HWFan

I just wanted to make a quick clarification: The article that myself, Screamscape, and others are referencing about the BIG BIG things the next few years may be over exaggerated. Just look at the original Screamscape report that said it sounded like nothing from HW for 2013 when they ended up putting in a huge water slide complex. I've also personally learned that their plans are constantly changing, so any information before the ride/slide is officially purchased has a large chance of changing. The people running the park are more that competent. I love the park and the people running it. I can't wait to see what they have in store for the future.

I remember them saying that they wanted to get them on the Voyage first. After that, they would evaluate if they would be a good match for the other coasters. That was a while back, so I'm not sure if that's changed. Personally, I'd like to see them on all of the coasters. Also, am I the only one that remembers reading that the Timberliners were designed to be able to have an onboard audio system as well as the ability to be launched magnetically? If so, I think it would be cool if Holiday World would build a launched, looping wooden coaster with a great soundtrack for their next coaster. They could put it in Fourth of July by moving some of the park's facilities out by Thanksgiving or across the highway where the future employee lot is supposedly going to be located. If you could have the ride launch under the highway through a tunnel themed to a canon during the Revolutionary War or something. The ride could take place in the extremely hilly land across from the park next to the parking lot.

With KK back in business, does anyone think that Holiday World will have significant drops in attendance rates? I know that Dan stressed in an interview that there was something BIG planned for 2014. Depending on what it is, or if it's still even planned, it could really help in the loss of attendance. I know that Dollywood had a huge increase in attendance after opening Wild Eagle according to Screamscape.

I'll be the first to admit that I am biased. You made some good points, but the last part wasn't as good. I just wanted to clear up that the power struggle is because two parties care about the park. They both want it to follow their plans to succeed. My main thing against Mr. Hart is how he treated the Kochs acting as a mudslinger to bash them in the media. I'll leave it there.

^^^^ The Koch's COULD HAVE revived the park, but they didn't agree with how the fair board was involved. Ed Hart threw a fit lashing out at the Koch's through the media. Ed is just a businessman. If he really cared about the park, he wouldn't have sold it in the first place. Sorry for stating my opinion.

I know this may sound bad, and I'm usually not a complainer. Ed Hart ruins this park for me. When the Koch's were after it, he had all kinds of horrible things to say when he was just running his mouth to the press. Now it turns out he was wrong when he said that Dan wanted to only turn it in to a small local destination. Dan was going to make it his park if the court case went wrong, and Dan loves expansion. I don't see him as a real theme park person like the Kochs, Dave Roemer from SfStl, or one of the many other theme park operating families of the world. I just see him as the average greedy business man.

Hey guys, one more thing that I thought was interesting. In Dave's office and conference room, there are giant maps of the park, one from 1999 and the other from about 2010. They are to scale with one inch representing 100 feet. When they want to add something new, a little piece of paper is cut out to the exact size/layout of the ride according to the scale. They then move it around the park to find the best spot for it. If you look in the picture below, you can see some pieces of paper on the right side of the map in the woods. I was told that these are mostly water slides that they are thinking about. Now waterpark expansion isn't their biggest interest though, because it is only open for 88 days of the operating season. If anyone sees me sometime in season pass processing or the front gate, don't hesitate to say hi!

With the Boss, they just aren't given enough money to do the whole length. They don't want to shorten it because the intensity and length are kind of its trademarks. With painting the rides, they did Rush Street Flyer this year, and are going to move onto other rides once they finish the facade. Apparently the Hannibarrels have been in the 5-year plan that Dave and his team have submitted every year to corporate since it closed. Luckily with a new flat in the future, the Hannibarrels should soon be gone.

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I was also told that Pat will be absent from the park this summer. She's been a huge part of the park for decades and now this. Dan better win that appeal this summer... EDIT: The source from this is from one of Dan's best friends.

In an article I found online, Matt Eckert said that Pat would not be appearing in any commercials this season. They instead wanted to focus on showcasing their rides. IMO Pat is a HUGE part of the HW brand because people love her. This move is helping to push HW closer and closer to the corporate park feel. I fell in love with the park not only because of the rides but mainly because of the people. EDIT: Here's the link http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/holiday-world-family-feud-wont-be-on-display-when-amusement-park-opens-may-4

So I got a new t-shirt to wear while attending Holiwood Nights. It reminded Dan of Argo, the movie that was never made!

I spent my day off reading back over 100 pages to 2010 to get myself up to speed. I especially loved reading Paula's snarky remarks (aka the kind of stuff she can't put on the Facebook page). I'm incredibly excited for 2013. Rhino Blaster looks great, and every year is a year closer to a steel coaster! I'm personally hoping they go with B&M, and I've heard that Dan doesn't care for the unreliableness of Intamin, citing Pilgrim's Plunge. I'm not really a coaster enthusiast, but more of a Holiday World enthusiast, so I'm loving learning about all of the other parks, coasters, and terminology. Besides, as a junior in high school, it's a good way to procrastinate from homework. By the way, it isn't TPR video, but here's an interview from IAAPA with Dan and Eric. (Dan, it's 34!) I couldn't figure out how to do the YouTube thing, so here's the link!