Holiday World (HW) Discussion Thread

robbalvey · July 8, 2015

^ We announced the winner on Twitter. Here's the video in case you missed it:

ZeroGravity55 · July 10, 2015

So I was looking at the webcams earlier yesterday and noticed that Thunderbird was down. So I went and checked out the parks FB and Twitter pages to see how many people were complaining. Only two people really complained and turns out The Legend was down too. Let me say this, I can't stand people who think the parks shut these rides down just because they want to and there isn't a legitimate reason for the ride being down.

Now onto Thunderbird. The park was telling people that a important component to the ride need replaced and was being driven from Michigan and they hoped to open the ride mid-afternoon (which it did). This seemed a bit odd to me, as I was trying to think of what competent would be coming from Michigan for the ride itself, which really it could have been anything. So I checked webcam around 4:00, and the ride wasn't up and running yet, but I noticed something that peaked my interests. When you zoom in and out off certain views on the webcam, you can see the "back up" generators for TB. There was about 2 or 3 maintenance trucks parked next to the generators and several maintence guys from HW were walking down the hill. Now the generators fired up little bit after that, as I could see the exhaust smoke from them. I guess what I'm trying to get at is that maybe the important component coming from Michigan needed to run Thunderbird was for the generators. Now that is just speculation on my part, but if that is true, that must mean there really is something wrong with the flywheel setup. If you're just using the generators because you're paying to have them on site and diesel gas is cheap, why not just switch the system over to the flywheel setup when something goes wrong with the generators?

DirkFunk · July 10, 2015

When you zoom in and out off certain views on the webcam, you can see the "back up" generators for TB. There was about 2 or 3 maintenance trucks parked next to the generators and several maintence guys from HW were walking down the hill. Now the generators fired up little bit after that, as I could see the exhaust smoke from them. I guess what I'm trying to get at is that maybe the important component coming from Michigan needed to run Thunderbird was for the generators. Now that is just speculation on my part, but if that is true, that must mean there really is something wrong with the flywheel setup. If you're just using the generators because you're paying to have them on site and diesel gas is cheap, why not just switch the system over to the flywheel setup when something goes wrong with the generators?

At HWN a friend of mine and I were watching those things. I'm guessing they learned the local power grid was totally inadequate even with the assist from the flywheel system and so in came the generators. They're basically the same kind of generators you'd see a carnival company use to power their rides, which tells you just how much juice is required to run this thing if they need three just for one coaster.

ZeroGravity55 · July 10, 2015

^ See, it shouldn't be a problem, as they built their own separate substation to be used for the flywheels. They used the flywheels on media day and I would assume the first couple of weeks of the season. They brought in the generators about 4 weeks into testing as a back up option. They started using them sometime in May. I'm wondering if they started encountering problems when they opened the waterpark and started running Mammoth, Wildebeest, and Thunderbird at the same time. Maybe they need a bigger substation?

SharkTums · July 10, 2015

Kristen and I just had a cute conversation:

KT: Mom, I want to go to a water park.

Me: Ok, well, we live in Orlando so we can do a Disney one or Aquatica sometime this summer.

KT: No, I want to go to the one at Holiday World. It had those awesome slides that we rode together during ERT.

Me: LOL, ok, well, probably not this summer but we'll go back soon I promise!

KT: Yeah, that's my favorite water park, I want to go for 12 hours next time.

Ape · July 10, 2015

^That's awesome. she has been all around the world and still prefers the little park in Indiana. I look forward to these type of conversations with my kids.

kyleparks77 · July 10, 2015

Kristen and I just had a cute conversation:

KT: Mom, I want to go to a water park.

Me: Ok, well, we live in Orlando so we can do a Disney one or Aquatica sometime this summer.

KT: No, I want to go to the one at Holiday World. It had those awesome slides that we rode together during ERT.

Me: LOL, ok, well, probably not this summer but we'll go back soon I promise!

KT: Yeah, that's my favorite water park, I want to go for 12 hours next time.

This is the best marketing a park can have.

Guy T. Koepp · July 10, 2015

^That's awesome. she has been all around the world and still prefers the little park in Indiana. I look forward to these type of conversations with my kids.

Not to sound rude, but HW Isn't the little park in Indiana that you speak of. It's a large park. The waterpark alone is larger than most single entry waterparks in the world. And most of those waterparks would love to have the collection of slides that HW has been accumulating over the years.

I must say, it does have a little park feel. When my family is there, I can't help but feel that we have been invited over to a friends house for a fun day of splashing in their pool, and swinging on their swings in the backyard. Only difference being that Holiday World's backyard is filled with a huge waterpark instead of a pool and amusement rides instead of a swing. I feel like part of an extended family when I am there.

Raven Maven · July 10, 2015

Kristen and I just had a cute conversation:

KT: Mom, I want to go to a water park.

Me: Ok, well, we live in Orlando so we can do a Disney one or Aquatica sometime this summer.

KT: No, I want to go to the one at Holiday World. It had those awesome slides that we rode together during ERT.

Me: LOL, ok, well, probably not this summer but we'll go back soon I promise!

KT: Yeah, that's my favorite water park, I want to go for 12 hours next time.

Awww, how cute! Please tell her we're looking forward to her next visit!

ytterbiumanalyst · July 11, 2015

^That's awesome. she has been all around the world and still prefers the little park in Indiana. I look forward to these type of conversations with my kids.

Not to sound rude, but HW Isn't the little park in Indiana that you speak of. It's a large park. The waterpark alone is larger than most single entry waterparks in the world. And most of those waterparks would love to have the collection of slides that HW has been accumulating over the years.

I must say, it does have a little park feel. When my family is there, I can't help but feel that we have been invited over to a friends house for a fun day of splashing in their pool, and swinging on their swings in the backyard. Only difference being that Holiday World's backyard is filled with a huge waterpark instead of a pool and amusement rides instead of a swing. I feel like part of an extended family when I am there.

This is truth.

cfc · July 11, 2015

Kristen and I just had a cute conversation:

KT: Mom, I want to go to a water park.

Me: Ok, well, we live in Orlando so we can do a Disney one or Aquatica sometime this summer.

KT: No, I want to go to the one at Holiday World. It had those awesome slides that we rode together during ERT.

Me: LOL, ok, well, probably not this summer but we'll go back soon I promise!

KT: Yeah, that's my favorite water park, I want to go for 12 hours next time.

Awww, how cute! Please tell her we're looking forward to her next visit!

Can't say as I blame her. Splashin' Safari is worth it just for Wildebeest and Mammoth.

gp1086 · July 11, 2015

Excluding the Club TPR discount (unfortunately don't visit enough parks to make this worthwhile), any other good deals for Holiday World besides online tickets? Recognize already getting a pretty good deal already with free parking and soda.

HWFan · July 12, 2015

Kristen and I just had a cute conversation:

KT: Mom, I want to go to a water park.

Me: Ok, well, we live in Orlando so we can do a Disney one or Aquatica sometime this summer.

KT: No, I want to go to the one at Holiday World. It had those awesome slides that we rode together during ERT.

Me: LOL, ok, well, probably not this summer but we'll go back soon I promise!

KT: Yeah, that's my favorite water park, I want to go for 12 hours next time.

Awww, how cute! Please tell her we're looking forward to her next visit!

Can't say as I blame her. Splashin' Safari is worth it just for Wildebeest and Mammoth.

It's worth it just for the free drinks!

But seriously, I wonder if people who haven't been to any water parks besides SS think that most water parks have big water coasters. I propose a large new sign/slogan to be added between Wildebeest & Mammoth that says, "FYI, they don't have this at other water parks. Have fun!"

kyleparks77 · July 12, 2015

I just saw the latest HWSS commercial here in Louisville about the "Free Butter Churning Lessons." I really hope this is an actual thing

ZeroGravity55 · July 12, 2015

^ This one?

I remember someone actually posted on the HW's FB and said that they were offended by this commercial. This person said that it was a slap in the face to people who actually did churn butter for a living or something like that. The guy went on to rant about promoting something over butter churning lessons. It was dumb and I got a good chuckle out of it.

kyleparks77 · July 13, 2015

^ what else would you expect in the Age of Perpetual Offense?

Vonni · July 13, 2015

^^ That's so annoying! I don't understand how someone could actually take offense to that! Personally I found the video to be very entertaining!

Edit: Yay, one page closer to 1000!!!! Go Holiday World!

michaellynn4 · July 13, 2015

I'm pretty much a bleeding-heart liberal and try to promote inclusiveness and sensitivity, but even I refuse to pander to this country's "butter-churning" demographic.

Bobby2889 · July 13, 2015

Thinking about taking a trip up to the park tomorrow for my first visit, how have crowds been on weekdays?

Skramp · July 14, 2015

So a little late in my post, but went to HW last Thursday. Overall crowds were light. It poured for about the first hour the park was open, but then turned beautiful. Finally got to ride The Voyage and Raven (Legend and Thunderbird were both down). Gotta say, HW is an amazing park. Felt like a small neighborhood park, but was huge with so much to offer. My boys (twin 8-year olds) thouroughly enjoyed the park and provided some great lines on the frog-hopper to which all the parents around laughed (including "this makes my butt feel like I have to poop" and "this makes my weiner feel funny" Such a proud parenting moment!!!!) But honestly, I loved the park!! Everyone was so nice and friendly and I have to say that I was amazed at how hilly the park was. Wasn't expecting that kind of terrain.

Voyage was amazing and unrelenting. Maybe it's just me in my old age, but my back did get a workout in the turn around section bouncing back and forth in the seat. The ride never lets up and has so many surprises.

Raven was a great coaster!! It's a true example of how you don't have to have a huge hill, 90 degree turns or barrel rolls to have a great coaster. Great use of terrain and trees to provide an amazing experience.

The park was clean, a great value and fun for everyone (even though my boys favorite thing was the playground in the kids area) I would definitely go there again.

On a side note, on our way back to Dayton, OH we stopped in Columbus, IN at The Commons. Anyone with kids in a 2 hour radius of there really needs to go. They have a play structure that is absolutely amazing and is 1 of 20 in the world.

ZeroGravity55 · July 14, 2015

Thinking about taking a trip up to the park tomorrow for my first visit, how have crowds been on weekdays?

If it stays this hot, the dry park lines will be non-existent around noon when everyone files into the waterpark. I also wouldn't expect many people to stick out the full 11 hours the park is open with it being this hot.

HolidayWorldFTW · July 16, 2015

I could REALLY go for some Holiday World right now! (yes even at 12:25AM!) Glad its so close!

So I know this post is random, but anyone heard of when they plan on stopping production on Thunderbird Ice Cream? (Paula feel free to answer too if you can! lol) I really don't want to miss out on the last run of it. It's some of the most amazing ice cream.

kyleparks77 · July 16, 2015

^ I don't know how the deal with PF is worked out, but I really hope they continue to serve it in the park season after season

Raven Maven · July 16, 2015

Thunderbird Ice Cream is part of Prairie Farms' "Critics Choice" series ... meaning they keep it on the shelves for a set amount of time and then there's a new flavor to take its place. I believe our flavor will be available a few more months. Glad you like it!

The Great Zo · July 16, 2015

A few quick pictures from a trip to Holiday World on Monday -- my first visit since the #66minutesofsleeptour (and the trip report from that is coming, uh, eventually...)

I enjoyed Thunderbird more than I thought I would -- certainly more than Gatekeeper or X-Flight.

The woodies were all running pretty well, but they were seatbelt-stapling on every ride, which I found a little strange (and a little uncomfortable).