Thunder Run (Canada's Wonderland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thunder Run |
|
|---|---|
| Previously known as Blauer Enzian | |
 |
|
| Canada's Wonderland | |
| Location | Canada's Wonderland |
| Park section | International Festival |
| Coordinates | 43°50′34″N 79°32′32″W / 43.8427°N 79.5423°W |
| Status | Open |
| Opening date | May 23, 1981 as Blauer Enzian, 1986 as Thunder Run |
| Cost | $2.7M est. |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Powered – Mine Train |
| Manufacturer | Mack Rides |
| Height | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Length | 330 m (1,080 ft) |
| Speed | 64 km/h (40 mph) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 1:24 |
| Height restriction | 102 cm (3 ft 4 in) |
| Trains | Single train with 10 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 40 riders per train. |
| Thunder Run at RCDB | |
Thunder Run is an exciting powered roller coaster at Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. It's designed to look like a runaway mine train. Unlike most roller coasters that use a chain to pull them up a hill, Thunder Run has a special electric motor right on the train! This motor helps the train zoom through the ride, especially as it goes into the park's famous artificial mountain, Wonder Mountain.
The ride first opened on May 23, 1981, and was called Blauer Enzian. In 1986, it was moved and made longer to become the Thunder Run we know today, fitting perfectly inside Wonder Mountain.
Contents
The Wonder Mountain Adventure
Thunder Run takes you on a journey right inside Wonder Mountain. This mountain is a big, artificial structure that's a key part of Canada's Wonderland. The ride uses the inside of the mountain, making for a unique and thrilling experience.
What Happens on the Ride?
.jpg)
When your train leaves the station, get ready for an adventure!
- First, the train makes a turn to the left, leaning sideways a bit.
- Then, it starts climbing up in a spiral shape, still turning left, inside Wonder Mountain.
- Part of this climb is open to the outside, giving you a quick peek at the park around you.
- Because the train has its own motor, it picks up speed as it goes higher!
- Next, you'll dive back into the mountain, going down in a double spiral to the right. This part is in complete darkness, with cool special effects all around you.
- You'll then enter a tunnel filled with lights, followed by another downward curve to the left.
- The train passes through the station and then does the whole ride again! That's right, you get two trips around the track before returning to the station.
Family Fun and Special Effects
Thunder Run is a great ride for families because it has a height restriction that allows kids as short as 102 centimeters (about 40 inches) to ride. Even though much of the ride is in the dark, there are lots of fun things to see.
- One of the most famous sights is the Dragon, which park employees sometimes call "Herman"!
- You'll also see lighted tunnels and flashing strobe lights that add to the excitement.
The ride is designed to complete two laps, making the most of its track inside the mountain.
Halloween Haunt Fun
During the park's special Halloween Haunt event in October, Thunder Run gets a spooky makeover! It's renamed Haunted Thunder Run and features extra lights, sounds, and fog effects to make it even more thrilling for the Halloween season.
