Holiday World To Debut Launched Wing Coaster In 2015!
With all the built-up anticipation it has generated, tonight’s announcement of a new ride at Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari had to be good. and indeed it was!
The announcement came at 9:30 p.m. Indianapolis time that he park would be getting the FIRST EVER LAUNCHED WING COASTER!
Thunderbird, the nation’s first launched wing coaster, will include 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, other rides, and travels through a building!
Thunderbird, Holiday World’s first major steel roller coaster will feature multiple inversions including a 14-story Immelmann loop, Zero-g roll, barrel roll, and loop!
Holiday spokeswoman Paula Werne said: “The ride comes with a $22 million price tag”. “This is more than twice as much as we’ve spent on any other ride in our 68-year history!”
The live announcement was attended by hundreds of fans at Hyena Falls in the Splashin’ Safari part of the park. After a brief explanation, park officials played a video featuring some fantastic animation of the new ride!
Check out the ride layout! 
Ride Facts:
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
Below is a video fly-around animation of what to expect from the new ride!
Holiday World and Splashin’ safari, located in Santa Claus, Indianapolis, is situated between Evansville and Louisville, Kentucky.
*Images courtesy Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
For tickets and more info about Holiday World, visit their official website here.
Stay connected with Coaster-Nation!
facebook: facebook.com/coasternation
twitter: @Coaster_Nation
Subscribe on YouTube!
