Holiday World (HW) Discussion Thread

[HolidayWorldFTW]

^^ As far as I know, most of Southern Indiana is filled with Christian people, or people who don't care about what Christian people do, therefore it isn't a big deal that Christiany things are in the park.

 

It's actually EXPECTED from most people beforoe they even go to the park. The Koch family is a family of christians.... its a family owned and operated park... of course their beliefs will be key to how they run the business.... it sure as heck hasn't hurt their business any. I"ve seen their Gospel show a few times... its actually REALLY good! I think we it comes to themeing of areas and rides we need to remember how they have done things like Gobbler Getaway... They made it VERY clear when that ride came out that the reason you are calling turkeys and not shooting them is because they didn't see that as being appropriate for a family theme park. Believe it or not, its those kinds of things that really make HW stand out even more than any other park. They stick to their values no matter what... its not all about just making money for them. That family TRULY LOVES to be able to give people a clean family friendly, super fun, and economically feasible place to go and have summer fun.That may be how their park has been so successful but the reason wasn't just to make gobs of money. I think we should keep that in mind when trying to guess future themeing for rides or areas......the money part comes 2nd to their values.

[ZeroGravity55]

I think it's important to note that the park has to walk a fine line in how they theme each section of their park and how they would do so with new sections moving forward. Most holidays we celebrate are connected to something religious or something ethical. They have to walk a fine line in how they theme rides in each section. In today's society, you don't want to offend anybody or any group of people for that matter.

 

You've seen the manger scene at Holiday World, right? Case closed.

 

In addition to this, one of the park's 3 major shows is a Gospel show that they seem very proud of. Plus, Holiday World hosts a large Christian concert every year that they advertise heavily. Perhaps their "line" isn't as fine as one may think?

 

Let me kind of explain what I meant. I'm a history major (trying to be a high school history teacher) and I have a very good understanding of the history of most holidays. History is not a pretty thing. When made my I original post, I wasn't necessarily talking about religion or what Christianity has to do with the Christmas section or potential Easter section. Both theming ideas (In my next post responding to this message) I mentioned for Easter (Easter bunnies, eggs, and jellybeans/candy) and Christmas (Reindeer and Santa) just make sense for each section, it had nothing to do with Christianity. I mentioned religion because it is associated with most holidays. It is a hot topic in a lot countries, not necessarily America, but i thought it was worth mentioning. I didn't mean to really cause any confusion or uproar about that. Looking back, I probably should have been a little more clear. I was mainly talking about themeing a holiday section or ride based off the history of the holiday kind of like they're doing with Thanksgiving right now. There are certain holiday's where you have to pick the bad from the good in terms of history. For example, we're all taught that the Indians helped the Pilgrims learn how to survive the elements in New England when they first arrived in the New World. What is not mentioned is how some Native Americans feel this contact between the Pilgrims and Indians was the start of decimation of millions of Indians here in America. The Indians helping the Pilgrims can be related to Thanksgiving, obviously, but that it something you should probably try to avoid theming into a ride or even showcasing in the Thanksgiving section given the sensitivity the subject has among Native American people. There are certain things in history that are still very touchy subjects to some people today and some of them are related to a few holidays. I was basically just saying you have to be careful in choosing good from bad, as you can still easily offend some people, even if you didn't mean too. Of course I don't think this is going happen at Holiday World, but I mentioned it because I think it's something you have to take into consideration with new Holiday themed sections and possible new ride names.

[HolidayWorldFTW]

ZeroGravity - I agree completely with what you are saying. The good news is, is that HW is GREAT at that kind of stuff. I don't think ya caused an uproar at all lol. I think we were just mainly contemplating which holidays they would be willing to do and which would be harder or easier for them to do. Christmas alone isn't easy to do these days when it comes to being politically correct, but HW has been doing Christmas since their inception of course and they have it nailed to the point that my non Christian friends never feel offended when going to the park. It's very very tasteful I guess is the word.

[Rollercoaster Rider]

Well the city is Santa Claus, Indiana.

 

And the park opened as Santa Claus Land in 1946. And has had Santa Claus since.

 

It's not like you go to the park and go "Wait, this is Religious themed?"

[OneOfTheWills]

Alright, so back to coasters.

 

I've read reports that of the footers that can be seen at Holiday World, some of them have an almond shaped hole cut out of the top with six rods (probably bolts?) arranged in a pattern around the hole. Does this give us any more insight into who's design we could be looking at?

[LogBur]

^I've read the same from a local on another site. He indicated that some of the footings have six bolts with the "almond" cutout and that they look similar to Banshee's.

 

Banshee footings for reference:

 

I know the number of bolts isn't a dead giveaway because B&M seems to use 4-8 depending on column size and load characteristics but do other manufacturers aside from B&M use the (oval/almond) notched footers?

Edited June 29, 2014 by LogBur

[GrapesLie]

^ Actually I know both Intamin and Mack's footer notches are rectangle so we may just have confirmation of a B&M coaster. I sure hope it's a speed coaster!

[glouthan]

Also, I believe that Premier uses "I" shaped notches, so that rules out another manufacturer. A B&M coaster would be great for this park! Maybe we could see the first launched B&M?

[RyanTPM]

^With the strange looking track seen at the manufacturing plant it could be possible!

[spidermonkey317]

What strange looking track?

[RyanTPM]

^there is pictures in the 'The Mysterious Yellow B&M!' thread.

[Fear&Loathing19]

Clearly a Premier Rides LIM (Flight of Fear) clone... No jinx. .. Jk

[OneOfTheWills]

^With the strange looking track seen at the manufacturing plant it could be possible!

 

I hopped over to the 'The Mysterious Yellow B&M!' thread and it looks like the orange track (or red depending on the post) could be something of a first for B&M. What are the chances this is true? Could Holiday World be setting themselves apart with a B&M first?

[rcjp]

^4th dimension??

[ZeroGravity55]

When I was at the park about 10 days ago, the bolts and cut outs for the footers were not visible to me from where I was viewing at on Hyena Falls. I have pretty good eye sight, but I wasn't really looking for them either.

[RyanTPM]

^With the strange looking track seen at the manufacturing plant it could be possible!

 

I hopped over to the 'The Mysterious Yellow B&M!' thread and it looks like the orange track (or red depending on the post) could be something of a first for B&M. What are the chances this is true? Could Holiday World be setting themselves apart with a B&M first?

 

The track certainly looks like a first for B&M yes. But would Holiday world really approach them asking for a new design? I'd expect them to maybe go for a wing rider.

[OneOfTheWills]

^With the strange looking track seen at the manufacturing plant it could be possible!

 

I hopped over to the 'The Mysterious Yellow B&M!' thread and it looks like the orange track (or red depending on the post) could be something of a first for B&M. What are the chances this is true? Could Holiday World be setting themselves apart with a B&M first?

 

The track certainly looks like a first for B&M yes. But would Holiday world really approach them asking for a new design? I'd expect them to maybe go for a wing rider.

 

Holiday World always tries to set the park apart by having something unique with their marquee rides. Would Holiday World asking for a new design be too far from their norm? I don't think so.

[Diamondbacker27]

Also, I believe that Premier uses "I" shaped notches, so that rules out another manufacturer. A B&M coaster would be great for this park! Maybe we could see the first launched B&M?

What about Hulk?

[Midgetman82]

^Another company was brought in to make the tire-drive for The Hulk since B&M, as far as I was told, "refused" to do it. This might be the first time B&M dealt with doing their own launches... if all rumors were to be true.

[Superbatboy]

A B&M would be a huge investment for HW, have they ever spent $18 million or more on a single attraction in the past? Just curious

[RyanTPM]

If it's nothing unusual for Holiday World to ask manufacturers for a new design then it's possible they could have a totally new B&M. But as said above, the cost would make me think against this. And with this being a totally new design, wouldn't it cost more? But we also don't know Holiday World's budget, so maybe they can afford this anyway.

[OneOfTheWills]

^I'm sure there would be some added cost but if it's a design B&M has already been working on then the cost, I'm presuming, would not be far beyond a similar ride design.

[Rollercoaster Rider]

A B&M would be a huge investment for HW, have they ever spent $18 million or more on a single attraction in the past? Just curious

 

 

I remember Holiday World saying Mammoth was the most they ever spent ($9m) on a standalone attraction. Guess they've saved some pennies with Hyena Falls and Mayflower.

[ZeroGravity55]

I think the park has more money to spend then we might think, especially if they've been following some sort long term plan leading up to this year being the year they were targeting for big expansion. Not saying they knew what rides they were going to add. From my understanding, plans for adding certain rides from certain companies is always consistently changing in this business. They've just known that they were going to be making a major expansion in 2015, which would lead them to spend their money wisely with the thought of saving up for 2015.

[Ed Farmer]

Am I the only one who has been picturing a new New Year's Day section? I've had this idea for years. A giant ferris wheel themed like a clock. A drop ride themed like the Times Square Ball. A dark ride about time travel maybe? A few flat rides and restaurants themed around different countries around the world and how they celebrate New Year's Day?

 

They can even have a soundtrack consisting entirely of one song, forever stuck on repeat.