Park section International Festival Height 10 m Height restriction 1.02 m | Status Operating Length 1,083 ft (330 m) Max speed 64 km/h Opened 23 May 1981 Cost 2.7 million USD | |
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Opening date May 23, 1981 as Blauer Enzian, 1986 as Thunder Run Similar Dragon Fire, Wild Beast, Time Warp, Mighty Canadian Minebuster, Flight Deck | ||
Thunder Run is a powered roller coaster, themed after a runaway mine train, found at Canada's Wonderland, in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. Rather than having a traditional chain lift hill, the train has an electric motor on board. The train (consisting of nine cars of two rows of two seats, plus an extra single row at the front of the train) flies directly into Wonder Mountain, the artificial mountain that is a trademark of the park. The coaster opened on May 23, 1981, and operated until 1985 as Blauer Enzian, but in 1986 it was relocated, extended, and incorporated into the mountain.
The ride occupies the interior of Wonder Mountain, which was initially supposed to hold a "Bavarian Market". Instead, mechanical equipment was placed inside, which was later relocated to the "roof" of the mountain to make room for the ride. The relocation of mechanical equipment also resulted in the Wonder Mountain walkway to be closed. Riders on the Vortex can before the first drop still see remnants of the look-out terrace.
Ride experience
With a height restriction that accommodates children as small as 40 inches (102 cm) tall, Thunder Run's design is geared towards families. While most of the ride is experienced in the dark, riders also encounter visual themes, most notably the Dragon (nicknamed "Herman" by Wonderland employees). Other visual effects include lighted tunnels and strobe lights.
In addition, the ride is programmed so that it makes two circuits, maximizing the capability of the coaster's rather small footprint.
In the past, during the park's Halloween Haunt event in October, Wonderland has renamed the ride to Haunted Thunder Run with additional light, sound and fog effects.
