Holiday World 08-02-16

[Gannersdaddy]

We have not been to Holiday World in at least 16 years.  My wife was going to a concert, so it was just my son and myself heading to the park.

 

We arrived at a little after 10 and parked in Legend Lot.  We were directed to the last row on concrete.  It was already 80 degrees there and I was not sure what the weather was going to do.  Having not been in so long, I could not tell if this was a full park or not.  We started on in.  I did notice that they have bathroom on the edge of the lot.  They looked pretty new as well.  This is a great idea, so one plus in the good column and we have not even entered the park.  Then a tunnel under the road leading to the park.  Again, another plus, as it seemed like the last time we had to cross the road.

 

We had prepaid online for tickets using a discount we get at my company ($10 off a ticket).  Not a bad discount,  We got right in the park, after showing them to the ticket people.  They were doing bag searches out from, but we had no bag (gotta love the cargo shorts).  We just walked around.

 

Headed in with no map, as our main goal was to hit the coasters.  We saw Raven right off The Bat, but it looked like everyone else did as well.  It looked to be filling up nicely.  I could see Voyage off in the distance, so we headed that way.  Some things seemed familiar, some not.  I will say that I got a good workout.  Between the distance and the hills, I could feel it in my legs.  As we got closer to Voyage, I spotted Thunderbird.  I could not tell if it was running, as I did not see the train hit the first loop.  By reflex, I was going to check the app to see it was running, then remembered that was KI.  Voyage was running, so we made it our first ride of the day.

 

The que to Voyage was just outside of the posts, but none of the other ones were in use.  After maybe 15 minutes of waiting, we were getting on.  We sat in the 3rd car, back row (there are only 2 rows per car).  Restraints are similar to The Beast.  I got my son situated and sat down with no issues.  The lap bar was not as far down as I have to have on The Beast.  I was waiting for the "One more click sir", but it never came.  In the meantime, my son is just staring at the lift hill.  Off we go.  It is a crazy (in a good way) ride.  Fast, furious, good airtime, lots of surprise hills, pretty smooth, and some surprising angled track.  No jarring movements.  For a woodie (if you can call it that, I noticed all of the supports are metal), it is really good.  I would say 9/10.  My neck was a little sore after riding it, but I was breathless.  We got off and looked at our picture.  Not really great, but I asked about the all day picture package.  It was $30, but only good on Voyage, Thunderbird, and Log Flume.  I declined, as I did not see it being worth the value.  So far, a good checkmark for the coaster, but a minus for the pictures.

 

We hit the free drinks stand.  Gatorade on tap was nice.  It was getting hotting.  My son is used to drinking from the bottles, so the cup part was not to enticing to him.  Onward and deeper into the park.

 

Heading up the hill toward Thunderbird, I finally saw a it run.  We got in the line after passing the test seat.  I was going to try it out, but it looked like everyone was heading there.  I did see where it said rows 2 and 3 were for bigger riders.  I figured that I can ride Banshee with no issues, so I should be good.  The que moved pretty quickly and at the split, we chose the right hand side.  When we got to the top, I asked the operator if I would have a problem with the seats.  He said probably not but to go to the 3rd row anyway.  All told, maybe a twenty minute wait to ride.  We got settled in our seats with no issues.  Once the Go was issues, we went under the booth and then off we went.  Ridewise, really smooth.  There was no heavy G forces.  About the time you are really having fun, it ends.  My son looked at me as if to say "Is that it?"  Timing it, it lasts around a minute.  One annoying part was the location of the bins.  They are in a location where people getting on and people getting off and picking up their stuff creates unneeded congestion.  Overall, 6/10.  I can imagine when it opened that people were waiting all of the way down the hill to ride it.  Its fun to ride, but not wait 1 hour plus to do so, IMO.

 

I stopped by the smoking area after riding.  Not only was it huge, it is fenced in and really maintained.  I always smoke in the designated areas wherever I go, as I would like to keep being able to do so in the parks.

 

From there, another drink stand.  I do have to give them credit for this idea.  Not only are they all over, but they have at least 2 areas at each stand.  As hot as it was, we got our moneys worth on this.

 

Heading back toward the center of the park, we see Gobbler Getaway.  I have no idea what this is, but it is air conditioned.  I hear othes in line askng the same this.  After maybe 10 minutes, we get in.  Basically, its Boo Blasters meets Thanksgiving with different cars.  Good concept, a little goofy, and you get tired of hearing a turkey gobble when you push the trigger.  One thing I can say, everything appeared to be working and was in good shape.  Overall, 7/10.

 

The last time we were as Cedar Point, my son drove the antique cars and loved it.  I saw them there, so we were questing to find the entrance.  After a little backtracking, we found it.  After maybe a 15 minute wait, were we driving our convertible around the track.  Ok, I was operating the gas, and he had his hand on the wheel.  Not too long of a ride, but it was nice.  Overall 7/10.

 

We had had some McDonalds before we left, so I knew my son was getting hungry.  We ended up at Kringles (gotta love the air conditioning).  Waited maybe 10 minutes in line and for food (a big plus).  We got the hot dog (2) plate and pizza plate (2 slices) with fries for both.  Of course, there were 2 drinks stands inside.  The pizza was ok, what I had (my son ate most of it).  The same with the hot dogs.  Fries were the thin cut.  Again, ok.  All told, spent around $20, so not bad there.  If I thought he would have eaten Thanksgiving food, we would have.  But, as hot as it was, this filled the bill nicely.

 

After letting lunch settle, we set out to complete our coaster route.  Next up was Legend.  We had noticed that there was a car stuck on the lift hill towards the bottom earlier, so I was afraid that we would not get to ride.  When we got back, they just go whatever it was fixed, so we headed in.  We got all of the way into the station area at the top before we hit a line.  The theming seemed decent if not a little over the top.  We settled into car 2, row 1.  Again, restraints were like The Beast.  Also, like Voyage, I had no problems even though the bar was  not as far down as they like on The Beast.  Off we go.  Another really good ride.  I would say this is the smoothest woodie I have been on.  Between the layout and the speed, a really good ride.  A little neck soreness and seemed a little short, but a keeper.  Overall, 9/10.

 

Well, on to the Raven next.  Again, short line.  Waited maybe 10 minutes.  I thought we were in line for the front, but it was the last set of seats.  Again, another really good woodie.  Same restaints as the other two woodies at the park.  Only issue I had on this one was the seat must have been a tab smaller, as my back pocket wallet hit at first.  Once I moved it a little, no issue.  Overall 8/10.

 

After a short break to cool off some, we headed back to Thunderbird.  This time we rode the Left Hand side.  The ride seemed about the same as the other side.  It seemed like you are facing more earhside on the left.  I wish it was about twice as long.  The line to ride was maybe 15 minutes.

 

It was still hot (heat index around 100), so we hit Crows nest next.  A fun little swing ride and way to cool off before heading back down the hill.  Its no WindSeeker, but I am guessing it has more uptime.  Overall, 7/10.

 

Heading back, we got one more ride on Voyage.  It is a good coaster, but still hurt my neck.  Luckily, I always carry some aspirin to the parks.

 

Headed out around 6:30PM.

 

A couple of things I noticed:

 

All of woodies do not have the upper head back on the seats.  Not that it was a problem, just something I noticed.

I did not see one walk of shame while there.

I did not see anyone smoking outside of the smoking areas.

While there were some basketballs being bounced, it was very noticeable that it was a lot less (I saw maybe 6 all day)

The park was exceptionally clean.  Even leaving, there were employees cleaning the parking area.  In the parking area, there were ample and easy to get at trash cans.  Anyone littering would have to go out of there way to do so.

I only heard one time "put your cell phone away" (Crows nest).  I think that anyone doing so on the coaster will definitely loose them

No cutting signs were all over and I did not see it running rampant to even be inforced

All of the coasters had two trains.  Based on the length of the rides, this works.

 

About the only thing I can see that they need to improve is the ride photos.  The quality did not look good, the location needed to be improved, and more rides needed them.  It would also be nice if the coasters were longer, but for a more family oriented park, I think this fits well.

 

Overall, a good trip.  I will have to shorten my time between visits.

[Gannersdaddy]

Forgot to add this, but after riding these 3 woodies at Holiday World, I can see how KI is upping their woodie game.

[Beast Gal]

Nice trip report. You are a great father.

[Gannersdaddy]

^ Thank you