Ride vehicles are back on the track as refurbishments draw to a close at the Matterhorn Bobsleds ride in Disneyland Park.
Ride Vehicles Return to the Matterhorn Bobsleds Track
From the monorail, we were able to see that the ride vehicles were back on the Matterhorn Bobsleds track. We were also told that the ride operators have started testing periodically for the attraction’s planned reopening on June 2.
In 1956, Walt Disney was inspired by a trip to the Alps to create a new attraction for Disneyland. He wanted to create a roller coaster that would be unlike anything else in the world. He tasked Bob Gurr, a young Imagineer, with designing the ride.
Gurr spent several months researching roller coasters and studying the Matterhorn mountain in Switzerland. He eventually came up with a design for a roller coaster that would use tubular steel track. This was a new technology at the time, and it allowed Gurr to create a smoother, more comfortable ride than what was currently being used in attractions in the 1950s.
Construction on Matterhorn Bobsleds began in 1957. The original “Disney Mountain,” the attraction was built on the border between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, and it took over a year to complete. The ride was opened to the public on June 14, 1959. This grand opening was part of a larger expansion to the park that also included the Disneyland-ALWEG Monorail System and Submarine Voyage.
Matterhorn Bobsleds was an instant success. It was the first roller coaster at Disneyland and the first tubular steel track roller coaster in the world. The mountain was also the first to use forced perspective, a technique that makes the ride housing appear larger than it actually is. Other installments in Disney Parks, including Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, scenery in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and both Rapunzel’s Tower and Beast’s Castle in Magic Kingdom all use this same technique.
Matterhorn Bobsleds has undergone several renovations over the years, but it has remained one of the most popular attractions at Disneyland. The ride is also a favorite spot for photos, as the Matterhorn is a landmark that can be seen from many areas of the park and is not duplicated in any other Disney location in the world.
In 1977, the ride was closed for a major refurbishment that included updating the animatronics and adding new scenes. The Abominable Snowman was given a new look, and new scenes were added to the ride.
In 2005, the ride was closed again for a smaller refurbishment that included updating the track and adding new lighting. The track was resurfaced, and new lighting was installed.
Watch our full Matterhorn Bobsleds ride POV video below.
Are you excited for the Matterhorn Bobsleds to reopen in June? We’d like to read about it in the comments below.
For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.
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There is something NEW in the My Disney Experience app! What do you think of this option? Dining at Walt Disney World It is pretty hard to plan a trip without securing at least one dining reservation. In order to do that, you need to book reservations either online or in the My Disney Experience […]
Walt Disney World and Make-A-Wish have announced the “Once Upon A Wish Party,” a special all-day royal experience being dreamed up just for wish families, and revealed the first wish as part of this event to a Florida first grader from the Orange County Public School district. What’s Happening: Minnie Mouse, Disney cast members and Make-A-Wish […]
In addition, new scrim, scaffolding and construction walls surround The Bakery Tour.
Disney describes The Bakery Tour as follows:
Tour a working replica of the famous Boudin Bakery in San Francisco and bite into a delicious sample of freshly baked bread.
Follow along with your digital hosts as they explain how the luscious loaves are made. Watch expert bakers turn dough into the delectable bread that’s been delighting San Franciscans for over 150 years.
On this tour, the fun’s baked right in!
Guests are still able to access all the amenities in this area, despite the construction barriers. Signs point where to go.
An entryway for The Bakery Tour is still accessible through a tunnel.
Construction walls and scrim cover nearly the entire structure. Themed construction signs for the San Fransokyo Square Public Works Department hang on the walls.
The restaurants are still available for mobile service as well, even with all the work going on.
Walls surround the bakery almost entirely.
The construction barriers form a tunnel leading into the Boudin-hosted bakery tour.
Guests may be able to find seating under an umbrella for shade.
San Fransokyo Concept Art
Early concept art shows some of this San Fransokyo signage and the whole building draped in paper lanterns. The San Fransokyo Gate Bridge has already reopened to guests following a several-week transformation.
Right now, the area is largely known as a food court for Disney California Adventure Park. Among Lucky Fortune Cookery and the Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, other options in the land include Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, Pacific Wharf Cafe, Rita’s Baja Blenders, and Pacific Wharf Distribution Co.
When the construction is complete, the new version of the land will include a Baymax meet and greet, additional dining options and more. San Fransokyo Square is expected to open this summer.
Take a look at some of our most recent Disneyland Resort news coverage using the links below:
Are you excited for the upcoming changes at Pacific Wharf and San Fransokyo Square? Let us know in the comments.
For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.
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We’ve got some royal news to share here at Walt Disney World. During World Princess Week taking place Aug. 21-26, we’re hosting one of our biggest wish granting events ever with “Once Upon A Wish Party” – a special event dreamed up just for wish families. This party will be a full day affair filled with enchanting surprises, inspiration and adventures fit for a Disney Princess, hero or heroine.
You know what they say! A picture is worth a thousand words.
Disney PhotoPass photographers are the BEST!
Disney pictures though? Priceless! There are so many unique opportunities to have your photo taken around Disney World, from ride photos to private photo sessions. What? You didn’t realize you could book private photo sessions with the Disney World PhotoPass photographers? Well, you CAN and they’re called Capture Your Moment sessions. They can be booked in each of theparks and even at some of the hotels. A NEW photo session is now available, and it’s so cool that we NEED to talk about it.
You can have a private photoshoot with a PhotoPass photographer inside the Tower of Terror. Yes, you read that correctly. Your photographer will pose you inside the Hollywood Tower Hotel along with special props. Check it out!
Whether you’re celebrating a graduation, an engagement, a pregnancy, or you just want to do it for fun, this could be a great and unique option to make your photos really stand out.
So, how do you book? Well, you can do it online by clicking here! Each session is 20 minutes long and costs $99 plus tax. If that isn’t enough time, you can book two back-to-back sessions to ensure that you get all the shots you want. You’ll also need valid park tickets and a reservation at Hollywood Studios, which isn’t included in the price of your session.
Will you have your next photo session here?
What do you think? Will your next photoshoot take place at this thrilling location? We’ll continue to keep you updated with any and all Disney news and updates, so make sure to stay tuned for more.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Are you considering a voyage aboard a Disney ship? The enchantment of the Disney Cruise Line (DCL) is made possible by a fleet of five world-class ships: the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy, and the newest ship: the Disney Wish.The Disney Treasure will join DCL in 2024! Disney Cruise Line has alsorecently purchased the Global Dream cruise ship.
Where does Disney Cruise Line sail?
With so many ships, guests have even more destinations to choose from! But what if you are seeking to sail to a specific area of the world? Does Mickey and his Friends go there?
Let’s found out!
Disney Cruise Line Destinations
Whether you are a fan of cruises and/or Disney, there is a seemingly endless array of itineraries and destinations available to passengers. That’s right! If your dream is to sail the Caribbean or the European Riviera, taking a Disney Cruise is an extra magical way to get there!
Bahamas Cruises
For vacations from the United States, a cruise to the Bahamas is a popular itinerary. It can be a quick voyage aboard a 3 or 4 night cruise! And the sandy beaches and sunny skies beckon travelers to escape, especially during the winter months. Here’s a list of the DCL ports that include a stop in the Bahamas:
Castaway Cay
Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island in the Bahamas)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Galveston, TX
Lighthouse Point (Disney’s private port on Eleuthera, Bahamas)
Miami, FL
Nassau, Bahamas
Port Canaveral, FL (closest port to Walt Disney World)
Not far from the Bahamas, the Caribbean also boasts magnificent sun, surf, and sand. A few voyages may be 3-4 nights, however, most will sail up to seven evenings. You’ll find cruises that start from ports in Florida, Texas, New York, and more!
Mickey and Minnie on the Disney Wish!
Here are the Caribbean ports:
Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island in the Bahamas)
Basseterre, St. Kitts
Bridgetown, Barbados
Castries, St. Lucia
Costa Maya, Mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
Falmouth, Jamaica
Fort-de-France, Martinique
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Galveston, TX
George Town, Grand Cayman
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Miami, FL
New Orleans, LA
New York, NY
Oranjestad, Aruba
Philpsburg, St. Maarten
Port Canaveral, FL (closest port to Walt Disney World)
Not a beach person or looking for a break from the Florida sun? Trade the heat and sandy beaches for mountains, plains, and all the flora and fauna that can be explored in the Pacific Northwest. Yep, you can cruise to Alaska with DCL!
Mickey and Minnie in Alaska
Here are the ports:
Glacier Viewing (sail-through without disembarking) at Dawe’s Glacier / Endicott Arm Fjord, Hubbard Glacier, or areas along the Stikine Icecap
Disney’s European cruises include specialty itineraries such as ones that include stops in the British Isles, Mediterranean, and more — all offering a diverse list of ports of call. These sailings are port-intensive, and some may be once-in-a-lifetime destinations!
Aloha! Voyage to one of the most popular global destinations for beaches, scenery, cuisine, and wildlife! (Don’t forget Hawaii’s island of Oahu is home to Disney’s Aulani Resort.)
If you’re looking for a long voyage but are hoping to cruise across the Pacific, there are options for you as well! While these are likely to change slightly when the newest ship and port of call in Singapore is complete, you can currently set sail to and from the following cities:
Are you ready to set sail with Captain Mickey, Captain Minnie, and the WHOLE gang? Because with truly unique features like Rotational Dining in beautifully themed restaurants to its own private island for select itineraries — Castaway Cay! (and — in 2024 — the new Lighthouse Point) — and SO much more, a Disney Cruise Line sailing is truly a vacation like no other!
