I have had a long time affair with one of my favorite loves... Disney.
How do you not love Disney. So I have decided to highlight a ride,
attraction from Disneyland or Disneyworld each week.
Today I am going to start this series with the Matterhorn Bobsled Ride @ Disneyland California
the Matterhorn bobsleds attraction is one of the oldest rides in Disneyland.
Opened June 14, 1959
The mountain is actually a scale replica of the real Matterhorn in Switzerland. It was originally going to be a rock candy mountain, but the Swiss Alps impressed Walt Disney so much that he wanted to make his own mountain in Disneyland. You can only find the Matterhorn in the Disneyland park making it a one of a kind attraction.
Renovation
The matterhorn currently went through a 6 month renovation back in the beginning of 2012 that cost $1 million dollars. The mountain was repair rocks repaired, new entrance for single riders only added and new bobsleds.
The last known refurbishment was in 1978
Now, Matterhorn Mountain sparkles! To mimic the snow patterns on Switzerland's original mountain, more than 800 gallons of paint have been used to create "heavier" snowfall on the northern side of Matterhorn Mountain and less snow on the granite-colored southern side. Realistic, yes — but not without a touch of magic. Using a new, environmentally friendly technique, glass beads have been fastened to the façade to reflect sunlight and glisten like actual snow. Also, more pine trees have been planted to add to the atmosphere.
The Matterhorn reopened on June 15, 2012.
June 16, 2012 the Matterhorn Mountaineer's returned. Mickey Mouse is known
to ocassionally join the mountaineers to climb the mountain.
Bobsleds
The difference between the original bobsleds and the new bobsleds are:
The Orginal: These bobsleds to seat up to 8 people, 4 people single file per sled (with the second person sitting in front of the first person). Each bobsled had two large compartments. also they used seatbelts which we're not retractable, instead they we're a long strap that buckles into a shorter strap on the opposite side and you would have to pull or loosen the strap to adjust it to fit.
New: These bobsleds seat 6 people , 3 people to each bobsled (there are 2 bobsleds attached to each other). You have your own compartment and you never have to share. These do not have seat belts, instead they have lap bars.
Tracks
There are 2 separate tracks on this ride. One is on the Tomorrow land side and one on the Fantasy Land side.
Tomorrow Land side (Left Track) : Is the faster side. It has a larger dip in the beginning of the track, it is run on the inner track so it can be a rougher ride.
Duration Time: 2:07 minutes Length: 2,037 feet
Fantasy Land side (Right Track): Is said to be the slower side and is a smoother ride. It is run on the outer track
Duration Time: 2:26 minutes Length: 2,134 feet
During the ride (either side) you will have 2 opporunity's to see Harold the yeti/abominable snowman, and nice views of the park when you aren't rushing through the ice caves.
This was a cool breakdown of how it was built.
Facts
- built 1/100th scale of the real matterhorn
- 147 feet high versus the 14,700 feet of the original
- max speed 27mph
- This was the 1st steel roller coaster in the world. It opened along with the Disneyland Monorail and the Submarine Voyage.
- It was the first roller coaster to employ a tubular steel track and an electronic dispatch system which enabled more than one car at a time to be on the track.
- The attraction was inspired by the disney film "Third Man on the Mountain". The movie was filmed in Switzerland, on and around the real Matterhorn. Guests who look quickly look while in the caverns may spot mountaineering supplies and other evidence of the Wells Expedition. One of the crates says Frank Wells after an experienced mountaineer and President and Chief Operating Officer of the Walt Disney Company for 10 years ranging from 1984-1994.
- When creating this attraction they planted larger trees near the base of the mountain. the higher up the mountain the smaller the trees until the disappear all together.
- There is an actual Basketball half court in the top 1/3 of the mountain.
Hope this post was informative.
Happy Disney Day!!!
Carrie
Some of the places I found my info are the following.
disneyland.com
maggie blake: yahoo contributor
allears.net
Disney Park Videos
No comments:
Post a Comment