Holiday World (HW) Discussion Thread

[WestCoasterKingChallenge me at Donkey Kong...I dare ya!]

I don't know the slang these days. Is balls good or bad?

[larrygatorObsessive Overlord of the TPR Park Index]

Is balls good or bad?

Context Clues

[CoasterGuy06If the donkey is rockin, don't come knockin!]

I've thought for a while that a water coaster from Mack Rides would be a good fit for that spot.

[prozach626Why do I still have a donkey title???]

LOL at the balls thing.

Was it Sea World SD?

Sea World Orlando. I'm not sure about SD. (too lazy to google, which is pretty bad)

I think HW missed the boat, so to speak, in doing something more with Pilgrims Plunge. With the elevator lift they could have made it like you be were in a mill of some kind or done something with the slow winding approach to the lift, like an enclosed dark ride.

It would have made the ride a lot more enjoyable, but if you look back at those days the themed elements to the park were much more simplistic, as you can still see throughout the park. I think that's what made Holiday World more affordable to the locals while continuing to expand.

Maybe with PP the park attempted to provide a new cutting edge type attraction for less than something like a roller coaster. I would imagine their goal was to make a splash (zing!) in an attempt to draw in thrill seekers from far away, while still catering to families. My guess is that it was closer to the top of their budget, which is a shame it didn't work out. Holiday World seems to be pretty budget conscious. I think I remember reading something years ago that they are a very financially sound park and they spend wisely. Being an expensive attraction as it was, that's probably why the themed elements were lacking. Again, this is all speculation.

[JJLehtoBeware of the freeze-dried donkey!]

Thinkin about HoliWood Nights this year.
Have never been to the park, excited to finally cross The Voyage off my hit list. What should I expect both from the event and park? I've hard usually great things about both. Ya know how much can usually be done on ERT, how crowded may the park be, how's all the extra perks and HW in general?

I see the event doesn't start till 6 on Friday. Worth getting there earlier? (If we even can) I am thinking of driving from Louisville where a friend lives, wanna know how long I should hang there before heading to HW

[thrillerman1I prefer to mate with donkeys over humans!]

I've been to 4 or 5 HWN events now. They are a fantastic value for the money and well worth it in my opinion. In the past, my friends and I have gone to Kentucky Kingdom on Friday before the event, and then since Louisville is ahead of Santa Clause, IN by an hour, move to HW in time for the start of HWN. Definitely use the time change in your favor. HW knows how to treat its event guests right with lots of perks and loads of food too (FUDGE!!). The water park is usually more crowded during the main part of the day on Saturday of the event, but HWN has included ERT on Mammoth, Wildebeast, and a few other Splashin' Safari attractions during water park ERT, which I think was on Friday night last year. The dry park ERT on Friday night and Saturday is plenty enough to get in loads of rides on the coasters and a few other attractions they usually include like Gobbler Getaway, Firecracker, Crow's Next, Turkey Whirl, etc. They will feed you well on Friday and Saturday. I don't think you'll regret going to HWN by any stretch.

[ytterbiumanalystWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

Yes! If you're thinking of going to Holiwood Nights, you need to go. Friday is all about the waterpark, so if you're into those, then I recommend going for two full days. If you're not into waterparks, just show up for the hors d'ouvres and go ride the coasters once ERT starts, usually about 7:30 or so.

Those coasters are so good at night, as it gets very dark in the middle of nowhere Indiana. Plus they're so far east in the Central Time Zone that it gets dark early.

In my experience (2 times) crowds are light on Friday and slightly heavier on Saturday but completely manageable. Lines will not be a problem, and the extras like food and walkbacks are really worth it.

[JJLehtoBeware of the freeze-dried donkey!]

Mhm I've heard nothing but good about the park as well as the event, and it's been a while since I've gone to any new parks.

And thanks Thrillerman, that was actually my thinking! So glad to hear it's indeed realistic. Deff got some thinking to do.

[jonskinny12the ghost seems to think there is a "Donkey Fairy"]

I've been to HWN twice and will echo what the others have said. Although I personally did two full days at HW (and did Thursday at KK the second time around, which was well worth it) but it could be done without the full day Friday. I just love riding The Voyage over and over and over again until I can't think straight anymore. I would highly recommend eating all the food and doing the walkbacks on Saturday. All around it's a great experience. Also, make sure you ride Raven second to last row when it gets really dark. That's a blast.

[b&mforeverFull Fledged Donkey Enthusiast!]

I haven't been to Holiday world since 2007 when voyage had 3 - 28 passenger trains. How are the lines on it now that it only has 2 - 24 passenger trains? I know its a long ride so it seems that the dispatches would definitely suffer with only two trains.