Barn-again coaster
If you’ve watched our Thunderbird animation, you already know that our new roller coaster doesn’t exactly sputter to a lackluster ending. Not hardly. In fact, we save not one – but two – of the most amazing “near misses” for the end of the ride. We call this our Fly-Through Barn. Here’s a slightly more dramatic angle: Fear not! This is perfectly safe, as VP James explains in our newest edition of the Hard Hat Chronicles: We have a feeling this particular pair of “near-misses” will be Thunderbird’s most popular, hands down. Or, rather, hands up. Opening Day is April…
Made in Germany
No, we’re not referring to the Koch family, although they certainly carry a strong heritage from their Germanic ancestors. We’re talking about something called a flywheel. Two, actually. VP James explains in this edition of The Hard Hat Chronicles: Thunderbird, our new steel roller coaster – the first launched wing coaster on the continent – opens April 25, just 77 days from today. Oh, you prefer to ride in 76 days? Be sure to line up some Holiday World Season Passes for you and your family and you get an invitation to ride April 24. And if you’d like an…
The view from Voyage
VP Chris took a stroll up The Voyage’s lift hill yesterday. The late afternoon sun was magical. It. Glows. #nofilter pic.twitter.com/E5ohycGEs5 — Holiday World (@HolidayWorld) January 20, 2015 Thunderbird roller coaster opens in just 95 days.
The height of anticipation
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….
These dummies are ready
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. With just 98 days till Opening Day, these dummies are ready to ride! #Thunderbird pic.twitter.com/Dwu1Ie3uFR — Holiday World (@HolidayWorld) January 17, 2015 To answer the many questions about how we’ll choose the first riders for our Media Preview Day (yes, we’re already hearing from…
Three digits today, two tomorrow
Tempus fugit. Thunderbird opens in 100 days. Sleep now, for once this mighty bird spreads his wings, there will be no rest. pic.twitter.com/YtdrSEAYDL — Holiday World (@HolidayWorld) January 16, 2015 And in 100 days, Thunderbird fugit.
Thunderbird countdown
Launchtime is quickly approaching … who’s starving for a ride? Thunderbird opens in 101 days. Season Passholders ride in 100 days. http://t.co/i1F14d0ITJ #BestDiscountsEndThursday pic.twitter.com/w8X1XrqK9z — Holiday World (@HolidayWorld) January 14, 2015 Season Pass discounts are at their deepest right now – and expire this Thursday at midnight (January 15). So if five hours of Thunderbird roller coaster rides, along with The Voyage, Crow’s Nest, Mayflower, Turkey Whirl, The Raven, The Legend and more sound like your kind of Friday evening, be sure to get your Season Passes now. Our new Easy Pay option? Thanks to those who suggested it –…
Mother Nature can be oh, so cold
… but she sure can deliver some cool sunsets! Thanks to @HolidayWorld for this picture of tonight's sunset! Have a photo? Send it to reportit@wishtv.com! pic.twitter.com/JcF0xFKL8K — WISH-TV (@WISH_TV) January 6, 2015 Yes, indeed, Orange is the New Track … as was the sky around Thunderbird. Voyage is certainly in the pink this evening. Stay warm! April 25 is not that far away!
Moonlight becomes them
Jason, our Food & Beverage Director, starts his workday early. This time of the year, it’s before dawn. That bright orb in the photos below? It’s the moon. Honest. Jason was facing west to take these photos, so he wasn’t shooting into the sun. (He’s also a trained – and enthusiastic – weather spotter, so he knows his sun from his moon and his east from his west.) Riding Voyage and Thunderbird by the light of the moon? That will be increasingly possible this season; just check our 2015 Hours. Happy New Year and Happy New Coaster!
Hard Hat Chronicles XII
When we started the Hard Hat Chronicles video series early this year, it was to start revving up for Thunderbird construction updates. Only we couldn’t tell you that back then. Here we are at the end of the year as we bring you another episode – number 12, actually – as we throw another curve into Thunderbird’s construction. It’s been loads of fun putting these together (even VP James now agrees, although at the beginning he was a bit hesitant about appearing on camera). Here’s Episode 12: Do you have any ideas for other video series – or topics for…