We already told you about the return of an improved Hatbox Ghost to the Haunted Mansion. And, starting tomorrow, Disneyland fans also will get to see a new and improved Yeti on the Matterhorn Bobsleds. (Cue the screams from frustrated Expedition Everest fans.)
Disneyland let media reps go the ride a day early today, and here is a full on-ride POV video for you viewing enjoyment.
Yeah, it's a little shaky. That's because the ride is the same as it's been since the last major refurbishment, when Disneyland replaced the classic bobsleds with new sleds that fans have decried as rough and uncomfortable, with sharply reduced legroom.
Disney worked on the show this time, adding three encounters with the Yeti on the ride. While we hear the Yeti from the moment we enter the mountain, the first time we catch a glimpse of the legendary creature is behind ice on the ride's initial lift.
After passing the wreckage of a previous mountain exhibition (including one of those old, beloved sleds, wrecked), we see the new animatronic Yeti. Featuring a wide range of body motion and detailed facial movement, the Yeti swipes his arms toward your sled as you slide past.
We will see the Yeti one last time, toward the end of the ride, when he (she? it?) lunges toward the sled.
No, Disneyland's Yeti isn't as large as the one on Expedition Everest. Nor does he seem to move as much as the Walt Disney World abominable snowman once did. But this Yeti does move, and impressively so, giving west coast fans one more gift from Disneyland over which they can brag a little toward their east coast friends.
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As for the ride, I think this is the roughest Disney coaster outside of Paris' Space Mountain.
Now they're removing great audio and special effects? It's nice that Disney wants to add a Yeti, but why does it have to be at the expense of other features that the fans loved?
I won't ride Matterhorn again, until Disney gets rid of these terrible bobsleds.
So true! If they do fix the Yetti here in Florida, though, I want them to keep the strobe light. For dramatic effect, y'know? I also don't want Disney to make an official announcement about it. What I want is that the ride closes down for a couple months for a refurb, and then when it opens back up guests will be screaming with delight when they see a giant Yetti arm swinging down towards them!
I also agree with Court E that the roar shouldn't have been taken out. The real icing on the cake to making a monster truly iconic is a loud, deep roar like thunder that makes the hairs on your arm stand on end! (Just ask the King of all Monsters himself, Godzilla!) I mean seriously, just growling and grunting? That's what I do to my classmates when they start acting like clowns While I'm trying to finish my World History vocab! Is Disney calling me a Yetti? Hurtful!
Great idea, terrible execution. Hard to imagine that any park anywhere would feature such a bumpy, back-busting ride.
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