adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
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 5/10/2008 3:11:55 PM
Friends -
What with my new residence in the Midwest, I am seriously entertaining the thought of checking out Holiday World. Any advice or tips from you folks? I'm likely going to camp near the park - it's tent season, after all...
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"I'm pulverized by this latest thing!"
- Edie Beale; "Grey Gardens"
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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 5/10/2008 6:22:22 PM
Never go on the weekend and prepared to be dissapointed. It is a small park that feels like a Cedar Fair park. that being said it is clean enough and should be decent fun on your first visit. The wood coasters are as good as advertised.
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Timberman
Posts: 845
Registered: 9/21/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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5/10/2008 6:56:49 PM
I don't get the "prepared to be disappointed." True it's a small park, but that's no secret. What's disappointing about great wooden roller coasters; a clean, well-maintained environment; decent, if not great, food at decent, if not great prices; free parking, drinks, and sunscreen; friendly service; and fast, efficient ride operation? I agree the park can get very crowded, but again, that's just a function of what it's doing right, not a reason for disappointment. I guess if you're expecting Disney Land, Magic Mountain, or Cedar Point, Holiday World might seem disappointing from the standpoint of being small and homey rather than large and elaborate, but I don't think that's likely to bother adriahna.
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
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5/10/2008 11:04:32 PM
It's all about the coasters, and I adore small parks. No disappointment expected here!
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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5/10/2008 11:47:26 PM
Personally I'm not a fan of the lack of quality flat rides. But knowing how much you love the woodies, I think you will enjoy the place.
adriahna - new found residence in the midwest? What's up with that? Feel free to e-mail me if you wish, if you still have my e-mail.
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Message updated 5/10/2008 11:48:26 PM by larrygator
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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5/11/2008 12:31:08 AM
Quote:
Timberman said:
I don't get the "prepared to be disappointed." True it's a small park, but that's no secret. What's disappointing about great wooden roller coasters; a clean, well-maintained environment; decent, if not great, food at decent, if not great prices; free parking, drinks, and sunscreen; friendly service; and fast, efficient ride operation? I agree the park can get very crowded, but again, that's just a function of what it's doing right, not a reason for disappointment. I guess if you're expecting Disney Land, Magic Mountain, or Cedar Point, Holiday World might seem disappointing from the standpoint of being small and homey rather than large and elaborate, but I don't think that's likely to bother adriahna. |
I am not expecting it to be any of those parks that you said, however it has none of the feel of a small park. there is no quirkiness like Knoebels, or genuine service like Adventureland. There is no real uniqueness like Indiana Beach, or history like Seabreeze. It doesn't feel like Idlewild or even come close to someplace like Kennywood. It is everything that a big park feels like, without the huge selection of rides. And please don't give me the free pop crap. It is a park that charges 30.00+ dollars to get in and has 3 coasters. You are definately paying for the pop. As far as the service I remember a bunch of employees who speak straight out of a guide and the ONLY park I have ever been to that would not let me keep my hat in a buttoned pocket. I found the food to be pretty good and the pizza we had at Holliwood nights was good. Bottom line I don't find the park "homey" at all.
On a side note Timberman I am almost offended by the fact that you think I would expect this park to be large and elaborate, or expecting it to be Cedar Point(which I hate). I have been around this hobby for quite a while and though it is true that I love Disney and Busch Gardens, I am equally enthralled with Waldameer, Chessington, Zaragosa, Adventureland (both), and places like Lakemont and Sylvan. Heck I stayed on site at Conneaut so its not like I am spoiled. I know my opinion of this place is different then most. I also know Adriahna can find the typical opinion from a lot of places, so I thought I would give her my take. I also think that fact that she loves classic carousels and organs, and their caroussel has been in the park a matter of days may matter to her a little. Everyone has their own opinion and that is cool, its not like I told her not to go.
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
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Skooter Junkie
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5/11/2008 1:26:22 AM
Noooo worrrries, folks - just checking in.
I basically am going for the woodies - for flats, I can look elsewhere. It's kind of like when my brother and I went to Mt. Olympus... we were there for the woodies. And it paid off big time - Cyclops in particular was highly memorable. I'll hop out there, check out a band organ museum in a neighboring town, and enjoy what there is to enjoy.
Oh, and Larry - yeah... sigh. I decided to take a break from NYC for a short while - my papa died very suddenly in February (I lost a number of good friends last year, as well), and I just need a damned rest. That, and the rents in NYC are downright insulting... throw in the fact that the city is losing a lot of its character - the old neighborhoods and businesses are dying, and being replaced by cookie cutter corporate garbage. It's disappointing, and the overall payoff of life in NYC against the struggles to live there are getting way out of balance.
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Ri_L
Posts: 40
Registered: 8/18/2007
Rank: Coaster Critic
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5/11/2008 10:20:59 PM
Noooo, Adriahna! I'll miss you! Sniff, sniff. At least come back and ride El Dorado with me sometime.
And I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Hope everything's ok.
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- Ri L.
National Carousel Association
A woman's place is on a horse.
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Timberman
Posts: 845
Registered: 9/21/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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5/11/2008 10:33:08 PM
Sorry to hear of the loss of your father and friends, adriahna. Good luck in the Heartland. I made a similar move (from Brooklyn to Michigan) back in 2004 for similar reasons. While I still enjoy visiting the city, I feel like I got out at a good time. Bloomberg's paternalism is getting to be as ludicrous as the rents. If someone would have told me back in 2000 that smoking would be banned in New York bars or that my favorite donut shop would be the victim of a trans fat ban, I would have laughed in their face. Now I'd probably be arrested for violating some sort of anti-mocking-laughter ordinance if I did such a thing.
C-5, the "you're" in the last sentence of my comment was meant in the generic sense. I wasn't launching a personal attack.
Message updated 5/11/2008 11:01:16 PM by Timberman
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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5/12/2008 10:34:54 PM
holiday world did have quirks, but it is more because its heartland/christian scene rather than being full of odd or unique things. it felt a bit too sanitized, strangely mainstream vibe for a family-run place.
that said, there were some interesting characters around to talk to. timberman and i met a older ACE loner who used to be a jazz pianist in nyc who was, for some reason, furtively flicking ice cubes into a nearby trash can (because he didn't want people to think he would waste ice?); a developmentally disabled employee of the park with a soda stained pointy-toothed smile, who had more food schmutz on her apron than i'd ever seen in my five or so years as a line cook; a young deaf girl with gorgeous blue eyes who really came to life when she realized there was a busload of cute deaf boys in the park for her to sign-flirt with and many more memorable interactions.
a nice place, but not my fave by a stretch. the food did not have any character in my opinion. the coasters are the attraction and great they are...and they are no joke. those are three very intense coasters. they were rough and fast and pretty wild for me last summer.
interestingly, the water park looked pretty fabulous. i haven't visited a water park since i was teen, but in the hot midsummer i could probably suit up with all those hoosiers and churchies and have a good time. some of their huge waterslides look downright wagnerian...
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the following sentence is false.
the preceding sentence is true.
Message updated 5/12/2008 10:51:05 PM by hrrytraver
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PhantomNik
Posts: 515
Registered: 6/6/2002
Rank: Gold Critic
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5/15/2008 12:42:05 PM
Well, when it comes to Holiday World, I know for me it was a breath of fresh air from other chain parks I had been to. No disrespect intended, but I don't quite agree with coaster05's earlier assessment. Maybe he's had some less than stellar trips there, I dunno. I was not disappointed in Holiday World at all! Granted, their flat selection isn't huge, but the ones they have run nice cycles (at least they did when I was there) and are rather unique in their look. Be sure to take a spin on the Hallowswings, Turkey Whirl, Liberty Launch (powerful tower ride), and Gobbler Getaway, among others.
The coasters are as fine a wooden trio as you will find anywhere! Not a slacker in the bunch, in my humblest opinion. I would recommend doing Raven and Legend first, as to then fully appreciate how mind-blowing Voyage truly is. I know some folks don't tend to like its aggressive edge, but I found that to be refreshing and incredible. Depending how long they're open when you go, try to snag dusk/night rides on the woodies, as they morph into these other-worldly beasts once the sun sets, especially Raven and Voyage.
As for food, their prices are wonderfully reasonable, and to go with that the food is excellent, at least it was where we ate. I would highly recommend the Kringle's Cafe pizza (right up there as some of the best park pizza I've ever eaten) and Plymouth Rock Cafe. The selection and quality at PRC is amazing!
Most of all, just have a blast and soak in that unique atmosphere that Holiday World offers. The small-town feel that it has and the friendliness of its employees is really something that we appreciated. The park is also kept impeccably clean, which is a nice plus as well. I'll be looking forward to a trip report from ya on how you liked your experience there! 
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I'd rather be coaster riding!
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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5/15/2008 1:47:57 PM
Let me explain this better. I am not dissapointed in Holiday World, I am dissapointed in Holiday World as a small park. To me it feels like a small CF park. Its clean, staff are polite but robotic, lines are long, the water park has no shade, food is average, etc. The park is fine I just don't consider it a small park, it feels way to corporate and if I am going to go corporate then I want 10 coasters and a huge park.
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Cyclonic
Posts: 2636
Registered: 7/19/2002
Rank: Experiment 626
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5/15/2008 2:11:33 PM
Well, to digress back onto topic for a moment;
I definitely would suggest hitting the park on a weekday if at all possible, as they get very, very busy on the weekends. Also, as per most parks that also have water parks, get there early and hit the dry rides while most folks are heading for the water park.
Finally, their campground is very good, well situated and very reasonable. They have good facilities and even WiFi. If you head down to the lake you can get some good views of the park as well, including Raven's turn over the lake.
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
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5/15/2008 8:54:55 PM
Saaaahweeeeet. Thanks - I'll be sure to check out the campsite, as well.
I'm pretty excited about those three coasters - I almost had a look at POV on youtube, and then changed my mind. I want a totally fresh experience...
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coasterwom
Posts: 1446
Registered: 3/23/2001
Rank: Platinum Critic
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5/17/2008 8:44:46 PM
Holiday World is a great small park that has alot of good perks to it. The water park is huge. The 3 coasters are very good. The Voyage is one of the most intense and one of best wooden coasters in the world.
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Timberman
Posts: 845
Registered: 9/21/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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5/17/2008 10:44:14 PM
Another thing to keep in mind, adriahna, is that local merchants offer Holiday World coupons. I got some from McDonald's that got me into the park for like $25. That, for me, was the best $25 I have spent at any amusement park anywhere.
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
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5/18/2008 9:04:43 AM
Good, good, good - all of this helps! I'm getting eager for this - and it will be my first "road trip" in my new wagon - so excited!
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Animan1
Posts: 5394
Registered: 5/14/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/1/2008 4:32:05 PM
I'm riding adriahna's coattails here, as I will also be heading to Holiday World for the first time this year...in less than a month, in fact! So thanks from me as well for the tips, everybody. After reading through here, I am particularly glad that I will be visiting the park on a Tuesday. 
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