Another Holiday World Believer

Started out very early as i only had a day to get it in from Cleveland. But it was well worth the six hour drive.

Got there a bit early for the central time zone. But got the ticket prices down with the coasterbuzz pass. Nice touch how they take just about a laundry list of guests for a cheaper admission, as witnessed by the long list they have in ticket boothes. Had to wait for them to drop the ropes, but no biggy been there and done that.

First up the voyage, i waited for the front seat about six trains. Awesome doesnt even describe this ride just like everyone else has been saying. Sitting up front really shows how this track lays out. That drop from the front seat really does look steep, and those 90 degree banks are awe-inspiring. Just too much things to say about it, the changes in direction are really taken well with the train, and this thing packs unbelievable laterals, and the air is just popping all over. Truly something to believe that will top #1s for 20 years if nothing better comes along.

Next we went over to the legend about a 10 mintue wait, and this thing runs like a race with the horsemen himself, another coaster that is very good, i like the tunnels and twists the double in this one seems to have a beast feel, but done much better in my opinion. Great ride again.

Then the raven which ran one train for my whole time there, but not a bad thing other than the first ride. It was about a 30 minute wait, but not anything that was too bad. This thing really does deserve the sign on the outside, i thought it was slightly better than the legend, but this thing has great transitions in the curves and really uses its speed well. Nothing bad to say again here.

Other rides in the day included the frightfall falls, just a standard flume, with concrete sides, not bad in my book. Liberty launch was short for an s&s tower but hey a family park and got a ride with a first timer who braved it, i told her i would catch her if she fell. Good times with the people there. Also Gobbler Getaway, that was a good surprise for me and my mom. We always skipped Scooby at PKI, and really got on this one much quicker. I did fairly well in there, but kids in front of us tore it up, mom hit two, but i blame that on her poor motor skills with the turkey gun.

The food and free drinks are just right. Prices on food just delightful making it easy to eat with the family and get more than a few meals in if you stay for a long period of time. I got a blue ice cream cone and was throughly pleased. The side attractions like the toy museum was also cool, and the little history on abe lincoln. The only knock i have on one ride is the bumper cars, one way is just a skip for me, but again its a family park no biggy.

Going back was a trip with the weather but worth it. Holiday World is everything i could have wanted in a park, such a great and pleasant surprise. Now if only i could commandeer a flying machine, such as a helicopter or something so i could get down there faster and land on a farm that is close. Everyone that has been there and remarked on this park was very right about it and it really shows how even the smaller places can play better than some of the big boys...cough cough kings island

That's cool dude. The thing that always gets me about Holiday World, is when all is said and done, it's a VERY simple theme park. No frills, not particularly more beautiful than a host of other theme parks out there. It's actually quite small and modest. But the place has a heart and spirit twice the size of most parks, and it's just got a magic you can't put your finger on, it's just there.

Speaking of Voyage, I was there on the 17th, the park was PACKED, and Voyage shut down for nearly 3 hours due to thunderstorms in the area. A small group of us waited it out (something I NEVER do), and were rewarded with the greatest, most INTENSE rides EVER on ANYTHING, PERIOD. The track was wet and the skies were pitch black. Most parks would have closed for the night. Not this park, and let me tell you, Voyage was so off the hook that it was like the rest of the world just disappeared. AMAZING rides that I will never forget! Forget Holiwood Nights, Voyage seemed to break in right before our eyes on this night.

They even gave out free sugar cookies on our way out of the park. This park and that coaster deserve every bit of praise they get!

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DWeaver said:

Speaking of Voyage, I was there on the 17th, the park was PACKED, and Voyage shut down for nearly 3 hours due to thunderstorms in the area. A small group of us waited it out (something I NEVER do), and were rewarded with the greatest, most INTENSE rides EVER on ANYTHING, PERIOD. The track was wet and the skies were pitch black. Most parks would have closed for the night. Not this park, and let me tell you, Voyage was so off the hook that it was like the rest of the world just disappeared. AMAZING rides that I will never forget! Forget Holiwood Nights, Voyage seemed to break in right before our eyes on this night.

They even gave out free sugar cookies on our way out of the park. This park and that coaster deserve every bit of praise they get!

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I was also one who waited it out that day, and I have to agree with everything you just said. Black skies + moist air + The Voyage = most intense ride I have ever been on. The park is just simply amazing with everything they have to offer.

It's funny, after Holiwood nights all I think about is The Voyage and Holiday World. The Legend and Raven were no slouches either. I thought SROS @ SFNE was the best I have ever rode wood or steel. It is more ridable, but the Voyage is a real scary trip at night and I like to be scared on coasters. I'm 50 years old and it was not easy to keep up with Voyage, especially in that hot and humid weather. Thank God for the free soft drinks.

A number 1 for sure.

To be fair, Voyage was giving them off the hook rides at HWN, Nashville mike said it may have topped them rides on the 17th but he never got a near midnight ride.

Im glad you got one guys! Get about ten of em at next years HWN if they have it!

BTW, Nice TR! Glad you can view a park for what it is, A great time at a great value and without the 25 million dollar ride, you can have fun!

Chuck

It's been about a month since HWN, and I have hardly gone a day without thinking about what a blast it was, and what an over-the-top outstanding park Holiday World is. It has completely spoiled me for any other park. Every place I've been since then, I just keep thinking about how clean and friendly and efficient HW is and it makes so many other places look like a dump.

Every time I see pictures or (especially) video of the Voyage, I catch myself thinking things like, "It's only a 12 hour drive. If I take off friday I can go to the park on saturday and sleep for a few hours and drive back sunday..."

I fear I may be turning into a HW fanboy...

Your badge and membership card is on its way. ;)

Then I saw Holiday World...Now I'm a Believer (in my best Monkees voice...)

Ditto on what everyone has said so far.

What also impressed me about the park is how they handle items in the stations. I love the fact that the ride ops personally take your hats, valuables, etc. and place them for you in a bin or a locker if you are concerned about security. No last minute scrambles to get in the rides. This procedure wouldn't probably work in a bigger park like the Point, but what a nice touch! *** Edited 6/29/2006 3:51:57 PM UTC by SpecialEd***

Yay! So glad you had a great time! I've been to Holiday World twice since I moved to Indy in 1997. (I know, I'm bad) We're going in 3 weeks and I can't wait to ride this wonderful coaster that EVERYONE is talking about!

When I went on Hades last week, I was sort of bummed that it was pitch black in the tunnel, because I wanted to see what it was like turning 90 degrees. I guess I'll have to wait until I ride the Voyage. But don't get me wrong....Hades was pretty intense and a blast!

Thanks for the TR!