Thunderbolt (2014 roller coaster) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thunderbolt |
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The completed Thunderbolt
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| Luna Park | |
| Location | Luna Park |
| Coordinates | 40°34′25″N 73°58′57″W / 40.573487°N 73.982551°W |
| Status | Open |
| Opening date | June 14, 2014 |
| Cost | US$10 million |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Zamperla |
| Lift/launch system | Vertical chain lift |
| Height | 115 ft (35 m) |
| Drop | 112 ft (34 m) |
| Length | 2,234 ft (681 m) |
| Speed | 56 mph (90 km/h) |
| Inversions | 4 |
| Duration | 00:38 |
| G-force | 4.3 |
| Height restriction | 50 in (127 cm) |
 This is a Pay-Per-Use attraction |
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| Thunderbolt at RCDB | |
The Thunderbolt is a super exciting steel roller coaster located at Luna Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City. You can find it near Surf Avenue and West 15th Street, right by the Riegelmann Boardwalk.
Contents
History of the Thunderbolt
Did you know there was an older roller coaster called the Thunderbolt? It was a wooden roller coaster that operated on Coney Island from 1925 to 1982. Sadly, it was taken down in 2000 because it had fallen into disrepair.
In June 2013, the people who run Luna Park announced they would build a brand new steel roller coaster. They decided to use the famous "Thunderbolt" name again! The new coaster didn't need a huge area, so the first plans thought about using a special elevator instead of a regular lift hill to get to the top.
People thought the new Thunderbolt would open by Memorial Day in 2014. But the opening date kept getting pushed back. First, it was delayed to early June, then to June 6. Finally, on June 14, 2014, the Thunderbolt officially opened its doors for riders!
What Makes Thunderbolt Special
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The Thunderbolt was built by a company called Zamperla and cost about $9 million to create. This amazing ride features a 90-degree straight-down drop and four times where you go completely upside down! From the very start of the big drop to the end of the ride, it takes just 38 seconds.
The track is 2,234 feet (681 m) long, and the highest point of the ride is 115 feet (35 m) tall. You'll zoom along at a top speed of 56 miles per hour (90 km/h)!
The Ride's Path
When your train leaves the station, it makes a big 180-degree turn to the left. Then, it goes up a super steep, 90-degree lift hill that's 125-foot (38 m) tall. Right after that, you plunge down a thrilling 91-degree drop!
Next, you'll experience a vertical loop, which takes you completely upside down. After that, you'll go through a cool move called a Zero-G Roll to the left, making you feel weightless. The train then enters a sloped turn called a Stengel dive, followed by an Immelmann loop to the right. You'll then go over two exciting camelback hills, which give you a feeling of airtime. Finally, the train twists through a right-hand corkscrew before going over one more camelback hill. After all that excitement, the train hits the brake run and pulls back into the station.
Other Thunderbolt Coasters
The Thunderbolt at Coney Island was the very first of five roller coasters made by Zamperla that use the "Thunderbolt" name. As of 2019, there are three different designs for this coaster model.
The first design is 2,234 feet (681 m) long. This is the one used for Coney Island's Thunderbolt. Two other coasters also use this same design:
- Rapid Train at Gyeongnam Mason Robotland in Gyeongnam, South Korea
- Rollin' Thunder at the Park at OWA in Foley, Alabama
There are also two other versions of the Thunderbolt coaster. One is 2,215 feet (675 m) long, and the other is 1,230 feet (375 m) long. These different versions are made to fit in areas that are wider but not as deep.
