kyleparks77

^^ speaking of The Legend...does anyone know why the trains have a continuous, loud squeaking noise throughout the ride? I recall last year all of The Voyage trains doing this, but this year its The Legend's trains

Short answer: both. Throughout the park (usually 1 or 2 per holiday), there's "Pepsi Oasis' " which are small buildings with (usually) 4 fountain machines each and 8oz paper cups. You walk in, grab a cup, fill it up with desired drink, and walk out happily sipping on desired drink. Along with that, most of the larger restaurants have drink machines inside/attached to them and larger, 12oz cups. An example is this new one at Wildebeestro: Wildesbeestro oasis

^ yep, he said everything that needs to be said about The Voyage at night. I rode it at night yesterday, also, and was reminded of how amazing it is at night. It'd been a couple of years since I had ridden it at night. But man, from the front seat, once you plunge into darkness on the first drop, it is insanity. That leads me to some observations I made about Thunderbird construction. I believe it will be a great night coaster as well. It is way back there in the woods. As you can see from some of the pictures, they are clearing the bare minimum of trees and the rest is very densely wooded. I think this is going to give it more of terrain coaster feel than some might expect. (picture) But as for my trip: Day 1 (half day), Friday, 3:00pm-9:30pm: The Classic Water Tower The new Mrs Klaus Kitchen Visitors looking at the Thunderbird preview sign Raven (3 times) - still a classic, just behind The Voyage on my list, a little rough on the 3rd hill and turnaround on the lake Raven at the front gate Frightful Falls - I'm pretty sure they modified something on the drop to get you more wet. I'd always just been slightly sprayed by water in years past but this time I got soaked. From watching other boats go down the drop, it appears the front end dips down slightly just before flattening out. Not complaining Legend - as I had previously noted, its running rougher than normal but still great. I noticed that they had replaced and/or added a lot of wood on the substructure for lateral bracing of the frame. Voyage - re-tracking work has really smoothed it out since last year, especially on the first 3 hills. Feels extra fast this year Voyage as seen from Hyena Falls/Thunderbird Mayflower - excellent addition to the Holiday World line-up Mayflower at night Mammoth - it was cold. Yet, the wait was still 45 minutes.The rest of the water park was mostly a walk up at this time but the two water coasters consistently had wait times of 30min or more. The GP loves these things Jungle Racers - believe it or not, this is my favorite water ride in the park. I'm also very competitive so that might be part of it I went down this 9 times in a row Plymouth Rock - what other park can you get a legitimate thanksgiving meal for $10?! Turkey, dressing, mac n cheese, green beans, and a roll...mmmmm. Not to mention if you sit outside you can smell the wood fire burning and listen to the bluegrass/folk hymns playing. Perfect atmosphere. Gobbler Getaway - always fun. Again, I'm competitive I'd be very happy to see the park add another dark ride similar to this in the future. Maybe in Halloween? Fireworks - I was pleasantly surprised by these. We set-up over by Hyena Falls and the view was perfect (as recommended). It was a 12 minute show with very large fireworks with a wide variety of different effects and a good finale. My only complaint is that the music was hard to hear. Also, before the show started, it was neat to see all the mascots and princesses with the light up dresses come over and interact with the children. Very Disney-like A great addition to HW's season Fireworks! We stayed at the Quality Inn in Huntingburg. Nothing too fancy but decently priced and about 20 min away. Also, its in eastern time so that can be confusing. Day 2 (full day), Saturday, 9:30am - 9:30pm: Wildebeest (3 times) - As soon as we got to the park (about 30min after opening), we headed straight towards thanksgiving to the entrance for Splashin' Safari. When it opened, we went straight towards the back, dropped ours bags/shoes/shirts off at Bahari wave pool and went to Wildebeest. It was a walk on when we arrived. We were able to ride it 3 times in a row and after the third time, the line had begun to fill up. That thing is the most thrilling water ride I have ever been on. I love the air time and speed you get. It feels "raw" because its just you and your boat and the water flying up and down hills and around curves. I love it Bakuli - leaving the crowds of the water coasters, we noticed Bakuli had a very short line so we hit that up. Not my favorite of the water rides but the drop is really fun (especially backwards) and its something different. One more faster lap around the bowl would make it better. Hyena Falls (multiple times) - this was my first year getting to these and they were awesome. Being so far away from the rest of the water park, the crowd was extremely light (as in a walk-up to each slide). The half pipe is awesome. Really fast down the slide and WAY up on the half pipe. The first time on that, coming back off of the half pipe, I was going so fast that when I hit the churning water at the bottom it completely flipped me out of the tube and I ended up going down the rest on the slide head first on my back. That was fun But each of the other slides were fast and fun as well. It is a nice area to just relax and have fun without worrying about too many other people. It also gives a great view of all the construction. When Thunderbird is completed, you'll be able to reach out and touch a couple of the immelmann loop supports from the stairs of the slides. Wildebeestro - this really adds to the variety of lunch options. Chicken Bacon Ranch wrap and apple for $8. Great value and great tasting as well. New Wildebeestro New Wildebeestro New Wildebeestro Mayflower - we waited for the very end seat this time around. Wow does it make a difference! You get some serious hang time as you reach the peaks. Mayflower at full swing Voyage - rode in the very back this time. Insane amounts of airtime but also whips you around a lot more, as expected. The wait was 45 minutes and pretty much filled up the whole lower queue. Being Saturday at the end of summer, the park was very crowded. Voyage at sundown Sparkler - another one that was my first ride. Something different, thrilling enough for someone like me to want to ride it (decent height, spins at a good rate), but its also not going to intimidate smaller children. It could be just a little bit longer of a cycle though, especially since there's rarely a wait for it. Liberty Launch - one of my favorite "flats" in the park. The launch really pushes you into your seat and great airtime coming back down. It also give you a great view of the park. Liberty Launch Hallow Swings - probably my favorite flat at the park (although Mayflower is giving it stiff competition). I'm pretty sure they made the cycle longer Dive! show - still the same routine as years past, but now with a live announcer. I think it really adds to the dynamic of the show. Always a great watch if you are in the area and see it going on/about to start. Raven (2 times) - very back both times. Definitely my new favorite spot for this coaster. (We were going to ride The Legend next but the queue was almost completely filled up, including the "L" shaped area by the brake run) Bahari/Lazy River - we took some time to relax and wait for the crowd to lighten up. It was about 5:00 and we could see people starting to head for the exits of the water park (it closed at 7:30 this day). I will always look the rock and waterfall/fountain theming on these Zoombabwe - backwards the whole time of course. But long, tall, and fast. All you need from a water slide. Zoombabwe Grill - went basic with the Double Cheeseburger meal. Tasty of course. Double Cheeseburger (actual thick beef patties, not McDonald's patties), fries, 2 oreos, and drink (of course) for $8.49. Can't beat it. Jungle Racers - 8 rides this time before they closed it off. Start out on your knees with your feet against the backboard and your torso upright. Literally launch yourself forward when the attendant says "go" and then keep your head down by your hands and lift up on the front of the mat as your crest each of the hills. You'll get some serious speed and air time you'll thank me later Voyage - very front. at night. enough said. Actually, it was amazing looking around and observing people's excitement for this ride. My sister took an awesome selfie while waiting (picture). Then when up in the station, people would be cheering and clapping their hands and their trained rolled out. And when they arrived back, there would be another chorus of cheers and excitement and just joy on everyone's face. It was like this with every single train. There are very few rides that can bring that amount of pure happiness to everyone that rides it. Voyage at sundown Hallow Swings - this ride is awesome at night. The lights just add a whole different dimension to it. Plus hearing the howl and seeing the "moonlight" of Legend just adds to the creepy halloween atmosphere. HallowSwings at night Legend - we were on the last train so we ended up in one of the middle cars. This is another great night coaster. It just gives you that "creepy" feeling. After the last ride on the Legend RWB Funnel Cake - so unhealthy. so delicious. RWB funnel cake The Raven gate looks extra spooky at night Seeing this means its time to leave Holiday World deserves an applause for a fun weekend Thunderbird Construction Photos: Track Supports and bracing of some sort? Supports More supports Track (brake run or launch) This house will have the brake run right next to it. Doesn't appear to be on the Holiday World marked property This will look much different next season More track and supports Launch footings The signature B&M almond cut footing Vertical loop or end of immelmann loop footings "Will Power" building This footing for the immelmann loop is essentially under the platform for Hyena Falls More launch footings Voyage crossover. Notice the minimal clearing of trees Round footings. Presumably for the station? The woods are still dense

Short and sweet trip report from (half) day one: The Voyage is running great. Extra smooth on the first half. Second half isn't too bad but just not as smooth as the first. The Raven is pretty typical. Got some great airtime in the very back seat. We rode it right when we got there at 3:00 and there was no wait so they allowed us to ride it 4 times in a row. The Legend is, as previously noted by others, the roughest of the three. The first 3 hills are actually the worst and then its better after that. Nothing unbearable though. Mayflower is a lot better than I expected. It goes surprisingly high, almost to the point you feel inverted at the peak. It's a great addition to the line-up. Not too mild, not too intense. Just right. It was the last night for the Friday night fireworks and they were excellent. I love the new theming to some of the shops and new buildings. Makes me excited to see the theming for Thunderbird. I'll have lots o pictures tomorrow.

Well I just got to the park for the weekend and here's the biggest clue we missed New substation

I didn't see it, but I'm assuming it was to remove the formwork. If the hole they dug was sloped back all the way around, that was to comply with OSHA standards for trench excavation. It was essentially to protect the workers from a cave-in while they removed the formwork.

I'll be taking a two-day trip to HWSS Friday and Saturday. I think I'm going to risk it and take my DSLR with telephoto lens to get some nice construction/track pictures for you all. Maybe ride a few coasters too, who knows

My guess is coaster construction works just like any other Design-Build construction job. You have the owner (holiday world) hiring a design-build general contractor (B&M) who then hires subcontractors (steel fabricators, launch systems, concrete work, ground work, etc etc). B&M is solely responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of the coaster. The subcontractors are doing their tasks exactly to the specifications of B&M, and when they are hired, they are "absorbed", so to speak, into B&M for the duration of the project. They essentially become B&M. They will have oversight inspectors at the fabrication plants (whether it be steel or the launch system) and on-site acting a representatives of the company and ensuring the project is being carried out exactly to B&M's specifications. In the end, I don't think one should fret about the launch system being produced by a subcontractor. B&M specified and designed how they wanted to work, and they just hired a "laborer" to produce it.

I think they could intentionally keep this coaster loud. I mean "Thunderbird"...it just fits.

I am so confused...

^ It'd be legit if they could create "lightning" (utilizing theatrical lighting) back in the woods for nighttime rides on Thunderbird

Think about it as when the Thanksgiving area first opened. At first, it was only Voyage, Gobbler Getaway, and Turkey Whirl (the restaurant wasn't opened the first year). Then they added Pilgrim's Plunge, Mayflower, and now Thunderbird. Granted, PP was removed but its clear that will be replaced. Thunderbird will feel as included as Voyage after a few years of smaller rides added.

^ I think the hate for wing coaters is equaled to the number of people that aren't thrilled about this ride. I personally enjoyed the two I've been on (Gatekeeper and Wild Eagle) mainly because I liked the sensation of freedom. I think Thunderbird adds to it with the launch and a well-paced layout and theming to make up for what those other two lacked. I'm thinking of this being equivalent to steel version of The Raven for the park. Sure, its not the longest, fastest or tallest coaster, but for a "first coaster" it does what it needs to do for the park while having the right amount of forces and thrilling elements.

Back to actual coaster related stuffs...I think it'd be awesome if while waiting in line for thunderbird, they had a video playing retelling the legend behind the ride. Almost like a short film. With the production value in the reveal video, I'd say they would have no problem getting it done. It would really enhance the experience while waiting inside the barn where the thunderbird has been cooped up and hearing the thunder and take off

Soooo much makes sense now that the diary and story have been tied together. The theme went from "wait, what? okay I guess..." to "that's so epic!"

I think there's a simple and effective way to include water in the ride layout. Right before the vertical loop, the track appears to get very low to the ground. By simply adding a pool of water there, the "thunderbird" could swoop down over the water. They could simply add some timed water jets to spray into the air as the train flies by and TADA! you have your cool water effect

So guys, we thought that 66 days was long...now we have to wait 8 WHOLE MONTHS to actually ride it

So I'm assuming the trains having only 5 cars is to make the launch possible?

Thunderbird! Excellent predictions

Use your mobile device, not a desktop computer and the stream works fine

So... who wants to read too far into the tagline on the teaser "Witness the start of our New World" ?

^ disappointing

To further stir curiousity about the massive footings, here's a comprable example being constructed in Louisville at the moment. 3 lanes of interstate traffic, 30 feet high. I can't wait to see how this coaster uses them "Massive footers" comparison

I'm just disappointed people keep bringing up a wing-flyer hybrid like it hasn't been mentioned before and that was my final prediction about 40 pages ago

I think everyone keeps forgetting the "one of the kind" and "truly unique" statements. If its a flyer or a wing, there is going to be something completely new or unique about it that sets it apart from ALL other flyers and wings. So one cannot say from the get-go that a flyer or wing would be disappointing because there will be some element about it that you have never experienced before.