Thunderbird launches in just one month
Ever since I was a little kid, I loved the 25th of each month. Because the 25th ties in with Christmas. “Christmas is three months away!” Always a thrill. This countdown habit of mine continues to this day. And so … Happy Christmas in March! We are, as of today, one month away from Opening Day. Yes, Thunderbird opens on Christmas in April. Two days before Opening Day is a big day, too: our Media Preview Day. News directors are already scoping out how to provide great coverage: Great visit with @Scott14News as we plan our Thunderbird Media Preview. #LaunchPlans…
Who rides Thunderbird first?
Oh, boy. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve been asked that question these last eight months! The simple answer is: the Test Dummies. They ride first. And they’re having a blast. But for those of you who are truly interested in securing a seat for when the nation’s first launched wing coaster takes off on its very first public ride, we finally have an answer. And the answer is: Thunderbird’s First Flight Auction. That’s right, we’re launching (see what I did there) a charity auction to benefit the incredible organization Give Kids The World. Give Kids The…
The cry of the Thunderbird
Oh, that sound … Thunderbird’s two trains had a launch date today. Don’t miss the screech. I can’t get enough of that sound … pic.twitter.com/SFOJRHpCPV — Holiday World (@HolidayWorld) March 21, 2015 Are you excited to ride Thunderbird? Please vote for America’s First Launched Wing Roller Coaster in this poll on the ThemeParkInsider website. Two clicks and you’re done. Thank you!
A look around for Louisville
On Wednesday, we hosted a news crew from WDRB-TV in Louisville. You may notice I cropped the photo so that you can’t see how muddy Courtney’s shoes were. Between the rain and the melting snow and ice this week, it was a challenge to meander our way from Thunderbird’s maintenance building to our new roller coaster’s loading station. Just as the interview with Matt and James wrapped, we shook our heads at the irony as a dump truck full of gravel arrived to provide the Sir Walter Raleigh treatment to the plaza area. Click here to view Courtney’s report. Did…
Sweepstakes: Almost Launch Time!
Thanks to everyone who entered our sweepstakes – our winner is Faith C. from Franklin, Ohio. Faith wins four one-day tickets to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari plus two nights in a Christmas Cabin at Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort. Thanks again to all who entered! ——— You’ve been hungry for a steel coaster for years – and we’ve heard your bellies rumbling. Since Thunderbird – our new steel roller coaster – opens next month, it’s time for a new sweepstakes. And since Thunderbird is the nation’s first launched wing coaster, we’ll call this the “Almost Launch Time!” sweepstakes. Thunderbird…
Photobombdiggity
Matt, our president, recently took part in an interview with Funworld magazine. This was soon followed by a request for his photo. Since they didn’t require a head shot – and we finally had a sunny day – we headed out to Thunderbird territory for some pops of orange in the background. Up until this year, we’ve been a wood-coaster park. There’s no surprise about test runs this time of year – when that Voyage lift chain springs to life, you know it. And as Legend’s train slowly ascends the lift hill, it’s just about impossible to miss. So imagine…
“Film at 4!”
We keep a supply of hard hats for visiting news media. We learned today we should keep some mud boots on hand, too. (VP James assured us we’re pouring lots of concrete for walkways this week.) Courtney and Dave from WDRB-TV were very good sports as they put together a news story about our new roller coaster. Mud is better than snow and ice, right? Most TV reporters do a “stand up” for their report, but @courtneygodfrey did a “sit down” on Thunderbird. @WDRBNews pic.twitter.com/Tffs2fpp0h — Holiday World (@HolidayWorld) March 11, 2015 Courtney’s story will air on WDRB-TV in Louisville…
Michelangelo, da Vinci, and …
… Bolliger & Mabillard! You will louvre Thunderbird – it's a work of art! #LaunchPlans pic.twitter.com/cPFPdQa8a9 — Holiday World (@HolidayWorld) March 3, 2015 This masterpiece opens in just 53 days!
Flick? Who’s Flick?
Isn’t it funny how the mind works? (Advance apologies to anyone who isn’t an A Christmas Story aficionado.) This morning, Matt and I had a pre-dawn appointment to head to Owensboro, Kentucky, to join Chad and Brett for a half hour on their WBKR morning show. So at 4:45am, I was getting a cup of coffee and trying to resist looking at the weather app on my phone. Because the number wasn’t positive. If you know what I mean. And rather than forcing my mind to think of something other than the brain freeze I was about to experience, suddenly…
Roller coaster countdown
Everybody loves a good countdown, right? And when you’re building a launched roller coaster, it’s even more appropriate. Confession time: Back in the summer, toward the end of our 66 Days at Sea teaser campaign leading up to our big Thunderbird announcement, I slapped this title on one of Leah’s blog posts without running it through the usual eight thousand or so filters noisily housed in my feeble brain: “T-minus 12 days” Seemed like a fun reminder that in less than two weeks all would be revealed. Only moments later, though, someone chirped up online with: “It’s a launched coaster!…