Holiday World closes Raging Rapids after three decades

I don't mind the Universal Parking garages...and the moving sidewalks do make a difference.

But, staying on property at Universal and taking the boats is a pretty recent venture for us....and I have to say...I've been impressed with the Universal resort hotel experience thus far.

Richard Bannister- I believe Holiday World’s new Vekoma is going in the abandoned spot where Pilgrims Plunge/Giraffica was. The layout, theme, and name have yet to be announced.

Supposedly the project name is “Gravy Boat” which, if it became the actual name, would unquestionably make my list of the 20 best coaster names in the world.

(It would not bump Superspeed Cool-Cool Bear from the top spot.)

Touchdown:

Ride man do you find yourself in Holidog Funtown often and then need to proceed directly to Splashin Safari? I guess in all my times there I’ve never viewed the raft ride as a massive impediment to moving around. I’m usually only in the 4th area midday when there is no reason to rush through.

What you don't see in the aerial shot is the topography. The end near the waterpark is near the bottom of the hill. So is the picnic grove entrance. So on multiple occasions during the recent event, it was a long walk uphill around the rapids ride, then back down to the picnic grove entrance, then back up to the shelterhouses. At least that last part has a stairway.

This is one of three short-cuts I would love to see in that park. Another is a slide from the Raven exit ramp down to the entrance gate; the third is a railroad trestle across the employee parking lot so that the train can be extended to a station near Thunderbird. I think those two points are nearly level with one another.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Touchdown:

Ah the Universal Parking garage, it’s so nice to skip that and take a boat instead

Is you answer to everything staying in a $600+ a night hotel?

$600 hotel? This ain’t Disney World. Staying at Royal Pacific later this month for $450 (I forgot I have a water view) a night. And once you also factor in the included Express passes and a “bubble” feeling completely worth it.

hambone:

Supposedly the project name is “Gravy Boat” which, if it became the actual name, would unquestionably make my list of the 20 best coaster names in the world.

(It would not bump Superspeed Cool-Cool Bear from the top spot.)

My personal favourite was always Elf, which signage decoded as "Episode of Little Fairies".

I'll throw in an honourable mention for Wallis's Wonderful Wriggling Wirral Wacky Worm.

Hirakata Park looks like a gem … and also has a ride called Fantastic Coaster Rowdy.

Stateside, I’ve always really liked Hersheypark’s Sooperdooper Looper.

I stayed at Loew's Sapphire Falls Resort in a Kids' Suite (two "rooms" where the kids had twin beds in an adjoining space) for less than $400 a night. You can get a regular room for under $200 per night most of the year (though with resort fees and parking it is maybe $250/night). That is pretty reasonable for what was very nice accommodations, in my opinion.

Dog Fart Coaster.
Loop and Screw Coaster.
My favorite- Efteling’s (retired) Intamin bobsled just called Bob.

You can still ride Speedy Bob at Bobbejaanland. (Number 6 on my list.)

Thunder Dolphin has been a favorite of mine.