Holiday World 6-11

[Dieseltech20]

I was totally blown away by this park, far beyond what I expected. The company my mom works for provided our tickets and lunch. Our trip was shorter than I hoped and we didn't get to see the water park. It was my first trip to a park involving my mother and brother since 1990. My brother is STILL afraid to ride much of anything, the log flume scared him.

We arrived when the park opened and even in the parking lot we knew this would be a different experience than any we had before. Entering the park was simple, no checkers or metal detectors. The announcement outside the gates that offensive tattoos must be covered lets you know this park is SERIOUS about families. When we noticed that lockers were only $5 we had wished we didn't leave our swim stuff in the car The park is BEAUTIFUL, very clean and filled with trees and shade. We even witnessed Pat herself picking up trash. The free drinks are a great thing and people don't really abuse the perk at all. When in line for water rides the park has keyed lockers available for your stuff, these lockers are FREE and in the loading/unloading areas.

The weather was cloudy with a light rain so the line for rides were quite large, especially The Raven and The Legend. So the first ride we went to was Scarecrow Scrambler, it is pretty much the same ride as at KI. However it has one major difference, no control booth, never been on a ride with levers on it before It was a little slower than KI's but still fun. Next up was, Frightful Falls, it is your standard Log Flume, it starts you off in a pitch black tunnel. The ride is concrete however and your knees take quite a beating in the turns. The drop was nice but we didn't get very wet. Up next was the HallowSwings. It is pretty much like Zephyr but in a counter clockwise direction. It is very well themed and the little skulls on it are a neat addition.

By now it was time for lunch and we were all hungry. We headed off to the Picnic Grove for a lunch buffet. We had a large selection of Burgers/Dogs/BBQ Pork and all the fixins. I was not impressed at all, the burger was no better than one from KI and the Potato salad was nasty. It felt just like a standard cook out one would have at home so we still enjoyed it.

After lunch we headed for the kids area and a ride on The Howler, it is your standard kiddie coaster not unlike anything you find at a carnival. We headed for Liberty Launch and the line wasn't too bad because the rain had stopped and the sun was shining bright. This ride was very fun and my 7 year old son loved it. We let the little ones ride Midnight Ride and Eagles Flight. MR is pretty much Monster but with a smaller capacity. Up next was Raging Rapids, standard rubber raft ride with greater capacity than WWC but less chances of getting wet. If not for the waterfall getting wet really wouldn't happen. Was still a fun ride and it was the only one beside the Flume that I could get my whole group to ride.

Next we headed for Thanksgiving and the rides I wanted to get most, The Voyage and Pilgrims Plunge. The line for Voyage was almost non existent, so my son and I headed for it while the rest waited. We only had to wait a few cars before boarding. We sat in the very last row and my excitement was over flowing. On the way up the lift I looked over and my heart sank, PP was down for the count I turned my focus back to Voyage and was not let down. We flew over the top of the lift and into heaven. This coaster is AMAZING! It was rough but I didn't care, the ride was out of control, you get tossed this way and that. The airtime is bliss and the twists and turns never let up. You couldn't remove the smile from my face. My son however was terrified afterwards and wouldn't ride again.

I took him over to Gobbler Getaway to calm him down and it worked. This was a neat dark ride but the guns were all but useless and I didn't hit a darn thing. After that I grabbed the wife and headed back for The Voyage, front seat of the last car and the ride was just as amazing as the first. We headed back for Raging Rapids and this time I got soaked by the water fall. Next was a trip on The Legend for the wife and I. This was a good ride and the first drop "Don't look back" was great. However at the end I just wasn't left with a feeling of Awe. After another trip on the log we headed for The Raven with 2 kids, the wife and my MOM in tow Mom is not a fan of coasters at all even though we rode The Beast together in 87. She keeps her eyes closed, lol. This ride was very nice but at the end leaves you wanting more due to it's short length. After this it was about 6 and we were all tired, especially the wife and kids since we had just finished a 3 day trip to Mason the day before.

Overall this is an Amazing park, the total ride count may be a lot smaller than at KI, however the MANY differences make it a park that NO ONE should miss. We had funnel cakes (2.99, 3.79 with chocolate or Strawberries) and they were the best I have ever eaten. Free drinks, free parking, free sunscreen and The Voyage. If you have not taken a trip to HW, you are really missing out. I now understand why people are upset when trees are taken down at KI.

[thekidd33]

It really is an amazing park! Raven and Voyage are both EXCELLENT rides. Thank you for sharing your trip with us!

[XGatorHead 8904]

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip! HW is one of my favorite parks, and I agree with you about the funnel cakes. I've been there 4 times this year and I still haven't gotten one, and I only have one more trip there this year!

I know your food was free this time, but if it isn't next time I suggest eating at Plymouth Rock Cafe. For a very reasonable price, you can get a full Thanksgiving meal. One meal there and I'm good for the day, and the quality is better than anything KI has to offer. Also, the fudge at Mrs. Klaus' Kitchen is excellent. Splashin' Safari is a very good waterpark and has a lot to offer. I had my best Scrambler ride ever on Scarecrow Scrambler during Holiwood Nights this year. Of course, the ride op knew a lot of us and was able to give us a good ride on it!

I first met Mrs. Koch on my first visit when she was walking through the park with a pan & broom. That's when I first realized how much they care for this park. There's only been one trip to the park when I haven't seen her and it just wasn't the same not stopping to talk to her. Everyone I've met there has been wonderful. I'm looking forward to my visit there this Monday, it'll be Mrs. Gator and GatorGirl's first visit there since 2008.

[IndyGuy4KI]

Glad you had a great trip. HW really does a great job of making sure everyone has an enjoyable experience!