Matterhorn Bobsleds

The Matterhorn Bobsleds is an attraction made up of two steel roller coasters at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. It opened in 1959 as one of six new major attractions for Tomorrowland. In the 1970s, it was officially made a Fantasyland attraction. It is recognized as the first tubular steel roller coaster in the world, and was built by coaster builder Arrow Dynamics and WED Imagineering.

Related Topics:
Steel roller coasters - Disneyland - Anaheim, California - 1959 - Tomorrowland - 1970s - Fantasyland - Arrow Dynamics - WED Imagineering

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In 1978, the Matterhorn got a major refurbishment, including Audio-Animatronic yetis which have been nicknamed Harold.

Related Topics:
1978 - Audio-Animatronic - Yetis

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Also throughout the ride are metal boxes stamped with the words "Wells Expedition." This is a tribute to former Disney president Frank Wells, who climbed mountains as a hobby, and was tragically killed in a helicopter accident in 1994.

Related Topics:
Frank Wells - 1994

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There is a basketball half-court inside the structure above the coaster, near the top of the Matterhorn mountain. This court is really just a big wooden floor where the mountain climbers could play basketball in between climbing sessions. It is not accessible to anyone else while the attraction is running, as internal access to the mountain is locked for safety reasons. There is a cast member break room inside the mountain at the base.

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At the end of the ride, guests will hear the now famous "Remain seated please. Permanecer sentados por favor." The safety spiel recording is one of the many recordings by the former Voice of Disneyland, Jack Wagner.

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