Matterhorn Bobsleds is a rollercoaster in Disneyland's Fantasyland, while bordering Tomorrowland. The rollercoaster is historic for being the first-known tubular steel continuous-track roller coaster. The attraction has a shared history with the Jungle Cruise.
History[]
Background[]
Guests board bobsleds of a Swiss village to traverse through the passages and cliffs of the Matterhorn. However, they intrude on the lair of the Yeti, a territorial cryptid who has attacked many travellers over the years. Guests need to race through the mountain to escape the yeti's wrath.
Development history[]
Summary[]
Jungle Cruise connections[]
Jungle Cruise[]
Matterhorn Bobsleds' original yeti animatronic was repurposed from the Jungle Cruise in Disneyland in 1978. The audio-animatronic was originally used to portray Giant Gorillas who attacked guests in the ride's climax. The figures were given new fur and a face mould by Blaine Gibson and used up until 2015 when the attraction was given updated yeti animatronics, and one of the original figures was moved to the interior queue of Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!.
Skipper Canteen[]
In the library is a book titled, "Scaling the Matterhorn", likely in tribute to Matterhorn Bobsleds. Another book is, "A View from Above" by S.W. Buckets, as a tribute to the Skyway Buckets which passed through the Matterhorn.
Trader Sam's[]
In 2024, a yeti themed Tiki mug and Matterhorn Dole whip were added to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Matterhorn Bobsleds.
Virtual Jungle Cruise[]
The Matterhorn was visible in the first scene of this ride, along with Cinderella Castle.[1]
Trivia[]
- Matterhorn Bobsleds is the spiritual predecessor of Expedition Everest in Disney's Animal Kingdom, whose own story and yeti have been referenced in the Jungle Cruise.
- The creation of Matterhorn Bobsleds was inspired by the Disney movie Third Man on the Mountain (1959), directed by Kenneth Annakin. Annakin is paid tribute in the queue for Walt Disney World's Jungle Cruise, albeit for his work on The Swiss Family Robinson (1960).
Gallery[]
