AT: Tim Baldwin
PHÚ QUÕC, Vietnam — Opened February 1, Vietnam’s first and only wooden roller coaster is a twisted marvel. Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park has some unique attributes as well — the biggest is that it is on an island in the Gulf of Thailand in which visitors can only reach it by cable car or boat. The world-record cable car system is nearly five miles long. Once visitors arrive at Hon Thom Island, they experience a tropical paradise.
Attractions are not plentiful, as compared with actual theme parks spread throughout the globe, but Roaring Timbers is unquestionably the star attraction.
“With Hon Thom Nature Park, being surrounded by natural beauty and lush jungle, we thought that a wooden coaster would fit extremely well into this environment and both blend in and stand out within its environment,” said Daan Duijm, director of operations and set up, Sun World Group.
Because of the island terrain, Great Coasters International, Inc. (GCII) had interesting topography in which to craft something very special. Hills and sloped embankments add to the character and flavor of Roaring Timbers.
“The terrain was a bit challenging when it came to the overgrowth of the trees, grass and shrubbery,” said GCII President Clair Hain, Jr. “However, the view is absolutely beautiful. Adding the wooden coaster to the area just made it more enjoyable.”
With more than 75 steel coasters in Vietnam, citizens and tourists are likely familiar with a roller coaster experience. A handful are installations from the amusement industry’s power players in terms of steel coasters. Most, however, are of the family variety. A woodie is a whole new animal for the people of Vietnam.
“All our visitors loved the experience; its unique in Vietnam and an experience which many visitors have only seen on TV in Europe and in the U.S.A.,” said Duijm. “It’s been great to see the look of amazement on the guests’ faces when they first see the twisted tracks made from wood, and then to see that excitement increase when their journey starts.”
The design was created and engineered by Skyline Attractions for GCII.
“Roaring Timbers was the second centerline done using some of the newer software techniques that we’ve developed,” said Dustin Sloane, director of creative processes, Skyline Attractions. “This allowed us to get a little more aggressive with some of the shapes and transitions in a way that we wouldn’t have been able to before.”
“Roaring Timbers features 14 hills and 14 exciting crossovers that pass over or under another section of track, making this one of the most twisted wooden pieces of art in the world,” said Sun World Group Chief Operating Officer Brad Loxley.
The ride stands at 106 feet tall. From the top of the lift, a glimpse of green hills and the cable car transportation system off in the distance is brief before riders entering a curving and heavily banked initial plunge. With speeds of 50 mph, passengers roar through almost 3,000 feet of track. Those who have their senses intact can see palms and beautiful views of the blue waters of the gulf just beyond the coaster. The first drop is a 106-foot curving dive.
“My favorite moment is the first big drop after the lift hill, which banks almost 90 degrees and drives you toward the ground and through the wood structure of the coaster,” said Duijm.
For Sloane, he told Amusement Today, “My favorite part of Roaring Timbers is its use of the terrain, and I like that it has a mix of classic GCII elements as well as a bit of a new-age, modern twist to it.”
“Each GCII project has a unique trait since we design to the topography and utilize the area we are given,” Hain said. “Building on an island is a first for us — which we hope for many more. Once you get to the top of the lift hill and see the view: Wow!”
Enthusiasts familiar with GCII’s work will find the company’s trademark features of airtime pops, directional changes and swooping curves. Taking full advantage of the topography, several moments hug close to the ground, while other maneuvers use graceful turnarounds rising skyward. GCII’s signature Millennium Flyer trains serve as the rolling stock on Roaring Timbers. A palette of browns and earth tones accent both trains, complementing the colors of the station and surroundings. Each train dispatched can seat 24 riders.
Hon Thom Island features white sand beaches and coconut groves. The nature of the island is kept unspoiled as possible. Aquatopia, a water park on the island, opened in 2019.
Sun World, the entertainment brand of Sun Group, is a series of amusement parks and entertainment complexes in Vietnam. Under this umbrella is Sun World Ba Na Hills, Asia Park, Sun World Fansipan Legend, Sun World Halong Complex, Sun World BaDen Mountain and Sun World CatBa Cable Car.
This article appears in the APRIL 2022 issue of Amusement Today.
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