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

[GrandBob]

The Pirate Ship used to serve tuna sandwiches. (Although I don't remember ever going on that ship)

Yep, the Pirate Ship was sponsored by Chicken of the Sea, and was basically a themed CS restaurant. When we went in 1960, my little brother would have been 3 years old. We couldn't budge him from that ship! We took turns watching him, so I spent a pretty fair amount of time on that ship! I still chuckle, though, about how he spent all his time in a CS restaurant. A very cleverly themed one, but still...

http://www.yesterland.com/pirateship.html

-Bob

 

[pixiewings71]

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!)

Thanks Bob, I thought I remembered that but couldn't really remember...I think it was my first visit to DL way back when I was 21.......LOL That would have been 20 years ago........

Yep, the Pirate Ship was sponsored by Chicken of the Sea, and was basically a themed CS restaurant. When we went in 1960, my little brother would have been 3 years old. We couldn't budge him from that ship! We took turns watching him, so I spent a pretty fair amount of time on that ship! I still chuckle, though, about how he spent all his time in a CS restaurant. A very cleverly themed one, but still...

http://www.yesterland.com/pirateship.html

-Bob

I think I would have been like your brother.....not wanting to leave...LOL

 

[S. S. Columbia]

When did they "stop" doing climbs???

By one account, having climbers on the Matterhorn stopped in mid-2007.

David Koenig wrote, "Within weeks of the opening of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, the Matterhorn mountain climbers received their pink slips."

(Finding Nemo opened on June 11, 2007.)

Source: http://www.mouseplanet.com/7620/Exhibit_Closed

Here is the entire quote:

"Unfortunately, Disneyland's "open one/close one" policy appears to be alive and well. According to the policy, every time the park opens a new attraction, it feels financially compelled to close one or more others.

Within weeks of the opening of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, the Matterhorn mountain climbers received their pink slips."

- David Koenig (August 14, 2007)

Source: http://www.mouseplanet.com/7620/Exhibit_Closed

HTH

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... 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?

"Goofy, Mickey and Minnie were "rock climbing"... I was kind of scared for them... They were
pretty high up... lol" - katiemc1023

July 20, 2006 - Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/katiemc1023/726376158/

 

[Kittyskyfish]

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!)

You are very close! The Matterhorn Bobsleds mountain is built 1:100 scale to the real Matterhorn in Switzerland. If a climber is 5'9", he or she would be 69/100 of an inch tall, or roughly 7/10 inches tall.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

On my first trip with my kids ( think it was around 2000) we saw Mickey Mouse clilmbing the mountain. None of us could believe our eyes, because we had never heard that this could happen! It was definitely a highlight.

 

[Mommy26]

How on Earth did they climb that mountain with Character suits on???

 

[Kittyskyfish]

How on Earth did they climb that mountain with Character suits on???

It's only a model.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3dZl3yfGpc

 

[S. S. Columbia]

The Matterhorn climbers should be in DL on Friday!

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

Hat Tip to perlster for the photo.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

Yay!!! I noticed last time we went they weren't there. I have pictures from the big 50th party. They had TONS of streamers and confetti shoot out from the top with Mickey. I have pictures from various trips of the characters and people up there. Fun stuff. Can't wait for my kids to see it in January. They don't remember

 

[xsuki000]

Wait, let me get this straight. DL assigns employees to regularly climb the Matterhorn? LOL I'd hate to be the employee who's forced to do that every couple hours.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Yes, they do. I've seen the classifieds for mountain climbers in the past.

I enjoy seeing the mountain climbers, and it's a real treat when Mickey climbs the Matterhorn, too.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

The Matterhorn climbers should be in DL on Friday!

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

Hat Tip to perlster for the photo.

I'm going to be there, and will be taking plenty of pictures.

 

[xsuki000]

I'd enjoy seeing it too, especially Mickey!. I just find the idea of them finding people and paying them to climb a fake mountain kind of funny and intriguing.

But it shows what great lengths Disney will go to to make a Disney experience.

 

[pixiewings71]

Well I'm pretty sure they aren't forcing anyone to do that. The people I've seen do it were very clearly having fun and enjoying themselves. It's not everyone who gets to go to work and climb mountains. lol

I am so excited for this!! I mentioned it to DD and she looked at me like I was crazy. LOL

 

[LoonySeal]

Only saw them a few times, but it was a great show to see!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Meet the climbers!

Three of their names are Hans, Otto, and Fritz.

Photo credit - DisneyGeek - http://blog.disneygeek.com/2012/06/15/the-climbers-have-returned-too/

Thumbs up if you think there should be an entire area for Switzerland in Disneyland.

Matterhorn Bobsled's Yodelers

 

[Butterfly123]

You coud see the climbers today on Hojos Matterhorn cam. So glad they're back!

 

[Hoku]

I'd hate to be the employee who's forced to do that every couple hours.

Are you kidding? That'd be the most awesome job! Keep perspective, too. There are thousands of recreational climbers that LOVE their sport. Why are they all recreational? Because there are very, very few jobs available to them. Granted, this is not serious climbing, but I assure you it would still be a dream job, albiet low paying, for many.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Photo credit - Coheteboy - June 15, 2012

Photo credit - Coheteboy - June 15, 2012

Photo credit - Coheteboy - June 15, 2012

Photo credit - Coheteboy - June 15, 2012