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3. Space Mountain

Image: DisneyOut of all the man-made mountains listed here, I struggled with Space Mountain the most. It could easily stand on top of this group. After all, everyone who loves Disney can spot Space Mountain from a vast distance. At Walt Disney World, Disney’s Contemporary Resort even charges more for guests whose rooms overlook this dazzling architectural wonder.

With regards to the ride, is any theme park attraction more iconic than Space Mountain? It has the sort of name recognition that supersedes the entire industry. Even people who have never been to a Disney theme park know what Space Mountain is. So, the building is impressive and the ride is legendary. I have nothing negative to say about Space Mountain. I really don’t. In evaluating this list, I simply felt that the next two attractions had stronger arguments as the best Disney mountains of all-time.

2. Splash Mountain

Image: DisneyYou know the old saw that a picture is worth a thousand words. Look at the photograph here to understand the genius of Splash Mountain. When you stand in front of this mountain, the clever crafting tells the story of the entire ride. The prickly branches hint at the malevolent undertones lurking inside the mountain. The jets of water remind you of your fate when you board your log flume. And the ominous structure stretches into the sky, eventually ending in a sharp point at the top. Cascading through the middle of the mountain is a waterfall, one that will provide the proverbial splash. Splash Mountain is a gorgeous construct that somehow manages to call its own shot, ably describing the pleasures that guests will discover inside this Laughing Place.

1. Matterhorn Bobsleds

Image: DisneyThere can be only one…first, that is. Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first tubular steel continuous track roller coaster in the world. More importantly, it was the first attraction to come with its own mountain. Walt Disney himself wanted to build something to prove that Disneyland didn’t reach its pinnacle on opening day. After a couple of years in operation, skeptics wondered how the park would sustain its early momentum.

The year of 1959 proved to be one of the most important of the 20th century for The Walt Disney Company. Imagineers would unveil two new attractions, one of which would take place in the depths of the ocean. The other would take to the skies. In fact, it would use a space that was already in place at Disneyland.

During the early days of the Happiest Place on Earth, theme park tourists would hang out at a place called Lookout Mountain. There, they would *ahem* get a little too happy. It was the heavy petting capital of Disneyland. Uncle Walt saw a way to kill two birds with one stone by adding a Swiss Alps overlay to the mountain. With a new ride present, it would remove hot make-out sessions as an option in this area. And the attraction would create renewed interest for park guests.

The Matterhorn Bobsleds turns 60 in June of 2019. It’s the oldest major steel roller coaster in the world, and it continues to delight guests to this day. The structure on which it’s based was the first wienie ever tied to a theme park attraction, giving it a special gravitas that differentiates it from the other man-made structures on this list. It claims a central role in park lore, and the other entrants here wouldn’t exist were it not for the sustained excellence of Matterhorn Bobsleds.

 
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