You may have noticed that the Matterhorn Bobsleds never quite reach the top of the mountain. Ever wondered why? Well, the upper third of the mountain is actually open inside, with storage, staircases, and this park secret: the Matterhorn Basketball Court!
The small basketball court has a full backboard and net, and sits in a small attic-like space near the top of the Matterhorn. Back when mountain climbers would climb up the mountain, they would use this space alongside cast members to prep for performances and take a break on days with gloomy weather.
With the installation of a break room at the base of the mountain, this space was all but abandoned by cast members, but the court is still intact, as unknowing riders race around and beneath it!
Derek –
So cool.
As far as I could tell from pictures and drawings I’ve seen, behind the basket there is a set of inaccessible stairs that led to the ladder you’re talking about, and also a locked gate prior to the ladder?
And there is also a Tinkerbell room near the basket?
Thanks for sharing.
The only way Walt Disney could build the Matterhorn that high in Anaheim was to put the court in and call it a
“Sport arena “ he was a brilliant man to find this loop hole in the permitting process..
That permit issue was a myth. The basketball mini half-court wasn’t added until later. You can read the whole story here:
https://wdwnt.com/2018/07/road-to-the-ride-myth-inside-matterhorn/
Yes it’s real. I went there and above, past Tinkerbell’s window and up a ladder, through a trap door to a tiny perch on top of the “mountain”.
I was doing cellular service coverage survey, and the Disney big wig that was my escort that night asked me if i wanted to see it. Since there was the slightest chance that a person may go up there, it was technically somewhere I should scan, so I said yes. It was pretty awesome being up there as the sun was coming up, but the basketball “half court” is the thing that people always want to know more about.
I’ve always wanted to see this court in person. How would that be possible!?
It’s not possible unless you’re a cast member, and I’m not even sure the Matterhorn CMs get to see it nowadays, since my understanding is it’s used for storage.
Yes CM’ s can still see it. My wife & daughter has seen it and they are CM’s.
I remember seeing it from the old Skyway, if only for a moment. I didn’t see anyone there, though.
The skyway actually passed beneath the area where the court is, so what you would’ve seen is the interior of the lower mountain!
That is so cool
Calling it a “basketball court” is being generous; as you can see from the picture, it’s not even a full half court and barely extends past the free throw line. There isn’t room in there for a real basketball court.
Is that for real?
Yes, the court is real! Although it’s pretty much a storage area now and not really used for play haha.
I didn’t realize the track didn’t go all the way up!
I know, I didn’t either! But the ride weaves outside almost as soon as you get to the top. If you watch the mountain for even a few minutes, you’ll notice that no cars appear higher than 2/3 of the way up. The top third used to accommodate the Skyway as well, but now it’s just extra space!