Coronavirus and Amusement Parks- What will re-opening look like?

 Amusement Parks, Coronavirus and Re-opening.. oh my? 

 Nothing is normal and nothing will be the same for a long time. So how is this going to effect the summer season? 





 Amusement parks and theme parks across the country are starting to prep for reopening and what is left of the summer park season. With announcements beginning today and more expected to break their silence in the next week.

 As of 5/21/20, several parks have announced opening days including Six Flags Great Adventure and Holiday World. With social distancing in place, face masks required and dozens of new sanitation rules in place- the changes to your summer park fun are going to be massive. It's now time to take a look at what this strange, new amusement park world is likely going to look like.

Holiday World- Thunderbird Media Day Ride Review

Thunderbird Media Day and Ride Review


 Holiday World recently opened their newest and only steel coaster, Thunderbird. The team here at ISI was lucky enough to be invited for the Media Preview and to do a review of the ride, needless to say, we were all excited!

 While it was cold, it was also a clear and bright day in Indiana when we first laid eyes on the wing coaster the park has been teasing us with for months.

While not a fan of wing coasters in general, I was hoping that the new Thunderbird would change my mind on the matter. In the past I've found this style of coaster nice but rather lacking in the thrill factor, they seem almost too relaxed in my opinion..

...then Thunderbird happened.

Holiday World- Thunderbird POV and Video

 POV and On-Ride Video of Thunderbird at Holiday World

  As always, we here at ISI love getting POV and On-Ride video. The staff of Holiday World during Media Day (mainly Stephen, you rock!) indulged us to our fullest!

 The park and employees were amazing in supplying us with all the POV and On-Ride footage our little blogger hearts could beg for!

Thunderbird Watch: Night Testing Begins for Holiday World's Newest Coaster!

Earlier this week, the folks at Holiday World started doing night tests of their newest coaster, Thunderbird. With the opening to the public less than two weeks away, it's great to see everything coming together. One thing that we didn't quite anticipate? The lights on the side of the trains!

Seriously, those things are way awesome and the video below that was posted up by the park a couple of nights ago really shows off how they shine.


Thunderbird is shaping up to be a contender for one of the best coasters of 2015 without a doubt and we're happy to announce that the entire ISI team will be on hand for the Thunderbird Media Event next Thursday. So, stay tuned for live coverage of the newest beast to roam the woods of Holiday World!

As always, you can follow along with us right here or on Twitter, Google+, Tumblr and Facebook for all the latest!

Thunderbird Watch: First Lanch Video and More from Holiday World!

Earlier today (at 2:03pm), Holiday World, released video of the first ever launch of their newest coaster, Thunderbird. The video, shot during the very first test run is just a teaser though. They only gave us a 30 second clip and even then, some of that is shortened! Even then, it is still video of the first ever launched B&M coaster in the world, that's gotta count for something, right?

That said, we do get a POV look and a side angle shot, both pretty awesome. We want more, but we'll have to wait for the official, full length, POV from Holiday World in the future. Hopefully none of us will have to wait too long for that! For now, we can definitely get a sense of the speed that the launch has just how fast 0-60 in 3.5 seconds really is as you race up the massive 140ft Immelman.

So, enough talking, let's get to the video!


But, that's not all. We've gotten a few pictures from the test run earlier today and a couple more that show off the station house and theming as well!

Stay tuned for more out of Holiday World and Thunderbird as opening day keeps creeping forward by follow us on Twitter, Google+, Tumblr and Facebook for all the latest!

Thunderbird Watch: Holiday World Shows Off Thunderbird's Station House and Barn Fly Through

Well, construction of the track may have been completed well ahead of schedule and the trains have started to arrive but there's a lot more finish up with Holiday World's first all steel coaster.

Most notably, the station house and the barn fly through that riders will be sent careening through not once, but twice! They're definitely getting there with things though and with the barn complete, that only leaves the station to be finished off.

So, let's get down what you came for, the pictures. First up, a look at the mostly complete station for this ground breaking new coaster.

Still a good bit to go here, but definitely getting there and can't wait to see when it's done. Next up? A little bit of coaster nirvana as Holiday World has given us some really unique looks at the barn fly through section of the ride!

Thunderbird Watch: First Train Car Arrives

Well, it wasn't enough that the track was completed just about three weeks early but now the folks over at Holiday World have gotten another little Christmas present. This time, the first car of the trains for Thunderbird.

Delivered just a few days ago, they didn't waste any time getting it on the track either. At this point, it's looking like they're well ahead of schedule to get things going and that's never a bad thing to see!

Those who have ridden GateKeeper, X-Flight or Wild Eagle in the US, then you've likely encountered the trains before as they're pretty much uniform, outside of the paint jobs and a couple other artistic bits, across the board for B&M's wing coasters. If you haven't, well, it's an interesting thing to experience.

Anyway, there's a shot of the car being lifted into place from the Holiday World Facebook Page. If you're curious as to why theirs no track under it, that's because there are small wheels that help to support the train, much like B&M's trains on Griffon and Sheikra. Definitely a little weird to wrap your head around, but somehow they support the massive weight and pretty awesome to think how that can even happen.

Here's the video of them lifting it in place and you can see the wheel thing in it pretty clearly too, pretty cool stuff.

Post by Holiday World & Splashin' Safari.

Stay tuned for more info out of Holiday World and everywhere else that's building for 2015 right here or follow us on Twitter, Google+, Tumblr and Facebook for all the latest!

Thunderbird Construction Continues at Holiday World

It's been a while since we've checked in with Holiday World and the progress of Thunderbird, the world's first launched wing coaster. Now, however, there's been a few new pictures released from the park and they're definitely well under way to get things opened on time for the 2015.

Thunderbird, unveiled earlier this year, is the park's first all steel coaster and features a unique launch system that's definitely going to be interesting to experience.

Anyway, before we get to the pictures, here's the latest Hard Hat Chronicles video from the folks at Holiday World.


And now...here's the pictures of construction so far from Holiday World's Facebook Page!

Holiday World-Thunderbird Watch 10/8

Image from Screamscape

Holiday World 'Tops Off' Thunderbird on Tuesday.

 Even with a minor delay due to weather, Holiday World has delivered on their promise of having the newest roller coaster 'Thunderbird' topped off quickly.

 On Tuesday, the top Immelman loop (directly after lauch) was completed. It's also the highest piece of track on this roller coaster, set to open in 2015. The park is really pushing to have much of their main construction completed as quickly as possible!

 We've also got some news in regards to the roller coasters launching system!

 It appears the first B&M launching coaster will be powered by a normal LSM system. Meaning, 'Liner Synchronous Motor' (translation- Powered by Electra-Magnetic Force) rather then a cable or launch car systems as seen in other launching style roller coaster. Top Thrill Dragster is a 'Cable' system and Rock'n'Roller-Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studies is a 'launch car' system (also powered by cables).

 The park has added in a power sub-station in order to generate the addition electric power which the new coasters ride systems will require. So, unlike some other parks in the past, Holiday World won't brown out the entire city the first time it launches into being!

Holiday World- Thunderbird Construction Update 9/17

 Thunderbird Watch- September 17th.

Good News Coaster Fans!

 On the most recent update from Holiday World, their showing off the construction so far on Thunderbird, which is the first launched B&M coaster in the world!

 Not only is the park making excellent progress on the rides construction, they've stated they are roughly two weeks ahead of their planned schedule! Always good news when rides go up quickly and with so much ease!

 So with that, have a few more pictures of the current construction of Thunderbird. Plus a neat little Instagram video which the park posted up, courtesy of their 'HoliDrone'.

First Piece of Thunderbird Track in Place at Holiday World!

Well, that didn't take long as just last week the first sections of track for Holiday World's newest scream machine, Thunderbird, arrived. Today, the Holiblog posted up a few pictures showing the first piece of track going into place for their newest and first ever steel coaster.

Thunderbird is not only the park's first all steel coaster, but also the world's first ever launched wing coaster as well.

Have to say, the orange track is going to be incredible to see snaking through the woods, and night rides are going to be insane. Anyway, the first section of track to be installed, as pictured below, is for the station and as they say "only 76 more to go!"

Check out the Holiblog, Holiday World's official blog for more pictures here!

Stay tuned for more updates on the construction of Thunderbird and we can't wait to get a chance to take flight in April of 2015!

First Pieces of Thunderbird Track Arrive at Holiday World

The first pieces of track have arrived at Holiday World for their newest addition to the park, Thunderbird. Announced last Thursday night, their newest coaster is not only their first steel coaster in the park's history, but also the first launched wing coaster from B&M in the world. It will take riders through three inversions after shooting from 0-60 in just 3.5 seconds.

The new track segments that have made their way to Holiday World also solve another mystery, where some of the track spotted at the Clermont Steel Fabricator lot in Ohio is headed. Now just for the other colors...

Image from @HolidayWorld on Twitter

Either way, going to be fun to watch this one get built over the course of the next 8 months or so and can't wait to get a chance to ride the madness in the Spring of 2015! For more details about Thunderbird, check out our coverage of the announcement here.

Holiday World Announces Thunderbird Coming in 2015!

It's been 66 Days of traveling with the crew and passengers of The Mayflower. Their journey has been a long and arduous one, filled with many curiosities along the way.

Now that journey is over and we finally have our answer to what Holiday World will be adding to their already impressive collection of world class coasters and rides.

Let us be amongst the first to introduce you to, Thunderbird ,the world's first B&M launched wing coaster! 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and have a total of 4 inversions as it hugs the ground and soars through the forest. This is the first launched coaster from B&M, ever and will be open in Spring of 2015.

Here's the official announcement video from the park:


Thunderbird marks the largest investment in the park's 68 year history at $22 million dollars and definitely is going to be a worthy addition to the park. Now for the animated POV to see just what it'll be like to ride Thunderbird!



The coaster will feature a launch, using LSM technology, an Immelmann loop, 125' Loop, Horseshoe, Elevated Spiral, Zero-G roll, S curve, 2 “headchopper” keyholes, a Carousel, a 360 in-line twist (barrel roll) and 2 Crossovers with The Voyage as it screams over 3,000+ft of track. In a nice touch, the pulley building will be named "Will Power" after Will Koch, who passed away a couple of years back. This was his dream to build and now it's a reality.

For those curious, here's what the layout of this ground breaking ride will look like after the break.

A Few More Hints Before Holiday World's Big Announcement

Okay, so yesterday I said it was the final hint, but apparently a few more interesting tidbits have come out from the HoliBlog, Holiday World's official park blog.

This time there's a bunch of messages from park staff that seem to be hinting whatever they're planning out there and even a little translation fun!

UPDATE: Thunderbird, Launched Flying Coaster Announced, click here for the details!

First up, quotes from the park's upper management that may have a few clues going on and a few odd little tidbits about shows and the like, but probably just to throw things off and be funny. Anyway, here's the full list of quotes:

"Bellyaching and moaning won’t get you any closer to announcement time"
“Still wanting that birds of prey show.”
“My clue was in the title. Try misspelling Bastille.”
“One mammoth of an announcement.”
“I’ll get you a clue as soon as I finish up these 22 million other tasks on my list.”
“I always wanted a younger brother.”
“They usually keep me in the loop for this sort of thing … guess I need to catch up on reading my emails.”
“I’m too busy mocking the birds of prey show to think of a clue.”

The key words to focus on here are definitely; Bellyaching, Birds of Prey, Bastille, Mammoth, Younger Brother and Loop.

Now, as far as the translation goes? Here's what Google Translate spit out:

"I believe that this key should be in German. (I'm sorry. I have not spoken German for a year.) Our designers designed our project in a German speaking country. Unfortunately, there are many good designers in German-speaking countries. One should remember that it is great. Very large. It is also unique. That's all! Have fun with Google Translate! "

The thing that jumps out immediately is the "German speaking country" bit and while most think that's only Germany, there's actually 6 countries that German is the official language for. So, what ride manufactures does this cover? A lot actually. The list includes Mack Rides, Bolliger & Mabillard, Gerstlauer, Maurer Söhne, and Intamin or even Vekoma as well. All of these could be suspect and leaving any off the table right now is hard to do. They all are big names but the biggest of them all are B&M and Intamin.

Either way, just a little under 7 hours until we finally get answers to all the nagging questions!


Follow us on Twitter, Google+, Tumblr and Facebook for all the news as it happens from Santa Claus, Indiana later tonight!

h/t to BehindtheThrills.com!

One Last Clue Before Holiday World's Big 2015 Project is Unveiled!

We're just 24 hours out from the official announcement out of Holiday World of what their 2015 project will be. The clue for Day 65 is definitely one that has us scratching our heads a little.

While we know that the ride is most likely a new roller coaster and will contain inversions of some kind, what the type is and who's building it exactly is a complete mystery.

UPDATE: Thunderbird, Launched Flying Coaster Announced, click here for the details! 

However, with latest clue we may be onto just what they've planned. But, before we get to that, here's a run down of the clues that we've been given so far.

• ‘Upside Down’
• ‘One.Big.Thing’
• ‘When you find out, you’re gonna flip’
• ’truly unique’
• ‘The first of its kind’.

I think at this point it's safe to say it's probably going to be a steel coaster as the park doesn't have one yet and it's been something Leah Koch has been dreaming of for the park for quite a while now. We also know that the original plans for this were drawn up not long ago by Will Koch, but the technology wasn't exactly up to snuff. What exactly that means is anyone's guess and really unclear of what it could've been. So, now onto the latest clue!

As you can see we're talking about something with wings, soaring and a flying monster. While it's not a dead giveaway by any stretch, it does seem like they could be talking about a B&M Wing Coaster (Gatekeeper, Wild Eagle) or a Flying Coaster (Superman: Ultimate Escape, Manta, Air).

Personally, I don't see it being a wing coaster. For starters, they cost a bit more than the $22million figure that we've been given and I just don't like the things. If it's going to be a B&M, I'd much prefer it to be a ground breaking flying coaster of some kinda. Maybe a Terrain Flyer, that'd be pretty awesome.

So, what could they do that was new and different? Well some sources say that whatever it is could include a launch, or maybe even multiple launches. There has been a long running rumor that someone out there would finally commission B&M for their first launch coaster, maybe this is right time and place? There is all that track that's been spotted at the Clermont Steel Fabricators lot, not all of it has a home, so possible for sure. Either way, it's hard to say and I wish I could be more definitive with all of this, but only 24 hours to go right?

Still, there's the possibility that we could be getting ready for something else entirely and this all only speculation and way off the mark. Fun to do, but can't wait to see what the actual announcement will hold. Keep it here as we follow all the news out of Holiday World!

New Details Emerge About Holiday World's 2015 Project

With the end of Holiday World's "66 Days at Sea" campaign, teasing their newest attraction, coming to an end, a little bit more info has come out regarding their 2015 project.

There's been a ton of speculation around this one over the past couple of months. Everything from a B&M Wing Coaster or Dive Machine to steel/wood hybrid coasters that contain loops, over banked turns and other elements not possible with just wood. It's really anyone's guess but with a $22million dollar price tag on the expansion, it could be just about anything.

However, with that number floating around out there, it's unlikely to be a wing coaster or giga coaster from B&M since they tend to run a wee bit north of that. It does, however, leave the door open for pretty much anything else from any manufacturer though. However, I'm doubtful on the steel/wood hybrid coaster idea here as well, even if something from Gravity Group or Rocky Mountain Coasters would be cool. Why? Simply because they already have one with Voyage and while it doesn't do any of the nifty tricks the newer ones do, it's something I don't see them revisiting with this new project. Additionally, neither would be very "family friendly" at all and cost way under the amount we've been given.

The only clues we have are the vague ones from the 66 Days campaign and possibly a recent blog post from Leah Koch, daughter of Holiday World's Founder, Will Koch. In it she reminisced about a ride that never came to be and her father saying that they'd never build a steel coaster due to it not being "family friendly". In the end though, she said that the new project would see her father's dream become reality but that he'd moved on from the technology in his first idea presented. So, take that however you want to as it could mean just about anything yet again.

Other clues from the past couple of months have included; ‘Upside Down’, ‘One.Big.Thing’, ‘When you find out, you’re gonna flip’, ’truly unique’ and ‘The first of its kind’. Certainly sounds like it's going to be something that's gonna upside down at least, so there is that.

Again, we only now know the price tag of $22million and that it's a "first of it's kind" ride. Holiday World will be making their official announcement on Thursday night, at least we're getting closer to an answer!

Follow us on Twitter, Google+, Tumblr and Facebook for all the news as it happens from Santa Claus, Indiana this week!

Solving the B&M Track at Clermont Steel Fabricators - Where's it Headed and What's it to be?

For those that don't know, Clermont Steel Fabricators is the location where Bollinger & Mabillard (aka B&M) manufactures all of their track for coasters around the world. B&M is responsible for some of the best steel coasters in our opinion as well. Rides such as, Leviathan, Manta, Kumba, Griffon, and the newly opened Banshee.

In the past few months there has been an uptick in activity around the facility and several different colored track segments have been spotted laying outside. This has gotten the rumor mill all abuzz in the coaster enthusiast world and we're here to help try and decipher the madness of it all, or at least try to.

Image via ThemePark.nl

While we know that the white track is headed to Italy for Gardaland's new Dive Machine Coaster that's set to open in 2014, the other sections aren't so clear. In addition to the track headed overseas to Italy, there's also been yellow, orange, red and a blueish/teal colored track spotted in recent weeks as well.

That's 4, maybe 5, coasters and while we know who is getting something shiny from B&M in 2015, we're just not sure which is going where just yet.

Many insiders and coaster enthusiasts believe that at least one of these is bound for Carowinds and their rumored B&M Giga coaster coming in 2015. So, that leaves the others for contention between various parks. Some believe that one is headed to somewhere in China and the other headed to The Netherland's Efteling for their "mini Dive Coaster" that's slated for a 2015 opening as well.

Holiday World- New Construction Camera ahead of Announcement

Holiday World Adds New 'Construction Camera' just ahead of New Attraction Announcement.

 Well, it looks like Holiday  World is getting ready for their big announcement on what's coming in the 2015 season.

 A new 'Construction Camera' has gone live on the HoliBlog this weekend. This comes just ten days ahead of their big announcement and the end of their '66 Days at Sea' teaser campaign. The new construction is part of the 'Thanksgiving' day area of the park, which is getting the new attraction after the removal of Pilgrim's Plunge.

 For those following the '66 Days at Sea' teaser, we've been going 55 days so far. Facing all manner of unpleasant situations such as storms, darkness and rough seas. Just ten days away from land-fall and the big reveal, which has lead to a ton of speculation that this could be another water ride. Perhaps a water-coaster or some other form of a wet attraction, other rumors seem more far-flung but with the current 'sea travel' theme I'd expect something water related.

 More news when we come across it!

Holiday World- New 2015 Attraction..A Coaster?

Holiday World- New Attraction in 2015 is a Coaster?

 Holiday World is expanding, only their keeping their newest addition completely secret.

 Launching today on the HoliBlog, the park has stated "Loose Lips Sink Ships" and talked about secrets. They have a secret alright and the guessing game has begun today with the park launching a new micro-website to reveal clues.

 Holiday World Microsite

 May of us already suspect this is a roller coaster coming to the "Thanksgiving" area of the park. Why? Because of the little hint dropped by Leach Koch on the website: "And as 2015 rolls closer? Oh no, have I said to much?".

 The microsite seems to be giving away daily hints and it set to last exactly 66 days until some form of reveal. The same 66 days it took the pilgrims to land in what would become the United States, very fitting for a new attraction going into the "thanksgiving" area of the park.

 More news and rumors about this 2015 attraction when we find out!

Holiday World- Removing Pilgrims Pludge

Image from Negative-G

Holiday World- Removing "Pilgrims Plunge".

 Today Holiday World announced they will be removing their rather crazy water ride, Pilgrims Plunge (Giraffica).

 This unique and complicated water ride was created by Intamin in 2009 and was once featured on the Travel Channel.

 The ride has been plagued with issues and problems since it's opening. The park said the following about the rides removal “If you’re one of our super-fans, you’re probably not surprised. You’ve noticed the ride has not been open as often as we all would have liked. We sincerely apologize for the disappointment.”.