Holiday World (HW) Discussion Thread

[Diamondbacker27]

I don't think I can handle the thought of changing Voyage. I am a Voyage fanboy and i admit it. I have never had a ride actually make me drool on myself though and for that alone it put it as my #1. I have no where near the amount of experience riding as a lot on here. I really need to get out and try El Toro. Voyage was hyped to me and it was better than expected so El Toro with how much it has been hyped should be great when i get to it as well.

Agreed, I never want Voyage to change. Legend on the other hand....

[gerstlaueringvar]

All the money they've put into retracting Voyage and fixing the damage from those PTC trains is probably more than the cost of topper tracking the roughest sections. For a long run, topper track is a better choice. PTC trains can run just fine so there's no need to purchase new RMC trains.

 

Anyone know the approximate cost of topper track's top layer replacement? Has Tremors done a refurbishment after 5 years of using topper track?

[Comeagain?]

Anyone know the approximate cost of topper track's top layer replacement? Has Tremors done a refurbishment after 5 years of using topper track?

 

Tremors hasn't had any need of replacement or refurbishment. It's still the smoothest part of the ride by far.

[GwaziBSRider1]

I'll vote for Voyage to be RMC'd. I share Robb's opinion on it. Last time I rode it (2010), it beat me up worse than Son of Beast EVER did. I'm hoping for a better ride at HoliWood Nights this year.

[cfc]

^My history with Voyage is a bit different. When I rode in in April 2009, I thought it was great; when I rode it again in August 2010, it was a dreadful, jack-hammering experience. I guess the trick is to ride it in the spring, not the late summer, but the ride's "Jekyll and Hyde" nature disqualifies it from ever being a "top ten" ride for me.

 

I've always thought Legend was fun, though, but Raven tops them both.

Edited April 28, 2015 by cfc

[rollin_n_coastin]

All the coasters were running really well. I'm not a laterals fan so Legend was never my favourite but it is still a ton of fun. Raven was running really well and is always worth many rides. Voyage is an aggressive ride for sure. In 2010 I couldn't get on it more than two very painful rides and during this visit, I managed about 25 or so rides so they must be doing some great work on it. It's too bad that the potential to get rougher as the season progresses is there. What's great is that we have an aggressive Gravity Group woody that is actually being maintained. I'd rather see them keep it up if possible instead of converting it to steel. Maybe even give the Timberliners another go if it means less track maintenance in the off season?

[SFOGdude25]

No, Voyage does NOT need a complete layout change. It's design is already absolutely breathtaking. The most that needs to happen is topper track replacement. That's all. I'm not sure Holiday World is willing to give timberliner trains another shot at this point since they already said no the first time. Sure, I'd like to see it happen, but it probably won't.

Holiday World knows and is proud of the fact they have one of the best wooden coasters in the world. It was Will Koch's baby. He had so much influence in the design, and I have a feeling his kids will want to preserve Voyage as it is for years to come.

 

*Yeah it's still my #1 coaster in case you couldn't tell haha.*

[805Andrew]

Thunderbird looks awesome and by far the best wing rider yet. I especially love the twist inversion going through the barn on the left wing. That German restuarant looks awesome too and like a group meal place on a future TPR trip.

[Nitro1118]

My only rides on Voyage were during its opening season, in August. I had 3 rides on it; my front row ride was smooth and one of the greatest single runs I've ever had in my life. The 2nd ride, just 2-3 rows back was jarring and overwhelming, while the third ride in the 2nd row was once smooth.

 

So, even back in 2006, it had a Jekyll and Hyde personality, depending on which row/car/train you sat on. I agree with Robb that this is a perfect RMC candidate. I don't feel they should even mess with the layout or use I-box track. Keeping its original layout in tact but topper tracking it would do wonders for its ride-ability and longevity.

[robbalvey]

I guess the trick is to ride it in the spring, not the late summer, but the ride's "Jekyll and Hyde" nature disqualifies it from ever being a "top ten" ride for me.

And I rode it in what should have been a perfect time for the ride. Springtime, warm day, full train, and I still could only do just one ride. While this was certainly not my worst ride on Voyage, it most definitely reminded me why I prefer the woodies on the other side of the park.

[Ape]

My first ride on Legend really surprised me and i like it a lot. Raven was fun but i didn't really understand the hype that i had heard over the years. I love that pop of airtime on hill 5 i think it is in the back seat.

 

I am really looking forward to a Thunderbird ride after knowing most enthusiasts tend to shy away from the wing coasters but this one people seem to be liking.

[prozach626]

Raven was the only coaster I enjoyed at the park. After cresting Voyage's third hill the only feeling I have is regret. I don't even understand the appeal.

[kristenstep23]

I rode Voyage for the first time on Sunday. My favorite ride going into it that I have been on is "The Beast". My initial reaction was WOW. I absolutely loved it. I though am a huge fan of run away out of control wooden roller coasters. I love the harsh tunnels, etc. I will say when I rode the back row it was a bit much and almost surprised I didn't crack a rib... it was a rush.. I honestly had never drove the 3 hours to Holiday World before, because I am a bit of a Coaster snob. I really have to have at least 4 or 5 coasters, and I prefer several steel. However, with Voyage and now Thunderbird... I had to go. I have a hard time deciding between Beast and Voyage. I think Voyage is a better ride, and Beast at night is just the best experience. I also love the history and length of Beast. So Beast likely wins for me, but Voyage was wow. I have been to a good number of parks out of the Midwest too, and most of my favorites are at KI and now Holiday World.

[cfc]

I guess the trick is to ride it in the spring, not the late summer, but the ride's "Jekyll and Hyde" nature disqualifies it from ever being a "top ten" ride for me.

 

And I rode it in what should have been a perfect time for the ride. Springtime, warm day, full train, and I still could only do just one ride. While this was certainly not my worst ride on Voyage, it most definitely reminded me why I prefer the woodies on the other side of the park.

 

Yep--not to mention Wildebeest and Mammoth in Splashin' Safari.

[GwaziBSRider1]

^My history with Voyage is a bit different. When I rode in in April 2009, I thought it was great; when I rode it again in August 2010, it was a dreadful, jack-hammering experience. I guess the trick is to ride it in the spring, not the late summer, but the ride's "Jekyll and Hyde" nature disqualifies it from ever being a "top ten" ride for me.

 

I've always thought Legend was fun, though, but Raven tops them both.

 

Maybe that's why I didn't enjoy it. I also rode it that same August. I probably would have ridden it again, but it had an incredibly long line and it was a very hot day.

[chickenbowl]

Although I have never been on Voyage, it's sad to see it in the state it's in. IMO, Gravity Group has failed in maintaining the coaster. They were never able to get the Timberliners to work, and now because they are keeping the awful, clunky PTCs, the intensity of the coaster is compromised with the full brakes.

 

I know HW has said that they've put more track work into the coaster this year than any other offseason (which is nice, BUT...), I almost wish they put that money towards a more permanent solution, like topper track and new trains... I just hope when I finally ride Voyage, it is running to its full potential. For nearly a decade, I've seen Voyage as possibly the most ridiculous coaster; an insane layout, incredibly long, relentless. I just want it to be all it can be, it could be #1 again...

 

For the record, this is also very similar to how I feel about GhostRider, it's even further from perfect than Voyage.

[cfc]

^To be fair, Gravity Group has had success with the Timberliner trains on newer coasters (such at Twister at Grona Lund). I think Voyage is simply too intense for any coaster train.

[Comeagain?]

Topper Track and new RMC trains...

[cfc]

^It would be interesting to find out.

[chickenbowl]

^To be fair, Gravity Group has had success with the Timberliner trains on newer coasters (such at Twister at Grona Lund). I think Voyage is simply too intense for any coaster train.

 

I know of a few manufacturers who would likely resent that statement

 

The fact of the matter is that Timberliners have yet to successfully run on large-scale coasters as far as I know (Do any of the Chinese ones run Timberliners yet?) According to the overwhelming negative reviews of Hades360, they don't do much to help. I'm interested to see how the Tayto Park woodie fares once that opens. As much as I would LOVE for Gravity Group to keep these large woodies running well, they don't have a great track record for ageing rides (Hades, Voyage, Boardwalk Bullet...).

[kyleparks77]

I must be an oddball because I've always found Legend to be rougher than Voyage. I'm relating "roughness" to the feeling of bouncing across the track and "hexagonal" feeling turns. Voyage feels more like it's going to throw the train off the track but that's what happens when you have 25 seconds of airtime over the course of a 2 minute ride. In my opinion, Voyage glides better than Legend

[samhimburg]

I must be an oddball because I've always found Legend to be rougher than Voyage. I'm relating "roughness" to the feeling of bouncing across the track and "hexagonal" feeling turns. Voyage feels more like it's going to throw the train off the track but that's what happens when you have 25 seconds of airtime over the course of a 2 minute ride. In my opinion, Voyage glides better than Legend

 

Couldn't agree more. Legend has always left me feeling more shaken than Voyage. I've never found Voyage painful. Intense, sure. That's why I love it. Legend has always left me with a slight headache, whereas Voyage has always just left me out of breath.

 

It's interesting how this ride can have such polarizing experiences for people.

[ZeroGravity55]

Although I have never been on Voyage, it's sad to see it in the state it's in. IMO, Gravity Group has failed in maintaining the coaster.

 

The ride really isn't in a sad state. The park has replaced more track than any previous year and many people who have rode it this year have stated that it's running in top notch form. Robb and others have simply stated the ride really isn't their type of ride. The second half of the ride is very aggressive and was designed to be that way. While the park is in charge of maintaining the coaster, I do agree that The Gravity Group has dropped the ball several times. The steel structure would supposedly help the park delay major track work.. hundreds of feet of track was replaced after one year of operation. They couldn't deliver trains that were supposedly designed with The Voyage in mind. Now to be fair, TGG did redesign the turnaround going into the first 90 degree turn in the spaghetti bowl and it has held up really good ever since then. Now I can't speak for this season yet, but I've yet to read any complaints about it.

 

As for the ride as it sits today. I would venture out to say that all the money they have spent to maintain the ride has been worth it. All the awards and accolades have made the ride extremely marketable and the ride is still extremely marketable as it sits. Now, I do believe a more permanent solution for The Voyage is in the ride's future. The park would be crazy not to notice what RMC has been doing and how their track technology is saving parks a ton of money, and creating a better ride experience for those parks guests. The layout of the ride doesn't even need to change. A full topper track retrofit with RMC trains would do the trick. This would still allow the park to market the ride as a wooden coaster. Now I wouldn't be against RMC tightening up some of the airtime hills to get more extreme airtime.

Edited April 29, 2015 by ZeroGravity55

[KristenLeigh]

Anybody planning on being at the park on June 11&12? My hubby and I are gonna be there those days. I haven't been since summer 2011 so I haven't been able to ride Mammoth and newer rides. Any advice on lines for Mammoth? I remember we waited awhile for Wildebeest that summer but was worth it so I'm thinking Mammoth will be better.

It's been great hearing about Thunderbird. Out of both sides which is the better of the two?

[Midgetman82]

On my first ever visit to Holiday World back in 2012 for Holiwood Nights, I chose to ride each coaster oldest to newest. Raven was easily enjoyable for all the reasons Robb stated. Legend absolutely blew my mind and became my favorite in the entire park, despite how much bracing was required to handle its intense laterals. Voyage left me exhausted after each ride, leaving me to only enjoy it 5 times on the fist night, compared to the 13 on Legend. The next year I got to ride Voyage, after they did the retracking in the spaghetti bowl, was when it became my favorite in the entire park.

 

I don't think I can handle the thought of changing Voyage. I am a Voyage fanboy and i admit it. I have never had a ride actually make me drool on myself though and for that alone it put it as my #1. I have no where near the amount of experience riding as a lot on here. I really need to get out and try El Toro. Voyage was hyped to me and it was better than expected so El Toro with how much it has been hyped should be great when i get to it as well.

Agreed, I never want Voyage to change. Legend on the other hand....

I think Legend would be a far better candidate for a VERY twisty RMC makeover given its current layout, location, and topography!

Edited April 29, 2015 by Midgetman82