Roller Coaster Enhancements 2020
Chris Foshee
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Wooden roller coasters are like classic muscle cars. They require more care and upkeep, but nothing compares to the payoff. Both machines pack a distinct roar, ride and feel that are unmatched.
During the offseason, we continued to make enhancements on our world-class wooden roller coasters at Worlds of Fun, Timber Wolf and Prowler. The work completed exceeds the usual annual maintenance received by roller coasters, and the end result is a smoother, more enjoyable ride. If you’ve been lucky enough to catch a ride this season, you’ve surely noticed a difference.
Timber Wolf Work Continued
As of the 2020 season, almost 90-percent of Timber Wolf’s track is new. This massive project started in 2014 with an all-new operating system, followed by a reengineered first drop the following season. In 2018, Timber Wolf saw its biggest progress when we replaced its helix with a 70-degree banked turn. Work continued from last season’s modifications through curve 10, and the final stretch is all that remains.
The extensive track work on Timber Wolf is expected to be completed when Worlds of Fun opens in 2021. The re-profiled track, led by the renowned roller coaster gurus at Great Coasters International, has reduced excess force and vibration by lowering the stack of wood rails the train rides along.
Have you ridden Timber Wolf lately? Can you tell the BIG difference?
Prowler Receives Track Enhancements Throughout Ride
Last year, Prowler’s first drop was re-tracked during the offseason. You can check out all the details in “Wood Working: Timber Wolf and Prowler,” but we were able to add softness to the drop's embanked turn by using a new type of wood that’s also more durable. It worked so well, we thought we’d carry this over to a few other areas.
Original wood in key locations throughout the ride’s track has been replaced with IPE wood. Many of the areas receiving attention include embanked turns and transitions. While this is a different approach to the work completed on Timber Wolf, the end result is the same. Less force and vibration results in a smoother ride.
This is the most work completed on Prowler since the attraction opened as the “Worlds’ Best New Ride” in 2009.
Check out these enhancements for yourself this summer. The park is now open to all guests for the 2020 season. Plan your visit at worldsoffun.com, and get ready to ride two wooden roller coasters at Worlds of Fun that are smoother than Frank Sinatra and The Weeknd!