Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds has been a staple at the Anaheim theme park since 1959, but has undergone its fair share of changes over the years – including the removal of one of its coolest features.
Not only was it the first “big” thrill ride to hit any Disney theme park, but Disney’s Matterhorn was also the first roller coaster to feature a tubular steel track, setting a new standard for the amusement industry.
Modeled after the real Matterhorn mountain in Switzerland, the ride was heavily influenced by Walt Disney’s vision of creating an immersive and thrilling experience that blended both natural and man-made elements.
Originally, the Matterhorn – often lamented as one of Disney’s most painful rides, despite its iconic status – featured live-action “climbers” scaling its slopes, adding an extra layer of realism to the experience.
These climbers were actors dressed in mountaineering gear, positioned at various points on the mountain, with characters such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck also occasionally making their ascent.
matterhorn is on its 65th anniversary and i would just like to remind everyone that in 2005 mickey climbed all the way on top and placed a flag in honor of disneyland’s 50th anniversary
matterhorn is on its 65th anniversary and i would just like to remind everyone that in 2005 mickey climbed all the way on top and placed a flag in honor of disneyland’s 50th anniversary pic.twitter.com/hbLKbcWmLC
— caitlin ☆ (@WEDenterprise) June 14, 2024
In the early 1970s, the climbers were removed, though they returned sporadically over the years—including in 2005 for the park’s 50th anniversary and in 2012 to mark the ride’s reopening following a renovation. They’ve now been absent for more than 12 years. But what led to their removal? And could they ever make a comeback?
Why Did Disneyland Axe the Matterhorn Bobsleds Climbers?
These climbers weren’t just ordinary Disney cast members; they were skilled professionals with the expertise to safely scale the attraction. Their presence added an exciting spectacle for guests while ensuring safety remained a priority.
Disney never outright confirmed why it axed the climbers. One likely reason is (as always) budget cuts. However, some Reddit users have claimed that it had more to do with safety than anything else.
When your friend’s dad was a @Disneyland Mountain Climber back in the day…
#disneyland #castmember #matterhorn
When your friend’s dad was a @Disneyland Mountain Climber back in the day…#disneyland #castmember #matterhorn pic.twitter.com/169v25wpmt
— exploring The Disney World (@DisneyExploring) October 11, 2021
“Climbers would accidentally dropping harness clips and other climbing tools sometimes (never on purpose) and this became a hazard for the ride, as the fallen objects would sometimes land on the tracks becoming a safety hazard for the attraction itself,” wrote one user. “Fast fix to [ensure] safety was to stop having climbers on the mountain.”
Another wrote, “I asked about them when the last time I was there and the CM on Matterhorn said they stopped climbing because too many people got hurt.”
The price of insurance also apparently played a part. “My uncle was an attorney for the insurance firm that represented Disneyland employees, they deemed the mountain climbing to be too dangerous and wouldn’t cover any injuries sustained from it so Disney stopped doing it,” they wrote.
Despite the absence of its climbers, Matterhorn Bobsleds remains a standout feature of the park, offering guests an unforgettable experience, even without its live-action climbers. Whether or not they will ever return is uncertain, but the legacy of this unique aspect of the attraction still holds a special place in the hearts of Disneyland fans
Do you miss the Matterhorn climbers?
