Holiday World 2015: Thunderbird

I'm back from Europe. Will post a review of the parks in a moment, but first I need to talk about what Holiday World has in store for 2015.

My god, I was surprised by this thing. This was the first coaster I actually watched the announcement video the time it was announced. I didn't know what to expect. I heard the possibility of it being a Wing Coaster or even B&M's first launch coaster. The video rolled and I first saw a storm outside, much like the diary entries are related to. We first see, on a desk inside, a bit of Day 1's entry: "We are at sea..." Then we saw:

Day 19: The New World awaits...
Day 34: The wind blows against us...
Day 37: I fear we are lost...

Then we get a glimpse of the storm outside again before reading the last entry:

Day 66: Is this a dream?

The scene immediately fades outside with a view of the ship (Mayflower), as well as the words "Is this a dream?" fading slowly. We then see a bird. Now, let me bring up the last two entries:

Day 65:

Through the churning clouds a giant creature appears. As it draws closer, enormous wings snap against the wind creating a thundering sound. It is a sound we feel with our entire beings. As the creature roars over our Mayflower, we are swept up in its great power.

Day 66:

Is this a dream? We dare not breathe as our ship flies over the sea at speeds unknown. The only sound we hear is the thundering of wings and the beating of our hearts. Somehow, this creature will carry us back to land. To the New World. To our home.

This was the bird that appeared in the last two entries. Then we get a camera view through its mighty wings as it flies through the storm. All of a sudden, an orange coaster with brown supports starts spawning (it reminds me of how Banshee spawned, coming from the ground). I first saw some of the inversions, mainly the vertical loop. That got me to believe it would be a Wing Coaster, or at least a B&M (I saw the track style too). Then we look at the station (by the way, the station is starting to be built as we speak). All of a sudden, track spawns with a blue/green train LAUNCHING out of the station. I was surprised there! This was indeed B&M's first true launched coaster! And they were using the Wing Coaster design! I saw the train launch into the immelmann (140 ft), through a vertical loop, a horshoe, an elevated spiral, a zero-g-roll, an s-curve, as well as even a "keyhole" in-line twist element through a barn. I was absolutely amazed!

Here's the press release from Holiday World:

Thunderbird, the nation’s first launched wing coaster, includes a 0-60mph launch in 3.5 seconds, plus multiple inversions and near-misses. Continuing Holiday World’s tradition of sending roller coasters through thickly wooded and hilly terrain, Thunderbird first loops high in the air and then hugs the ground – nearly missing trees, the ground, and other rides!

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.

At last, B&M has fallen into the realm and made their first true launch coaster. B&M has built a coaster with a launch before, The Incredible Hulk Coaster. But that ride's launch mechanism was not designed by B&M. This ride's system has B&M's first launch system, launching you from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. It's been rumored for years now, and Holiday World finally chooses to bring a B&M LSM Launch Coaster. Amazing pick, especially for Holiday World's first B&M!

Here's the concept art released by Holiday World:

This semester may get intense, but I'll do my best to post updates on the ride's status. Regardless, I'm definitely following what seems to be another win for B&M and for Holiday World!