Thunderbolt Review, Luna Park Zamperla Prototype Thrill Coaster | Underrated or Crud?

[@airtimecinema65]

I think it's absolutely fantastic that zamperla was able to correct all of the errors with these first renditions of the model in the new trains look sick with their lap bar only design

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree!

[@StamfordBridge]

I had heard so many bad stories about this coaster that when I first rode it in 2017, I was surprised that it was perfectly comfortable for me and pretty fun. Rode it four times in a row and left happy.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I heard a lot of bad before I rode it too.

[@RADZADproductions]

To be honest, I went in expecting one of the worst coasters ever. Came out having the ride in my top 50. I honestly think the roughness makes it better. The zero g roll has this weird shuffle to it giving some crazy laterals. The lap bars were pretty comfortable imo, and I didn’t get too stapled. Overall this ride is a great compliment to cyclone for an amazing 1-2 punch.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't think the shakiness makes it better, but I can tolerate it.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

I haven't ridden this, and Park at OWA was unexpectedly closed for the day when I went. I have a feeling I would love either of them, based on what I enjoy and what I can tolerate.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's a bummer it was closed at Owa. This one had some issues at the start of my most recent visit, which is why some of the shots have empty trains.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

@@CanobieCoaster Actually, the entire park was closed when I went to OWA. So I got an extra day to stare at the Iron Gwazi statue on that trip.

[@brandontylerproductions2202]

Zamperla is making a brand new roller coaster, and log flume next to thunderbolt so now it finally isn’t alone lol.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes!

[@hauntsandamusements]

I live in NYC so I have been to Coney Island and have ridden this ride many times, and have also been to OWA. I didn’t find either model to be particularly rough, especially when compared to most Eurofighters I’ve ridden.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's hard for a steel coaster without OTSRs to be rough for me.

[@roxynano]

@@CanobieCoaster That is a good statement. I don’t know of any steel coaster that was rough with only a lap bar in my opinion.

[@griffinnovie4921]

I agree with everything you said in this video! For those that find the restraints uncomfortable try scooching up as far as you can in your seat when the operator is pushing down the restraint. It really makes a world of difference.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It will still come down tight no matter what. It's just where you want it to land.

[@mithramusic5909]

This looks kind of fun, there are just a couple odd looking things about it. Like how you sit, like, a mile above the track. It almost looks like that messes up the heartline sometimes, and adds some extra whip to the bunny hills. And you're right that the profiling of that turnaround is strange. But the lights are stunning and the layout looks like a good time.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The trains are definitely odd.

[@alexg2113]

I got a trimless return trip once this summer and the airtime on those first two bunny hills was some of the strongest I've felt

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's awesome.

[@twistedcoasters1533]

I’m so happy the UK is getting one next year! I hope it has the new trains though

[@CanobieCoaster]

I heard Rollin' Thunder was smoother at least.

[@anonymousxiii4780]

This was the first coaster I went to in order to get over my fear of roller coasters (not exactly smart going headfirst into one of the most intense coasters) I can just say the ride was amazing even though my legs wouldn’t stop shaking once the ride was over. After that I went to the other roller coasters Cyclone, Phoenix, Soaring Eagle and I can say I had the time of my life. Oh yeah for those with sensitive stomachs like me take a pill so that your stomach can prepare itself and settle down.

[@CanobieCoaster]

This is a big one to start with.

[@anonymousxiii4780]

@@CanobieCoaster Yep but definitely worth it to get over that fear.

[@scottfulton267]

So when a coaster has a trim brake on the first drop, is that something that is originally designed into the ride? Seems to me like it's something that they would add after the ride has first opened to the public and they need to slow it down. That's what happened with Intimidator 305.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't know when Thunderbolt's trim was added to the drop, but usually drop trims come later.

[@zacharystewart5344]

Rode this for the first time a few weeks ago. I thought it was awful. It's the plastic seats and restraints that I got thrown around the whole way through the ride that were the problem. I have a lot of tolerance for head banging but not much for general roughness like that.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm lucky the restraints don't bother me.

[@katashworth41]

Southport Pleasureland are getting a clone of this next year, so I’ll find out how the model rides then.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Enjoy!

[@CoasterRoaster]

How much are the wristbands at Luna Park? I'm wondering because I'm probably visiting next year, but I can't find a price point

[@CanobieCoaster]

In 2021, the wristbands were a bit cheaper than usual but they were only valid for 4 hours as a side effect of covid and capacity limits. In the past, they were in the ballpark of $60-70 if I remember correctly.

[@CoasterRoaster]

@@CanobieCoaster I hope they keep the 4 hour option tbh because I plan on pairing it with Nickelodeon Universe probably one day (jeez that'll be an expensive day lol)

[@cheffren7011]

Looks like a funky rollercoaster (mix a eurofighter and a big dipper and you get this). Question: Are you going to do an Anubis or Typhoon (Bobbejaanland) review?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I am going to review Anubis. I talk about Typhoon in my Bobbejaanland review. I don't want to review that ride since I could only ride it once due to crowds.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

Rode a bit too rough today compared to when I rode it in 2019 and I think I rode last row that year as well so not sure what happened

[@CanobieCoaster]

I know people have always found it rough, but I've never had a big issue.

[@eyestoenvy]

For $10 bucks you should be able to go around twice (jk). Great work as always, would love to see your take on a documentary for both the "Tornado" & "The Bobs" (Flying Turns). Keep em coming!

[@CanobieCoaster]

More reviews to come.

[@First-Drop-Studios]

Rode it for the first time today. That zero g roll is brutal! Probably one of the worst inversions I’ve experienced, but the rest of the ride is pretty fun. Especially those ejector hills.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like the zero-G but it does shuffle.

[@mateoalvira7826]

was thunderbolt rougher than vampire at walibi belgium?

[@CanobieCoaster]

No

[@mateoalvira7826]

was this smoother than Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain?

[@CanobieCoaster]

No

[@AlexA00]

Any strategy to avoid thigh crush?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I haven't tried anything since it doesn't cause me pain.

[@mateoalvira3514]

Was Thunderbolt at Luna Park the roughest coaster for you in the world? The roughest was Huracan at Belantis?

[@CanobieCoaster]

No

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

Hey, Canobie Coaster! Six Flags should get this roller coaster model one day!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Maybe!

[@JFrombaugh]

I just realized this coaster actually has quite a few similarities with the Togo Pipeline Coasters (aka Ultra Twister) in Japan. -Both have a vertical lift & vertical drop -Both have very narrow out & back footprint -Both feature barrel rolls -Both are criticized for being extremely rough -Both became their own coaster model & have been cloned several times

[@CanobieCoaster]

The Ultra Twister I rode was smooth except for the brakes.

[@MrMoose-oo9nx]

I’ve ridden Rollin Thunder dozens of times, and tbh it’s not really shaky or rough, with the exception of the last corkscrew and banked air hill, btw I have a ton of offride footage of Rollin Thunder on my channel, sorry for the plug.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope to ride that one (and visit another Lambert's) someday.

[@maxhagenauer24]

This ride is really on people's opinion on it. Some absolutely hate it for the roughness and weird brick restraints while others love it for its unique layout full of airtime and inversions. I personally don't mind roughness that much so I could definitely see myself enjoying this for the great unique inversion filled first half and airtime filled second half. Iv heard some about Rolling Thunder at park at OWA so I'd assume this is like that.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think everyone agrees the layout is great. How you can tolerate the restraints and shuffle impacts if you can enjoy it.

[@mateoalvira7826]

was this the most bouncy one?

[@CanobieCoaster]

No

[@chargedonpc9989]

That coaster look so cool at night. I don't think I mind roughness too much because I loved Wildcat at Hersheypark.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Wildcat up front is ok. It's bad towards the back.

[@chargedonpc9989]

@@CanobieCoaster I was towards the middle

[@jeffcunningham308]

I got on Rollin Thunder and loved it. Yes it wasn't the smoothest but the airtime was good and overall a fun ride

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope to ride that one someday.

[@upsidedown_]

Looks like a fun ride, I hope a park buys their new double heart model.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too. Or it goes to Coney Island since they don't have a major thrill launch coaster.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

What do you think about the tight panini pressures on Thunderbolt at Luna Park (Coney Island) and the ones on Coast Rider at Knott's Berry Farm?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Coast Rider's restraints actually cause me pain. Thunderbolt's are just tight.

[@railfanner365]

10-20 minute wait??? i visited on a summer weekend and i ended up having to wait onboard for their to be enough people for the operators to dispatch it. also the true capacity of the cars is closer to 5 oe 6 since they all had a few seats that you couldnt sit in for some reason

[@CanobieCoaster]

The 3 across seating is a bit weird.

[@easynhonest]

You should have recommended they build a house underneath one of the ends of the ride for nostalgic reasons. 😏

[@CanobieCoaster]

Is there a part of the history I'm missing?

[@easynhonest]

@@CanobieCoaster Absolutely ! I'm heartbroken that you didn't know about that iconic coaster related house. Here's a cool brief history of that house. kzbin.info/www/bejne/opmoamlprN57eLM

[@kidneystoner88]

idk i rode this yesterday and it seemed smooth to me! absolutely love this ride; totally underrated…then again i’m such a roller coaster fanatic that i’m pretty easy to please - if it’s more thrilling than a family coaster then i’m always down.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like the ride too.

[@jtwoolley]

please review rainier rush

[@CanobieCoaster]

Maybe down the road.

[@Coyotek4]

I've only ridden this once (I don't get to CI very often), but I enjoyed it a lot ... probably a bit more than Hydrus (I get to Seaside Heights a lot). I never had issues with comfort, though I may be in the minority about this.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love the layout more than most Eurofighters.

[@Southgate210]

Lucky for me while in NYC in route to Ft. Lee NJ,' I made the time to stop at Coney Island and was able to ride it 2-times and it was wild, rough and great! I'll aways remember it and if they folks are Coney Island is smart? They rebuild it as a revenge. RMC'd wooden revenge at that!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Cyclone is still the star for me.

[@mateoalvira7826]

was this rougher than all Eurofighters for you?

[@CanobieCoaster]

It shakes more than a lot of Eurofighters, but you at least don't get headbanging.

[@mateoalvira7826]

was this the roughest coaster for you?

[@CanobieCoaster]

No

[@coasternerd6978]

As a taller person I’m nervous that I won’t be able to fit due to those neck straps.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I can't recall seeing someone turned away for being too tall.

[@Kittyhat]

Truly a bizarre ride, the trim on the first drop makes it worse for backseat rides and better in the front, plus this thing's got some of the most insane steel coaster laterals, with the right restraints this could have been a top 50 ride

[@CanobieCoaster]

The trim didn't bother me too much.

[@davidhahner]

Rode it for the first time this year and to be honest, I thought it was terrible. This was more of a “Thigh Crush” than Sky Rush!

[@CanobieCoaster]

The restraints are definitely tight as anything!

[@Mike-wt7jq]

It looks strange seeing NYC DOT quarter loop streetlights right by the roller coaster. 😂😂😂

[@CanobieCoaster]

This ride goes right up to the street unlike most.

[@MrSlice2244]

You could call this, “Thunderrated”

[@CanobieCoaster]

Lol

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

The track never looks orange to me it looks red

[@CanobieCoaster]

Looks orange to me.

[@masinalima]

thunderbolt’s alright tbh it’s too rough for me

[@CanobieCoaster]

I know it's not for everyone.

[@NorthEasternMotionProductions]

The first Thunderbolt looks like the Cyclone

[@CanobieCoaster]

It does.

[@S1LLY_LE0_LOV3R]

I Actually Prefer This Over Cyclone, It's Between The Cyclone At 123, And Georgia Scorcher At 121 On My Favorite Coaster List, It's At 122.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Cyclone.

[@Joypyf]

This coaster really surprised me! Great ejector and comfortable restraints

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree on the ejector. I wouldn't call the restraints comfortable myself, but I can tolerate them.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

Honestly Both I Find It Underrated But I Also Don't Think Its Even Close To Being Good

[@CanobieCoaster]

I do enjoy this ride's power.

[@DavidVitrano]

This is so underrated.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree.

[@LilTenzy_animations]

Its not uncomfortable to honest

[@CanobieCoaster]

I find it tolerable, but I can understand why people have issues with the restraints and tracking.

[@LilTenzy_animations]

The only uncomfortable part for me was that weird ass dive loop

[@전예영-z5v]

Hello!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hello!

[@AceAviations2]

I've never liked this ride, it feels like a middle-finger to the legacy of Coney Island to me, instead of going with an RMC topper-track woodie, which would have been a VERY fitting successor to the original, they had to shill for a product of their own which is a knockoff EuroFighter. That is what I dislike about the ride, I may not despise it like I do Verbolten, Hagrid's, Twisted Cyclone, Orion or Iron Gwazi (all rides that I consider irredeemable trash for various reasons), but if I could remove it from the park I'd consider it. All of this negetvitity could have been easily avoided if they didn't try to milk nostalgia with it.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm not surprised Zamperla added one of their own rides. I don't mind them using the old name personally, even if the ride type doesn't bear any resemblence.

[@azertycraftgaming]

Zamperla needs to learn about heartlining 😁

[@CanobieCoaster]

I've heard the future Thunderbolt models are smoother.

[@azertycraftgaming]

@@CanobieCoaster I would love to see a new layout for this model!

[@rossh688]

Laugh out loud, stupid, fun ride.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like it.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

See your video of top 25 worst roller coasters in the world (2020). In that video, there was a footage of Skyrush at Hersheypark while said: "But usually it's because it hurts, maybe it has bad restraints", but there was no placement for Skyrush. Thunderbolt at Luna Park was not placed there, but Coast Rider at Knott's Berry Farm was. So if I ask you, why?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Coast Rider is the only one that personally caused me genuine pain.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

See the restraints and ride, why was Coast Rider at Knott's Berry Farm placed in that video while Thunderbolt at Luna Park was not? Canobie Coaster would say: Thunderbolt's restraints are tight, but... A) I hate them. B) I don't hate them. Coast Rider...

[@CanobieCoaster]

B

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

What's the roughest coaster of all you've ridden in the world? Thunderbolt at Luna Park?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Coaster Express