Last year, I took a trip to Kentucky Kingdom with a friend of mine. An hour away from our destination, and I jokingly remarked that Holiday World is only an hour away and in a different time zone, and that we could do both in one day. Well, what started out as a joke soon became an epic park-hopping experience capped off by the notion that we were assigned the front row to three of the four coasters at Holiday World. And the coaster we got a back row ride on? The Voyage. Thunderbird definitely is the best wing coaster I’ve ridden to date. Surprising that another one hasn’t been built.
Thunderbird is a sentimental favorite of mine. It’s my first launch coaster, and it sparked my preferences for launch coasters. Out of 228 coasters, Thunderbird is still a top 15 coaster for me to this day
I rode this last week and I loved it! Feels like you’re gliding through the air! That launch was nice but not the strongest I’ve felt but still packed a punch. The strongest launch I’ve experienced has to go to Max Force at Six Flags Great America
I've been on Wild Eagle and Gatekeeper so I'm excited to see what a launch brings to a wing coaster during Holiwood Nights. I know we'll see B&M do more launch coasters with their surf model, but I'd love for them to implement launches on their inverts. Seems like that would make for a wild ride.
I did ride 2 wing roller coasters. I did the Thunderbird and the other one was Gatekeeper at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. The Gatekeeper does have a chain driven lift hill.
I know if you think about it people will realize that wing trains are heavier than most trains so it would need more power for it. Anyway thanks for the great video
Smooth B&M's like chain lifts. Master of the "pre release" to take stress off chain b 4 drop. When they did Hulk (they didn't want to make the launch system) I had a friend that wanted a launched B&M in his park. When I talked to them in early 2000's they still were not into launches (I'd have to contract that part out) Now, with the launch trend "our guys" are getting on board with it! I can't wait to ride this one. Holiday World is an excellent park!
B&M's elements are much more mellow nowadays compared to when they were making a splash with Kumba and Hulk or even the floorless coasters. Guess they're designed to be more graceful and casual. I enjoy wing coasters. They're unique and I can get my parents on them once but they could be so much more. I wish they would stiffen the outer seats on the trains. Not sure they can reasonably do that engineering wise or I'm sure B&M would have done it. Not like they didn't think of it. Love these in depth, daily reviews. Good stuff.
just went to holiday world for the first time yesterday and we loved it! thunderbird was amazing! we got 6 rides on thunderbird and voyage. 2 on legend and 3 on raven! walk ons all day cause of a very slight rain in the morning. great park and we saw thunderbird have 1 break down, heard it was a break sensor or something but it was back up in 15 minutes.
I can't wait to see what a B&M launch feels like when I head there next month. Right now, my only wing coaster credit is X-flight so I'm looking forward to this. Great review, that layout looks amazing in the woods with the near miss elements
I have been on all 4 Wing Coasters in the US. Thunderbird is my clear favorite. It is also my 2nd favorite coaster at HW. The ending to Thunderbird is quite good. I didn't have an issue with the first half. I also was never uncomfortable on this one like Wild Eagle or deal with a big rattle like I do sometimes with X Flight or GateKeeper.
So it is hard to comprehend now but the announcement of Thunderbird and how big of a deal it was. Enthusiasts today question why Holiday World went with a giant steel coaster even though this park was about the wooden coasters. (I’ve heard these questions countless times.) Well the thing is the locals of Holiday World begged for a steel coaster for ages upon ages. Look at some of the early Holiday World RUclips videos and you’ll see people spamming them with comments on when they are getting a steel coaster? Comments that are over 10 years old. A major steel coaster represented a major park for many locals. What separated Holiday World to the other major parks in the region. So it was a major deal when Thunderbird was announced! I remember multiple people thinking they will boost ticket prices because now Holiday World is a major park with Thunderbird under their belt.
@@CanobieCoaster One of the main reasons they went with B&M is B&M is also a family run company as well, so it added a connection between the two groups. Plus the reliability B&M has and the Holiday World crew knew they were the company of choice. I found this info out on the In The Loop Podcast about Thunderbird with Holiday World President.
I have only ridden 3 B&M Wings and they are fun. Not forceful but they are just enjoyable. I have also ridden Hulk so a launch on a B&M was very unique to experience. I wonder what its like to put them together and have a cool layout through the woods. I also think I will love that inline twist as the one on X Flight was my favorite part of the ride.
I love Thunderbird. 10/10. It's my 2nd favorite at Holiday World. I don't know why, but I just thing wing coasters are amazing (except for those S&S free spins). There's nothing like having no track above or below you on a coaster. Thunderbird is my 2nd favorite wing coaster behind X2, and is in my overall top 20.
I'm not sure if I would count Skyrush. Half the seats are over the track, and the outside seats don't feel as much like wing seats to me, but that's an interesting debate.
I personally prefer this over Legend and Raven, and I agree its the best wing coaster in the US. It's great launch, layout, and finale is why it's in my overall top 25 As for the major coasters at Holiday World, I'd rate them like this: 1. Voyage (no contest) 2. Thunderbird 3. Raven 4. Legend None of Holiday World's coasters are bad by any means, which is why I don't mind visiting this park at all.
I've ridden Thunderbird in 2016 initially and GateKeeper in 2019 initially. I'd rate Thunderbird the better coaster over GateKeeper because of the launch even though GateKeeper is a little longer and a little faster.
I might get some hate for saying this, but this is actually my least favorite of the four B&M wing coasters in America. I don't mean this in a bad way because it's still a very fun and unique roller coaster, but I had to choose whether I liked this or Wild Eagle at Dollywood more, and I liked the location of Wild Eagle on the hillside with the great views of the surrounding area more despite the area not being anything special. As for Thunderbird, my main complaint was that it was too short and over very quickly. In other words, I wanted more of it.
"Best wing coaster"? I dunno, who cares though. Winged coasters, like most B&M coasters are just novelties. Bleh, they're fun. But they're nothing in the ballpark of better coasters.
Lol the wing coasters in China are in the convo for best steel coasters ever made, especially soaring with eagle. The wing coasters outside of China with the exceptions of fenix & t.bird, are trash
What really surprised me is that thunderbird doesn’t feel like a prototype at all despite being one, B&M really loves perfection
Very true!
Last year, I took a trip to Kentucky Kingdom with a friend of mine. An hour away from our destination, and I jokingly remarked that Holiday World is only an hour away and in a different time zone, and that we could do both in one day. Well, what started out as a joke soon became an epic park-hopping experience capped off by the notion that we were assigned the front row to three of the four coasters at Holiday World. And the coaster we got a back row ride on? The Voyage.
Thunderbird definitely is the best wing coaster I’ve ridden to date. Surprising that another one hasn’t been built.
The time change to Holiday World helps in that regard.
Jeez that sounds like an awesome trip lol
B&M wing coasters are so underrated! Especially this ride because it’s over shadowed by Voyage
Voyage overshadows a lot.
Underrated in that the best ones are located in China
Thunderbird is a sentimental favorite of mine. It’s my first launch coaster, and it sparked my preferences for launch coasters. Out of 228 coasters, Thunderbird is still a top 15 coaster for me to this day
That's fair.
I rode this last week and I loved it! Feels like you’re gliding through the air! That launch was nice but not the strongest I’ve felt but still packed a punch. The strongest launch I’ve experienced has to go to Max Force at Six Flags Great America
Maxx Force's launch is epic.
This is 100% my favorite wing coaster.
A good one!
I've been on Wild Eagle and Gatekeeper so I'm excited to see what a launch brings to a wing coaster during Holiwood Nights. I know we'll see B&M do more launch coasters with their surf model, but I'd love for them to implement launches on their inverts. Seems like that would make for a wild ride.
I'd love a launched B&M invert too.
Glad someone finally brought up Firecracker
I miss it!
I know how important galaxi coasters can be to a park's lineup coming from New England.
@@CanobieCoaster it always annoys me whenever people say Raven was the park’s first ever coaster
Raven was definitely a more important one though.
I like the first half more because that launch is surprisingly amazing, their is some great positives and the pacing is just better in the first half
I agree the launch is great, but overall I still prefer that second half but I tend to prefer floatier elements more than you.
@@CanobieCoaster yeah that would make sense
I did ride 2 wing roller coasters. I did the Thunderbird and the other one was Gatekeeper at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. The Gatekeeper does have a chain driven lift hill.
Most have the lift hill.
@@CanobieCoaster oh yeah. With the exception of Thunderbird. 😉
I know if you think about it people will realize that wing trains are heavier than most trains so it would need more power for it. Anyway thanks for the great video
Yeah I agree
Smooth B&M's like chain lifts. Master of the "pre release" to take stress off chain b 4 drop. When they did Hulk (they didn't want to make the launch system) I had a friend that wanted a launched B&M in his park. When I talked to them in early 2000's they still were not into launches (I'd have to contract that part out) Now, with the launch trend "our guys" are getting on board with it! I can't wait to ride this one. Holiday World is an excellent park!
I'd love to see more B&M launches.
B&M's elements are much more mellow nowadays compared to when they were making a splash with Kumba and Hulk or even the floorless coasters. Guess they're designed to be more graceful and casual. I enjoy wing coasters. They're unique and I can get my parents on them once but they could be so much more. I wish they would stiffen the outer seats on the trains. Not sure they can reasonably do that engineering wise or I'm sure B&M would have done it. Not like they didn't think of it. Love these in depth, daily reviews. Good stuff.
Thanks!
just went to holiday world for the first time yesterday and we loved it! thunderbird was amazing! we got 6 rides on thunderbird and voyage. 2 on legend and 3 on raven! walk ons all day cause of a very slight rain in the morning. great park and we saw thunderbird have 1 break down, heard it was a break sensor or something but it was back up in 15 minutes.
Glad you liked it!
8:08 he’s so excited 😂
Can you blame him?
I can't wait to see what a B&M launch feels like when I head there next month. Right now, my only wing coaster credit is X-flight so I'm looking forward to this. Great review, that layout looks amazing in the woods with the near miss elements
Enjoy!
I have been on all 4 Wing Coasters in the US. Thunderbird is my clear favorite. It is also my 2nd favorite coaster at HW. The ending to Thunderbird is quite good. I didn't have an issue with the first half. I also was never uncomfortable on this one like Wild Eagle or deal with a big rattle like I do sometimes with X Flight or GateKeeper.
The first half definitely isn't bad by any means, it just doesn't stand out (outside of the launch) while the second half does for me.
The first half is so good with that crazy launch, but I enjoyed the inversions more on the second half.
Same!
Hey, Canobie Coaster! B&M should build more launched Wing Coasters!
Yes
FWIW, I’ve ridden six B&M wing coasters - including Fenix and Flug der Daemonen - and Thunderbird is easily my favorite.
I slightly prefer those two European ones to Thunderbird.
So it is hard to comprehend now but the announcement of Thunderbird and how big of a deal it was.
Enthusiasts today question why Holiday World went with a giant steel coaster even though this park was about the wooden coasters. (I’ve heard these questions countless times.)
Well the thing is the locals of Holiday World begged for a steel coaster for ages upon ages. Look at some of the early Holiday World RUclips videos and you’ll see people spamming them with comments on when they are getting a steel coaster? Comments that are over 10 years old.
A major steel coaster represented a major park for many locals. What separated Holiday World to the other major parks in the region.
So it was a major deal when Thunderbird was announced! I remember multiple people thinking they will boost ticket prices because now Holiday World is a major park with Thunderbird under their belt.
I'm not shocked Holiday World went with a steel coaster. I'm just shocked they went with one this pricey.
@@CanobieCoaster One of the main reasons they went with B&M is B&M is also a family run company as well, so it added a connection between the two groups.
Plus the reliability B&M has and the Holiday World crew knew they were the company of choice.
I found this info out on the In The Loop Podcast about Thunderbird with Holiday World President.
B&M seems to really love their immelmanns.
They sure do.
I have only ridden 3 B&M Wings and they are fun. Not forceful but they are just enjoyable. I have also ridden Hulk so a launch on a B&M was very unique to experience. I wonder what its like to put them together and have a cool layout through the woods. I also think I will love that inline twist as the one on X Flight was my favorite part of the ride.
I agree the riding position and elements are pure fun.
I love Thunderbird. 10/10. It's my 2nd favorite at Holiday World. I don't know why, but I just thing wing coasters are amazing (except for those S&S free spins). There's nothing like having no track above or below you on a coaster. Thunderbird is my 2nd favorite wing coaster behind X2, and is in my overall top 20.
I agree X2 is a better wing coaster (as would Skyrush if that counts).
I'm not sure if I would count Skyrush. Half the seats are over the track, and the outside seats don't feel as much like wing seats to me, but that's an interesting debate.
Merry Christmas, bro!
Merry Christmas!
1. Thunderbird 2. Voyage 3. Legend 4. Raven those are my rankings for the coasters at Holiday World.
I think Voyage is far better than any of the other coasters in the park
Voyage is easily my top coaster there. I actually have Thunderbird below the woodies.
I kinda wish railblazer would come here for some reason it just seems so perfect here than at any other park other than six flags gray america
A Raptor would be a nice fit here.
I cant wait for kings dominions launched wing coaster!
It should be great.
It just went down for Holiwood Nights in 2021
I saw :(
I personally prefer this over Legend and Raven, and I agree its the best wing coaster in the US. It's great launch, layout, and finale is why it's in my overall top 25
As for the major coasters at Holiday World, I'd rate them like this:
1. Voyage (no contest)
2. Thunderbird
3. Raven
4. Legend
None of Holiday World's coasters are bad by any means, which is why I don't mind visiting this park at all.
I love reriding these four coasters.
I was the guy in the orange shirt at HoliWood nights!!! That’s me! YAYYYYYYYYYYYY! 🙂 am I famous?
Like, under the in-line twist
Nice!
Looks great
It was!
This would be great for Kings Dominion.
It would for a lot of parks.
Every time I go to howo thunderbird goes down at least once but never for too long.
I haven't seen it go down the past 2 years.
@@CanobieCoaster I have a season pass this year so we'll see :)
I've ridden Thunderbird in 2016 initially and GateKeeper in 2019 initially. I'd rate Thunderbird the better coaster over GateKeeper because of the launch even though GateKeeper is a little longer and a little faster.
That's how I feel.
I might get some hate for saying this, but this is actually my least favorite of the four B&M wing coasters in America. I don't mean this in a bad way because it's still a very fun and unique roller coaster, but I had to choose whether I liked this or Wild Eagle at Dollywood more, and I liked the location of Wild Eagle on the hillside with the great views of the surrounding area more despite the area not being anything special. As for Thunderbird, my main complaint was that it was too short and over very quickly. In other words, I wanted more of it.
I prefer Thunderbird to Wild Eagle and X Flight, but I may prefer Gatekeeper.
Great review!
A review of furius baco will be very interesting.
And witch one do you prefer more: Furius baco or thunderbird?
Thunderbird. It's far more reridable.
What are your favorite coasters for laterals?? I love Legend!!!
Legend is one of the best for that. GhostRider is up there too.
Does the jumanji one in the Uk have a lanch or is it a boomerang?
It has multiple launches.
off topic, but how much time do you think one needs for Tokyo Disneyland / sea
1.5 days at each park minimum.
In my opinion gatekeeper has a better layout, except after the mid course.
I'd agree.
Do you think Thunderbird is better than Gatekeeper?
Yes
So fenix is the best wing coaster now?
The ones in China look amazing, but I haven't been on those.
Have you ridden Velocicoaster?
Not yet.
👍
I'm first also thank you for reviewing my first wing coaster
Nice!
1:40 6 million for voyage!? Is that it….
Plus everything to retrack it.
The B&M rattle is getting serious on this coaster. Several seats are not even fun anymore imo
That's sad to hear.
No one considers this the best wing. The best wings are in China, by far, in Soaring with Eagle & Parrot
That's fair the China ones are better.
C’mon dude, the beasts in Asia are widely considered to be the greatest wingriders ever made, not this 🙄
That's why the title says best in America.
"Best wing coaster"?
I dunno, who cares though. Winged coasters, like most B&M coasters are just novelties. Bleh, they're fun. But they're nothing in the ballpark of better coasters.
They're solid loopers.
Lol the wing coasters in China are in the convo for best steel coasters ever made, especially soaring with eagle. The wing coasters outside of China with the exceptions of fenix & t.bird, are trash