Does Thunderhead have a stomach-in-your-throat drop?

Does Thunderhead have a stomach-in-your-throat drop, not just the twisty drops? Thanks.

A stomach-in-your-throat drop? What the...?;)
If you're talking about drops that don't twist downward, I don't think you'll find many (any?) on a GCI. To see what Thunderhead's layout looks like, click right here.

Getting that "stomach-in-your-throat" feeling depends on the person. I don't really get that feeling on most rides anymore.:(

Why can't the drops be both twisty and stomach-in-your-throat? I bet this one and
this one both are.

mOOSH

I may be off here, but my impression was "stomach in your throat" was the way the general public normally describes airtime.

I think a better way to phrase the question might be "for those of you who have ridden TH, did you lose your stomach on the first drop?". Of course this will change from person to person.

Yeah, except ABH's post says "not just the twisty types" leading some of us to believe that's referring to straight drops.

mOOSH

*** Edited 4/13/2004 8:04:05 PM UTC by Mamoosh***

I think the long and short of it is that a twisty drop has a centripital force because of the curvature which cancels out some of the less than 1 g feeling of dropping. In the EGF and TTD examples, the axis of rotation is more or less through the rider (or very close) so the centripiral force is pretty negligible.

Then again, I may just be talking out my butt. You decide.

Perhaps we need a better explanation of "twisty" from ABH?

They may mean by "twisty", that it is a curving drop that swoops down to the right similar to other GCII coasters like Lightning Racer and Wildcat. Thunderhead does have this. The back seat is the best for the first drop, as you get some nice air on the way down.

I don't get that feeling anymore. But TH does give great air on it's first drop.

CoastermanX, just out of curiousity, what is your affiliation with Thunderhead? Really big fan or some kind of insider?

Just asking because I happened to notice everypost you've made here is about Thunderhead and/or Dollywood.

(no, I'm not a weird stalker, happened to spot a pattern in this mire of randomness)

Hey Andy, I'm down with that. Kinda like replicating someone who is freefalling, and flat spinning at the same time. Heck, I'll bet they even have a dive based on that motion.

Hey, too bad "Back to School" wasn't a Paramount or Universal picture. Could you imagine a ride called "The Triple Lindy"? ;)

I am your Unofficial Dollywood Host. Get it-'Host'

Lord Gonchar: I think you ARE a stalker ;)

The first drop from the back seat on Thunderhead is amazing, you feel as if you are being yanked over the hill. There are several spots on the ride where there are sudden, unexpected drops, which I guess you could classify as "stomach-in-your-throat drops." And there is one (from my recollection) that is actually straight.

Coasterpunk would be the best source on this though, as he has ridden the thing probably more they anyone else.

Yes, I really am. ;)

It gets even scarier when I tell you I'll be heading to Dollywood in less than 2 weeks...

Thanks for the replies. I didn't know I would cause such confusion.

The reason for my question is that this coaster is being touted as one of the best (if not the best). However, to be one of the best (in my opinion), it has to have a drop that causes that funny, stomach dropping feeling. These drops are usually straight, rather than twisted. An example of such a drop is Ghostrider's first drop- it always "gets me." It sounds like Thunderhead doesn't have that element.

Hrm...
Actually, I think I will reconsider my analysis.

I think the real difference is that on TTD, EGF and the impulses, the axis of rotation is perfectly veritcal so there is no component of the centripital in the vertical dimension.

On a "swooping" drop, the axis isn't vertical so some component of the centripital serves to push you into your seat rather than letting you float.

QED

Roar at SFA is an older GCI that at least during a heavy summer rain can put your stomach and your heart in your throat during it's twisting drops.

Of all the ones I ridden Oblivion is by far the best for putting your stomach in your mouth. Ghostriders frist drop does this as well as Kracken if you are near the beack of the train.

Since I was called upon I'll answer.

Is the "In your throat drop" due to air time or just a drop where your like "OMG!"

Anyway Thunderhead has everything from quick pops of air from like a split second to two or three spots where you are out of your seat for a few seconds.

The best ones I can think of for air time are right after the double up, the hill that you walk under to the queue, the twisted drop after the station and the one right after that.

Basicly the entire ride has your stomach in your throat to be honest. It's one of those rides after you hit the brakes you finally take a breath and say "OMG!, What the Hell just happened!"

It is one wild ride, I can't wait to go back in June!