Thunderbird is a steel Wing Coaster located in the Thanksgiving section of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana. Designed and built by Bolliger & Mabillard, it opened on April 25, 2015, and made history as the first launched Wing Coaster ever built in the United States.
Powered by a Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) launch system driven by two 24,000-pound flywheel assemblies consuming 2.5 megawatts of electricity, Thunderbird catapults its riders from a standstill to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. From there, the ride threads through four inversions — including a record-setting 125-foot vertical loop — before returning to the station after a thrilling 78-second journey.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Indiana
- Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M)
- Opened: April 25, 2015
- Height: 140 ft (43 m)
- Top Speed: 60 mph (97 km/h)
- Length: 3,035 ft (925 m)
- Inversions: 4
The Ride Experience
As a Wing Coaster, Thunderbird seats riders in pairs on either side of the track with nothing above or below their feet — a position that makes every inversion feel supremely exposed. After the LSM launch rockets the train to 60 mph, riders immediately crest a 140-foot Immelmann loop before plunging into a 125-foot vertical loop — the tallest vertical loop found on any Wing Coaster in the world. A zero-g roll and an in-line twist round out the four-inversion layout before the train glides back to the station.
The ride runs two trains, each carrying 20 riders across five cars, and can cycle approximately 1,140 guests per hour. A height requirement of 48 to 78 inches applies, and the $22 million attraction earned fifth place in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards for Best New Ride in 2015.
Records and Significance
When Thunderbird debuted in 2015, it broke new ground on two fronts: it was the first Wing Coaster anywhere in the world to incorporate a magnetic launch rather than a traditional chain-lift hill, and it gave Holiday World its first steel coaster capable of sustained high-speed thrills alongside its celebrated wooden lineup.
The 125-foot vertical loop remains the tallest ever constructed on a Wing Coaster, a record that still stood at the time of writing. Thunderbird also put Holiday World — a family-owned park long known for free soft drinks and award-winning wooden coasters — firmly on the map as a destination for thrill-seekers seeking cutting-edge steel attractions.
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Thunderbird FAQs
What makes Thunderbird different from other Wing Coasters?
Thunderbird is the first launched Wing Coaster ever built in the United States. Instead of climbing a traditional chain-lift hill, it uses an LSM launch to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, giving the ride a uniquely intense opening sequence before entering its four inversions.
How many inversions does Thunderbird have?
Thunderbird has four inversions: a 140-foot Immelmann loop, a 125-foot vertical loop (the tallest on any Wing Coaster), a zero-g roll, and an in-line twist.
Where is Thunderbird located and when does it operate?
Thunderbird is located at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana. It operates during the park’s regular season, which typically runs from late April or early May through late October. Check the Holiday World website for current hours and seasonal schedules.
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Photo by Malcolm Hill on Pexels.