Thunderhawk (Michigan's Adventure) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thunderhawk |
|
|---|---|
| Previously known as Serial Thriller (1998–2003) | |
 |
|
| Michigan's Adventure | |
| Park section | Timbertown |
| Coordinates | 43°20′43″N 86°22′12″W / 43.345208°N 86.37°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | May 17, 2008 |
| Cost | $10,000,000 |
| Geauga Lake | |
| Coordinates | 41°21′00″N 86°16′37″W / 41.35°N 86.276975°W |
| Status | Relocated to Michigan's Adventure |
| Opening date | May 9, 1998 |
| Closing date | September 16, 2007 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Inverted |
| Manufacturer | Vekoma |
| Model | Suspended Looping Coaster (689m Standard) |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 109.3 ft (33.3 m) |
| Drop | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Length | 2,260.5 ft (689.0 m) |
| Speed | 49.7 mph (80.0 km/h) |
| Inversions | 5 |
| Duration | 1:36 |
| Max vertical angle | 59° |
| Capacity | 1,040 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 52–78 in (132–198 cm) |
| Trains | 2 trains with 10 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 20 riders per train. |
 Fast Lane available |
|
| Thunderhawk at RCDB | |
Thunderhawk is an exciting inverted roller coaster at Michigan's Adventure amusement park. You can find it in Muskegon, Michigan. A company called Vekoma designed and built this ride. It first opened in 1998 as Serial Thriller at Geauga Lake in Aurora, Ohio. In 2004, its name changed to Thunderhawk. This happened when Cedar Fair became the park's owner. After Geauga Lake closed in 2007, Thunderhawk moved. It was taken apart and rebuilt at Michigan's Adventure for the 2008 season. It was the very first inverted roller coaster in Michigan!
The Story of Thunderhawk
This amazing ride first opened on May 9, 1998. Back then, it was called Serial Thriller. It was built at Geauga Lake in Ohio. The roller coaster was built over marshy land. This land was right next to Geauga Lake. Workers even built a small island for part of the ride. A pump was put in to keep the area dry. Much of the track was built over water.
Serial Thriller kept running even when the park changed owners. First, Six Flags owned the park. Then, Cedar Fair took over. In 2004, after Cedar Fair bought the park, the ride's name changed to Thunderhawk. The next year, the track got a new look. It was painted bright orange. The supports holding it up were painted yellow.
On September 21, 2007, Cedar Fair made a big announcement. They said Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom would no longer be a full amusement park. It would only be a water park. Soon after, on October 2, 2007, news came out. Thunderhawk would be moved to Michigan's Adventure. It would keep its name.
When Thunderhawk was being rebuilt, it got another new paint job. This time, it was painted red. The seats and safety restraints on the trains were also replaced. This made the ride more comfortable. Michigan's Adventure also started selling videos of riders on the coaster.
Your Ride on Thunderhawk
Get ready for an exciting adventure on Thunderhawk!
First, you'll get into the train. Then, you'll be pulled up a tall lift hill. This hill is about 109 feet (33 meters) high. At the very top, the train turns right. Then, it drops quickly, falling about 85 feet (26 meters). You'll reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h)!
Next, the train goes into a special part called a Roll Over. This part is like two inversions in a row. It starts with an Immelmann loop. This is followed right away by a Dive Loop. This whole section flips you upside down twice! It's shaped a bit like a heart.
After that, the train goes through a banked hill. Then, it enters a Sidewinder element. This is followed by a big 270-degree turn that goes downwards. This leads into a double inline twist. Watch out for the "footchopper" effects here! It looks like your feet might hit something, but they won't.
Finally, the train curves again. It dips down and then rises up into the last brake run. This is where the ride slows down. As the train returns to the station, it curves to the right. You'll pass by the maintenance track where the trains are stored.
