Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

When you grow up in a theme park family, things are kind of… different. Everyone thinks we skipped every line and had every birthday at the park. We didn’t, but we had plenty of cool experiences—being the first to ride most attractions, and being involved (and then ignored) on naming and choosing rides.

One example, as a 90’s kid, I played massive amounts of Roller Coaster Tycoon. When I ran my simulated parks, my dad would have notes. Especially if I built any custom roller coasters.

But the “consulting” went both ways. I remember being inspired by the advent of Free Unlimited Soft Drinks that I made drinks free at my virtual park. Then, like the “expert” I was, I remarked to him that Roller Coaster Tycoon said my drink prices were too low, and I should consider raising them. As if I knew better than him.

My dad chuckled and said, “They don’t understand what we’re doing here.”

I raised my soft drink prices to make my Tycoon Overlords happy, but I knew he was right. After all, at that time, he had already built Splashin’ Safari, The Raven, The Legend, and Free Unlimited Soft Drinks. I was proud of the success he had created, but I also had to keep him humble.

But when I was older, my “management consulting” became more advanced: I wanted a steel coaster. I wasn’t the only of my siblings who felt that way, but I had a special request: I wanted it for my senior year.

My high school graduation came and went, but no steel coaster arrived. From time to time, he’d come home with plans, but no coaster emerged. Then in 2010, one year after I graduated high school, we built Wildebeest, which would be my dad’s last project.

It’s hard to put into words how much we still miss him. His goofy laugh brightened every room, but he had  a sharp mind for growing this business, and it took us a while to find our footing after he passed.

When we dusted off some of his old plans for a steel coaster, we decided to build one in the exact spot he had planned one.

So, when we decided to move forward with Thunderbird, it wasn’t just a decision to build our first major steel coaster. It was a decision to complete something he had started years before. It was also a decision to leave heckling our dad for a steel coaster in the past.

Once we knew we would have a launch, we knew the launch would be powered by flywheels, and those flywheels would need a building. A trusted advisor recommended, “We can put ‘Will Power Steam Engine Company’ on the building for your dad, or something like that.”

We loved it. There were no other drafts. No notes. It was perfect for our brilliant, visionary, electrical engineer of a dad. It wasn’t in your face—that wasn’t who Will Koch was. It was subtle, slightly nerdy, and heartfelt—that’s who Dad was.

And I believe he sends us signs that we’re on the right path. For example, when the song, “Come Together,” by the Beatles came over the worksite radios right as the last piece of Thunderbird went in. If my dad could ever send a sign, it would be a Beatles song as a dad joke. And when the lift for Good Gravy! was being topped, a brilliant rainbow appeared, but that’s a story for another day…

This year, as Thunderbird turns 10, we wanted to do something extra special in memory of my dad. Above everything else, Will Koch gave back generously to his community. So, this year, we partnered with our friends at Made to Thrill to create a special Limited Edition Will Power Steam Engine Company T-Shirt and poster.

The proceeds from these shirts and posters will benefit Isaiah 117 House of Spencer and Perry counties. Isaiah 117 House provides physical and emotional support in a safe and loving home for children awaiting placement in foster care.

So we’d love for you to join us this year, in remembering the innovative and giving spirit of Will Koch, and celebrating 10 years of our first major steel roller coaster.