Matterhorn

[matt9112]

it seems to be one of the few original DL attractions that were not exported to WDW? wondering if some Disney historians or imagineers could tell me why it was not cloned? IE( low capacity,cost ect) also is it correct to assume it uses the same basic ride system as WDWs space mountain?

 

[AndyS2992]

Expedition Everest was based on the Matterhorn so it will never come to WDW unfortunately

Really hoping for Switzerland to built at Epcot so they can build it or build a Mt Fuji coaster now that Kodak has died.

 

[matt9112]

i understand it wont come here now. i am asking why it was not cloned when disneyworld was first built.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Probably because of the height of Cinderella Castle. Matterhorn works at Disneyland because of Sleeping Beauty Castle's short height. Matterhorn would look so completely off at MK.

I'm glad it wasn't built there. It should stay a DL exclusive.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

You know, count me in as a guy who likes the fact that there are differences between the two parks. I went to Disneyland last year glad that not only would I see some replicas of some of my favourite attractions, but that I would also see some new ones I have never seen before and perhaps never will in WDW. That's what I love about the difference between the parks. Let WDW keep Hall of Presidents, Philharmagic, CBJ, COP and whatever else there is in the other three parks. Disneyland can have the stuff in Fantasyland that MK doesn't, Toontown, Indy, Carsland, California Screamin' and of course the Matterhorn.

I prefer some differences in the parks when I visit each of them. It makes you appreciate each of them much more. Now, I am glad Small World, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, the three Mountains, etc. are at both parks but they had to stop somewhere or else it would defeat the purpose of visiting both of them. I am glad the Matterhorn isn't in WDW. It made it special and new for me in 2012.

 

[tinkerblonde11]

I agree with the differences in parks and the fact that the Matterhorn is exclusively Disneyland. I mean, if all of the parks were the same, what would be the point in wanting to visit them all? Besides travel of course. I like that each park has their own special touches and differences. Keeps them unique and exciting.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Progress City USA - Mountains of Future Past

 

[marni1971]

Space Port / Mountain was long planned for WDW. Being perceived so similar to the Matterhorn, and with both costing a small fortune, the newer non clone was the one chosen.

The Matterhorn was then proposed for World Showcase in the late 80s but lack of sponsor stalled it

 

[MarkTwain]

People have already mentioned the scale issues of placing a supposedly giant mountain next to an apparently equally tall French chateau, as well as the importance of park individuality. But it's also noteworthy that was also the first steel roller coaster in the world, a fact that can be quite plainly seen (in the now-primitive design of the mountain's rockwork), heard (it is LOUD) and felt (in your lower back) by anyone who rides it. The attraction is a great fit for a park as rich in history as Disneyland, but I don't think there'd be a huge benefit to bring it to WDW without substantially updating it - which, one could say, is exactly what Disney did with Expedition Everest.

From what I understand, Space Mountain was meant to be WDW's replacement for the Matterhorn.

 

[Stu bailey]

'sleds rules.

 

[alissafalco]

MT Vesuvius would be cool for the Italy pavilion.

 

[litaljohn]

count me in on liking unique things, I was kind of bummed out to see that I think every Disney park save for one has a space mountain. (granted with some variance but basically the same concept)

 

[HouCuseChickie]

MT Vesuvius would be cool for the Italy pavilion.

I like that idea a lot! Imagine what they could do with the volcanic eruption! It could also present an opportunity to teach about Pompeii and Herculaneum.

 

[doctornick]

I thought there was plans for a Matterhorn ride in MK to be built in FL with the roof of IASW being used to (at least partially) support it? This is from the original plans from MK.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

MT Vesuvius would be cool for the Italy pavilion.

That would indeed be really cool, nice idea! It would be quite different from the Matterhorn and couldn't be considered a clone. A coaster that travels through the inside of the "dormant" Mt Vesuvius. Inside showing ancient crumbling ruins of Pompei still covered in lava and fire, showing the mountain could still someday erupt if the chance presents itself. The coaster could take elements from the newly built Grizzly Mountain at Hong Kong where the train can stop at various parts in the ride to allow guests to take in the scenery, volcanic explosions catapulting the cars similar to the explosions in Grizzly Mountain. The mountain could even "erupt" with a fireball out the top every so often kind of like Disneysea's Mysterious Island.

There is actually a flume type attraction at Busch Gardens in Virginia called Escape from Pompei that has similar elements to that.

 

[marni1971]

I thought there was plans for a Matterhorn ride in MK to be built in FL with the roof of IASW being used to (at least partially) support it? This is from the original plans from MK.

That was a rumour I've never been able to prove. No plans from 68-71 show it.

 

[cheezbat]

People have already mentioned the scale issues of placing a supposedly giant mountain next to an apparently equally tall French chateau, as well as the importance of park individuality. But it's also noteworthy that was also the first steel roller coaster in the world, a fact that can be quite plainly seen (in the now-primitive design of the mountain's rockwork), heard (it is LOUD) and felt (in your lower back) by anyone who rides it. The attraction is a great fit for a park as rich in history as Disneyland, but I don't think there'd be a huge benefit to bring it to WDW without substantially updating it - which, one could say, is exactly what Disney did with Expedition Everest.

From what I understand, Space Mountain was meant to be WDW's replacement for the Matterhorn.

And of course what was supposed to be our 'unique' take in the Matterhorn gets 'cloned' at every other MK style park...so much for our own unique coaster.
For that very reason I think the Magic Kingdom needs it's own new bigger coaster style ride. Disneyland has the Matterhorn, DLP has the inverting launching Space Mountain as well as the Indy coaster, Hong Kong has Grizzly Mountain, and Shanghai is supposedly getting that Pirates flume/coaster hybrid as well as the Tron motorbike coaster AND the 7 Dwarfs Mine train...

I loved the Matterhorn before its big refurb, but I don't see it needing to be cloned over here. Give us a new mountain unique to MK!

 

[litaljohn]

For that very reason I think the Magic Kingdom needs it's own new bigger coaster style ride

like the snow white one being built?

 

[matt9112]

interesting.....great reply's....i enjoy the historical aspect of things...wiki...as much as some hate it states space mountain in WDW was heavily based on the Matterhorn....even in track layout although it is different it says. is it true the internal layout of space mountain was based upon the Matterhorn? i have riden space mountain in WDW and it seems to be alot more helix's than the Matterhorn "appeared to have"

dumb question is the decision to do two tracks a capacity only decision or did they want to make "two" attractions per say even though i know they mirror each other.

on a side note i love space mountain but would love a rework....paris...

 

[matt9112]

like the snow white one being built?

due to the technology involved im sure the 7DMT will be a blast but i think he was talking about a true coaster. for lack of term...at some points rides will be obsolete...it happens....the amusement industry is fast...disney has escaped this race mostly in my opinion to genius marketing and name recognition people expect disney world to be unique...albit in many great ways but it comes with some cons....mainly that they are not under the gun to remove and replace attractions like other theme parks must. arguably universal has also had the same luck by establishing themselves in a place on top of the standard bearer of amusements in terms of quality and showmanship they dont need to grapple for attendance with new this and that all the time...IE six flags.