobsleds, another attraction passed through the area where the mountain was intended to be built. That attraction was the Disneyland Skyway. The Skyway was a gondola attraction that transported Guests back and forth between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

The Skyway closed in 1957 for two years, while Disneyland’s three E-Ticket attractions were being built – one of which was Matterhorn Bobsleds. When construction was finished, the new attractions all opened and the Skyway reopened on the same day in June of 1959.

Since Matterhorn Bobsleds was built in the Skyway’s original path, it was presumed that the gondola attraction would need to be rerouted. And it was! However, it was never expected that the Skyway would travel through the Matterhorn. Today, you can see the openings where the Skyway used to pass through the mountain. While partially closed now, the gaps in the mountain are a fond nod to a past Disneyland attraction.

5. Climbers Used to Scale the Mountain

As part of the entertainment and immersive experience, mountain climbers used to scale the Matterhorn! Generally in pairs of three, these climbers would both scale and rappel the mountain multiple times throughout the day.

Of course, these weren’t just random men on the side of a mountain. They were in character! The climbers would wear red Lederhosen and went by the names Otto, Hans, and Fritz. Speaking of characters, Mickey, Goofy, and Minnie have all been spotted on the Matterhorn over the years!

6. There's a Basketball Court Inside

Have you ever noticed that it doesn’t quite feel like your bobsled travels to the very top of the mountain? If so, that’s because it doesn’t! The attraction itself only takes up space within the lower 80 feet of the mountain. The upper 67 feet houses a completely empty space!

Within this area are stairs, a break room, access windows, storage areas, the engines that pull the sleds to the top of the track, and one of Disneyland’s biggest secrets! This space has been used for multiple things over the years. This is where climbers would rest and take breaks after scaling the mountain, Tinker Bell would use this area to prep for her flight, and this was the space where the Skyway would pass through.

All of these things may seem completely normal to have at the top of the Matterhorn. However, the one thing that seems out of place is the basketball court. Yep! There’s a basketball court within the top of the Matterhorn. While there are stories as to why the court was installed, the reason was simply to give the Cast Members and climbers a place to hang out, relax, and let some steam off during their down time.

7. A Tribute to Frank Wells

During a portion of the ride, you can see a small nod to Disney Legend Frank Wells, former President and Chief Operating Officer of The Walt Disney Company. Frank was an adventurer and had a fondness for mountain climbing. He once set out to climb the tallest mountain on each of the seven continents. However, he only successfully climbed six after bad weather at the top of Mount Everest prevented him from completing his climb.

Due to Frank’s passion for mountain climbing, a tribute to him within the Matterhorn seems exceptionally appropriate. His name can be spotted on the side of a case of climbing equipment where it reads “Wells Expedition”.

8. The Surrounding Environment is Realistic

As always, Disney did not miss any details when designing Matterhorn Bobsleds. The Disney Imagineers not only put effort into making an accurate mountain, they also put thought into making the surrounding environment realistic.

The foliage on and around the mountain are all accurate to the plant life that would surround the actual Matterhorn. One flower that you may specifically notice is edelweiss. This is a rare alpine flower that specifically grows in the Alps.

Care was even put into making the snow look as accurate as possible. Glass beads were added to the snow to create a more shimmery and reflective look. Now when the sun hits the Matterhorn, the snow has a sparkle to it just like real snow.

9. Spot the Hidden Yetis

When you’re in the queue and the surrounding area of Matterhorn Bobsleds, keep an eye out for hidden Yetis! These Yetis won’t be big and scary like Harold. Instead, they look like cute little plush toys.

One of these Yetis can be found in the Cast Member operating booth. Another one can be found at a nearby popcorn cart. This little guy is taking his job as a Roastie Toastie seriously as he spends all day roasting the popcorn.

Were you able to spot any others?

10. There's a Matterhorn Snack

If you head to the Jolly Holiday Bakery on Main Street, U.S.A., you can get a Matterhorn Macaroon! Macaroons (not to be confused with macarons) are mound-shaped coconut-based cookies. However, in this case, they’re mountain-shaped! Not only are these macaroons shaped like the Matterhorn, they are also dipped in white chocolate and topped with sugar to add a snow effect!

Currently, the price of a Matterhorn Macaroon is $5.29.