HolidayWorldFTW

Rayvon Owen has made it into the top 16 on American Idol!

He is actually quite good! It really says something about the quality that Holiday World searches for in all aspects of its park when one of its former performers makes it to the top 24 on American Idol! I'm not surprised though, the shows at Holiday World have reallyy gone up a few notches in the past I would say 10 years or so. I hope he ends up mentioning the park at some point in his journey on the show!

I'm watching American Idol and the guy that at one time in recent history was a Holiday World performer has made it into the top 24 where America votes. There has been no mention of his time at Holiday World yet, but I would not be surprised if he makes it even further if we don't here about it on the show.

Up here in the Evansville area we are dealing with very very low temps too. I believe we are under a wind chill warning or whatever they call it, during the day the temp is in the teens with wind chills in the single digits. At night it's temps in the the single digits with the wind chill going negative. Bitter bitter cold. I doubt HW really cares much if such a machine can or how well it would operate in such conditions, lol.

We are getting heavy snow here today. Forecasted 10 inches and dropping temps, there won't be any testing today I can gaurentee that. However if you'd like to experience what we are here in southern Indiana today the cameras show a good view of the heavy falling snow.

Wow that's incredible. So hard to believe that's at Holiday World!

Paula - I'd LOVE to see you Matt, Leah and Loren do an elf yourself video lol!

I wouldn't be surprised if testing started by then. Too bad it won't be human testing though. I'm gonna feel real jealous of the test dummies lol

I believe Paula made a post that at this rate the limited edition blueprints will be sold out by Saturday! I guess they are selling like hot cakes! They would make amazing gifts! And I'm solo getting an orange is the new track shirt. They are always selling the coolest stuff even during the off season. Just another reason I love this park so so much. Everything they touch just turns to pure happiness and fun.

I've seen Holiday World billboards in Tennessee as well. I could easily see the park hitting 1.5 million next year. They have certainly worked on the park enough to handle that many. I see 2 million not next season but not too far in the future either. I still see their Holiday World Hotel trademark is still active too. I really see them branching out and making it a resort like place in the future. They have big plans I think, and they always have. They just have a very measured and methodical method to their insane expansion projects. I've seen them do so many things that didn't make COMPLETED sense until years later when they expanded more and then I have a "oh THATS why they did that" moment. They are well on their way.

Anyone else notice it looks like Paula had them hid pieces of whatever ride is being moved, behind Thunderbirds support and the operators hut they built? If you look closely it does indeed look like a piece of the Sparkler hiding in there.

So can I kinda sorta say I nailed it? Lol I was sorta right. BYW Paula, since your here, I just want to say THANK YOU for everything. And pass that on to all others behind the scenes. The pre announcement was the best ever campaign, the announcement itself was epic, and all the hard hat chronicles, pictures, extra surprises have been stellar. I've never seen a park put so much "extra" into a project so that their guests can stay connected to the park even in the off season. You guys continually surprise me weekly in amazing ways. No doubt about it, you guys are certainly special and one of a kind! Thanks so much!

Sorta off topic, has anyone rode the sparkler here? I never have. Always looked like something that might make me dizzy. Is it a pretty fun ride?

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That red stump really does look like the Sparklers, and I didn't even think about the banners. I do think the sparkler would be a good choice though. It would look awesome there, and the views would be incredible.

Also, I'm not convinced it's the sparkler. It would be a cool ride to have right there, but wouldn't they also have to change the light package somewhat to match the new theme?

I think they will dress up/ hide the area/concrete pad for the upcoming season and then a new ride will be announced for the following season.

I'm super curious which ride is moving. So many rides there could make a good fit!

Haven't posted in here in a couple of months but felt now that the track is complete there are a few things I wanted to comment on. First off, I've been a fan of the color scheme since day one, but now to actually see it in real life, it's even better than I expected. Also I'm not quite as surprised they have track work done so soon. If they really are doing all the themeing plans that were in the video, that alone will take quite some time. Although three weeks early is extremely impressive and o send congrats to all who have made that possible! Another thing, I'm still in awe that this is at Holiday World. The same Holiday World I grew up with where the most exciting rides were the Banshee and the Firecracker(neither still there). I keep waiting to wake up from this incredible dream. Also, I'm SO glad all the nonsense the family and park has been through is finally over. THIS my friends was Will's vision and dream.... It's as plain as day. Not only is HW back, but they are back better than ever and this project is clear proof. Also, after watching the video again and then looking at the completed track, I don't think the video gave this thing justice at all. This is going to be a way better experience than that video back in July gave us to believe. I'm so so incredibly impressed and proud of my home park for this. They have come so so far and fought many battles to get this far. Again, are we REALLY getting this thing here in southern Indiana? Wow. I'm also a bit taken back (in a very very good way) that we haven't even heard or seen the "whole story" so to speak. Moving a ride to Thunderbird plaza? Yes please! More theming and elements? Your joking right? What other tricks are up their sleeves there at Holiday World? And from what I'm hearing/ reading from that latest video, that whole Thunderbird plaza really will all be part of the experience and the story. ACK! Opening day can't get here soon enough! So excited to give this thing a whirl as my first park ride since my stroke!

Looks like they are getting ready to put up the supports for the immelman!

Hmm, I wonder what the station rhyme is going to be for Thunderbird. Throughout the year I'm always humming to myself, "People come from far and wide to laugh and scream on the Pilgrim's pride. Now it's time to sail away, your voyage begins without delay." I wonder this as well! Me and my family always say the different station rhymes to each other in the dead of winter when we are missing and wanting some Holiday World time. I bet it keeps with the legend Holiday World has created. It seems such a small thing, but those rhymes actually do add to the whole experience of the rides, the park, and the fun.

Im going to assume so. I think they did the same thing with The Voyage. Thats what made me search for the lawyer name instead of Koch Development LLC in the trademark database. The Voyage is now under Koch Development now.

Yea I had actually figured out about Croatoan LLC and the name Thunderbird before the annoucement. I didn't say anything beyond that "my guess is its gonna be called Thunderbird" I know there is one other on this forum that also discovered it before the announcement because we had messaged each other about it. lol. Still we never could find out what KIND of coaster it wads going to be. Just the name really. So it never ruined the surprise for me, and reading about Croatoan was interesting and educational to me as well.

I'm surprised Mammoth doesn't fare better than wildebeest. The wildebeest is an awesome ride, don't get me wrong, but I think the mammoth is better even yet. Surprise zoombabwe didn't get a mention for best water park ride either. I'm pretty sure in previous years it's been on the list. Not #1 but it's been there. I also don't see Dollywoods staff as being more friendly either. But yea I'm biased so it's whatever lol. Congrats to HW they work hard and deserve every single award and accolade they ever get.

There isn't much that they don't continue to outdo themselves with year after year, lol. Skillet at Rock the World would be AMAZING! But they did manage to get Mandisa and some other big names in the past couple years. Eric Camp came too once I believe.