Sunday, April 25, 2010

Matterhorn, April 1966

I'm feeling lazy today. Even blinking is just too much of a bother. Anyway, here's a brief post for you...

Doesn't it look like the Matterhorn has two giant nostrils? Try not to think about it.


Notice all of the expansion joints, at least that's what I assume those jigsaw pieces represent. I would imagine that the concrete shell of the Matterhorn must move quite a bit from a cool morning to a hot summer day (or even due to wind loads), and some smart cookie realized that it would crack to pieces unless allowances were made.


I just blinked.
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11 comments:

  1. outsidetheberm9:25 AM

    I don't think I've ever seen a picture where the expansion joints were quite so pronounced - wonder if the sun caught them just right... time to take another look.

    Thanks!

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  2. Chiana_Chat10:26 AM

    Cool! Speaking of, I see the "snowline" looks great by 1966. Somehow I never noticed that "Entrance" flag-shape sign...

    I hope the Major's kept blinking.

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  3. TokyoMagic!11:28 AM

    I've never noticed that entrance sign before either. Is that the entrance to the queue for the Matterhorn, or for Alice?

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  4. HBG212:30 PM

    Are you sure those "expansion joints" aren't tobaccy stains from riders spittin' their chaw as their bobsleds swing through that opening?

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  5. Nancy7:21 PM

    love these buckets, and i know im in the minority... and that little sign is great

    sometimes ya just need a lazy day, taking a slow ride and watching the Land float by. i hope you enjoyed yours, Major!

    thanks ;-)

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  6. Major Pepperidge7:24 PM

    I am guessing that the "Entrance" flag is for the Matterhorn queue - but it's just a guess.

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  7. Vintage Disneyland Tickets7:40 PM

    Expansion joints? You mean to tell me its not a real mountain????

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  8. Chiana_Chat9:01 PM

    blink!

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  9. Anonymous9:29 AM

    Ha, I always figured those joints were there to make it look more like real rock, but you are probably right.

    Also, if you hold two black olives side by side, they look kind of like a dogs nostrils...

    Try not to think about that either.

    JG

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  10. Vaughn10:46 AM

    I am sure you're right about the need for expansion joints. In fact the coefficient of expansion for concrete is very close to that for steel. That means that the train ride around the berm at 90° is about 5 feet longer than the ride at 60°. So... where do they put that 5 feet?

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  11. Major Pepperidge11:07 AM

    Whoa, Vaughn just blew my mind. I'm going to ride the train on hot days so that it will be a longer ride!

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