Posted July 3, 201411 yr comment_186211 So this will be the page for Holiday world in Indiana, USA. This park is home to 3 famous woodies, Raven, The Legend and The Voyage. Raven The Legend The Voyage All 3 are highly respected rides in America. And for 2015 it looks like they will be getting their first ever big steel coaster! Rumours were initially were RMC or Mack however the most likely rumour now is a B&M mainly due to the footers on site. These are the footers found on the holiday world site: Notice the footers with the almond/ova shaped holes in the middle of the shot. Then look at Banshee and Krake's: This among many websites, they think is conformation that this will be in fact a B&M. With lots thinking this could be B&M's first inhouse launch coaster. Due to the fact that the footers shown are too close together to be considered for a lift hill, but too wide for a brake run. Although this is still a rumour it is a very likely one, and one that will be revealed on July 24th. Here is the micro site: http://www.holidayworld.com/66days/ Dicuss away on this new ride and the others if you have been here!
July 3, 201411 yr comment_186219 Awesome! You need to look at holiday park (?) Germany too, with Expedition Geforce
July 3, 201411 yr Author comment_186220 Awesome! You need to look at holiday park (?) Germany too, with Expedition Geforce That has its own topic
July 19, 201411 yr Author comment_187317 From Holiday Worlds Holiblog: About a month ago, a coworker (Hi, Andrew!) tried to get me to share what we’re building in 2015 (yes, it’s top secret; most members of our full-time staff don’t know all of what we’re doing). Of course, one of his many guesses (like so many of you out there) was a steel coaster. After he guessed, he stopped a moment and added, “Probably not, right? Is it true that your dad said he’d never build a steel coaster because it wasn’t family-friendly?” The answer is yes. My dad probably told me that every time I requested a steel coaster (afterconquering my fears, I requested one rather frequently). So I probably got that excuse daily. Honestly, I don’t think he ever meant it. That response really meant I needed to shut my mouth (it only took me until now to realize that — sorry, Dad!). Through the years, my requests became less frequent and my argument pro-steel became structured and more complex. His arguments against did not. One day, he came home with drawings. I believe the time was circa 2006, after The Voyage had opened. I can’t forget him laying those drawings down on our kitchen table. I jumped in place and squealed. He told me he was planning on building in ’09 or ’10. Since I was graduating high school in 2009, I decided it was a graduation present for me. It would have been a truly unique ride—Dad liked to build really great things, often the first of their kind. By now, you’ve figured out that design never came to fruition. My graduation present was nice, but certainly not a steel coaster. In 2010, we did get an amazing first-of-its-kind coaster, the Wildebeest water coaster. It definitely was not what I was expecting, but aren’t the best things always unexpected? As much fun as it would be to resurrect the designs he showed me that day, he had already moved past that technology and was dreaming of something different by the time of his passing. With the promise still lingering out there, I have only this to say: if he were here, I’m certain what we’re building would be his dream. And I’ll add to his promise: what we’re building is going to be truly unique. The first of its kind. This basically confirms its a steel coaster and the fact it will the first of its kind on the planet, with it being rumoured to be a B&M, I wonder what if it is them are they bringing to holiday world
July 25, 201411 yr Author comment_187623 So It's announced they are building a 60MPH LSM (using a flywheel generator) LAUNCHED WING RIDER!!! B&M Just wow!! "HOLIDAY WORLD ANNOUNCES THUNDERBIRD, THE NATION’S FIRST LAUNCHED WING COASTER SANTA CLAUS, IND— The nation’s first launched wing coaster will take flight over Holiday World in 2015. Named Thunderbird, Holiday World’s first major steel roller coaster will feature a zero-to-60 miles-per-hour launch in 3.5 seconds, followed by multiple inversions – including a 14-story Immelmann loop, Zero-g roll, barrel roll, and loop. Continuing Holiday World’s tradition of sending roller coasters through its thickly wooded and hilly terrain, Thunderbird will at first soar and loop high in the air and then hug the ground, surprising riders with rapid-fire “near misses” such as keyholes, themed elements, other rides, trees, and even the ground. “A wing coaster creates a feeling of incredible freedom – you ride beside the coaster track with nothing above or below you,” says Holiday World’s president, Matt Eckert. “Thunderbird is the first launched wing coaster in the nation – we can’t wait to ride it!” Eckert calls Thunderbird’s manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard, the “Cadillac of roller coasters, known for their safety, quality and reliability. We’ve dreamed of adding a B&M steel coaster for many years and are excited that Thunderbird will be B&M’s first launched coaster.” Thunderbird’s $22 million price tag is more than twice the amount of any other single-ride investment at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in the park’s 68-year history. Thunderbird will be located in the park’s Thanksgiving section. Construction is already underway and may be viewed live on Holiday World’s ConstructionCam. Thunderbird will open next spring."
July 25, 201411 yr comment_187625 Seems to do a fair bit of meandering, as do many wingriders, and if the theming is accurate in the vid it has nearly none of the near misses wingriders are so good at, but looks decent enough. B&M launch - about time!
July 25, 201411 yr Author comment_187626 I think the tree's will provide some of that near miss sort of thing seeming its being built in a wood, but I think it looks great, for a first big steel coaster its the perfect pulling machine for them, should be smoother and better then Baco as well!! Tbh this was never going to have themeing on par with the European wing riders but it looks like it is the best themed in the country as gate keeper has non neither does Wild eagle, and X-flight only has a very cheap looking control tower as a themeing piece. It seems to at least have as many near misses (if not more) as Flug Der Damonen though which I think is good personally. More videos ahoy! Flyaround: Train: Compilation shot video: Announcement Video: ( Quite like Banshee's in how the ride reveals its self!) Official Statement: TRACK LENGTH: 3,035 feetRIDE HEIGHT: 140 feet at Immelmann loop’s peakRIDE ELEMENTS:From start to finish:Launch, using LSM technologyImmelmann loopLoopHorseshoeElevated SpiralZero-G rollS curve2 “headchopper” keyholesCarousel360 in-line twist (barrel roll)2 Crossovers with The VoyageSPEED: Thunderbird’s top speed is 60 miles per hourRIDE TIME: 1 minute, 18 seconds (station to station)RIDE VIDEO: http://HolidayWorld2015.comTRAINS: Two trains, each with five four-person coachesCAPACITY: 1,140 Guests per hourHEIGHT LIMIT: Riders must be at least 52 inches tallINVESTMENT: $22 millionRIDE DESIGNER: Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), SwitzerlandLEGEND: In 1620, as the Mayflower neared the end of its 66 days at sea, a mighty storm nearly capsizedthe ship, taking it hundreds of miles off course. As passengers and crew feared all was lost, an immense bird appeared in the sky. The thunderbird, whose wings created the thunder and eyes flashed the lightning of the powerful storm, rescued the ship by launching it through the sky to the New World.
July 25, 201411 yr comment_187627 Cool name, nice colours (Orange ) and whilst the layout doesn't look all that, the prospect of B&M's first proper launch coaster is pretty exciting. One to watch me thinks.
July 25, 201411 yr comment_187630 Omg a launched ride by b&m yes. But even smaller carriages for the winged rider? Is that a good thing?
July 25, 201411 yr comment_187633 Launch on the wingrider looks interesting - certainly some of the elements earlier in the ride look like they're going to be taken at some speed, which is different compared to most wingriders. The zero-g looks like it could end up being a highlight! I agree with pluk about the near misses (or lack of) if the POV holds accurate, but that's something not to judge at this stage. The shorter trains are an odd one actually; perhaps to minimise risks with B&M's first launch coaster? Good to see B&M expanding out and hope this is a success for them!
July 25, 201411 yr comment_187636 It may be because of the weight of the train. Factor in majority of launch rides have shorter trains then other roller coasters, a five rowed B&M makes sense here.
July 25, 201411 yr comment_187642 ^ Yeah I agree, Wingrider trains weight a tonne! Well... Many. I think this looks like a great investment! I like the layout, the theming looks minimal but decent, but hopefully it'll pay of for Holiday World!
July 25, 201411 yr comment_187646 A B&M launch, very excited and happy about that, wonder how it'll, compare to the likes of the Mack launched rides. Either way, I'm very excited about this new ride which is not just another exciting looking B&M and Wing Rider but is expanding the company's product range with its new launch concept.
July 25, 201411 yr comment_187651 No catwalks on the launch track? I'm guessing trains can't physically stop on that piece of track then due to the launch system...
July 25, 201411 yr comment_187654 Looks odd seeing a B&M with trains that short and no lift hill Although we did see them clone a Vekoma Junior inverted thing in China so Bolliger and Walter are obviously on some dodgy stuff. Although I remember them saying with Leviathan that they'd never gone to and over 300 feet previously because they weren't previously asked to do so. Oh well, the short trains on such large track do look strange but they will hold 20 people each which is the same as Stealth and Rita. And although the launch mechanism isn't done by B&M I still class Hulk a launched B&M as after all, it is B&M track and trains and they designed the coaster around the launched hill Will be interesting to see how this turns out. Also, 52 inches is 1.32 metres which many more B&M's seem to be going for their height restrictions as they were known for only doing 1.4 or 54 inches.
September 18, 201410 yr Author comment_192312 Construction update! Brake run, station, launch track and the bottom part of the immelmann are pretty much done!
September 18, 201410 yr comment_192328 Not much there yet, but excited this B&M is finally coming off the ground now
November 14, 201410 yr Author comment_197336 Some photos from Holiday Worlds website for Thunderbird! Source: http://www.holidayworld.com/thunderbird/photos/
November 15, 201410 yr comment_197347 I love a big, brash and bright American B&M anyday of the week, thanks for the pics.
April 23, 201510 yr comment_207918 Full POV of both sides: Credit to TPR, its fine though, there's no annoying voiceover in this video I like the barn fly-through, when the trees begin to get some leaves on them again the environment should look good for it too
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