Matterhorn

Matterhorn is a family spinning ride that opened in 1972. The ride has been moved several times over the years.

Matterhorn
1972

The 1950's was a really bad time for Cedar Point. After all, it almost closed. After formulating a plan to become the "Disneyland of the Midwest", Cedar Point would add rides that would make the park popular. In 1963 the Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad took guests on a journey back to the days of the Wild West. Blue Streak became the first major roller coaster built in decades when it opened in 1964. In 1965 Space Spiral opened as the first ride in the world to go over 300 feet. Pirate Ride sent riders back to the days when pirates ram-sacked the high seas. Frontier Town opened in 1967. Frontier Town was expanded in 1969 to include Cedar Creek Mine Ride. In 1970 Cedar Point Celebrated its 100th anniversary with the Million Dollar Midway. Frontier Trail opened in 1971.

With all these new additions, 1972 would bring many different experiences to Cedar Point's line up.

In 1972 Cedar Point would open Giant Wheel, Matterhorn, and Jumbo Jet.

When Matterhorn opened in 1972 it was located between Jumbo Jet and Space Spiral. The ride sat against the beach. It would remain there until the end of the 1978 season.

At the end of 1978 the original WildCat closed and was relocated to ValleyFair. A new WildCat would open at Cedar Point in 1979. Jumbo Jet was closed and was moved to Palace Playland in Maine.

Super Himalaya was moved out of storage and was placed in front of the old WildCat site. Matterhorn would also be relocated next to Super Himalaya. They would only remain in this location for the 1979 season.

In 1980 Matterhorn was relocated back to its original location. The ride would now be located between Space Spiral and WildCat.

Matterhorn would thrill riders in this location until then end of the 1984 season. The ride would be moved to make room for Avalanche Run.

In 1985 Matterhorn was relocated to a corner that was between Corkscrew and Scrambler. This location was previously home to Tiki Twirl from 1970 to 1984.

Matterhorn was located at the very end of the Main Midway.

Matterhorn was in a great location to give famililes something to do as they were exploring the park.

By 2022 Matterhorn had been in this location for 37 years.

On Thursday, August 11, 2022, Cedar Point announced it was building The Boardwalk for the 2023 season. The new area would include The Grand Pavilion and Cedar Point's newest roller coaster, Wild Mouse. Matterhorn along the Scrambler would be relocated to the new area.

During the Spring of 2023 construction crews worked to put Matterhorn back together.

Matterhorn had a lot of work done to restore the ride. It was sent to Baynum Solutions where they gave the ride a much-needed overhaul. The ride was also painted.

Matterhorn reopened in its new location on Saturday, May 6, 2023.

Matterhorn is located on the Boardwalk. The ride is in between Wild Mouse, Planet Snoopy, Calypso, and Atomic Scrambler.

Matterhorn was painted to look cooler than it previously did.

The new Matterhorn experience feels like something that you would find in a Disney park.

Matterhorn has a nice entrance plaza. The ride was also given a new sign, and a Fast Lane line.

Matterhorn has a really inviting look and feel the ride. Its overhaul was much needed.

Matterhorn was built by Mack Rides. Over the years Mack Rides would build several rides for Cedar Point including: Calypso (1963-1969), Tiki Twirl (1970-1984), Schwabinchen (1970-2002), Super Himalaya (1970), Calypso (1970), and Matterhorn (1972)

Matterhorn is a Mack Rides Matterhorn model. The ride was in dozens of parks and carnivals through the world. Today the ride is becoming more rare as many parks have removed them over the years.

Matterhorn Ride Facts:
Opened: 1972
Location:
1972-1978 near Space Spiral
1979-1979 near present day Matterhorn
1980-1984 near Space Spiral
1985-2022 between Sky Ride and Corkscrew
2023- current The Boardwalk
Manufacturer: Mack Rides
Type: Matterhorn
Cars: 20

Theming

Flat Rides have had theming packages since the beginning of rides.

Matterhorn has a light theme of a bobsled car swinging around a mountain.

Matterhorn also has a special musical soundtrack that plays while the ride is in motion.

Matterhorn looks great, and it continues to thrill riders for more than 50 Yeats after it first opened.

Lighting Package

Matterhorn has a bright lighting packing. It really lights up the ride and helps to make it exciting.

Matterhorn really lights up the midway at night! It makes the midway more exciting, and it helps bring character to the area.

Ride Experience

Riders that want to experience Matterhorn drive in the entrance plaza for Matterhorn. The plaza is very inviting. It is also full of energy.

The line for Matterhorn is located directly to the right of the ride.

The line for Matterhorn is usually pretty short. Most of the time the wait is 5 minutes or less. When the park is busy the line can be up to 15 minutes.

In 2023 Fast lane was added to Matterhorn.

Matterhorn riders are loaded into one of 20 cars. The ride was a platform that goes up and down hills.

Each car holds two people. Every riders has their own seatbelt. The lap bar does not lock so you have to hold it down. The car may swing while you are getting in and out.

Matterhorn starts by spinning in a clockwise circle. When the ride starts moving a special soundtrack for the ride starts playing.

The ride spins at a pretty exciting speed and goes faster as the ride keeps moving.

As the ride spins to its maximum speed the cars start to tilt to the inside of the ride.

Riders are held into place using centrifugal force.

As the trade starts to slow down it stops tilting to the inside.

When Matterhorn stops riders can exit the ride on the The Boardwalk.

Matterhorn is a great ride for the entire family to ridge together.

Matterhorn is a step up for riders who have concurred areas like Camp Snoopy and Planet Snoopy, but are not quite ready for major thrill rides like Power Tower or WindSeeker! It is a great in-between ride for riders to experience.

Matterhorn is also a great multi-generational ride. It is really cool to be able to ride a ride that you rode as a kid with your kids and grand kids.

Matterhorn is a great experience for the entire family to enjoy together.

A Great Fit For Cedar Point

Matterhorn was a great addition to Cedar Point when it opened in 1972. At that time it was part of a plan to give the entire family something to do.

When Matterhorn was moved in 2023, it would continue to thrill the entire family. The park could easily have gotten rid of the ride, but they chose to keep it.

"Are you kidding, they are special, they are classic, they are part of our history, and they fit here beautifully." -Carrie Boldman, VP and General Manager of Cedar Point.

Matterhorn really does look and feel like its always been in its current location. It is a natural fit for The Boardwalk.

Guests just love Matterhorn! It is a very popular ride at Cedar Point!

After Matterhorn opened in 1972, Cedar Point would add things that would bring something for the entire family to do including 22 roller coasters. Over the years the following attractions opened at Cedar Point: Cedar Point Cinema (1975-2001), Corkscrew ,(1976),Witches' Wheel(1977-2018), Gemini(1978), Gemini Children's Area (1979-2013), WildCat(1979-2011), Oceana (1980-1998), Ocean Motion (1981), White Water landing (1982-2005), Demon Drop(1983-2009), Avalanche Run (1985-1989), Thunder Canyon(1986), Iron Dragon(1987), Soak City Water Park (1988-2016), Magnum XL-200(1989), Disaster Transport (1990-2012), Mean Streak (1991-2016), Challenge Park (1992-2016), Snake River Falls (1993), Raptor (1994), Cedar Point's 100th Anniversary Celebration (1995), Mantis (1996-2014), Chaos (1997-2010), Power Tower (1998), Camp Snoopy (1999), Millennium Force (2000), Wicked Twister (2002-2021), Top Thrill Dragster (2003-2021), maXair (2005), Skyhawk (2006), Maverick (2007), Planet Snoopy (2008), Shoot The Rapids(2010-2015), WindSeeker (2011), Dinosaurs Alive on Adventure Island(2012-2018), GateKeeper (2013), New Gemini Midway (2014), Rougarou (2015), Valravn (2016), Cedar Point Shores Water Park (2017), Steel Vengeance (2018), Forbidden Frontier on Adventure Island(2019-2022), Cedar Point's 150th Anniversary Celebration (2020), Snake River Expedition (2021), The Boardwalk (2023), and Top Thrill 2 (2024).

All of these new attractions have given Cedar Point something new for guests to experience.