The Voyage VIP Climb
The Voyage at Holiday World is a true icon of wooden roller coaster engineering. Opened in 2006, it remains one of the most impressive wooden coasters in operation today, stretching a remarkable 6,442 feet in length, with a towering 159-foot lift hill and a thrilling 154-foot drop. Reaching speeds of up to 67 mph, it offers an intense and exhilarating experience from start to finish. Built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. (PTC), it stands as a testament to classic coaster craftsmanship combined with modern ambition.
In January 2011, Holiday World announced the purchase of new cars from PTC for the Voyage, and by August 2013, the park confirmed the cancellation of the “Timberliner” project. After some adjustments and changes to the rolling stock, the Voyage now operates with two six-car trains, providing a consistently smooth and reliable ride.
Our Voyage Climb Tour began with two fantastic hosts who provided us with gloves and an insightful introduction to the ride itself. They explained the history and significance of the coaster, as well as a few safety pointers — particularly the importance of wearing gloves, as climbing a wooden lift hill can easily result in a splinter or two!
What immediately stood out was that no harnesses were required for this climb — quite different from similar experiences we’ve had in the UK, where safety gear is typically more restrictive. The ascent up the wooden lift hill offered a breathtaking panoramic view of the park, and looking down through the centre of the structure truly emphasised the sheer height of the ride. It’s certainly not for anyone with a fear of heights, but for thrill-seekers and coaster enthusiasts, it’s an unforgettable moment.
After reaching the top, we continued our tour by walking along a large section of the track, eventually exiting through one of the tunnels into the maintenance area. Here, a few of the ride’s engineers demonstrated the equipment they carry daily — and it’s fair to say, it’s incredibly heavy! You’d definitely need some serious strength to handle it all.
At the beginning of the tour, we were lucky enough to witness the trains cycling and even got to see the second train being transferred onto the main track — a fascinating process that enthusiasts rarely have the chance to observe. It was a real privilege to experience this unique behind-the-scenes look before our first actual ride on the coaster itself.
Overall, the Voyage Climb Tour was a truly exceptional experience. The team at Holiday World were warm, humorous, and extremely knowledgeable, making the entire tour both entertaining and educational. For coaster fans or anyone intrigued by the mechanics behind these magnificent wooden giants, this tour is an absolute must-do.
Highly recommended.
