Photo TR: Holiwood Nights 2010

[BeemerBoy]

Holiwood Nights 2010.

 

First off, big thanks to Will, Pat, Paula, and everyone who works tirelessly to put on a great enthusiast event year after year. While you may love or hate certain things about the park and its rides, it's undeniable that the family behind this place truly loves and cares deeply for this place....and it shows!

 

Okay, let's jump right into it. I pretty much enjoyed The Voyage when we visited Holiwood Nights in the coaster's opening year. Now, well, how do I put this? Hey, Wildebeest was really fun!

 

As for Wildebeest, I was very impressed. While I didn't have any other master blaster-type slide reference to base an opinion on, this one certainly delivered. The length, the setting and placement of the ride, the airtime - it all just really works well. We managed to get 2 rides during Saturday morning ERT, and there's no question that it's a great addition to the park.

 

Pilgrim's Plunge was a first for me as well. While the ride itself basically sucked (I forgive you guys...even Babe Ruth struck out once or twice), I have a HUGE compliment for Holiday World. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for designing it with access from Spashin' Safari!! I can't stress enough how awesome it is to walk from the water park to the ride in your suit and sandals, and NOT have to worry about walking around in soaking wet clothes and soggy shoes the rest of the day. Seriously, this needs to happen at more parks.

 

And speaking of the water park, we ended up spending a good portion of our day there, as opposed to our last visit several years ago. The park definitely seems more complete now thanks to several additions, and we really enjoyed it!

 

Raven is still awesome.

 

Anyway, it was good times with good friends, and it was nice to meet several others for the first time!

 

Picture pages....

I-69.

The battle for holiday supremacy begins beyond this sign.

If you don't take this pic upon entering, Pat Koch takes you out back and pistol whips you.....or so I've heard.

This is Rick and Gyendolynne. They're awesome.

These trains can cure cancer, make a mean microbrew, and clean up disastrous oil spills.

Until they are utilized, this is the Voyage's "magic seat" - a park bench just out of view.

People were still worshiping the TLs, so the station was empty at first.

These are either subwoofers for their new hooptie, or shock absorbers for the seats.

The Timberliner had Gyendolynne channeling the Japanese, and since I didn't have a clean TPR shirt with me, their magical powers provided a ghetto Club TPR shirt.

 

Or Paint.net came into play.

Stalker shot.

 

(kangaroo, dingo, and wallaby not pictured)

 

Hi, Cam!

The next morning, we learned that there certainly is more than just corn in Indiana. There's pink elephants holding martini glasses too.

When they're not molesting alter boys, those Catholics can be quite clever.

Hi, I'm a clue to what's coming to Holiday World next year!

Wildebeest! I didn't take any pics, so you'll have to make do with this.

Stay classy, Indiana.

At least they weren't sitting on this.

He knows what's coming next year too.

On my last visit, I didn't *like* or *hate* Legend. This time all I can say is that I like the howling sound at the top of the first drop.

I also like the bell. Oh, and there's unlimited Gatorade waiting for you when you exit the ride.

 

I'm trying here. Really, I am.

Ride sign.

Ride.

Okay, now there's the real gem of Holiday World.

But that bird can be a real bastard sometimes.

Christmas. Not "x-mas."

Random park picture.

"Am I responsible for creating a line at the smashed pennies machine?"

I'm not too concerned about this weekend's match. We already beat the Brits in something a bit more important.

That S&S tower back there is highly underrated.

 

 

Stay tuned. More on the way....

[08stien]

Like the humor!

Has Voyage really gotten that much rougher from just last year? I didn't notice much difference between opening year and last year, won't get to ride this year for a couple of weeks.

[thrillrider]

Nice pictures.

 

One question though...Why does the fountain say epcot on it? Did it come from Disney?

[robbalvey]

At least I'm not the only one who finds Raven to be their favorite woodie at Holiday World. Not that I really dislike the others, I just don't like them as much as other people do. I've never had a bad ride on The Raven, and it's a coaster that I can ride over and over and over again for hours. Which is exactly why it has been in my top ten for 15 years now!

 

--Robb

[BeemerBoy]

I think there might be hippies living in the Voyage's tunnels. Either that, or some cows took a crap, and then died in there. Just sayin'.

Yep.

New carousel credit for us. Yay!

"And his name shall be....Zephyr."

While this shirt doesn't really count, Club TPR membership certainly has its benefits. Hang tight for proof.

"Go on, darlin'. I'm just gonna hang right here and watch over our new plastic M-16 assault rifles. I'll catch up with you guys later over by baby Jesus."

These are not good.

But they didn't stop Rick from smiling.

And since the Beachcombers (along with special guest, Will Koch on bass) were playing at the picnic pavilion next door, Shan felt like getting her groove on.

Gravy joke.

More gravy jokes.

No complaints about the food they served! Good stuff.

Why must I feel like that,

Why must I chase the cat....

The number "1" represents the total number of rides I was willing to subject my body to that evening.

Those are not tie down straps. Those are the innards of that water dummy.

Voyage was running in permanent blurry mode for the event.

It also substitutes as the perfect hair dryer.

Paging Meggan Peak and Steven Gumm. You nametags miss you.

On our way home, I learned that Indiana makes clouds.

You heard it here first. And it's got "Golden Ticket" written all over it!

To make up for no Timberliners, Club TPR members had access to this special perk back at Santa's Lodge.

As for how you gain access, it's kind of like ordering something "animal style" at In-N-Out. It's not on the menu, and you have to know who to speak to. It's very hush hush, and on the QT, but membership certainly has its privileges.

 

Join today!!

Thanks for viewing. We hope you enjoyed!

[TheStig]

 

I like this holiday. More of this holiday please.

[ParkTrips]

Great report dude

 

Hi, I'm a clue to what's coming to Holiday World next year!

Nazi Christmas?

 

Why must I feel like that,

Why must I chase the cat....

I'm just going to pretend that 1. you didn't go there and 2. I didn't recognize it

 

Paging Meggan Peak and Steven Gumm. You nametags miss you.

They were last seen taking their seat belts off on Raven..

[Cameron]

Great report, Scott .. And really nice to finally meet you (if only briefly). Your feelings towards Holiday World are pretty much the same as mine, however I actually thought that Voyage was running better than it has the last few years (still no-where near as well as it did opening year though). Huge props to the park for taking so much care of the coasters, and (with regards to Voyage) continue to work hard to improve the ride as much as possible. I mean anyone can build a crazy, aggressive coaster - the challenge is to make it rideable.

 

But that said, Raven is still my baby! The layout, setting, and feel of the ride is just unmatched by pretty much any other wood coaster I've ridden. We closed-out ERT with a Raven marathon on Saturday night, and it was just running so well. The crew was awesome too, and it was just a terrifically fun time. Even if Legend and Voyage didn't exist, I'd still gladly make the trek down there just for Raven.

 

Cameron.

[cfc]

At least I'm not the only one who finds Raven to be their favorite woodie at Holiday World. Not that I really dislike the others, I just don't like them as much as other people do. I've never had a bad ride on The Raven, and it's a coaster that I can ride over and over and over again for hours. Which is exactly why it has been in my top ten for 15 years now!

 

--Robb

 

Same here, although I like Voyage a lot, too.

 

"Am I responsible for creating a line at the smashed pennies machine?"

 

Rick is the Big Mike of penny machines.

 

Good stuff, Scott. I'm looking forward to ride or two on Wildebeest during the Mid-America Trip. It's also good to know that proper homage is still being paid to the most awesome costume ever designed for a Star Wars flick.

[Emiroo]

Why does the fountain say epcot on it? Did it come from Disney?

 

That's the Applause Award Fountain.

 

From Wikipedia: In 2005, Holiday World received the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions' Applause Award. Holiday World is the smallest park to ever receive the Applause Award. The park marked the award by installing a large version of the award (applauding hands) and commemorative plaques naming the other winning parks in the fountain located in the Christmas section.

[cgodsey]

It was nice to meet you and the mrs Saturday night!

 

I am really hoping the TL trains improve the Voyage experience. In the two days at the park I rode it a grand total of 1 time. However I did ride the Raven 6 times (most coaster rides of the trip for me). Natalee was so tired, she didn't ride one coaster! Wildebeest is the read deal though. Totally craps on Master Blaster!

[BeemerBoy]

^ Same here, man. Great meeting you and Natalee! We definitely hope to catch up with you guys again somewhere down the line.

 

Has Voyage really gotten that much rougher from just last year? I didn't notice much difference between opening year and last year, won't get to ride this year for a couple of weeks.

Here's my honest thoughts on Voyage. As I've said before, I really did enjoy it in its opening year. I couldn't marathon the thing, but it wasn't too intense or rough enough to dissuade me from getting back in line several times over the course of the evening either.

 

I used to describe it as "uber aggressive," but bearable. This time around, I found myself really fighting it, and holding on with a death grip to prevent possible injury. Don't get me wrong, I may look slim and fragile, but I have an athletic background, and was never one to shy away from physicality. With that said, I found the ride borderline violent this year. When I got to the hotel room Friday night, I had NEVER in my life felt as spent as I did after several rides on Voyage. Never.

 

To me, that's just not the mark of a quality coaster. Of course, as I'm typing this, another thought has occurred. Perhaps it's more the fact that the ride is simply a 1/3 too long? If it ended somewhere after the triple down, maybe we wouldn't be having this conversation. Hmmm....

 

 

Anyway, thanks for the compliments!

 

LOL @ Joe.

 

Rick is the Big Mike of penny machines.

Indeed!

 

Great report, Scott .. And really nice to finally meet you (if only briefly).Huge props to the park for taking so much care of the coasters, and (with regards to Voyage) continue to work hard to improve the ride as much as possible. I mean anyone can build a crazy, aggressive coaster - the challenge is to make it rideable.

Yeah, definitely nice to finally meet up! We'll catch you again, I'm sure. Good point about props to Holiday World. Their coasters may not get unanimous positive reviews, but I DO respect them for trying their best to maintain them as well as possible!

 

It should also be mentioned that we really appreciate the park providing each Holiwood Nights participant with a free ticket to visit again anytime during the current season, thus giving the chance to ride Voyage once the TLs are operational. They didn't have to do this.......and it's much appreciated!

 

I've never had a bad ride on The Raven, and it's a coaster that I can ride over and over and over again for hours. Which is exactly why it has been in my top ten for 15 years now!

Same. That's the mark of a quality ride for me.

[Coaster Palooza]

Great Trip Report Scott! It was spot on and your reviews of Voyage are the same as mine. I wish it was re-rideable. It was the first year, but the second year it got rough. This was our 3rd time to the park and we couldn't ride Voyage as much as we did in its first year. Raven is awesome! It ends at the right time. Legend was rough as well.

 

The waterpark was the highlight of the weekend. We really appreciated hanging out with the 2 of you and I will be the second one to thank Holiday World for having the walkway to Pilgrims Plunge.

 

I can't believe that there is a line for the smashed penny machines. Word is getting around...

[Steelinwood]

Does the voyage really need to be improved?

[spaceace12]

Does the voyage really need to be improved?

 

I think this is in the eye of the person who rides it. Personally, no. But others say yes.

[moinab]

"Go on, darlin'. I'm just gonna hang right here and watch over our new plastic M-16 assault rifles. I'll catch up with you guys later over by baby Jesus."

 

Best caption of the year!

 

You never let me down, my friend!

[timberskara]

This had me rolling, kudos!

 

It was nice meeting the two of you in line for PP. Steve (who slept through my group's morning PP run) pointed you guys out later that night and I made the mistake of telling him you seemed like nice "normal" enthusiasts...now I'm not so sure !

[Cameron]

Perhaps it's more the fact that the ride is simply a 1/3 too long? If it ended somewhere after the triple down, maybe we wouldn't be having this conversation.

 

For me it's the turn-around that really does me in .. If that was a simple u-turn (like Shivering Timbers), or even something slightly more interesting like the turn-around on Magnum, I would probably enjoy the ride a whole lot more. But that section of the ride now just seems like such a mess - the turns aren't banked right, and there's really no flow (all my opinion of course); but it's just brutal.

 

Cameron.

[BeemerBoy]

^ Ya know, thinking back on it, you got a point. That turnaround section is kind of wonky, except for the 90 degree part (which I really like). Overall, the section's not *horrible* to me, but it does set the stage for a loooong, tough trip back to the station.

 

This had me rolling, kudos!

 

It was nice meeting the two of you in line for PP. Steve (who slept through my group's morning PP run) pointed you guys out later that night and I made the mistake of telling him you seemed like nice "normal" enthusiasts...now I'm not so sure !

LOL. Yeah, we like to think of ourselves as nice and outgoing folks. "Normal"? Never.

 

Anyway, it was nice meeting you. You should've flagged us down when Steve pointed us out. I never like to miss a chance to punch, er, shake a Gator fan's hand. Maybe we'll see you guys down in O-town sometime soon though!

 

 

Rick - Thanks, man. Yeah, the water park was definitely the highlight of the trip.Really glad you guys joined us for that part!

 

Maureen - Thanks! I try my best.

[ernierocker]

I'm not too concerned about this weekend's match. We already beat the Brits in something a bit more important.

 

I like what you did there!

 

Great report as usual. Although, there was one negative to it. As far as I could tell, there wasn't one Big Lebowski reference to be found.

[DOCTOR DOOM!!!]

At least I'm not the only one who finds Raven to be their favorite woodie at Holiday World. Not that I really dislike the others, I just don't like them as much as other people do. I've never had a bad ride on The Raven, and it's a coaster that I can ride over and over and over again for hours. Which is exactly why it has been in my top ten for 15 years now!

 

--Robb

 

The woodies at Holiday World are in 3 different classes cause I'll never understand the OMFG RAVEN IS #1!!! people. Nothing against yall and Raven is great but... Legend pwns Raven! So does Boss... and Thunder Run... just IMHO!

 

Kanye "Great ride Raven and imma let you finish... BUT VOYAGE IS ONE OF THE BEST COASTER OF ALL TIME!!!" West

[PKI Jizzman]

Thankfully I'm not the only one who doesn't like Pilgrim's Plunge! Or likes Raven as much as Voyage and wayyy more than Legend!

 

Great stuff Scott!

 

-Zach

[Sue]

Count me as a Raven fan as well. I do enjoy the others as well, but Raven is the only one of them in my Top 10.

 

Great TR, Scott!

[spaceace12]

Thankfully I'm not the only one who doesn't like Pilgrim's Plunge! Or likes Raven as much as Voyage and wayyy more than Legend!

 

Great stuff Scott!

 

-Zach

 

Plunge would be great as a water park ride (I know technically it is both, but it being so far from the water park makes it not viable for me to be considered a water park ride). Plunge has one thing I love for a water park ride, no steps!!!!! This is another reason I love Wildebeest. Reriding the slides are a pain if you want to do them more then 10 times because of the stairs.

[triggernel]

Just curious, how long does Wildebeast's lift take?

 

Is it quicker than a normal person traversing a set of steps to the same height?

 

Thanks!