We Direct Your Attention High on the Icy Slopes of the Matterhorn

[S. S. Columbia]

Cool! The climbers are coming back this summer! Starting June 15.

UPDATE (7/5/12):
Matterhorn Climbers Point of View at Disneyland Park
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvRGENOjqJ0

From the Disney Parks Blog:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...-slopes-of-the-matterhorn-at-disneyland-park/

[size=+2]We Direct Your Attention High on the Icy Slopes
of the Matterhorn at Disneyland Park[/size]


Matterhorn Bobsleds has always been my favorite attraction at Disneyland park. Nothing beats the giddy thrill of
hurtling through caverns of ice, encountering the Abominable Snowman and splashing down in an Alpine
stream.

One of my earliest memories in the park is of walking down Matterhorn Way and stopping in my tracks when I
realized there were people actually climbing the famous Swiss peak. Having real mountain climbers on the
mountain is a tradition started by Walt Disney in 1959 when the attraction opened. Over the years, climbers going
by the names Hans, Otto and Fritz took on the challenge of reaching the summit.

I’m excited to tell you that this summer, brave mountaineers will once again scale the icy slopes of the mighty
Matterhorn. Look for them starting June 15 when the Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction reopens. Seeing them is
one of those only-in-Disneyland experiences that will make you yodel with joy!

- posted on May 8th, 2012 by Shawn Slater, Communications Manager, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Creative Entertainment

 

[Astylla]

This is such exciting news ! I am going to be there starting June 15th so ver anxious to see this news. I'm even more excited as if that were possible

 

[rowan1813]

Hooray the climbers are coming back!!!!! I have missed them and always wondered why they stopped. I know there was a rumor years back about it being a result of 9/11 but it was never substantiated. I also seem to remember Goofy climbing as well but when I asked DM, she looked at me like I was crazy. Does anyone else remember that?

 

[disneydreamer74]

How cool! Can't wait to see them!

 

[pixiewings71]

YAY!!!!!!!!

And I do seem to remember photos of characters climbing and for some reason I want to say I saw Mickey doing it....but that might just be me getting confused. LOL

 

[GrandBob]

Cool! I remember the climbers from numerous previous trips, all the way back to 1960! Great tradition.

But to be true to scale, shouldn't the climbers be, like, 1/2 inch tall?

-Bob
(P.S., yes Kerri, Mickey used to climb too!)

 

[mysteriouspnai]

Cool! I remember the climbers from numerous previous trips, all the way back to 1960! Great tradition.

But to be true to scale, shouldn't the climbers be, like, 1/2 inch tall?

-Bob
(P.S., yes Kerri, Mickey used to climb too!)

1/2 inch tall? That would be a sight to see! If you could see them of course. I love miniature things!

I'm very excited to see the mountain climbers, but I would imagine it would be particularly hot when they head up.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

It's great to see the tradition continue!

Here's an old photo (not sure of the date):

Source: Theme Park Insider
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200811/975/

 

[perlster]

Mickey on the Matterhorn - Xmas 2006 by Driven to Capture 2, on Flickr

 

[Feistygirl916]

LOVE this! Thank you for posting because I have always wanted to see this!

 

[BeccaG]

When did they "stop" doing climbs???

 

[fctiger]

LOL I had no clue they stopped either? Well nice to hear they are back...even though I never knew they left!

 

[MrsPinup]

Here's an old photo (not sure of the date):

What a cool photo! There are so many differences from then and now - like the lack of trees around Alice for starters.

I have never seen the climbers in all of my trips. I will be sure to watch for them this summer

 

[Jacie]

I'm so excited!
I was reading about the break room type area inside the Matterhorn for the climbers to rest in between climbs. Sounds do awesome!
4 more months for us!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

It's great to see the tradition continue!

Here's an old photo (not sure of the date):

Source: Theme Park Insider
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200811/975/

Love it. This is before the Fantasyland Restoration in '83. I can see Skull Rock and the Pirate Ship. Oh, and the exit from the Alice in Wonderland Attraction that used to be a ride in itself.

 

[Disco]

Love it. This is before the Fantasyland Restoration in '83. I can see Skull Rock and the Pirate Ship. Oh, and the exit from the Alice in Wonderland Attraction that used to be a ride in itself.

Is that the mini Autopia I've heard about over his shoulder (his head is almost facing it, upper right of the middle of the picture)?
Looks like they are maybe building the train/boat ride through storybook land? With the pirate boat there Dumbo didn't exist? Mad Hatter should be right behind his back (if it existed). Amazing how much this stuff changes...
Tell me more about this ride to get off Alice?!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Is that the mini Autopia I've heard about over his shoulder (his head is almost facing it, upper right of the middle of the picture)?
Looks like they are maybe building the train/boat ride through storybook land? With the pirate boat there Dumbo didn't exist? Mad Hatter should be right behind his back (if it existed). Amazing how much this stuff changes...
Tell me more about this ride to get off Alice?!

You might be right. I don't remember an attraction next to the Storybook Canal Boats, and I read that the Midgit Autopia was next to that attraction, and was dismantled to build It's a Small World. I don't see It's a Small World in that picture.

Dumbo used to be closer to the carrousel. Both the carrousel and Dumbo were relocated when Fantasyland was redone. Dumbo now sits where the Pirate ship used to be, and they also got rid of Skull Rock. The Pirate Ship used to serve tuna sandwiches. (Although I don't remember ever going on that ship)

The ride to get off of Alice was just the exit from the attraction. It is still there today, but due to regulations they've covered the area on both sides of the track so no one can get out of the caterpillars and fall down to the ground. When I was a child that used to be my favorite part of the attraction, and quite an adventure.

 

[kayleigh83]

Sounds so cool! I didn't know they were gone, haven't been in many years, but I'll be sure to look for them when I'm there!

 

[Jennifer2983]

Now that would be fun to see, anyone know how long they r going to be doing it for? I am not going till July

 

[Disco]

I'm just assuming that the mountain was in such bad shape or that they addressed certain safety concerns with the rehab. I would like to think that the climbers will be a permanant (re)addition.
But who knows, maybe it's just to hype the MH launch for a short time after the refurb is done or just for the grand reopening for 6/15?