Raven Maven

Well, we're doubly glad we're building a big new water coaster for Splashin' Safari this season, Elissa, that's for sure. We were already planning to concentrate on adding capacity in the coming years and yesterday's announcement underscores the importance of that. Thanks, Paula

One of our Twitter followers said he was planning to bring his middle-aged cover band to auditions ... and call them the BeachComb-overs. Paula

Based on 20-second dispatch and full rafts, 720/hour. Thanks, Paula

It's my understanding that each 4-person raft will contain a 150-pound slab-o-steel. (So much for magic...we're playing with really big magnets.) Thanks for all your encouraging words. Paula

It's in just under six hours...does that help? I'm pretty sure we're 7 hours from Greenwich Time. But I'm not sure. This is Indiana, after all. We're eternally confused about time. Paula

Our NBC affiliate plans to carry the announcement live and stream it on their website. Thursday at 11 am CDT (noon Eastern) Here's the link: http://www.14wfie.com/ Preview tweets start 15 minutes early: Thanks, Paula

We do post when we expect to be "exceptionally busy" ... on our homepage and the park hours page, and a few others. Doesn't make sense to us not to warn people that if they have flexibility in their schedule they might want to visit another day. We've found it works -- those days end up not being quite as busy. Of course, then I have to answer about a million emails saying "I see you're going to be exceptionally busy -- why is that?" I guess they're worried they might miss something... I couldn't ever see posting an actual number -- especially at the gate. It's almost like a "ha-ha you picked a really bad day to visit" sort of rub-it-in statement, imo. Plus, unless you're a park geek, will the number really mean anything? I've had people say, "Wow! I bet you have 3,000 people here today" when we have 12,000." Telling them would make them feel worse, wouldn't it? Just like if someone thinks it's 95 degrees out, what's the point in telling them it's 105 heat index?" It's one of those "choose your attitude" things, I guess. We posted on our homepage, blog, Facebook, twitter and e-newsletter on Friday that we have planned down-time for Pilgrims Plunge on Tuesday so we can add two more boats to the system. Sure hope enough folks see the notice that we don't get clobbered. They're going to work all night Monday on it and hope it'll be up at least a few hours before close on Tuesday...but as you know it's impossible to predict. We'll see... Paula

Finally got some pretty weather here in Santa Claus. Posted a slide show and more videos for you to study here on the HoliBlog. Threw in a couple of geeky ones of the underside of the lift. Happy Mother's Day! Paula

I hear the view from the top is fabulous. I wouldn't know...couldn't budge my eyes open while riding. It's rather humiliating... Mrs. Koch rode it a bunch and loved it. The two of us were so glam with our mascara smears all over our faces. Thanks, Paula

Just posted a second video ... a bit more up-close-and-personal. This was taken during the first tests of the prototype. Thanks, Paula

We'll have a "splash zone" area ... but not a bridge. Thanks, Paula

Testing continues this afternoon ... with a lower water level in the pool. The elevator testing begins later in the week ... and we should have full-circuit runs early next week. Sorry about the webcam's capacity...we need to look into that. Thanks, Paula

Hang in there, Adam. It's just the first day of testing ... watch as we make our way through the week; there'll be all sorts of adjustments going on. Should be testing the elevators toward the end of the week. Thanks, Paula

Just posted a brief video of one of the test runs. Sploosh! More tomorrow ... with a variety of water depths. Thanks for your kind comments. Paula

All I can say is I'm locking my door and taking the phone off the hook!

It's 36 and snowing....

...in a few minutes, actually. Shortly after 1 pm CDT today, the first boat will be lifted up the drop (about 1/3 of the way up) by crane for the first test. Testing will continue this afternoon and tomorrow morning. Our Pilgrims Plunge construction cam will provide a live view. Thanks, Paula

Sorry about that...what time of the day did you call? That's weird, as there are 2-3 of us here most of the time. Looks like your question has been answered...coaster-club members may bring guests (no limit to the number of guests, as long as you're comfortable vouching for them). Thanks, Paula

Earlier today we announced Holiday World's Feeding Families Food Drive, through which we're hoping to collect 200,000 cans of food for Food Banks throughout a four-state area. In return for each ticket-holder's donation of two canned food items, we'll provide $5 in Holibucks, to be used in the park that day (food, games, souvenirs). Will Koch, Holiday World's owner, explains more in this video. That distracted-by-pizza thing was not an act. Come out and bring your cans! Paula

It's my understanding we aren't throwing away the plans. Thanks, Paula

Actually, it was just decided yesterday to skip the tunnel for this year. You'll still be way down in a trough, but no roof overhead. And yes, the capacity of the ride is high enough that we expect it to shorten the other lines around the park. Thanks, Paula

Will gets down on his knees to present a Geek's Tour (as opposed to a Koch's Tour - ha!) of the new boats on today's videos. Thanks, Paula

A video of today's hoisting is on the HoliBlog. Thanks, Paula

Just posted some photos on the HoliBlog. Video is uploading. That thing scares the bejeemus out of me! Paula

Okay, it's only a few feet, but if you'd like to see a video from the first day of the steel track being hoisted into place, please check out this HoliBlog post. Have a great weekend, Paula Tweeting since before it was cool