The Interpreter Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 But see: Beast, 1979. The design of the coaster was changed in the field to avoid trees. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magenta Lizard Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Then again... see Ninja. I love The Beast because of the woods. However, I'm not certain too many trees too close to a coaster are the best idea. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgoble3 Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 HW PR director Paula posted this on the HoliWood Nights Facebook group: Simply beautiful. 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thekidd33 Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 That is an awesome picture. All of the photos they posted today look incredible. Edit to avoid double post: The picture of the Thunderbird train from IAAPA looks great too! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBEASTunchained Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Although I do understand that it's a privilege to be invited to such events..... I was wondering if there's been any word yet on whether "coaster clubs" will be invited to the Thunderbird Media Day event? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBEASTunchained Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Holiday World's new Thunderbird coaster opens exactly 5 months from today..... Who's ready to hear the thunder and fly the bird? (I know, not very creative ) 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 I may be having tea with a dear friend in Alabama that day. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldiesmann Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Although I do understand that it's a privilege to be invited to such events..... I was wondering if there's been any word yet on whether "coaster clubs" will be invited to the Thunderbird Media Day event? To my knowledge, they haven't released any details about media day yet. However, knowing HW, I would be a bit surprised if coaster clubs weren't invited. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Pat Koch should join a coaster club. Things could get really interesting. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBEASTunchained Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 This morning on Twitter..... .......Oddly enough there were no more updates today stating that the full track work had been completed...... @HolidayWorld on Twitter: "Thunderbird's final track piece - #77 - is ready to fly! #OrangeIsTheNewTrack #OpeningDayApril25" Photo : Holiday World via Twitter Following this tweet.....there were no more updates?......So it was ready to fly......But maybe it couldn't get the wing power?.... 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GamesAndRides Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Posted on Holiday World`s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152598503709538 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Facebook is a registered trademark. As such, it is always capitalized here. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSalsa Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Wow. I know the coaster is only just over 3,000 feet long and all and so far the weather has been nice, and they started early, but to think it (this part of construction) is finished so soon...I know it's a B&M and they are famous for finishing projects on time, but I can't help but be impressed. I could see Thunderbird start testing, weather permitting, as early as February. Maybe even January but that'd be a stretch due to weather (January=Supah Cold). I am 99.9% sure it will be ready by late April when Holiday World opens. Great job Holiday World & B&M. But now, the vicious cycle has begun. Thunderbird will likely open to rave reviews from the GP, and Holiday World will like it and make money off it, and so they will decide to build buy ANOTHER B&M at some point for their 2nd major steel coaster (I could see HW building a Invert or Floorless at some point in the future)...and the cycle starts over...heck, B&M seemingly already has Cedar Fair firmly in their "grasp"... make a product that pleases your customer, and your customers will keep coming back to you so long as the product is good... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freaks76 Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 I've not heard many people say that they don't like B&M's. They seem to really have their stuff together. Wouldn't surprise me if they ended up with a stranglehold on the coaster industry. Like me, I probably prefer B&M over any other coaster company that I have rode one of their coasters, even though it's a small list. Except Maverick. I just really love that ride, front row preferably. I've wanted to take a trip to HW, really want to ride Voyage. Thunderbird will be a great bonus. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSalsa Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 As much as I love B&M, and while they do seem to have their stuff together, if somehow they got a pure strangehold on the steel coaster industry (IE all the other companies ragequit or something) it could be bad as then you'd have a Monopoly and then B&M could just make lame rides and parks would pretty much have no choice if they wanted steel coasters. Thankfully, there are still a few companies like Mack & Premier (and others) that can still give B&M a run for their money depending on what the park wants (B&M offers a lot so far but not EVERYTHING). Though B&M is likely still going to be first on the list of what the park thinks about when deciding on a new coaster, unless the park wants something B&M doesn't make (like a Wild Mouse type coaster, or a Water Coaster, etc- B&M has yet to try those coaster types) or some other company shows Holiday World something that looks really, really cool and the park gets on board with it (which can happen). Though to be fair, one of my ideas for a ride Holiday World could add- and they still can- would be a Mine Train coaster (Arrow may be gone but Vekoma still makes them), if simply to see how they theme it- that park goes a bit crazy with themes at times. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freaks76 Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 I agree with you 100%. You have to have competition. I guess i should've said stranglehold for the foreseeable future. Although I prefer B&M over other coasters, I still like other company's coasters. And you know somewhere, someone is working just as hard as you are, to out do you, at what you do. When someone comes out with something new that's mind-blowing, which sooner or later, will happen, then the parks will have to get their hands on it. All in all, it's kinda like music. If all music was the same, then listening to music would really suck. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RingMaster Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 But now, the vicious cycle has begun. Thunderbird will likely open to rave reviews from the GP, and Holiday World will like it and make money off it, and so they will decide to build buy ANOTHER B&M at some point for their 2nd major steel coaster (I could see HW building a Invert or Floorless at some point in the future)...and the cycle starts over...heck, B&M seemingly already has Cedar Fair firmly in their "grasp"... make a product that pleases your customer, and your customers will keep coming back to you so long as the product is good... Except that the only reason B&M has Cedar Fair in their "grasp" (beside the fact that most of the recent installations reside in the former Paramount Parks) is because the last coaster manufacturer to have said chain in its "grasp" had a history of mechanical issues and post-installation changes that spanned the majority of the last decade. And if we're only looking at the poster child for the entire Fair, there is a 17-year gap between B&M installations. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freaks76 Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Yea, but there's a world of difference between the last coaster to be built in the '90s and the ones their building now, IMO. I really enjoy the ride on Banshee, not so much on Raptor.......... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoChickens Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 As much as I love B&M, and while they do seem to have their stuff together, if somehow they got a pure strangehold on the steel coaster industry (IE all the other companies ragequit or something) it could be bad as then you'd have a Monopoly and then B&M could just make lame rides and parks would pretty much have no choice if they wanted steel coasters. Thankfully, there are still a few companies like Mack & Premier (and others) that can still give B&M a run for their money depending on what the park wants (B&M offers a lot so far but not EVERYTHING). Though B&M is likely still going to be first on the list of what the park thinks about when deciding on a new coaster, unless the park wants something B&M doesn't make (like a Wild Mouse type coaster, or a Water Coaster, etc- B&M has yet to try those coaster types) or some other company shows Holiday World something that looks really, really cool and the park gets on board with it (which can happen). Though to be fair, one of my ideas for a ride Holiday World could add- and they still can- would be a Mine Train coaster (Arrow may be gone but Vekoma still makes them), if simply to see how they theme it- that park goes a bit crazy with themes at times. Actually, I just found this. S&S-Sansei Technologies breathes new life into the tried and true Arrow Mine Train Coaster popularized by Disney in the ‘60s and ‘70s with a new body style that is lighter in weight and an exciting layout the entire family can enjoy. From the first drop over the hill, the Mine Train delivers belly-tickling drops and hills, speedy curves and exciting banked turns. Link: http://www.engineeringexcitement.com/product/mine-train/ 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gad198 Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Except that the only reason B&M has Cedar Fair in their "grasp" (beside the fact that most of the recent installations reside in the former Paramount Parks) is because the last coaster manufacturer to have said chain in its "grasp" had a history of mechanical issues and post-installation changes that spanned the majority of the last decade. And if we're only looking at the poster child for the entire Fair, there is a 17-year gap between B&M installations. You can make a strong case that the Intamin era in the US really only lasted from 1999 (the Supermen: Ride of Steel megas) through 2005 (Kingda Ka). If you take a look at Intamin rides built in the US after 2005, they've built an average of less than one coaster a year here - 7 in total. Also note that they have not built (or announced) any coasters in the US since Skyrush opened in 2012. When Thunderbird and Fury 325 open next year, B&M will have built 7 US coasters since the beginning of 2012. Cedar Fair alone has built one B&M coaster in 7 of the last 8 years, the cheapest of which is still over $20 million! Parks now are simply not going to make large capital investments in this day and age without knowing exactly what they're getting in return. Even Six Flags largest single investment since 2007 - X-Flight at $15 million - was a B&M (the Drop Towers and the RMC conversions/Goliath ran around $10 million each). Parks just got a lot smarter about how they're allocating capital, particularly for the larger coaster installs. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Yea, but there's a world of difference between the last coaster to be built in the '90s and the ones their building now, IMO. I really enjoy the ride on Banshee, not so much on Raptor.......... Kumba? Terp, who likes to ask questions. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freaks76 Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Yea, but there's a world of difference between the last coaster to be built in the '90s and the ones their building now, IMO. I really enjoy the ride on Banshee, not so much on Raptor.......... Kumba? Terp, who likes to ask questions. Never rode it. I hope that answers that question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 If you had, I suspect it would rock your world! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBEASTunchained Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 The In-Line-Roll on Thunderbird should be very interesting considering the close proximity between it and the brake run..... To be honest though, I guess it does sound pretty fun to spiral into the brake run! The 2015 park season just can't come fast enough! What a year '15 will be in the amusement industry! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieseltech20 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Pat Koch should join a coaster club. Things could get really interesting. I REALLY miss her. She was THE voice of Holiday World. The TV/Radio spots are just not the same these days. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freaks76 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 If you had, I suspect it would rock your world! Ah, maybe one of these days. I feel fortunate enough to get to go where I'm going next year. It would be nice to get to go to one of the Busch Gardens, or a Six Flags, If it never happens, Then I still have my CF pass. And that's just fine with me. But, really, I was talking about the 3 B&M's up on the big lake, I should've been more specific. Gotta love rookies. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joncars05 Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 They have released a new hard hat chronicles video. They state that there are going to be new near miss elements added to the ride. I am hoping that they extend the last barn element with the in line roll for the right side. That side is really missing the near miss element. Also they are moving a ride to the plaza of Thunderbird. They will announce that move next week. Things just keep getting better and better for this ride! I cannot wait for Holiwood Nights next year! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSalsa Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 As much as I love B&M, and while they do seem to have their stuff together, if somehow they got a pure strangehold on the steel coaster industry (IE all the other companies ragequit or something) it could be bad as then you'd have a Monopoly and then B&M could just make lame rides and parks would pretty much have no choice if they wanted steel coasters. Thankfully, there are still a few companies like Mack & Premier (and others) that can still give B&M a run for their money depending on what the park wants (B&M offers a lot so far but not EVERYTHING). Though B&M is likely still going to be first on the list of what the park thinks about when deciding on a new coaster, unless the park wants something B&M doesn't make (like a Wild Mouse type coaster, or a Water Coaster, etc- B&M has yet to try those coaster types) or some other company shows Holiday World something that looks really, really cool and the park gets on board with it (which can happen). Though to be fair, one of my ideas for a ride Holiday World could add- and they still can- would be a Mine Train coaster (Arrow may be gone but Vekoma still makes them), if simply to see how they theme it- that park goes a bit crazy with themes at times. Actually, I just found this. S&S-Sansei Technologies breathes new life into the tried and true Arrow Mine Train Coaster popularized by Disney in the ‘60s and ‘70s with a new body style that is lighter in weight and an exciting layout the entire family can enjoy. From the first drop over the hill, the Mine Train delivers belly-tickling drops and hills, speedy curves and exciting banked turns. Link: http://www.engineeringexcitement.com/product/mine-train/ Wow- OK, since S&S did buy Arrow, this would make this the true "successor" to the old Arrow Mine Trains. Also from that page, it seems one of these would fit perfectly with my Holiday World Mine Train idea. And they are moving a ride to the Thunderbird plaza? Makes some sense, since if they built it all as-is Thunderbird would be the ONLY ride back there and it looks like it'd be a bit of a walk from the current Thanksgiving Plaza section where Giraffica was to it. So putting something else back there to help populate the area a bit more makes some sense and could possibly open up something elsewhere in the park for a future new attraction. My only question is...what will go back there? Revolution? Liberty Launch? Hallowswings? The possibilities are seemingly endless... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgoble3 Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 "66 Hours to See": http://www.holidayworld.com/holiblog/2014/12/07/66-hours-see/ Argh! What could it be this time? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMC01 Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I've never been to Holiday World, but from the blog pictures, I'm guessing they are moving Eagle's Flight to be near Thunderbird's launch. It makes sense sense both rides are (or were) bird themed. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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