HOLIDAY WORLD

Located in Santa Claus, Indiana, about a 45-minute drive from Evansville Regional Airport, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is a family-owned and operated theme and water park.   It is very much family-oriented, with a down home feel that you don’t get at most theme parks.   It is also the home of The Voyage, arguably one of the best wooden coasters ever built and recipient of the Golden Ticket Award for #1 wooden coaster for five consecutive years.    The second longest woodie in the world, The Voyage is legendary for its first drop, succession of overbanked turns, tunnels, ride duration and scenery.

Unlike most theme parks, Holiday World does not have any steel hypercoasters.  What it does have is three outstanding wooden coasters, a steel family coaster and the two longest water coasters in the world.   The park features numerous family and kid rides along with a wide array of  food options catering to most dietary needs (veggie burgers are available); the Holiday World website even includes nutritional information for all food items sold at the park.  It also features live shows.

Another amenity offered by this park is free soft drinks at drink stations scattered throughout the park.   As most theme parks charge close to $4.00 for a soda, access to free refreshments is a great perk and a real blessing on a hot day.

Ticket prices are structured in such a way as to afford discounted admission for a two-day  visit.  As of 2013, general admission is $44.95 at the gate ($39.95 online), with a next day admission ticket priced at $27.00.  It’s not clear, however, whether the lower price for a second day is available with an online ticket purchase.  Either way, purchasing a two-day ticket will result in a saving of at least $8.00.

Park guests should be prepared to walk up and down a number of hills.

The staff at Holiday World is among the friendliest to be found at any theme park.   They will go out of their way to be helpful, assisting park guests with anything from navigating the park to getting driving directions to and from the park.   For more information about Holiday World, visit www.holidayworld.com/  Photo of The Voyage courtesy of www.coasterimage.com