My thoughts on Voyage.....

[Delirium_Guy]

Well, FINALLY, after being delayed and delayed, we finally made it to Holiday World to check out Voyage. Last season, our experiences at Holiday World weren't all that great. I've been going to the Park for about 8 years now, last year was just different. It felt like a lot of the charm was gone, the employees not as friendly as usual, we just had bad days there.

We arrived about 10 minutes before they opened, crowds were light. The ropes dropped and we headed down into Thanksgiving. Now, let me just start by saying this. I'm VERY happy that the Park has prospered and grown like they have. The Koch's are truly good people and have worked so hard at making the Park what it is. Its definitely unbelievable to look back at when I started to visit and Raven was *the* star attraction. Moving on, I have to say, I feel that the Park took on a bit too much this year. While I understand the concern with capacity and I appreciate the efforts made, I feel that a lot of quality was sacrificed to do so. I expect that from PKI, not Holiday World. The Thanksgiving section is bland, with very little going on to even make you think you are in a Thanksgiving themed area. Obviously Voyage was first up.

Our first ride was in the back seat. I had watched the POV video, followed construction with pictures, all that fun jazz. I thought I had an idea of what to expect, but god was I wrong. I'm not going to go into a detailed blitz about the ride, others have already done so. The Voyage is something that can't be believed after your first ride. Still today, it seems like it just isn't possible. They truly have built the ultimate coaster. I've never seen a ride keep its pace like that. The first out-bound leg is going UP hill, yet the train continues to pick up speed. The use of the terrain by use of the tunnels is simply brilliant and VERy effective. The first three hills are loaded with airtime, preluded by a SPECTACULAR first drop.....perhaps one of the best on any wood coaster I've ridden. The turnaround is a blur. I experienced some of Gravity Group's tricks on Hades last year, but they went beyond those on Voyage. The mid-course brake is actually a welcomed relief and the only chance you have for a breather. From here on back to the station, its nothing but direction changes, quick pops of air, insane speeds, trick track and more. It has some of the most abrupt changes of direction that I've experienced. The train hits the final brakes at close to 50MPH......on a 6500 foot ride! The engineering is amazing, the design unbelievable. Its a freak show.

Perhaps, though, a bit too much. I feel that it may go a bit beyond what it should. Its not a ride that a lot of people will be able to handle more than once. Its a physically exhausting ride. I'm a very seasoned rider, as anyone who knows me will tell, been on close to 400 coasters now. Voyage is almost too much. We rode about 3 times in a row last night before close, another ride would have been it. I urge anyone who can to go ride it this year and enjoy it! Its an experience, thats for sure! As I said, almost 24 hours later, I'm still trying to process the whole ride.

Gobbler Getaway. Something that the Park was in desperate need of...a dark ride. I loved it. Sally has some tweaking to do yet, but overall I was pleased. I read on here that someone thought it was a cheapened version of Scooby Doo, which I don't get. I MUCH preferred Gobbler Getaway to Scooby. Props to Sally and HW for coming up with a totally original storyline and ride. The pre-show was a treat, something that Scooby lacks.

We made our way out of Thanksgiving, giving the new Bahari River a glance. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting and I definitely think the Park should have held off a season before building it. It just doesn't look like it fits. Still, Splashin' Safari is a great water park......definitely the best in the region. A large collection of slides, definitely a better collection than Boomerang Bay.

We took our usual spins on Freedom Train, Liberty Launch and even made our way over to the Howler for a few spins. Lines were non-existant thanks to the storm that made its way through around lunch time.

Speaking of food, it always boggles my mind at how cheap it is. I spent around $20 yesterday in food. I had pizza, corn dogs, two orders of fries, some chocolate from the fudge shop, fried oreos. Tell me how much I would have paid for that at PKI? Unbelievable :-)

Legend was running slow. Even so, I've never been a Legend fan. Its like Shivering Timbers......too much of one thing. Shivering Timbers is nothing but hill after hill after hill of air time. Legend is nothing but laterals....with one or two pops of air mixed in.

Raven is where my heart will always lie. Its been my baby since the beginnging. It wasn't running as hot as it used to last year. She's flying beautifullly this season. The track work on the Lake Rudolph turn made a huge difference. The S-Curves following *The Drop* could use a little work, but its still smooth as glass. Back seat still surprises me with its airtime. Raven is just a fun ride. No matter where you sit. Its speedy, has great air in the back and just kicks it. Its short, but sweet and it put the Park on the map.

All in all another great day at HW. We were headed to Beech Bend but decided to stick it out for some more Voyage. Beech Bend is coming soon, Rumbler looks like a darn fine little ride. Our next little trip is heading out to Branson to hit up Silver Dollar City, WoF and SF St. Louis.

- Todd

[BoddaH1994]

Just wait until you feel the comfort on those trains on Rumbler... you'll want to take a nap in there.

[Reclaimer]

Was at the park yesterday, as well.

I LOVED Voyage, and unfortunately, only got in two rides due to a newbie not being able to handle more. I will agree, the ride is a bit much for some, but I still love it. The 90-degree turns were a great touch, but they just didn't feel like I expected they would. Overall...a GREAT ride, and one of my top three coasters...and for sure my #1 woodie!

Gobbler Getaway, I thought was a great ride. Yes, I agree, Sally does need to finish up a bit of the ride, but overall, it was fun. Since the point-ranges for scores at the end weren't painted yet, I just assumed I was the top-dog. My only complaint, and it may be fixed once Sally finishes up the ride, is that the props weren't really animated. Yes, there were a few animated props, but mostly, it was 'shoot' 'hit' 'next'...with nothing to reward you for your skill, other than a turkey gobble. I enjoy Scooby's animations when you hit the clock or pictures...and especially love the 'bonus' of hitting the Scooby Snacks and seeing the pup pop up.

First-ever visit to the park, and I had a BLAST! Glad to see you enjoyed the park as well!

[jzarley]

Do you know what I find most amazing? That Holiday World did all of their 2006 projects for $13.5M! It's amazing to me that they built a first rate coaster, a dark ride, and an entire new themed area on such a tight budget. (And, did it very well!!)

[Delirium_Guy]

Just wait until you feel the comfort on those trains on Rumbler... you'll want to take a nap in there.

While I haven't ridden Rumbler yet, I've ridden the Millennium Flyers on Roar, Thunderhead and Lightning Racer. By far, the best wood coaster trains on the market. Too bad GCI only sells them with their own rides. They are a work of art.

Hey Reclaimer, about your comments about the props on Gobbler Getaway. They ARE animated, they were all working early in the morning. We were told that the main compressor broke at some point, which is why NOTHING was moving later in the afternoon. So never fear :-)

- Todd

[ZosoBeast]

Gobbler Getaway. Something that the Park was in desperate need of...a dark ride. The pre-show was a treat, something that Scooby lacks.

Scooby does have a pre show. You just need to look up!

[Delirium_Guy]

Gobbler Getaway.  Something that the Park was in desperate need of...a dark ride.  The pre-show was a treat, something that Scooby lacks.

Scooby does have a pre show. You just need to look up!

I realize that, its just terrible. :-)

- Todd

[The Interpreter]

Seems to me it is an afterthought left over from Phantom Theater.

Sigh.

[Reclaimer]

Hey Reclaimer, about your comments about the props on Gobbler Getaway. They ARE animated, they were all working early in the morning. We were told that the main compressor broke at some point, which is why NOTHING was moving later in the afternoon. So never fear :-)

- Todd

Good to hear. Thanks for the info.

[The New England Snapper]

When I made my trip to Six Flags Great America and Holiday World last month I also was amazed! The Voyage is absolutley amazing and the speen NEVER lets up!

I was actually worried when I rode it the first time because of the mid corse breaks! They stopped the train quickly and you lost a lot of momentum! But by my surprize the tripple down was darn good and the train seemed like you hit a booster or lims and you got launched out of the breaks! The last half of the ride was probably my fav just bc it was so intense and fast! I love the angles of the track and the 3 90 degree turns! Just an amazing ride! No doubt! WOOT to HW!!!!

[Captain Nemo]

I first heard about the Voyage when I got a call from Legend Rider. He, living less than an hour from Holiday World was of course stoked. "Two 90* Bank turns?! 24 seconds of airtime?! 5 Underground moments?!" I said, but he kept going on when I thought this coaster could do nothing else. 70 MPH, 173 feet high, a two minute and 45 second ride! I was shocked and excited at the same time. How would Holiday World pull this off? That’s when I was sent the animated POV. At first it felt like The Beast going into the woods but this coaster was doing what no Beast did. Hill after hill, turn after turn, It could have been done there and been an awesome ride but there was still 2 minutes left of the ride! I was watching my computer screen wiz by like I was on this monster. My first look of the ride gave me the idea of an out and back coaster, but more extreme and out of control. It gave me the idea that this rollercoaster had a mind of its own, trying to break free from the out and back layout. I would say that it succeeded, this ride is anything but an out and back, it's under the layout category known as, "Voyage Layout"! This is what I was thinking and I was only half way through the ride. As the ride cruised by the mid breaks I asked myself, "wait a tic, did it even slow down on those breaks?" I was amazed at the speed it was still going and at such low height. I had never seen a coaster move so fast and do these elements. At those speeds the only thing I would have thought is it has to go up to slow down and lose momentum. This coaster only had 4 real hills and the rest was low height speed elements, I had never seen such a thing. I watched as the POV went in and around the steel track and into the second 90* bank. At this point I said, "This ride is long, and looks longer than The Beast" But when I saw that it was 6,442 I was surprised. As the coaster took its last turns and bends I began moving and swaying like I was on it, I got so into it. Then the ride went into the breaks. I then noticed I had been holding my breath for god knows how long, I took a huge breath and out came one word, "wow".

Almost everyday after I looked at the webcam watching it grow. When pictures of the ride began coming in I marveled at each one. But now the ride is open, and not one negative review is anywhere to be found. One mission I must take this summer is all but simple, I must ride The Voyage!