Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari has been in the wooden coaster game for over a decade, with smash hit rides like Raven, The Legend and The Voyage. 2015 marks the start of a new age for Holiday World with the grand opening of the park’s first steel coaster Thunderbird!
News and theme park media alike got to experience a true gem of a ride at Thunderbird’s media day, and marks a first not only for Holiday World as they celebrate their first major steel coaster, but from manufacturer B&M as it charts new territory with it’s first launched coaster. Attendees had nothing but good things to say about the new coaster and it’s beautifully detailed surrounding area:
Holiday World did so many things right that other parks somehow miss the mark on. The ride itself was a lot of fun. It’s smooth, twisty, and the launch has quite a kick! – Robb Alvey ThemeParkReview
It’s all action on Thunderbird, and while there’s no break, the ride left me ready and eager to go again, to experience flight on the other side. – Robert Niles ThemeParkInsider
Thunderbird is an awesome and great addition to Holiday World! – Coasterfusion Twitter
Thunderbird is a one-of-a-kind coaster here in North America, as the park touts that it is the world’s first launched wing coaster, (cough cough Furious Baco….) And not only does the coaster look absolutely amazing, but the entire area is immaculately thought out and detailed, creating a classic countryside feel that merges the coaster with it’s surroundings. The coaster traverses unique terrain and interacts with the critically acclaimed Voyage wooden coaster, (winner of numerous Golden Ticket Awards,) and includes both the now signature keyhole elements seen on other wing coasters as well as the long drawn out barrel roll that I’ve grown to love on modern B&M’s.
When Thunderbird was announced it was the kind of coaster that made me grin ear to ear. I was just so happy to hear that Holiday World was finally getting the steel coaster that they’ve always wanted, and needed to advance the park forward. Thunderbird is everything I would expect and so much more from the park, as they prove that having heart and passion in the themed entertainment industry makes all the difference in turning a simple Santa Claus meet-and-greet into a world class, and family run theme park. This coaster takes the park up a notch on a global scale and rounds out the park’s lineup of world class attractions.
Thank you! Two quick notes: we built our first wooden coaster two decades ago; that’s right – Raven turns 20 in a few weeks! And if you check our website, you’ll see we’ve always stated Thunderbird is America’s first launched wing coaster. We’re delighted with the reaction of those who’ve ridden the past few days!
Duly noted, and congratulations on the opening of Thunderbird! Thanks so much for the comment!