The Matterhorn is the most distinctive landmark on the Disneyland scene, visible from almost anywhere in the park. Open since 1959, the Matterhorn maintains its popularity and long lines year in and year out. The Matterhorn Bobsleds is a roller-coaster ride with an alpine motif. On the scary scale, the ride ranks about 6 on a scale of 10. The special effects cannot compare to Space Mountain, but they do afford a few surprises.

You first glimpse the Yeti during the initial uphill climb as menacing silhouette distorted by ice, then cruise past an ominous collection of old ride vehicles (including vintage bobsleds and an antique Skyway bucket) that the beast has hoarded. Finally, you’ll come face-to-face with the furry legend not once but twice; the encounters are brief, but he moves with a fluid ferocity that his frozen cousin in WDW’s Expedition Everest can only dream of.

The bobsleds you ride in are three-passenger cars with individual seats (similar to Florida's Space Mountain) with seat belts. The vehicles are unfriendly to the long-legged; tall riders are advised to ask for the middle or back rows, which have marginally more room. Be warned that wherever you sit, this is the bumpiest coaster in Disney's inventory.