Project 2015: "Thunderbird" Launched B&M Wingrider

[Jrbgwfan06]

All the coaster enthusiasts are probably saying "OH MY GOD!!!"(with probably a few gitty yelps and cheers). When the park announces Diavolo or whatever it's called, they'll be like "oh look.... meh" And move on, and watch construction videos of this amazing coaster. That's the reality of the situation, what I said was true, and is definitely not a joke, just about every other park is getting a better coaster than BGW.

 

[Nicole]

This thread is about a new coaster at HW, not yet another discussion about how BGW has failed all of you. Why don't you try actually discussing the coaster and Holiday World, just for the variety, if nothing else. You can go threaten to burn your passes on one of the other 1000 or so threads dedicated to that topic.

 

[MAZ]

I guessed wing coaster yesterday and Unagi had me convinced it was unlikely due to the footers being too close to a building. Funny thing is, It will pass right through a building in a vertical position during the 'keyhole' element! Things aren't always what they seem when it comes to custom coasters.

 

[Ziva]

LAUNCHED B&M! Without mid-run breaks! Commence hyperventilation.

I wonder if they'll build the launch "in-house", so to speak, or have another company do it ala The Incredible Hulk?

 

[I305Evan]

I'm pretty sure this launch system is being built by B&M. As they have said this is B&M's first launch coaster.

 

[wombat96]

I wonder if it'll be like Furious Baco and have a pre show before the launch. The station appears to be large enought to hold it. But I would rather see two train loading. The capacity of this will be B&M's volcano. Actually have they released the capacity?

 

[I305Evan]

The station looks to hold a load/ unload station, then the train will proceed out of the station into a launch holding area. Where it will stop/ wait/ launch. I'm still unsure on what this launch system is as they said flywheel. I'd assume there will be something in that wait though. But it's 100% not a double station as the exit/ entrance lines are only on the backside of the building.

 

[wombat96]

POV

 

[I305Evan]

That POV looks fantastic. And answers my question about the launch system to an extent.

As far as how long it is, I'm fine with the length of the ride because there is still the normal amount of stuff with it. The time is a little low since you don't have a slow lift hill of course, but really this ride offers the same amount of elements that other rides does as well as keeping the terrain in the equation.

 

[Unagi]

My thoughts on Thunderbird...

1. Happy to see B&M finally do a launch coaster (Hulk doesn't count to me because the launch  was done by another company).

2. Happy to see Holiday World FINALLY get a steel coaster.  Will Koch always wanted a launched one before he passed away so it's great to see his family fulfill his wishes.  Hopefully this will commence a great working relationship between B&M and the park.

3. After seeing the layout and POV, I'm not super-excited about this ride.  Don't get me wrong.  I think it's a fantastic addition for this park, considering its size, but to me, the layout is not that inspiring.  I know I'll enjoy it but after riding Voyage this is gonna feel like a big kiddie ride.  Also, this coaster is gonna be a hike to get to as it wraps around Voyage's third hill.  I did the Voyage walkback a couple times during their Holiwood Nights coaster event and that is a long ass walk and back, even to the area where Thunderbird will be located.  Hopefully they'll eventually fill in the pathway between Voyage's entrance and Thunderbird with more attractions.

In this video from 1:24-1:36, you will see Voyage's third hill that Thunderbird will completely encompass.

 

[Thomas]

Looks ok, I guess.

 

[netdvn]

Everyone's practically jizzing all over this but I feel it's missing something.

It needs more near-miss elements. So far the only coaster to execute that well was X-Flight. The double near miss toward the end is cool, but I think it needs at least a few more to be really effective.

If not near misses, if they cranked up the speed and added a few tighter transitions, I'd be swooning all over this, but other than the ending, there isn't much to really be excited about other than the launch.

 

[I305Evan]

I'm starting to believe that B&M isn't going for much force in their wing riders. When I rode Wild Eagle at Dollywood it's opening year, it was a very sensational ride than forceful. And I think this ride is the same. I like the maneuvers that this ride has. And I've always found that the "close calls" with the barrel rolls on these attractions to be very gimmicky. I actually don't like those rolls at the end for that reason.

 

[MAZ]

Everyone's practically jizzing all over this but I feel it's missing something.

I think it may be missing an 'airtime' bump. Yep. It has no airtime other than the zero roll.

 

[Unagi]

http://www.holidayworld.com/thunderbird/

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.

FACTS

DESCRIPTION:
Thunderbird is the nation’s first launched wing coaster. It is Holiday World’s first major steel roller coaster, with a 0-60mph 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 thickly wooded and hilly terrain, Thunderbird at first soars and loops high in the air and then hugs the ground, surprising riders with rapid-fire “near misses” such as keyholes, themed elements, other rides, trees, and even the ground.

TRACK LENGTH: 3,035 feet

RIDE HEIGHT: 140 feet at Immelmann loop’s peak

RIDE ELEMENTS:

From start to finish:

Launch, using LSM technology
Immelmann loop
Loop
Horseshoe
Elevated Spiral
Zero-G roll
S curve
2 “headchopper” keyholes
Carousel
360 in-line twist (barrel roll)
2 Crossovers with The Voyage
SPEED: Thunderbird’s top speed is 60 miles per hour

RIDE TIME: 1 minute, 18 seconds (station to station)

RIDE VIDEO: http://HolidayWorld2015.com

TRAINS: Two trains, each with five four-person coaches

CAPACITY: 1,140 Guests per hour

HEIGHT LIMIT: Riders must be at least 52 inches tall

INVESTMENT: $22 million

RIDE DESIGNER: Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), Switzerland

LEGEND: In 1620, as the Mayflower neared the end of its 66 days at sea, a mighty storm nearly capsized the 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.

 

[Shane]

B&M 'LAUNCHED' wing rider!!!

I'm stunned.

As am I. I never expected this. Rumor had been floating around that it could be a B&M but I never expected this.

I've never even been to HW and I was extremely excited to see this. Kudos to HW for providing their visitors with something so awesome! I'm thinking I will take that ticket to Louisville Unagi

You will be pleased the park is fantastic, they have three of the best wooden coasters ever built and now one of the most unique steel coasters to be built in the past 4-5 years.

My only problem is the length. That thing is short. But that doesn't matter because LOOK AT IT!

It's length also concerned me, with a $22m price tag I'm sure a lot of it is going into the launch tech and a larger layout may not have been economical.

I wonder if they'll build the launch "in-house", so to speak, or have another company do it ala The Incredible Hulk?

I'm pretty sure this launch system is being built by B&M. As they have said this is B&M's first launch coaster.

I was wondering as well. Walter Bolliger did say at IAPPA this past year that for the right project they would launch a coaster, that being said can you really classify Hulk as a launch coaster? I guess technically, but its just a drive tire system.

 

[Unagi]

I'm pretty sure this launch system is being built by B&M. As they have said this is B&M's first launch coaster.

I was wondering as well. Walter Bolliger did say at IAPPA this past year  that for the right project they would launch a coaster, that being said can you really classify Hulk as a launch coaster? I guess technically, but its just a drive tire system.

B&M Engineer Bob Mampe said in an interview four years ago that another B&M launched coaster was possible.

http://www.thecoastercritic.com/2010/08/coaster-stock-2010-recap-pt-2-qa-with-bob-mampe-of-bm.html

 

[Zimmy]

I am sad that there is not a significant drop. Inverts are fine, but it needs a drop.

 

[Unagi]

I am sad that there is not a significant drop.  Inverts are fine, but it needs a drop.

If you ride Voyage, Raven, and Legend there, you won't care that Thunderbird doesn't have a drop!

 

[Zimmy]

If you ride Voyage, Raven, and Legend there, you won't care that Thunderbird doesn't have a drop!

This is why I am bored by Alpie and it is last on my list at BGW.