On June 14, 1959, Disneyland premiered its first roller coaster-style “thrill ride,” the Matterhorn Bobsleds, during a live television special. Since it opened, the 147-foot 1/100th scale replica of the famous Swiss peak, has carried more than 258 million guests down its icy slopes.
Before construction of the Matterhorn began at Disneyland, the site was known as Holiday Hill and served to separate Fantasyland from Tomorrowland. Among Disneyland regulars in the 1950s, Holiday Hill was also known as a nighttime hangout for amorous couples.
Matterhorn Bobsleds’ construction was a great feat back in 1959. It was the first roller coaster in the world to employ a tubular steel track and an electronic dispatch system that enabled more than one car at a time to be on the track. Although there are no loops in the Matterhorn tracks, the tubular steel track design pioneered by the attraction made it possible to build the first roller coasters with loops and corkscrews. Moreover, the Matterhorn was built from hundreds of full-size wooden shapes, no two alike, which were assembled around a steel framework to create the mountain’s shape, then covered with cement. Disneyland horticulturists were also challenged to create an artificial “timberline.” To this day, members of the Disneyland Resort horticulture team must use cranes to maintain the mountain’s landscaping.
Little known Matterhorn facts:
- The Matterhorn was inspired by a little-remembered live-action Disney adventure film, “Third Man on the Mountain,” which starred James MacArthur and Michael Rennie as mountaineers. The movie was filmed in Switzerland, on and around the real Matterhorn.
- The Matterhorn gained a new occupant in 1978 when the yeti/abominable snowman took up residence. This was also the year of significant enhancements to the Matterhorn interior, including new caverns and ice crystals.
- Guests who look quickly while whizzing through the Matterhorn caverns may spot mountaineering supplies and other evidence of the “Wells Expedition.” These scenic details are a tribute to the late Frank Wells, who was president and Chief Operating Officer of the Walt Disney Company from 1984 until his death in 1994. Wells was an experienced mountain climber and skier.
Photo Credits:
Middle Right: Babes in Disneyland Reader and Contributor, Melissa
Bottom Center: Julie with the super awesome blog, Angry Julie Monday
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My english teacher in high school worked at DL for years and was one of the heads at the matterhorn. He told us of an amazing story where a woman had lost the diamond of her wedding ring on the matterhorn in one of the deep cracks she suspected. She was sooooo distraught. Even though it was a lost cause, my english teacher and one other CM started to look for it in the dark, with flashlights. THEY FOUND THE DIAMOND. It was glimmering in this hard to reach place, but they did retrieved it and gave it back to the woman who was so thankful.
I love the matterhorn. 🙂