Holiday World (HW) Discussion Thread

[Midgetman82]

Nope... Nu 'uh... You still can't get my mind to fully believe that this is at Holiday World...

[nicman]

The maintenance men:

 

 

www.holidayworld.com/holiblog/2015/01/16/maintenance-men/

[snapfordakids]

Ready to see this thing in action!

[ZeroGravity55]

Testing starts sometime next month, so not much longer until we get to see it in action, unless HW shuts down the webcams

[nicman]

Test Dummies:

 

www.holidayworld.com/holiblog/2015/01/17/dummies-ready/

 

These dummies are ready

 

By Paula @ Holiday World

Published January 17, 2015

 

There’s something about test dummies.

 

They’re very eager.

 

Case in point:

 

Thunderbird will have two trains. One is here already and the other will arrive next month.

 

Testing begins in February, but the dummies don’t care. When you want a front seat for the first launch, you don’t mess around. You make arrangements to be available.

 

To answer the many questions about how we’ll choose the first riders for our Media Preview Day (yes, we’re already hearing from reporters and news crews wanting to broadcast live that day), we will launch an online auction in the coming weeks to determine those lucky riders and raise funds for a great cause. Details to come!

[drummermattk]

The struggle of a teen that will be 18 and no license. Honestly a week long trip to Kentucky Kingdom, Holiday World and back to my home park KI would be nice! 2 new coasters to ride and lots of credits to add to my count. Sadly idk when i'll make it to Indiana. Question is what record breaking world class attraction are they gonna build next

[michaellynn4]

As much as I'd love to make it out to HoliWood Nights this year, it's looking more and more like the trip would end up being too expensive for me to undertake at this time. Oh well, maybe next year.

[ZeroGravity55]

Some new photos from Holiday World's Twitter:

 

 

[OneOfTheWills]

^I thought I saw two cars in the station today while at work!

 

Night rides are going to be so, so good.

[thrillseeker4552]

I love the blue and yellow train against the orange track. What a brilliant color scheme. I can't wait to see the first test runs/POVs!

[ZeroGravity55]

Hello Keyholes. From the Holiblog:

 

 

 

 

[rcjp]

^It should be really close if they're adjusting the size of the holes like that (with the ride envelope)

[Midgetman82]

Oh my, yes~ I love how they're removing what's necessary to clear the envelope!

[Superbatboy]

They're so far along for it to only be January. Those trains look incredible

[ZeroGravity55]

Paula is killing it with the photos today. From HW's Twitter:

 

Edited January 20, 2015 by ZeroGravity55

[kyleparks77]

Correct me if I'm getting ahead of myself, but with the addition of Thunderbird, I believe HW will have the best collection of night riding coasters out there.

[Nwstone]

I wonder when we'll find out what the next near miss element will be

[Vonni]

This Coaster is just mind blowing! It makes me so excited for what else is to come in the next few years!

[glucky11801]

Wow! Those photos!!! I am SO psyched for the Spring!!!

[ZeroGravity55]

Look what was pushed out onto the launch track today:

[nicman]

The Height Of Anticipation:

 

Source

 

 

One of the most common questions we receive when we add a new roller coaster is, “How tall do you have to be to ride?”

And then a few also ask, “How tall is too tall?”

Meet Andy.

 

He’s on the high end of the measuring stick.

 

Andy is one of our four Attractions Managers. He was sweating it for a while when we announced Thunderbird.

 

… because he loves roller coasters and could hardly imagine coming to work every day without being able to ride our new steel coaster.

 

Thunderbird is a wing coaster, meaning your feet are dangling. Sometimes straight down and sometimes straight up.

 

And oftentimes in between.

 

Oh, and there are all sorts of “near misses” along Thunderbird’s flight route. You know, like the tunnels on The Voyage? Where you know that there’s plenty of room, but still instinctively duck your head as you careen toward it?

 

Yes. Those.

 

You already know about Crow’s Nest. And Thunderbird’s dance with Voyage.

 

There’s also this.

In roller coaster terminology, it’s called a “keyhole building.”

 

And it’s under construction as we speak.

 

We’re an efficient bunch, so we use it twice. Thunderbird will “crash” through this barn a-comin’ and a-goin’.

 

It will be awesome.

Where is it located? Right across from one of Voyage’s tunnels.

Stephen said it felt like Voyage was photobombing Thunderbird today.

Here’s another view:

Meanwhile, how is beanpole Andy doing? Will he get to ride? (And will he forgive me for that beanpole crack?)

 

Yes! As long as he doesn’t grow any more – and rides Thunderbird without shoes – he should be good to go. All 6’6″ of him.

 

Here’s our entire Out To Launch Bunch, Attractions Managers Andy, Jennifer, Lori and Alex. Just hangin’ around, ready to ride …

Back to that earlier question about minimum height to ride Thunderbird roller coaster? Riders must be at least 52″ tall, which translates into 4’4″.

 

We’re at T-minus-96 in our daily countdown. And the excitement is mounting!

[Diamondbacker27]

Look what was pushed out onto the launch track today:

You had me excited! I thought they were doing test rides.

[ZeroGravity55]

^ I'm assuming that they were checking clearances with the LSM's and such.

 

Paula, are those two cars pictured in the station part of the second train or just two cars from the 1st train?

[Raven Maven]

^ They're from the first train. Second train should arrive in about a month.

[GrapesLie]

Feeling myself getting really excited about this ride! HEY RAVEN MAVEN! Whats the light situation gonna be like back in the Woods at night now? Still dark I Hope!