Thunderbolt's Towering Start Nearly Complete

[TTD03]

The new Thunderbolt in Coney Island is rising quickly, with track being applied to the vertical lift and first drop. Seen above, crews have made quick work of the tower, forever changing the landscape of Coney Island.

The rest of the layout should be put in place equally fast, with elements such as a large vertical loop and many air-time hills still to come. When the park originally announced a Memorial Day opening for the new Thunderbolt I was doubtful, and while meeting that will still be an immense challenge their progress has certainly been fast thus far!

Stay tuned to the Wonder World Web for updated photos of the Thunderbolt going up, and the official Luna Park feed as well.
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This ride is going to be heavily underestimated. Looks so awesome.

[mkingy]

Yeah looks like an interesting ride - the 3D mockups they did were pretty crappy haha but the whole out and back looper is a cool twist.

[TTD03]

Yea, hope its smooth, but judging by that lift hill track, maybe not

GerstlCrazy wrote:

This ride is going to be heavily underestimated. Looks so awesome.

You've been on a Zamperla coaster before, right?

[TTD03]

Update, new photos!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhawkins/ ... 508500902/

As the crane arm says superior, this is going to be a rising hope for Coney Island! Should be so!

[TTD03]

Hope so too!

[TTD03]

Update!

Check out this fantastic aerial view of the new Thunderbolt roller coaster in Coney Island! The ride appears to be just about complete - there is one section of track still on the ground though it's hard to tell in this image just where it goes. The Thunderbolt is supposed to open on Memorial Day weekend, less than a week from now - which means a very quick turnaround time for testing if that works out! On a side note, anyone have any idea what's up with that piece of orange track near the tree on the right side of the photo? Did they just construct the track without it? Did they cut corners?

Back on the ground, Luna Park has shared some great shots of the trackwork as it went up, showing off the curves and inversions that the Thunderbolt contains. Crews also appear to be getting ready to install the giant Thunderbolt sign to the side of the lift/drop structure.

Everyone's pretty excited about the new roller coaster, even New York Magazine created an infographic on the ride! The ride is a unique design from Zamperla, and I know I can't wait to check it out and see how the Thunderbolt rides.
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[mkingy]

Looks decent, the shaping seems about right so hopefully it'll ride smooth and be awesome

This look SO cool and weird. I'll be riding it in the middle of July, I'll be sure to put up a review or something for you guys if noone else has by then.

[TTD03]

Yea, since I live within an hour, I'll finally make my first trip to Coney Island when this opens.

[TTD03]

Update!
Thunderbolt made a surprise grand opening today, June 14.

The wait is over, the brand new Thunderbolt roller coaster is officially open in Coney Island! Riders were able to take a spin on the first custom designed coaster to open in decades in Coney Island starting this morning.

The Thunderbolt starts with a vertical lift and soon after that a vertical drop. The individual trains, seating three across with three rows, head through a large vertical loop, heartline rolls, air-time hills, and other tricks during the ride. The coaster represents a new style from manufacturer Zamperla and was designed to fit an extremely long, narrow plot of land.

To celebrate the opening,Luna Park has released a new point of view film of the ride:

Since the coaster just opened today there are only a few reviews coming in so far, but they all sound positive. I can't wait to head over to Coney Island to take a ride myself.
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going to ride it CX

[TTD03]

Same, don't know when, but soon since I don't live too far away.

[mkingy]

CF POV

Apparently it's pretty rough

[Turbo]

lol it never looked like a comfortable ride.

[Coasterkidmwm]

In the mounted POV it looked like the side wheels weren't anywhere near in contact with the track lol. Too bad considering it looks like it has great air.

[TTD03]

Yea that's unfortunate it's rough, because this looked like a great ride! It's probably still smooth to the Coney Island owners, cause the Cyclone is all they got to compare to it