Best Time to Ride
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Disneyland
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Matterhorn Bobsleds was the world's first tubular steel roller coaster, opening in 1959 and directly inspiring every modern coaster that followed. You board a bobsled and race through a snow-capped alpine mountain, encountering a Yeti along the way and splashing down into an icy pool at the finale.
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Thrill
Moderate
Typical Wait
~45 min
Lightning Lane
Multi Pass
Height
42" min
Ideal For
Coaster fans, families with kids 42 inches and up, nostalgic Disney fans, anyone chasing the ride that started the modern theme park coaster
Thrill
Moderate
Typical Wait
~45 min
Lightning Lane
Multi Pass
Height
42" min
Ideal For
Coaster fans, families with kids 42 inches and up, nostalgic Disney fans, anyone chasing the ride that started the modern theme park coaster
Mateo's Verdict
Mateo "The Map" Morales · Lead Disney Parks Specialist
Matterhorn Bobsleds is a must-ride, not because it's the smoothest or fastest coaster at the resort, but because it's the one that started all of this — the world's first tubular steel coaster, opened in 1959. Two separate tracks wind through a snow-capped mountain full of ice caves, a startling Yeti encounter, and a splashdown finale, and the vintage 1959 engineering means it's noticeably rougher and jerkier than anything built since. Ride the right (Tomorrowland-side) track for a slightly more intense layout, and go at night if you can — the mountain lit up against the dark sky is one of the most photogenic spots at the resort. Skip it only if you or anyone in your group has neck or back sensitivities; the jolts are real.
Mateo's Verdict
Lead Disney Parks Specialist
Matterhorn Bobsleds is the ride that changed the entire theme park industry, and it still delivers three genuinely fun minutes almost seventy years later. When Disneyland opened this attraction in 1959, it was the world's first tubular steel roller coaster — before Matterhorn, coasters ran on wooden tracks with rig…
Pros
- One of the widest age ranges of any coaster at the resort
- Two distinct tracks, so it plays differently every ride
- Genuine piece of theme park history — the first tubular steel coaster ever built
Worth it if…
Worth it if you want a real (if rough) coaster that works for nearly every age in your group — this is Disneyland's most inclusive thrill ride.
Plan Your Visit
Timing, Lightning Lane, and whether this one is worth your hour.
How Lightning Lane Works
- 1
Book Multi Pass by mid-morning
Matterhorn's lower ride capacity means it sells through return windows faster than bigger rides like Space Mountain or Indiana Jones.
- 2
Rope drop it in the first 20 minutes if skipping Lightning Lane
This is one of the fastest risers of the morning — waits double by 10am on most days.
- 3
Use the Single Rider line if your group doesn't mind splitting up
It runs most operating days and can meaningfully undercut a long standby wait.
Skip or Ride?
RIDE
The first tubular steel coaster ever built and still one of the most purely fun three minutes on either coast — just don't expect a smooth ride.
Plan your ride
Early
Ride first or second at rope drop — waits climb faster here than at bigger-capacity rides
Midday
Longest waits of the day thanks to lower ride capacity, this is when Multi Pass earns its keep
Night
Best atmosphere by far — the mountain lit up against the dark sky is worth the wait alone
What to Know Before You Ride
Rougher Than It Looks
1959 engineering means more lateral jolts than modern coasters. Not recommended for guests with neck or back sensitivities.
42-Inch Height, Single Rider Available
Standard height minimum for this coaster. A dedicated Single Rider line runs most days for a faster alternative.
Two Tracks, Two Experiences
The Matterhorn (left) and Tomorrowland (right) tracks run independently — ride the right side for a slightly more intense layout.
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More Disneyland Planning
START HERE
First-Timer's Guide to Disneyland
Where Matterhorn fits into a first Disneyland day, and why it's worth an early ride.
Read Guide →
STRATEGY GUIDE
Disneyland Rope Drop Strategy
Get here in the first 20 minutes of the day, before the lower-capacity wait builds.
Read Guide →
STRATEGY GUIDE
Disneyland Lightning Lane Complete Guide
Book Multi Pass by mid-morning — Matterhorn sells through return windows fast.
Read Guide →
START HERE
First-Timer's Guide to Disneyland
Where Matterhorn fits into a first Disneyland day, and why it's worth an early ride.
Read Guide →
STRATEGY GUIDE
Disneyland Rope Drop Strategy
Get here in the first 20 minutes of the day, before the lower-capacity wait builds.
Read Guide →
STRATEGY GUIDE
Disneyland Lightning Lane Complete Guide
Book Multi Pass by mid-morning — Matterhorn sells through return windows fast.
Read Guide →
STRATEGY GUIDE
Disneyland Wait Time Tips
Best windows are rope drop and the last hour before close — midday builds fast here.
Read Guide →
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