Matterhorn Bobsleds, March 1961
The Matterhorn Bobsleds, a ride that was a real stroke of genius by Walt and his boys. Let's build a huge copy of a real mountain, and turn it into a rollercoaster! There'd been smaller "scenic railways" at amusement parks for many years, but they were tiny compared to Walt's version.
This first photo is pretty fun, mom (presumably) turned around and grabbed a picture of one of her daughter's as their bobsled careened down the (totally) tubular steel track, past an icy waterfall. I can't tell if the girl is having fun or not, her brow is furrowed! In the distance, we can see the parking lot.
From a more stable position, mom captured this shot of another bobsled as it splashed through some glacial runoff. So great!
11 comments:
Major-
That 1st image is a rather bold move for whoever the photographer was - clearly a seasoned roller coaster rider - or a daring circus performer.
Thanks, Major.
Fun action shots — you ARE there! Golly, HOW MANY people are smushed into that bobsled…five?? I don’t recall more than 4 in those sleds, though my memory could be failing. :o/
Thanks, Major.
Is it MORE good luck if you take a picture of a bobsled FROM a bobsled?
@ Sue-
I believe one of those 'heads' is actually a boulder-!
......the (totally) tubular steel track.....
I see what you did there, Major, and it was gnarly!!!
I find it very interesting that whoever had the camera for that first pic, put the little girl seated alone behind themselves. The child is always supposed to go in the lap of the adult, when riding together. So, I assume that the child was seated alone in the "backseat" of the then non-tandem bobsleds!
Nanook, I would often turn around like that, to get pics of my friends on the various rides. In the later years (much later, like 2010 and on) the ride operators would usually come on a microphone and tell you to face forward. At least they would do it on Dumbo and the Astro Orbitor. Spoil sports!
Thanks, Major!
@ TM!-
I always knew you were a daring circus performer-!
”I believe one of those 'heads' is actually a boulder-!”
Nanook, they’re riding with a boulder IN their bobsled!?!?
:op
@ Sue-
It has already 'jumped ship' and is nestled into the Alpine gardens.
Upon second glance, it appears that the first pic was taken moments after the bobsled had come off of the chain lift (of the ride side track), and had just passed over the flat ledge of the waterfall. That section of track became enclosed (and dark) in 1978. Here's a pic to show the area pre-1978:
Pre-enclosed Matterhorn Track
@TM!-
A-ha-! Very good.
When I first started playing RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, many years ago, one of the first things I built was an homage to Disney's Matterhorn. And unlike the Disneyland version, my bobsled track went all the way to the top of the mountain, not just halfway!
1) I vote 'not having fun'. She looks terrified, petrified, horrified, and panfried. How can you tell that's the parking lot back there? I think it's the might Los Angeles River! The section we can see is one of the wilder parts of the river, with whitewater rapids.
2) Hmm, the only part of the photo that is in focus is the Bobsled, and its passengers. Wonder how that happened? Was it skill, or just luck? Funny how so many Disneyland pics feature the (blurry) backs of peoples' heads prominently in the photo. This view of the Matterhorn looks a bit like the Vasquez Rocks. I think I see a Gorn milling around up there.
Wow, I hit the 'refresh' button and there were already ten comments! Thanks for the Holey Mountain pics, Major.
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