Erik Johnson Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 (edited) Theme Park Review visits Holiday World on TPR's Middle America Trip! This is a special day for both Holiday World and TPR as Theme Park Review had "bought" 9 of the park directors at an auction hosted by the park with proceeds going to the Tennessee flood victims. It was an amazing day filled with backstage tours and getting a very in depth look at how the park operates. Read on.... Remember, can follow the tour LIVE on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/robbalvey Theme Park Review is at Holiday World! TPR comes through the secret entrance! We started off with a behind the scenes walk to Raven. Walkin through the woods...walkin through the woods! That's where we are heading! Yes! First rides on Raven!!! Hooray! Raven! It was awesome to start our day on TPR's favorite coaster at Holiday World! And when Voyage opened for the day we were first riders on that too! Today was a special day for both TPR and Holiday World. In May, Holiday World auctioned off several of the park directors for a private two hour tour around the park, front of the line access to several rides and the opportunity to have a one-of-a-kind experience at the park. The proceeds went to the Tennessee flood victims and we got enough tours for everyone in the group! In fact we bought nine directors in total!!! Our first director of the day was Lori, director of Splashin' Safari! KidTums was given a private swimming lesson... ...While Robb and Elissa got to ride Wildebeast! Lori also took us on Zingo! "Hey everyone! Check out my man boobs!" KidTums is still doing awesome in the wave pool! Next we went on a backstage tour of the water park! Fun fact! Each life guard is assigned their own floatation device and it is theirs for the entire season. Lori tells us that helps cut down on wear and tear of these items as the life guards treat them as their own. They have to replace these expensive items leas frequently. HW19.bmp Water filtration is very important at Holiday World and they even chlorinate rides like Pilgrims Plunge, the Log Ride, and the Rapids. The puzzle program is one of the employee incentive programs at Holiday World. Coins are given to an employee who does well and when the coin is turned in a piece of the puzzle is added. When the puzzle is complete, the management puts on a special surprise for all the employees! Here was May's puzzle. Then June. And July... HW24.bmp And August is yet to be completed. HW25.bmp Lori showed us her office. Here she is very hard at work! And like the floatation devices, cleaning equipment is assigned to each staff member for the season. HW27.bmp We took a little drive around the park property. Holiday World owns all the land you see here. Plenty of room for expansion! HW28.bmp Yup, this is all Holiday World land as well. HW29.bmp Hey look! There is corn in Indiana!!! Yay! It's Wildebeest! Let's go check out the ride. This little device helps the ride ops "pulse boost" the boats in the case they need to e-Stop and evac the ride. Each of the 8 LIM sections has one of these power boxes next to it. Feel the power!!! Each of the LIM areas has a evac platform and a control panel. This power and computer room is the heart of Wildebeest. A lot of gray boxes help make the ride go. Here is the rides computer system and audio system. We took some time to play in the water park for a few hours. KidTums played in Monsoon Lagoon as she was able to ride all the slides on this structure. One of the groups got to hang out on a backstage tour with Samantha, who rode Pilgrims Plunge for the first time with TPR. Samantha's group was given one of those "puzzle piece" coins and the group was asked to hand it to the best employee they saw at the park that day. Matt's group went into the maintenance area of Voyage... And got to check out the new Timberliner trains. Lori's group went behind the scenes at some of the entertainment venues... Jason's group went behind these scenes at the park's restaurants for a kitchen tour... The "Pizza Vault!" "Hey Byran! Here's a few salads for you!" And with all that talk about food, it's time for TPR to eat! Mr. Ham is having a great day at Holiday World so far! Pat Koch came out and spoke to the group and even led one of our groups backstage tours. And the real celebrity of Holiday World came to hang out with us, Holidog! Paula Werne (Raven Maven) led our group tour... We headed back to the Thanksgiving section of the park for a behind the scenes look at one of their newest attractions... Pilgrim's Plunge! First we checked out the operations panel. If you want to build a Pilgrim's Plunge in your back yard, you'll need all of this. TPR hanging out with the head Pilgrim himself! We took a walk out to the elevator lift structure. Got to stand right underneath while the ride operated! Hello world!!! We all took lots of pictures. The underside of a boat! Elevator lift control panel. Pilgrims Plunge side view. The main support structure. And of course we all wanted to ride! Ready to go up? And here we are coming down! Its a great ride! (It's Intamin!) Here is the main control room for Pilgrim's Plunge. Power room! They keep 30% of an upside down man nearby just in case they get hungry during the day. Pilgrim's Plunge really is an awesome ride!!! We went back over to Wildebeest to get photos from the "crow's nest." Have we mentioned how awesome it is that there is a lift hill on the ride? See ya later! "How's it going everyone?" Internet theme park celebrities unite! Paula gave us a great behind the scenes tour of Wildebeest. Lots of great photo opportunities! Check out the lift hill! Here is the conveyor system that moves the boats up the lift. Pat Koch gave a tour of several of the parks different facilities. The park has a huge laundry facility. The kitchen of Plymouth Rock Cafe. Having fun hanging out with the group! Pat gives us a bit of history on Holiday World. And then we were off on a photo walkback tour of The Voyage! NINETY DEGREES!!! First drop on The Voyage! YAY! Voyage back stage tour! NINETY DEGREES!!! Going from one tunnel to the next. "Hopefully The Voyage doesn't need this piece!" You can almost see the train through the massive structure! More Voyage first drop goodness!!! Oh yeah...KidTums got her Howler credit!!' TPR had an amazing day at Holiday World... Hands up if you had a great day!!! On the bus ride that night we played a new version of Elissa Bingo...this time around it was Elissa Bingo in the literal sense... Elissa playing Bingo! Colin was out first winner and he got a Jeff Johnson action figure! Brad won a Voyage shirt. Ooh! That pink shirt looks very sexy on you!!! Elissa has a lot of brown chocolate balls! Mike won a princess activity book! Edsley also got a nice and sexy Holiday World shirt! We had and awesome day... Even the bus ride was fun! Next stop... Indiana Beach! Edited August 13, 2010 by robbalvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatdaddy Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 Cup holders are awesome, that was my favorite part of this update. That's always been my 1 issue with the lo¢ker thing. Of course, as soon as something good happens people gotta crap on it. I mean, already people are saying that are gonna get stolen, or someones gonna drink outta your bottle. If your that paranoid get a locker and I will gladly put my drink in the holder. I have kids, so I've been leaving my soda on the stroller when I go on rides for years, I never came back and found my bottle, or anything else, missing. I'm sure it happens, I know one lady had her whole stroller stolen, but she left her purse on it, they found it later in the bathroom(minus her wallet). Really anybody could go over to my stroller while I'm riding the train around disneyland and get all the fruit roll-ups and juice boxes they wanted, but of course they could be breaking into my car, or my house too. And for you germ phobes they might be at your house coughing swine flu on your door knob. Anyway, great update, and is it me or has Hanno been wearing the same shorts since the UK trip? Just wondering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saginawhxc Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 I have to send a huge thank you to Robb And Elissa for planning two awesome events at City Museum and Six Flags St. Louis. My ten year old had an absolute blast. As soon as I saw the events announced I knew they would be perfect for him and I was right. He declared City Museum the single coolest place he's ever visited (yes I know he's only ten, but I think it's possibly the coolest place I've ever visited too), and then Six Flags was finally his break out day with roller coasters. Before this trip he would go to Cedar Point and ride the Mine Ride, Iron Dragon, and Disaster Transport each once through out the day. Past that he wasn't doing anything. Then he fell in love with Evel Knievel. Just like that he has now decided he likes roller coasters. We are both really looking forward to meeting up with the group again on Friday at Great America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StLCPfan Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 For those speculating about the RailBlazer history, Arrow made the stand-up trains. They comprised of an OTSR harness and a weird panel that swiveled up and locked in place at the knees. The current River King Mine Train track is the track that was used for Rail Blazer. The other one that remained the mine train in '84 was sent to Dollywood in '88 or '89. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted August 13, 2010 Author Share Posted August 13, 2010 Holiday World photos now posted! Scroll up! And remember, you can follow the tour live on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/robbalvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArizonaGuy Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Awesome photos of Holiday World. That's going to be the next park on my "to do" list. The Voyage looks pretty awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pure Impurity Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Seriously; Pilgrim's Plunge looks like one awesomely F-ed - up attraction! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaos Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 This update makes Holiday World look even more awesome than I remember. Is it wrong that this is one of the main reasons I'm so excited to move to Indiana? I really can't wait to ride Wildebeast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Finally a good picture of Hanno! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiger01 Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Awesome! That's arguably the best TR on the Trip!!! Holiday World is Immense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndCamSS Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Hope everyone has a great time at SFGAm today. Its going to be *HOT and HUMID* perfect day for the water park! I wanted to get out there for the event but this is one of the extremely rare days I can not take off because my backup at work is on vacation and I already asked off the last day of his vacation to run out and ride Ravine Flyer II again! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCody Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Holiday World looks AWESOME. Seething with jealousy here. Hope you guys have fun at SFGam (my childhood home park...sniff.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobo_04 Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 By the looks of it, it sounds like Holiday World takes a lot of pride in its operations and management. BTW-love to see the back stage walk-throughs and see some folks from management have some fun. Hope to eventually visit this park. Continue your fun!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cprocks22 Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Its things like all the stuff you guys got to do that keeps pushing Holiday World closer and closer to my favorite park, right up there with Disney and Universal. I was HUGELY impressed with everything about Holiday World both times I visited and cannot wait to get back there . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 (edited) Indiana Beach Theme Park Review is at Indiana Beach! Let's start out our visit with some ERT on Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain! Good luck guys! This is a bone rattling experience! Lost Coaster starts with a vertical elevator lift system. Lost Coaster is what happens when you take an old dark ride and convert it into a wood coaster. It's got a very bizarre layout with sharp turns and drops. Great fun...although it will totally wreck you! You guys ready to ride? Good luck guys! Next up...a great coaster with a cheesy sign! TPR is ready for Cornball Express! Cornball Express was running very well today! NERD!!! Cornball is a smaller woodie, but filled with airtime! TPR members are all cornballs. "Hey boys! Check me out sucking down a corn dog. If you'd like me to suck down your corn dog...EMAIL DAN now!!!" mrt0ad13@aol.com Steel Hawg was a nice surprise for this trip! Steel Hawg does twist you upside down for quite a bit! Be prepared for all the change to fall out of your pockets! Outward banked turns! Sexy!!! The layout is completely insane but don't worry, it's very smooth! TWISTY!!! Indiana Beach's boardwalk is filled with classic flat rides running some great programs! The Falling Star is KidTums approved! This just became my favorite park in the world!!! Random group photo!!! Good thing we had ERT! Falling Star takeover. "As seen on TV!" Ooh! Electronic ghouls! Bummer. I like nuts. The most awesome attraction at Indiana Beach...Fascination! Hey TPR! Show me your balls! TPDave likes balls on his face. KidTums has already won about 20 tickets! Hey look! We're in New Zealand! Jake ended up with furry handcuffs and a dolphin laser pointer. Water guns for everyone!!! John is now part elephant ear. Dan! Don't eat it!!! Sugar kills!!! The kiddie rides are KidTums approved! Indiana Beach still has the best chairswings anywhere! Wow! I had no idea they allowed that in Indiana! Thank you Indiana Beach for another great Middle America Tour park day! Edited August 13, 2010 by Erik Johnson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Sorry about the disappearing update. Everything is in working order now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pure Impurity Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 ^...Or is it...? Nice update, as usual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillrider Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 Looking at the weather radar right now, it looks like six flags is getting hammered by rain. Bummer. I hope they can get there ert in tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy T. Koepp Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 I am jealous of IB. I so wanted to get up there this year. Ahh well. I will have to try again next year. Perhaps they will have something uber sexy like one of those weird flying coasters from S&S? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcoaster95 Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 Looking at the weather radar right now, it looks like six flags is getting hammered by rain. Bummer. I hope they can get there ert in tonight. We had a "bridge party" during the storm Viper ERT was awesome with the tracks wet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrock23 Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 Of all the parks I miss the most, it's Indiana Beach. That place was great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobWarren Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 Check out some photo's from today's Bash at SFGAm! It was nice to finally meet Robb and some other great people who have less b's in their name. it was a bashful day! Superman was there! He flys often. layout. Viper is running fantastic. Superb woodie. More people need to talk about this ride. *talk amongst yourselves now* Head choppers are one thing. Head choppers and negative g-forces combined gives quite the freaky effect. please ignore my trim the Cadillac of coasters doing its thing. air molecules beware... you may get smacked by a large orange and wine-colored bull PRIVATE EVENT at SFGAm, wohoo! The rain started to come down very hard after lightning moved in to the area. Oh, and don't forget the wind! and these guys! Our own TRP Jr. Meteorologist would probably call these cloud striation thingies. ie. NOT GOOD! the less-romantic dark void of unacceptable wetness pushed down, yet Dan fought back by accepting the unacceptable amount of wetness to everyone's surprise. "My iPhone says this large green and red thingy is on top of us." Apparently rain and lightning go away if you try to make the ugliest face possible. TPR did get ERT on Raging Bull and Viper thanks to everyone's heroic efforts against the midwest 'typhoon' of 2010. Robb described this moment as pivotal in the history of Theme Park Review. I had a great time meeting up with these people. Go forth and be bashful people. It's a lot of fun! (and check out my documentary "Say Goodbye to the Big Bad Wolf" if you haven't!) -Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatdaddy Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 If this was any other event that got rained on, it would have been ruined, but with TPR it becomes "epic". TPR even makes rain fun. Wish I could have been there, but the updates are awesome, keep um comming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPDave Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 That night was amazing!! I hope all the locals had as much fun as everyone on the tour, this should be an epic update!! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Divv3k Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 Having a great time on the trip! So excited that "It's all about Bryan" Day is finally here - the real reason I signed up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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