Behind the Scenes of the Updated Matterhorn Bobsleds | Disneyland Park

Matterhorn Bobsleds has reopened at Disneyland park, and has some new thrills - including a whole new look for its most famous resident, the Abominable Snowman. di.sn/6006hUBg
In the video below, Walt Disney Imagineering takes us for a behind-the-scenes look at how this new look was created.
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[@namirhythx8274]

The excitement the workers face on their face shows that they really love and care about their jobs :)

[@captionpinklion7384]

I saw the old Harold in the guardians of the galaxy ride

[@robertholtz]

New Harold is wonderful but removing the Wells Expedition box was a mistake. The new scene really didn't require its removal either. That really should be corrected promptly.

[@jonahnavarrete7229]

Robert J. Holtz I agree, I think the if the added it back it wouldn't make an impact on the scene or feel of the ride whatsoever.

[@hdscollectibles]

+Jonah N. + Robert I agree with you both. Why can't they distress the Wells expedition box a little nit and add it to "Harold's horde"? I wonder who we could voice this feedback to?

[@jonahnavarrete7229]

I am not sure, but great idea!

[@cjmanson5692]

+Jonah N. I think putting the Wells Expedition box back in would actually add to the scene, in a way, and leave riders wondering if Harold got the Expedition members, from a storyteller's point of view.

[@terrykecxon824]

I agree, keep the Well's expedition box, but I like the buckets from the Sky line, so just keep those. Also keep the bobsleds.

[@GoodGlitterGumdrops]

the new Harold looks phenomenal!

[@psycho81212]

Good news, everyone: the Wells Expedition crate is back!!

[@persianking44]

New Snowman > Old Snowman Old Snowman's roar > New Snowman's roar I know in the new one if you listen really close you can hear some of the old one, but the old roar was better imo.

[@impatienstheshmuck5348]

The two yetis (I call them Harold Senior and Harold Junior) are both great in their own way. Matterhorn pre-2015 was more mystical and had more fantasy elements. The glowing, chiming ice crystals, and the hunched, dark-faced (I don't mean to be racist, the darker face color makes it harder to see, which is more creepy and mysterious) glowing-red-eyes Yeti. Also, the roars help give them character too! The old yeti roar seems more like a howl, or a ghost's scream. It seems more mystical and demonic. Matterhorn post-2015 is more realistic. Gone are the glowing, chiming ice crystals, and in their place (though the Wells Expedition box is back to it's rightful place, thank heavens) is Harold Junior's horde of sleds and broken equipment from the poor saps who tried to explore the mountain. The screen effects on the first climb are executed very well, with the icy wall in between making it seem more realistic. Harold himself now is much more animated in movement and design. His eyes, while still blood-red, don't glow, and his face is now a bright blue, which makes more sense. His roar is also changed drastically. Instead of being an almost sorrowful wail, it's a strong, apelike roar that rattles your eardrums. There's more force behind it. The verdict: I love both. I'll miss the old version, but the new version is still great.

[@Christineog11]

Love hearing Harolds roar echoing while walking in Disneyland nearby the ride.

[@Dragonrider1227]

I love how they avoid saying that they basically just wanted to turn Matterhorn more like Expedition Everest XD

[@1TSS0FLVFFY]

expedition everest would never had existed if matterhorn wasnt made first lol

[@Dragonrider1227]

bo deflop no, it wouldn't have.

[@taylorward3773]

+Dragonrider1227 They couldn't be more different.

[@VideoLogan]

I know right! Their also avoiding saying yeti so again they avoid the Expedtion Everest thing.

[@Dragonrider1227]

HeyBraski Hadn't noticed that but yeah XD

[@srvfan42]

Why did you remove the Wells box? Sad.

[@joshreinholds9816]

The Matterhorn used to scare the heck out of me as a kid then I grew to love it. One of my favorite things is hearing the Yeti roar coming from the mountain. It sounds like you folks changed the roar in the video. Are there any classic Yeti sounds?

[@dylangalvan1277]

I love disneyland

[@KevinMeno2008]

One of the Skyway buckets is #59, likely a reference to 1959, the year Matterhorn opened

[@polarbear044]

I wish Disney would go back to the old 2 seat bobsleds which were so much more comfortable, roomy, and made this ride a lot more enjoyable.

[@blueflare8655]

David Herrick I strongly agree, the current bobsled seats are a bit too small.

[@caelanaustin]

Same

[@caelanaustin]

But I like the new one too

[@bigboomer1013]

me too. its more fun when you have a friend siting next to you

[@1TSS0FLVFFY]

+BWK Productions the old bobsleds fit up to 8 people while the current bobsleds fit 6

[@G2red89]

And this is how it should be, and why I invested in an annual pass to Disneyland and not Disney World. Take great and existing rides and make them even better. Plus them as Walt would say. Not take existing rides and add fastpass when it's not needed and limit me to 3 a day. Was an annual passholder for years at Disney World, but happy to now be one at Disneyland.

[@gameingbull2925]

FIRST COMMENT AND I GOTTA SAY WHEN THE YETI JUMPS AT ME I THINK ITS SO REAL KEEP UP THE WORK DISNEY :D

[@danamarvelstar]

The original abominable snowman can be found at Mission Breakout

[@sdarms111doug9]

If it threw feces at the riders it would seem more realistic

[@matthewwilson915]

Sdarms111 Doug So true! And of course its not mixing agents, its actual lumpy shit.

[@ricardozaldana1543]

Sdarms111 Doug dv

[@sideeswipe]

Sdarms111 Doug I laughed so hard when I saw this

[@Spi-C-weeb]

Yayyy

[@alinea3954]

Matterhorn Bobsleds is now even better

[@kaylynnrivas7753]

I love the new updates for the ride because there are two sides the one on the left (gets you soaked, faster , and more drops) and the one on the right ( get sprayed with water, a little slower, and less drops) so if you're a person who love rollercoasters or not this ride is perfect.

[@Sedlan18]

A really nice update for the diamond celebration, Harold looks better than ever

[@terrykecxon824]

Harold is cool, is he your favorite animatronic in Disney Land?

[@rumba38]

I love the upgrade of the yeti but i miss the old roar! It sounded unique, scary, yet fun to hear.

[@rumba38]

+AlTheGameFreak You're right! I had to replay it and listen closely. I do hear the old roar it's just 'upgraded'. Still miss the old roar tho

[@TekNoBrosGAMING]

im thinking about riding this next week on Wednesday but Im not so sure. I don't know if this ride has any drops. I am still new to rollercoaster only been on 6. So can someone tell me if it has any drops. thanks

[@allycat1238]

Got some so cool I can we tried it

[@alexandraarriaga2693]

In the second part is there I giant screen behind the “ice”?

[@bertdil]

Looks like they incorporated the feel of Everest from Animal Kingdom a little. Nice upgrades.

[@KaiRubix]

look a yeti made by Disney that actually works!

[@DiamanteDea]

Fave ride

[@jaydenjeff1341]

Cool

[@052307JMA]

I like it

[@emmarodriguez6967]

Awesome! Great job, Matt, Ray and Edith!

[@joshuadhi5166]

+Adam and Emma Rodriguez Nice Studio C picture! :D

[@saulobonilla6518]

Do I see a hidden mickey at 1:35....the little white mickey head.

[@spencertheking1048]

no

[@chaselindner3320]

Saulo Bonilla K Kin

[@CryptikChaosurtrashkid]

Saulo Bonilla No its just a reflection that looks Looks like it

[@TISparta217]

Great job WDI on this upgrade. The yetis look great and are finally on par with Expedition Everest's yeti. And as much as I think the hoard room is a great idea I just wish that was established a little bit better. The first time I rode I was confused because I thought it was an old crash that had been left there forgotten, not a collection of various things that the yeti had collected. Hopefully WDI does something in the future to help portray that to the average rider, because right now it just looks like an accident. All in all though, fantastic upgrade.

[@littlesongbird1]

At least these ones move...I understand the one in Expedition doesn't move anymore.

[@anamorejon]

TISparta217 I

[@karenm4190]

This is true, because its broken and in order to fix it, they would have to do a whole lot of expensive work.

[@seraphssong]

TISparta217 DISCO YETIIIIIII!!!!!

[@seraphssong]

The Clorox Addict DISCO YETIII!!!!

[@juniorrodriguez9651]

Every time I get on that ride I always go to the one with the broken vehicles

[@thymemoss]

is this in California?

[@matthewwilson915]

Cheer up Ray! xD

[@dominicbottini1983]

SEE YA LATER HAROLD!

[@mackduckstudios]

I would love to work there, creating and upgrading the rides - exciting work

[@mabelspbjamsandwhich1633]

I was there when they were upgrading it. my cousins went to the right side cuz they said there was no yeti but then wen I went on it... 4 yetis.

[@VioletLauren]

love the update!

[@TheGamerbro-yk8pv]

Where did They put the old robot of the yeti

[@ADAMan123]

In your closet

[@MarthaMaysie]

TheGamer bro551188 They put it in expedition everest

[@asapluke]

TheGamer bro551188 mission breakout

[@rodserling5610]

TheGamer bro551188 It's in the Guardians of the Galaxy ride's wait line.

[@erickcoffee3449]

TheGamer bro551188 I think it's in the new guardians of the galaxy ride somewhere

[@benbacon7654]

In the hoard scene, I noticed the number 72. Is that a reference to something?

[@lilcloutvevo]

I believe it is the year Harold was added

[@AEWFans]

Thats when harold was first added in 1972

[@spence4455]

That's awesome! I love that they used carts from the skyway.

[@FindingTheMagic55]

I love this attraction and I will write it once every trip even though it throws my hip out of place

[@OceanbornAngel]

So, when is the movie featuring the Yeti coming out and who stars in it?

[@AEWFans]

The movie is gonna be called matterhorn and it will star eddy Murphy. The story is that he is yrying ti climb tge mountain.

[@mindlesspear8840]

Will you guys ever do a complete track overhaul to make the ride smoother like you’ve done with space mountain and thunder mountain? Or is it o complicated without removing parts of the mountain? I’ll still ride it regardless cause I love this ride and I forget how loud it Harold is every single time

[@Mpiewizard]

I love the new look. It's fantastic! The only thing I wish they hadn't changed is the roar.

[@granvillimus]

"Today's sophisticated audiences - they're expecting more movement and more action and more tension" I agree with that statement (looks like a great upgrade for the Matterhorn). I'm a huge fan of animatronics. If only this attitude was also present on the east coast as well. At WDW's Animal Kingdom, the yeti animatronic on Expedition Everest has been broken and stationary for the majority of the ride's existence now (Disney continues to show promo videos of the ride with the figure working even though it no longer moves anymore). What a shame the attitude exhibited by Disneyland's imagineers and management isn't shared by those running Disney World as well...

[@nickg5704]

granvillimus Ive never been to Walt Disney World but I have heard the dilemma. The problem is that the mountain, the roller coaster, and the yeti had to be built in three different interwoven support structures because the roller coaster structure shakes as cars go on the track. Because of this, its nearly impossible to replace the yeti structure without dismantling almost the whole the mountain and roller coaster. the animatronic won't move because the yeti is structurally damaged and they can't risk causing more damage to the supports risking the safety of the guests. It would be great of them to fix it before I go for my first visit though! Only time will tell.

[@granvillimus]

Nick G From what i've heard, it sounds like that is an unfounded rumor floating around from god knows where (perhaps perpetuated by cast members who were fed it by higher ups to get complainers to shut up about it). One of the top "fan" Disney experts from the wdwagic forums (marni1971 aka Martin Smith) has stated he has it on good authority that the yeti could be repaired without even closing the attraction. He has implied the problem is with the yeti animatronic itself and stated that WDI has a solution ready to be implemented. It'll simply take a certain amount of money to accomplish. Sadly maintenance at WDW has become a rather well known problem within the fan communities in the past decade or so (despite Disney's attempts to control this information from spreading). Even minor things like broken lightbulbs are rather prevalent at WDW. Things may be starting to get a little better in that regard (and it sounds like they're about to expand Hollywood Studios in a big way, WDW's 50th will probably see a lot of big investment too), but the past 5-10 years have been pretty rough from a maintenance perspective. Disneyland went through its own troubled era from the late 90's to 2005 as well. I'm inclined to trust Martin, he has a fantastic track record and has proven to have very formidable sources and spot on info. His blog is also awesome with very detailed mini-documentaries on Disney rides and attractions (he specializes in his great videos of lost Disney rides such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and long gone EPCOT classics like Horizons).

[@nickg5704]

That's interesting. Thanks for the clarification.

[@fishyfishy3140]

granvillimus *disneyland>disneyworld*

[@ohplezz]

How about you install a smooth track like the one you put into Big Thunder Mountain a few years back? I can't ride the Matterhorn without needing a visit to my chiropractor the next day.

[@rawr23344]

ohplezz they added cushions to the seats that actually really help

[@krystaldelgado3091]

I'm going to Disneyland tomorrow! ^-^

[@MountSellout77]

I never knew that orange bucket was an old Skyway bucket! That's awesome!

[@robotravioli1135]

It says yeti and he is from Everest not matterhorn¡¡¡¡

[@chespiritagabriela]

Harold looks nicer than before! :D

[@thefrogifiedchannel]

Is his name still Harold?

[@milaburhanzai]

❤️😂

[@PrimeStone]

Can you put a Matterhorn bobsleds in magic kingdom in Walt Disney world 🐈

[@karenm4190]

I went on this last month, after having not gone back to Disneyland in 15 years and I got the beejeebus scared out of me by Mr Snowman!

[@evenmorerandomzee593]

he has a name you know. it's harold

[@funbun686]

The thing im curious about is why do the coaster never race anymore? i havent found any good reason for why. ive been to disney a bunch of times, but in recent years the coasters never go down the track at same time like they used to way back when i was a kid!

[@crystalhernandez5030]

I went to WDL for the diamond celebration and it was AWESOME

[@livingtrash24]

Why would they partially destroy one of the skyway buckets? Those things belong in a museum.

[@gmchingon]

But what happened to Harold?

[@RowanWiccae]

I was a teenager the last time I rode the matterhorn, (I'm 26 now) and I remember the old abominable snowman standing erect and scary but never really moving much. I hope someday I'll be able to see the newer version in person seeing as the very last time I was at Disneyland the matterhorn was under construction. At 130 bucks a ticket now (the last time I visited the price was still in the 60-70 dollar region), I don't think I'll be visiting anytime soon.

[@itowin6392]

Wo

[@Alexander-hd9xc]

Now if only the two sides raced each other again... that would be the biggest improvement to the ride.

[@raccoon1820]

They still do! They don't always race each other, but they can easily race each other for a portion of the ride.

[@kongboy4585]

I was scared of the snowman

[@andreapatane4204]

So was everyone! You're not alone, dude. Harold is so scary that he lost a few pounds and got plastic surgery. LOL!

[@apeabroad]

Harold doesn't have his iconic brows/eyes. They should've tried to duplicate his classic look just for history sake

[@ridgedog2317]

I wonder what happened to the old one.

[@tessavargas6654]

Teagan Alexander It’s in Mission BreakOut in the queue

[@bad_guy5895]

Wow the original one looks old

[@aileenescalante8815]

How scary😬😁😬😁

[@gabesevilla2803]

FIX DISCO YETI

[@kelaarin]

The "upgraded" seats suck for larger people. I'm 6'0", and can't fit without tucking my knees under my chin and getting horrible bruises on my shins. And I'd wish they'd kept the crystal cavern, rather than making it a junkyard.

[@vampyreena2829]

They like when guests say that they've made changes but left it the way they remember it. Why wasn't this philosophy in place for EPCOT? ...

[@dalia8075]

*harold the hoarder*

[@MK1MonsterOck1989]

I Wonder What Happen to The Original Harold The Yeti Animatronic

[@lauricarlson7867]

he is in guardians of the galaxy mission breakout

[@tinsote7176]

MK1MonsterOck1989 In the Guardians of The Galaxy ride in DCA

[@bobbyalarcon_music]

What is the new Harold made of? Liquid latex foam?

[@peytonchristine4790]

The snowman is scary

[@benjascs1697]

I have a serious trauma with the Yeti

[@moved_otterrama9290]

The matterhorn almost scared my sister and I to death

[@thucydidesantonio9239]

Its yeti

[@sleepnever1638]

I was there this last September. I absolutely hate that you can't hear the iconic roar of him throughout the park. I remember walking I to Disneyland as a kid, and you could hear that sound. Now the Matterhorn and surrounding area is quiet.

[@RealOrca]

A yeti not a snow monster

[@Gonk]

Screw them being the same, if things are too old rusty and boring they need an upgrade, forget all the cry babies begging for them to keep it the same. Look at Japan and China Disneylands they look amazing and the rides are ten times more detailed and entertaining with new stuff.

[@SMVvids]

Easier Access to the Basketball Court. Make it happen.

[@CubanPete1990]

You what this Matterhorn ride needs a movie version but this time live action from Walt Disney.

[@mr.b9613]

If they brought back the original roar it would be perfect

[@geicoman5]

dont get me wrong, i like the look of it, but i already miss the classic yeti and the crystals.

[@ratrunnerss]

That ride made me pee myself

[@mlopez7897]

Changing the sound of the snowman was EPIC FAIL!!! Sick Hulk sound needs to go.

[@Toonking1985]

+D “Everybodies Laughingplace” Jensen Speaking of the Hulk I've read some where that Fred Tatasciore (the voice of the Hulk) provides the vocal effects for the new yeti.

[@tylerdaise4366]

i feel like expedition everest should upgrade their yeti by giving him new lifelike movements at the end and change his position

[@anthonyurenda5099]

R.I.P Bob or what ever his name was ;(

[@ItzAdrian02]

Harold

[@taylorward3773]

+Anthony Urenda Bob? Where did you get that from?

[@mischamoon2832]

Hi I'm at Disneyland right now! I want to ride Matterhorn bobsleds, but I'm scared..!

[@stevenkdobbs]

Love these videos of the updated Matterhorn Abominable Snow Creature! If you like Disney Themed rides check out a grandpa's kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWSZf4Gin5d6rdE "Backyard Theme Park - Dobbsland" with grandson Micah of "Baby laughing hysterically at ripping paper " viral KZbin video fame riding rides like "Freezing", "Tiny World", "Sub Cruise", "Matterhorn" slide, Flying Elephants" and more.

[@jbcontardi520]

They should turn this into the How the Grinch Stole Christmas for Christmas time as they turned the haunted mansion into The Nightmare Before Christmas. I think it would really turn it into another popular holiday attraction.

[@Melly241000]

+JB Contardi Grinch isn't Disney though but that would be cool

[@diegom7407]

The grinch isn’t Disney tho 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@poop2984]

JB Contardi no

[@reni1969]

I love the new one. But why did they take away the crystals? They were so pretty.

[@CaptainCretaceous91]

I really like the new figure, but I wish they also remade the dinosaurs from Primeval World. Maybe I'll draw up what I had in mind some time.

[@drandomvideocritic]

I know Harold was always a comical character, but his roar is funny and not in a good way.

[@minivegana1355]

Amusement parks are plain EVIL!!!!!!😳😳😳😳😳😳

[@joshpayne24]

Cool