Love thread: Holiday World

Wow! I just got back from my visit to HW (1st time) and this park really rocked my face off. The staff were great (read exception below) and really moved the crowds through the lines. I also loved the free "comps" that the park has. The free soda is a great idea and I am now extremely spoiled - why can't other parks do this? The whole atmosphere of the park was great too - reminded me a little of SDC. And it was great to see the crowds (well I wasn't happy to see them in front of me in line, but it's good for the park.) Another thing that I was happy to see was the police help to make the flow into the parking lots smooth. That was a great help and I'm sure alleviated a "chaotic" situation had they not been there.

I thought the ride selections were wonderful. One thing that I did make me wonder - why is Raven #1? I enjoyed The Lengend a whole lot more than Raven, who I found to be a tad "short." IMHO it was over before I had really gotten into it, whereas Lengend, it kept going when you were sure it was done. Love the head chopper ZOOMbabwe provides.

The waterpark was great as well, but it lacks body slides. Which I think is a staple at waterparks, and should be the next thing they add over there. Other than that a great waterpark that kicks some major player's booty. Oh and Zinga was just absolutely insane.

Now to my concerns. The staff were extremely polite and friendly, even Pat Koch was just the nicest person I had ever met (really impressed me that she was sweeping the pathways down by the entrance to Splashin' Safari). There was one lady named Kelly who worked at Liberty Bell whom didn't seem to like her job too much. She might have been having a bad day, which I can understand - I work with the GP for a living and know that it can be tought at times to be polite. However she was down right rude to several guests. One group asked where a certain product was, I think sweat shirts or something like that. She replied rather curtly where they were. She also did the same thing to a couple who wanted to know where a restroom was. She did take the cake though when I checked out in her line, I asked for a bag to put my souvenirs in. She sighed heavily and rolled her eyes acting as if it was going to kill her and that was the last thing she wanted to do. She then threw my keychains in the bag and forced it at me - she didn't say "thank you" or even a half-hearted "have a nice day." Luckily I was leaving for the day or that might have ruined the rest of the stay there - but I thought that Paula might want to know about that incident. I'm sorry that I didn't get to meet Paula on this trip, maybe next time?!?! However I do want to ensure her that I found a new love in parks, and it will definiely be a yearly trip for now on. Thanks and I am looking forward to another reason to make the trek from MO to the Hoosier state again.

-Dustijn Hollon

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SW:):)SH Shaddy(president of LEMCCDWBLI)
MidwestInfoGuide.COM

I think Legend is a bit too physical for some. It clearly is number one to me for sure.

Glad you had a great time, I love the park but just wish it had more to occupy me. IB is the better of the two Indiana Parks but not by much.

A lot can be said for places with such great atmosphere and rides as those two parks in Indiana.

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If given the choice I'd choose a hamburger over a hotdog anyday of the week.

Well as I love waterparks, the park had more than enough to occupy me for the day. I do agree though, that if it is too cold to go into Splashin' Safari, it would be hard to fill a day with the dry park rides. However, the park will only get better.

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SW:):)SH Shaddy(president of LEMCCDWBLI)
MidwestInfoGuide.COM

I don't do waterparks normally, SRM was the exception. But agreed, as amazing as HW already is, it will only get better which is definitely amazing.

HW has more potential then any other park out there, I will say that much.

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If given the choice I'd choose a hamburger over a hotdog anyday of the week.

Lets see, If you can't have fun with whats offered, Maybe the problem isn't the park.

Chuck, who loves Holiday World.

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Charles Nungester.
It's official Lesourdsville Lake is closed for 2003

I, too visited Holiday World for the first time ever on Saturday. I couldn't get enough Raven. Legend also rocked my world and I've got the bruises to show for my many rides!

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- John
I snap flyers.

I am really looking forward to my first to HW this coming Thursday. Raven and Legend should keep myself and my daughter occupied for quite a while.

I dont do waterparks, but my daughter is looking forward to it. If you see us in the park, come up and say hi. We dont bite. :)

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Arena football has arrived in the Windy City. Go "Chicago Rush"

I love Holiday World too. I had my first visit to the park this summer and loved the free Pepsi and free parking! More parks should do that. The Raven and Legend are tops! Also, Hallow Swings is the most beautiful swing ride I've ever seen.

Best....park....anywhere...

A love thread for HW to me almost seems redundant, but I can't help but chime in on my "home is where the heart is" park...
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Holidog *did* pee on my leg though....;) Hi Paula!

Here's a question, does anyone else have problems making their eagle snap their at HW? I have no problems with the ones at PKI, but I couldn't get mine to snap at HW. I think it's because they don't get their's up to top speed fast enough. However it might have just been me?!?! :)

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SW:):)SH Shaddy(president of LEMCCDWBLI)
MidwestInfoGuide.COM

Swoosh....not you....THIS time...;)

HW's flyers are VERY difficult to snap because of their rotating speed...PKI's are probably the easiest to snap, rivalled *only* by tthose at Knoebels...

Well I was worried I was loosing my touch. ;) I'm glad to know that I am not the only one that has problems snapping their tub on the Eagles at HW.

So Knoebels' are even better than PKI's? Hmmm....road trip anyone? ;)

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SW:):)SH Shaddy(president of LEMCCDWBLI)
MidwestInfoGuide.COM

Their Eagles are hard to snap due to the postion of the cabels connecting to the tub beam. I guess they are too far apart as opposed to PKI which are closer together, or I may have that backwards. I did get a teeny tiny "Pop" when I was there last.

I'll be making my second trip to HW in a couple of weeks. The first time, I ran into so many instances of great customer service that I was amazed. They included: a skee-ball shack operator who had just closed down for the evening opening back up for us when it started raining, then turning on the machines again to give us something to do; various friendly greeters around the park who actually looked like they enjoyed their jobs; and ride ops who continued their little "traditions" (like waving out the Raven station's window), even when my brother and I were the only ones on the train for the fourth time in a row.

This, on top of the multiple freebies and obviously great coasters.

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A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

Chuck, who said I don't have fun at HW?

It's just not a park that keeps me occupied all day. That however does not keep it from being one of my top 5 parks which is a very high honor indeed, mind you only one park in my top 5 is corporate, that being CP. The others are Knoebel's at number one, IB, HW, CP, and Kennywood.

You seem to be a but testy lately.....

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If given the choice I'd choose a hamburger over a hotdog anyday of the week.

I sent the first post of this thread on to the Kochs and our directors (as I do with all such comments about the park). Mrs. Koch asked that I forward her reply:

Dustijn: I want to send a personal apology concerning Kelly’s behavior on the day you visited our Park. I spoke with Vanessa, her boss, and Vanessa promised to have a serious talk with her. It is a pity that one person spoiled your impression of us and I am deeply sorry for that. Thanks for the report so that we can make corrections. Pat Koch

Thanks to everyone for their kind emails and posts this season, Paula
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Paula Werne
Holiday World PR
www.holidayworld.com

What about Holidog peeing on my leg.....;)

Sorry Paula, just had to send a chuckle....:). Holidog would *never* do such a thing...

P.S. to Dustijn...Raven leaves you wanting MORE, Legend makes you beg for mercy...:)

Paula,

All I have to say to that response to that issue is that is incredible what you all do to maintain great customer service. The fact that Pat herself answered to that small complaint is one of the things that make Holiday World so wonderful. Thank you and thank everyone in the Holiday World family for doing such a wonderful job. I cannot wait to return to your wonderful park myself.

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Bob Hansen
Resident Airtime Whore

And yet again, Paula, Pat and the entire Holiday World family proves why people love HW.

Not only do they have the best service in the park, but if a problem comes to light after you leave, they will still adress it.

And as 'Gator said, HW might not be close enough to be my home park, but they are my "Home is where the heart is" Park!

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--George H
---Currency tracking experiment... http://www.wheresgeorge.com (Referring to The "George" on the $1 bill - Not Me)

[edited to read easier :) ]

Paula,
Thanks for forwarding my post on to Mrs. Koch. Please send her my thanks and reassure her (Mrs. Koch) that the girl (Kelly) didn't ruin my entire impression of the park, and that in fact Holiday World has become my "home away from home" Home park.
-Dustijn Hollon

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Gator,
I agree 100%. Legend is just a huge ride and you really feel like you have accomplished something when you get off the ride. Raven is a short little ride that makes you want to get back on again (mainly because it's shorter).

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For those interested, I posted my trip's pictures of Holiday World at http://midwestinfoguide.com

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SW:):)SH Shaddy(president of LEMCCDWBLI)
MidwestInfoGuide.COM
*** This post was edited by Swoosh 7/22/2003 9:47:45 PM ***