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Iconic Matterhorn Bobsleds Closes for Extended Maintenance
Disneyland Park’s iconic Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction has officially closed for an extended refurbishment, with construction walls now fully enveloping the beloved coaster. This closure, which began on May 5, 2025, is anticipated to last for several months, with current indications suggesting the attraction will reopen “later this fall.”
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While the majestic Matterhorn mountain itself remains largely visible, the extensive construction walls effectively cordon off the surrounding land around the iconic attraction. These beige barriers, accented with brown panels, now define the perimeter of the work zone, giving guests a clear indication of the refurbishment area without entirely obscuring the famous peak.
The beige and brown construction walls extend to a fence adjacent to the Monorail track, where scrim has been installed to seamlessly bridge the gap between the temporary barriers and the existing rockwork. While Disney has yet to release any specific details regarding the scope of this refurbishment, it’s widely anticipated to involve general maintenance given the attraction’s age and continuous operation. As of now, an official reopening date has not been announced, leaving fans eager for updates on when they can once again experience the iconic Matterhorn Bobsleds.
Amidst the beige and brown construction walls surrounding the Matterhorn Bobsleds, shield-shaped signs near the attraction’s entrance offer fascinating historical insights into “Disneyland’s First Mountain.”
One sign reveals that in 1958, Walt Disney spent a week in Zermatt, Switzerland, during the filming of “Third Man on the Mountain.” The majestic, real-life Matterhorn served as the backdrop for the Walt Disney Studios film, and it captivated Walt himself. He was so impressed that he famously mailed a postcard of the mountain to his Imagineers with a simple, yet monumental instruction: “Build this!”
True to his vision, the iconic Matterhorn Bobsleds coaster opened the very next year, in 1959. This marked a pivotal moment for Disneyland Park, as the coaster was a centerpiece of its first major expansion. This significant growth also introduced other groundbreaking attractions, including the Submarine Voyage, Fantasyland Autopia, and the revolutionary Disneyland Alweg-Monorail System. These historical markers offer a nostalgic glimpse into the inspiration and ambition behind one of Disneyland’s most enduring and beloved rides.
The Matterhorn Bobsleds holds a significant place in Disneyland history, renowned as the park’s first high-speed thrill ride. This pioneering attraction also laid the groundwork for a lineage of beloved “mountain” themed attractions that would eventually span Disney parks worldwide, including iconic coasters like Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
While official details regarding the scope of the current refurbishment remain undisclosed, one of the informative signs on the construction walls offers a hopeful timeline for eager guests: the Matterhorn Bobsleds is expected to reopen “later this fall.” This suggests a substantial period of work, likely encompassing crucial maintenance and potential enhancements to ensure the enduring magic and thrilling experience of this Disneyland classic.
While the legendary Abominable Snowman was always part of Walt Disney’s original vision for the Matterhorn, the creature didn’t actually make its chilling debut until significant enhancements were made to the attraction between 1977 and 1978. These updates dramatically transformed the ride experience, enclosing the previously open lift tunnel and introducing immersive elements like atmospheric fog, eerie ice caverns with glowing crystals, and the sensation of biting Alpine winds. The Matterhorn Bobsleds continued to receive further updates and refinements in 1995 and 2015, ensuring its enduring appeal as a beloved Disneyland icon.
Adding to its storied history, the Matterhorn has seen some charming, festive, and even adventurous additions over the years. In the 1960s, the mountain was famously topped with a giant Christmas star, illuminating the park during the holiday season. Beyond seasonal decorations, Disney also previously delighted guests by having real-life mountain climbers, and even Mickey Mouse himself, scale the iconic peak, adding an extra layer of magic and spectacle to the already impressive attraction.
Beyond being Disney’s inaugural roller coaster, the Matterhorn Bobsleds holds the distinction of being the world’s very first tubular steel coaster, a groundbreaking innovation in ride technology. This iconic attraction features two distinct “bobsled” runs, one accessible from the Fantasyland side and the other from the Tomorrowland side, each offering a unique journey through the mountain. The bobsled vehicles themselves underwent a significant redesign in 2012, enhancing the guest experience. A fun fact for fans, the meticulously crafted mountain stands at approximately 1/100th the scale of its majestic, real-life Swiss counterpart.
Will you miss Matterhorn Bobsleds while it’s closed?
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