If you’ve ever visited Disneyland Resort, chances are you’ve taken a spin on the iconic Matterhorn Bobsleds.
Now, this ride is such a classic, an absolute must-do for first-timers and seasoned Disney pros alike. But let’s be real for a second. As much as we all love it, there’s one thing almost everyone agrees on. The Matterhorn is rough. Like, hold-on-to-your-hat-and-pray rough. Well, guess what? We just found out from a Disney Imagineer the roughness isn’t an accident. It’s all by design! Let’s go over what they shared about the design of the ride!
As we were saying, the Matterhorn Bobsleds are iconic, and they’re also a rough ride. It turns out, it’s all by design! In a recent interview, Disney Imagineer legend Bob Gurr, who was the mastermind behind the original design of the Matterhorn, revealed the surprisingly simple reason behind why this coaster feels like a chiropractic session gone wrong. Spoiler alert: It’s his fault!
The Heartline Secret
In a conversation with interviewer Steve Gonsalves over on Bob Gurr’s Instagram, Gurr dove right into the nuts and bolts of the ride’s unique design. When asked why the Matterhorn is so notorious for its roughness, Gurr explained that it all boils down to how the track was designed. “The reason it’s rough, it’s a complicated, simple thing,” Gurr said. He went on to talk about something called the “heartline,” a concept that has become essential in modern roller coaster design.
Most coasters today are designed with riders’ “heart line” in mind. The “heart line” is basically, an imaginary line running through the center of your chest that ensures the motion of the ride feels smooth, as though you’re gliding around turns with ease. The track rotates around this line, giving you that perfect, seamless ride experience.
Why You’re Feeling Every Bump
In case you were hoping that the newer bobsled cars introduced in the 2010s might have solved the problem, you’re in for a rude awakening. Gurr revealed that the updated vehicles might actually make things feel worse.
“The current car is designed differently so that there’s a space between the side of the car and you. You now get the full slam like it used to be originally,” he said. So, if you’ve felt like the Matterhorn has gotten even more spine-shaking lately, you’re not imagining things. It’s actually designed that way.
A Ride Even Gurr Won’t Get On
If you’re thinking, “Wow, I’d love to sit down and talk shop with Bob Gurr and then hop on the Matterhorn together,” hold your horses. Turns out, the guy who designed the ride won’t even ride it himself anymore!
“I’m not going to ride it. I’m not going to ride it,” Gurr said with a laugh when Gonsalves suggested they hop on after the interview. That’s right. It’s so rough that even the mastermind behind the ride is steering clear.
Love It or Hate It, It’s Here to Stay
So, there you have it. The next time you find yourself bracing for impact on the Matterhorn Bobsleds, just remember it’s all Bob Gurr’s fault. Love it or hate it, the Matterhorn’s rough, jarring experience is all part of its charm and it’s never going to change.
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How much do you love the Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland? Let us know in the comments!
Interesting stuff! Of course, this article fails to mention that the Matterhorn was a groundbreaking ride design with the first steel tubular track for a roller coaster! So I think Bob can be forgiven for designing a coaster with a rough ride!