Indiana Beach question

Instead of a hotel try the Black Dog Inn. It's a wonderful little B&B right next to the suspension bridge. Nice comfortable place and only a 5 minute walk to the park. We stayed there for $80 a night and had a great time.

http://www.indianabedandbreakfast.org/properties/monticello.htm

I fell in love with IB last year. It reminded me of the first amusment park I ever went to as a kid (Chain of Rocks).

Some non-coaster must ride suggestions:

The skylift. I love the ski-lift styles. Lots of good picture ops as well.

The bumper cars. My favorites anywhere.

Parachuter and swings. Both are over the water and a lot of fun!

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Lord Gonchar said:
Next thing you know, you haven't slept for four days and you've blown your next 4 paychecks and you're thinking of robbing someone to play a few more games. :)

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Yeah, and even after all that, you STILL haven't won that Def Leppard mirror or that shiny toaster! ;)

Ray P. (who is glad there's still a decent Fascination house just 40 minutes away from him)

I'll weigh in on Frankenstein's Castle: DO NOT MISS IT! And about 3/4 of the way through you'll come to a window/balcony that overlooks a large room. Make sure you walk out to the edge of the balcony and look up or you will miss one of the best effects in the entire attraction.

Thanks Moosh, that was the one I was trying to get more specifics on. Guess I'll just have to take my time in the Castle in order to catch everything.

Yer welcome. If you find you're stuck with a large group of people make sure you're either walking first or let them proceed ahead of you to put some space between you and them so they don't ruin any of the gags before you happen upon them.

I just can't believe that the other 3 times I've visited the beach I've passed on the Castle and the Den of Thieves.

To be fair, we were always on a rushed schedule since we had to be back in Indy for a Phish or Trey show later that same day. It ended up being a great yearly tradition for 3 years. This time I'll be by myself and not in any rush.

Even though I've missed some of their attractions, I still like IB more than most parks. Dare I say it's my favorite Indiana park. I hope that's not blasphemy, because HW is also up there but slightly lower than IB.

IMO, they are two COMPLETELY different parks, Incidentalist. Yes, their budgets "MAY" be similar, but the atmospheres are different. My mother and father traveled with us last summer her quote summed up exactly how I felt when comparing the two:

"Holiday World seemed like a newer family park, with an incredible water park for the kids to play in all day, but Indiana Beach reminded me of Euclid Beach and the old trolley parks that we hung out in as kids." She said that she felt like she was 18 again....she's 60.

The Castle and the Den are CLASSICS. BOTH are great parks and won't miss them again this summer.

I'm not trying to put down either park. I love them both and IMO Indiana has two of the best parks in the country.

I also don't want to start a vs. between these two great places. My statement, although my honest opinion, was more tongue in cheek.

Mike - who prefers the quirky to the charming ;)

LOL, and I am stating that I knew that from the get...but, wanted to disperse anyone trying to compete, compare or contrast these wonderful places in Indiana. I thought PA had great woodies, until I took a jaunt to IB/HW in a two day period. If I tried to compare these two parks, I wouldn't know where to begin.

Charm, quirkyness, atmosphere, laziness, beauty can all be found about the woods and DAMNED up rivers of Indiana.....eheheheh, "Is that a God D..."

I'm getting a little quirky and giddy myself over this announcement. *** Edited 4/25/2005 6:17:13 PM UTC by Woody***

Moosh---you should be ashamed... :-)

Why? Its the best gag in the walk-thru...I'd be pissed if I'd missed it but thankfully I was with someone who had discovered it the previous year.

I don't think anyone mentioned "Sea Dragon", Indiana Beach's swinging ship. I've ridden many of these and Indiana Beach's is the best. It seems to swing just a bit higher than most, giving much more air. Naturally that back seat is best.

Also, I'll vote for the night session. It may be a bit crowded between 4pm and 6pm, but then the day crowd really starts to thin out. Front seat night rides on the Hurricane are my best Hurricane rides ever. *** Edited 4/26/2005 3:16:29 AM UTC by Wabash Cannonball***

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Mamoosh said:
I'll weigh in on Frankenstein's Castle: DO NOT MISS IT! And about 3/4 of the way through you'll come to a window/balcony that overlooks a large room. Make sure you walk out to the edge of the balcony and look up or you will miss one of the best effects in the entire attraction.

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I almost missed it myself. I don't know if I am short or what but I had to lean out to see it. It was almost too quick for me.

I like the Den of lost Thieves, but I really miss the Mystery Mansion. It was cool. Anyone agree?

Hey does IB care about having video cameras/bags on any of their rides?

Technically you are not supposed to take cameras with you on the coasters...however I have seen the ride operators be extremely lax on the rules as far as that goes. I would say if in doubt ask first when you are there.

All this talk of Indiana Beach and the Haunted House have me itching to go. *** Edited 4/26/2005 12:20:30 PM UTC by beast7369***

May 7th can't come soon enough.

This park has now turned into a visit a year destination. I love the freakin place.

Hey, and Happy 80th Birthday, IB!!!

The only place to stay at the Beach is, well, at the Beach! If the Penthouse is available, book it.

Call for reservations far in advance! And be forewarned, you cannot book online. In fact, the reservation system isn't even automated. Stop by the front desk and watch the staff pull out the big, old rez books. Cash deposits only. Big clunky room keys. God, I love that place!

Polynesian Luau on Thursday nights...tasty!

While that does sound great Steve, I would rather travel back toward I-65 and stay at the Super 8 motel which has an indoor pool just incase the weather is chilly at night or it's inclement weather.

But that's just me. :)

I miss the Mystery Mansion too Stoogeman, but I miss everything they take out or revamp. Still the improvements are worth it.

I'll be there on opening day along with some members of the Indiana Beach Fan Club, I can't wait. If anyone goes we'll be wearing the IB Club buttons.

May is a great time to go, last year they had buy one get one free on wristbands all month and I expect they'll have the same this year.