The scare factor of the Abominable Snowman on Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds has clicked up a couple of notches.

Since 1978, he had stood at the top of the mountain, with riders getting a glimpse of him before they scooted down the roller coaster.

“It used to be you just rode by him and that was it,” said Jim Hill, a Disney historian and blogger.

Friday, as the attraction re-opens after several months, riders will see a more-ferocious Abominable Snowman (who Disney employees affectionately call Harold).

As visitors get pulled up to near the top of the mountain in their bobsleds, a projected image of Harold’s face is seen, peeking through an ice sheet. At the top, Harold is now an animatronic.

And as visitors head down the hill, the more-limber Harold seems to chase them – with sound effects creating the idea that he is in pursuit.

The old animatronic Harold, by the way, isn’t retired – he will be on display in the next D23, Disney’s periodic convention.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3764 or jpimentel@ocregister.com