An Iconic Element Is NOT Running on This Disney Attraction!

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matterhorn

Credit: Inside the Magic

Now that Disneyland is returning to normal operations after remaining closed for over a year, Guests can experience the magic once again.

matterhorn and monorail disneyland
Credit: Disney

With offerings returning, the theme park experience is becoming what Guests once remembered at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Even with all of the advancements and steps forward that Disneyland Resort has taken during its phased reopening process, there are still instances in which we may see maintenance being done or small details of the Park’s atmospheric elements missing.

Matterhorn at Disneyland
Credit: Disney

The Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland first opened on June 14, 1959, and the attraction has been a staple in the theme park for years. With its massive mountain structure drawing Guests’ attention, Disney has worked hard to ensure that they maintain its appearance as it is truly one of the theme park’s classic icons. One of the key features Guests may notice are the waterfalls on the exterior.

Typically, we have seen the waterfalls running, as they are an iconic element of the attraction’s appearance (and experience, when you ride it!). However, it seems that the waterfalls have been turned off today. Below, you can see photos of the waterfalls looking rather dry!

matterhorn
Credit: Inside the Magic

We can see exactly where the waterfalls would typically run, as the rock work is a different color.

matterhorn
Credit: Inside the Magic

Related: VIDEO: Interview With Matterhorn’s Yeti Does NOT Go as Planned

At the moment, we are unsure as to why the Matterhorn waterfalls are not running this morning. The waterfalls have been active in the previous days. The attraction was also closed for refurbishment when Disneyland Park first reopened to Guests on April 30; however, the Matterhorn Bobsleds ride has since reopened, as mentioned, and Guests were able to experience it again starting July 1, 2021.

As of 8:00 a.m. PST, neither side of the Matterhorn had a running waterfall, however, at 9:00 a.m. PST the waterfall facing Autopia began running, as you can see below.

matterhorn
Credit: Insdie the Magic

Disney describes the Matterhorn Bobsled as: 

Conquer the Mountain – and a Mythic Monster
Climb into a 6-person bobsled and brace yourself against howling winds as you ascend 80 feet up into an icy cave. Take in the sweeping views at the summit and prepare for a thrilling, high-speed ride.

Swoop in and out of shadowy caves and along jagged rocky ledges. Throttle through snowy chutes and around frozen precipices. Fly across bridges and under waterfalls before splashing down into an alpine lake.

The real peril is not snow or sleet! Stories abound of a growling creature known as the Abominable Snowman—who will do anything and everything to protect his home.

Do you have what it takes to find out if the legends are true?

2 Different Routes
There are 2 bobsled tracks: 1 on the Fantasyland side of the mountain and the other on the Tomorrowland side. During slower periods, only a single track may be in operation.
More Than Meets the Eye
Matterhorn mountain certainly looks like its counterpart in the Swiss Alps— partially thanks to the excellent use of forced perspective. However, the peak is just a bit lower than the original—it’s exactly 100 times shorter than the 14,700-foot-tall real thing.

More than 800 gallons of paint were used to create heavier snowfall on the north-facing—just like the real Matterhorn. Glass beads on the façade glitter like actual snow!

Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland Park
Credit: Disney

Making the Mountain
Walt Disney fell in love with the real Matterhorn while filming the 1959 live-action film Third Man on the Mountain.

Back at Disneyland Park, Walt decided to cover a forested 20-foot-high mound named Holiday Hill with artificial snow, add a toboggan run and rename it Snow Hill. However, Walt always dreamed big, and the “hill” soon grew into a 147-foot-tall mountain. The attraction opened on June 14, 1959.

Totally Tubular

Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first roller-coaster-style attraction at Disneyland Park—and the very first tubular steel coaster in the world. The iconic attraction is also one-of-a-kind—no other Disney park can claim a Matterhorn mountain.

Do you think that the Matterhorn Bobsled needs some updates? What is your favorite part of riding the Matterhorn at Disneyland? Let us know in the comments below.

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