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 Review of Voyage @ Holiday World
5 Rating Posted by: PhantomNik on 7/5/2007 6:07:00 PM
Monumental, ground-breaking, transcendental – these are words that cannot just be tossed around when talking about roller coasters. To have words such as those used in conversation, a coaster needs to be in another class by itself and reign supreme. Rides of that type of caliber are, quite frankly, rare. They are the coasters that beckon to enthusiasts young and old, summoning them to just experience the greatness that they possess. Every once in a while I come across a coaster of this nature and I am reminded why I have this hobby, this passion, for riding roller coasters. If there ever were a coaster to represent all that is great about traveling the country to ride them in the first place, then the Voyage is it. There are so many times where a coaster boasts of being the end all be all, but then falls short. But then there are the coasters that redefine our visions of what a great coaster should be. In my humblest opinion, Voyage is the poster child for roller coaster perfection.

Holiday World was a place that had been calling my name for years, as the park looked to have a unique charm to it and everyone had raved about their service and hospitality. However, a drive all the way to Santa Claus, Indiana seemed like a tall order, so I delayed the journey. Then, from the depths of the Indiana forest, there arose a mighty creation hell-bent on redefining the wooden roller coaster forever. As the awe-inspiring layout from the Gravity Group took shape, I knew that I could wait no longer to head to Holiday World. So, once last season concluded, I instantly began planning for HoliWood Nights 2007, for a chance to hop aboard the coaster from 2006 that seemed to be turning so many heads. I mean, who says 500 miles is a long drive?

As you approach Holiday World from the interstate and traverse through rolling fields and farmland, the first thing you see as you near the park is Voyage. Its massive lift structure catches the eye and leads to quite the "Whoa!" factor. Upon catching sight of this, I began to become giddy with excitement, as I already seemingly knew what awaited me. This 5 state trek was going to be worth every mile, or so I had hoped! Because of the nature of the Holiday World event, I was lucky enough to have 9 of my 11 magical rides on this beast occur in pitch black darkness, where this insane creation cuts loose on all cylinders and gives a ride unlike any this world has ever seen! The placement of it into the new Thanksgiving section is more than appropriate. Just as the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock and were amazed with what they saw, people enter the Thanksgiving area and are awe-struck by the centerpiece that stands before them. I know I was, especially when I saw a train fly into the last turn. So this thing hauls that much tail that late in the ride?!? Holy ……yeah, you get the idea. As the Holiday World sweepers came by and cleaned up my drool, I took a v-line to the entrance. The queue house is wonderfully laid out and themed nicely when you venture underground. The viewing pane is a nice touch, and the whole line sports an appropriate nautical theme. The lightning quick crew really hustles and keeps the line moving quickly, and before too long it’s time to strap in. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as the train exited the station into the night. Our Voyage had begun!!

Climbing the impressive lift hill, I realized that I really couldn’t see much of the coaster, other than the first three massive hills. What went on back in those woods? I’d soon find out, from my seat in row number 2. The first drop is fantastic, fast, and very steep. The train flies down it, and from the back of the train you get some sickening ejector air as the sleek PTC train is whipped over the precipice. The next two hills are where Voyage begins to flex its airtime muscles. Seated near the front, my posterior went skyward about half way up each of the hills and stayed there for a good three quarters of the drops
 

Review Comments

psu_dude on 7/10/2007 1:08:33 PM said:
Simply an amazing review PhantomNik! The level of detail you write these with is incredible. Holiday World sounds like quite the place to visit, and Voyage sounds unbelievable! Even though Id be looking at about 620 miles for a trip out there, you make it sound like it would be worth it! Again, wonderful work on the review!!
ginzo on 7/10/2007 1:45:18 PM said:
Yeah, I dont think Voyages airtime is all that great compared to El Toros. Sure Voyage has more spots of airtime, but theyre about 10% as intense. Negative Gs always beat 0 G floater air. You get thoroughly stapled on both coasters. So, I think El Toro wins in the airtime dept. I also think Voyage doesnt feel as fast. That insane thrust that catapults El Toros train isnt there with Voyage.
PhantomNik on 7/11/2007 4:28:51 PM said:
Well, like I had mentioned in someone elses Voyage review comments, I will agree that overall the airtime is better on El Toro, although I truly dont feel that it is by a huge margin. I received several sizable jolts of airtime on Voyage, with a smooth mixture of both floater and ejector air. And for me, what vaulted Voyage to my #1 slot and over El Toro was that unrelenting intensity throughout the entire ride. That intensity is incredible and, in my opinion, unparalleled in any coaster today, El Toro included. That all said, it should be noted that Toro sits at #3, and quite frankly my top 5-6 are all so outstanding that they are all within slight-hair margins of one another. Who knows, maybe Toro would have remained cemented as my number 1 woodie had I been able to experience it more than once. But alas, Great Adventures lines were atrocious and their ride crews (for the most part) sucked, leading to just 1 ride on it over 2 days last year. By contrast, I snagged 11 rides on Voyage, and if I had been interested in marathoning a little harder, I could have easily hit 20 or so. El Toro is no slouch at all, dont get me wrong, and I still categorize that in an elite class of coasters. But, for me, for now, Voyage stands alone as the pinnacle of roller coaster achievement.


Thanks for the kind words, psu_dude! I appreciate it. And without a doubt, a trip to Holiday World should be on any coaster enthusiasts to-do list! Trust me, even at 620 miles it would be well worth the trek.

ginzo on 7/11/2007 4:38:24 PM said:
Yeah, I got 6 El Toro rides last Saturday thanks to my Gold Flash Pass, which is easily the greatest thing ever. Im definitely going to hit HW this years because its only 3 hours away from me. Im just not sure when exactly. I might wind up liking the Raven a little bit more. Im not sure. Raven is one of the most consistent woodies Ive ever been on. Not so much with Voyage. Ive noticed a MASSIVE difference between the morning and late afternoon/evening rides.
PhantomNik on 7/11/2007 5:00:07 PM said:
Thats really a great point, ginzo. I honestly didnt have any morning/early afternoon rides on Voyage while I was there. 1 ride was in the late afternoon before the photo walkback, 1 was in mid-evening, and the other 9 were in pitch black darkness! It seemed like all of their woodies morphed into unleashed beasts (in a great way) once the sun set. Youre right, Raven is extremely consistent, but even that one went through a transformation at night, as the airtime went from ridiculous to unfathomable, especially in that terrific back row!


Yeah, if and when I return to Great Adventure, Im afraid Im going to have no choice but to cave and buy one of those damn Flash Passes. Although, I still personally think that its a bit ridiculous to charge $64 or whatever to get in the place (on top of the $15 parking), then say "oh yeah, so do you want to ride more than like 6 rides all day? Thatll be another $40!"

ginzo on 7/11/2007 6:40:05 PM said:
Ive never had any night rides on the HW woodies They close too early normally. I almost got a night ride on Legend on July 4th last year, but the sucker broke down like one train before we would have boarded.

I view the Gold Flash pass as just a way to get season pass holders to buy day tickets. Six Flags passes are way too cheap. I think ours were $60 this year at SFMM in January. Yeah, $106 for two people is not cheap, but believe me you wont feel ripped off when you walk onto Nitro and El Toro, bypassing 1+ hour waits. If you want to do the entire park and only have a day, the Gold Flash Pass is the only way to go.

BTW, my first Voyage ride was an afternoon ride in May of last year, and it was damn near a perfect ride. I just wish that the ride always performed at that level. If you went for the ERT, you can bet the coasters were performing at peak levels.
PhantomNik on 7/12/2007 5:30:03 PM said:
Night rides on the woodies at HW are off the charts! Youre right, normally they do close too early to experience that joy, which is why their HoliWood Nights event is a must-do!! Those 9 pitch black rides I referred to on Voyage were indeed for ERT, when this bad boy was absolutely FLYING!
ginzo on 7/13/2007 4:14:10 PM said:
I had to work on the weekend of HoliWood Nights.
psu_dude on 1/21/2008 12:36:05 PM said:
So, if Im looking to head to HW and also get some true night rides on Voyage, along with Raven & Legend, then Im assuming that Id need to go to this HoliWood Nights event? Is there a place/site with more info on the event? I did notice on their website that they do tend to close pretty early most nights, a lot of the time before it would be dark.
ginzo on 1/21/2008 5:41:48 PM said:
There are a few regular operating days that extend into the night a bit. We got several night rides on Raven when we went last August. But youd get a lot more night time rides at the ERT. And youd be assured to get the best possible rides those coasters can dish out. There will be no rails without grease.


http://www.holidayworld.com/clubs/
PhantomNik on 1/23/2008 10:25:01 AM said:
^^I really cant say it enough - that event was the most fun Ive had at an amusement park....ever. The night ERT both days is more than enough of a reason to go, but its so much more than even that which makes the event so top notch. The price is insanely reasonable, the food is ridiculously good, and they really roll out the red carpet for everyone in attendance. Dont get me wrong, youd still have a blast if you went any other time, and they treat their guests amazingly well regardless.


But yes, those true night rides on Voyage are something out of this world! I couldnt even begin to truly describe them. Just be ready for the most out of control romp through the woods that you could ever imagine on a wooden coaster! Ive said it before, all 3 of Holiday Worlds wooden gems morph into these raging beasts once the sun goes down. Those are rides that are hard pressed to be beaten! :thumbsup:

ginzo on 1/23/2008 7:03:53 PM said:
Indiana Beachs enthusiast event is really good. They put a lot of work into it.

Ive already got my room at Santas Lodge reserved for HoliWood Nights.
PhantomNik on 1/29/2008 10:45:37 AM said:
Indiana Beach is really high on my list of places Id like to get to at some point soon. I didnt know they had an enthusiast event as well. Ill have to check it out!


Thats awesome that youll be able to make it this year to HoliWood Nights! I stayed at Santas Lodge as well and really liked it. Their rooms are such a bargain too. Id love to head back out to Holiday World for it this year as well, but its gonna be a light coaster traveling year for me.....gotta save some cash since I got a wedding to plan for! Coastering should resume in earnest come 2009.

shag9004 on 9/22/2008 3:00:45 PM said:
Just returned from Holiday World with a visit on 9-22-2008. The park was absolutley dead as we got in 35 rides in a little over 3 hours on the 3 woodies. The trim break is still there on the Voyage but barely slows the train down at all. The triple down is effective with massive air in the back half of the train. The ride is not as insane as it was its first year, but now it is much closer than in year two. So, the trims are back but are really turned down. It is nothing like the full block break which brought the ride to a virtual stop in 2007.
Animan1 on 10/1/2008 8:57:41 PM said:
^ Thanks for the update, as I did not ride it in '.06 or '.07, so I was unsure how this year'.s experience compared to the last two years'.. I personally feel that Voyage is the most intense coaster that I have ever been on, wood or otherwise, so I was hoping that my experience was more or less similar to its original incarnation, and not the trimmed version. 35 rides in 3 hours...crazy! How many of those were on Voyage? I don'.t think I could do more than about 5 or 6 laps on that coaster in a 3-hour span.
shag9004 on 10/2/2008 9:25:41 PM said:
We entered the park and rode Raven once, Legend once, and then my buddy was about to stroke out wanting to ride the Voyage. We went back there and rode it 10 consectutive times without leaving the station......they only made us get up if there was someone in our line and then only to move to an empty seat. We had some lunch then rode Legend 9 in a row (including 3 on the front) and Raven 12 in a row (including 3 in a row on the back). We then finished off with 2 more Voyage rides. I am serious, the place was dead and there were no waits. We NEVER walked around the station to get back in line. Out 10 Voyage rides were probably in about a 60 minute time span. We did try to avoid the back part of the train however which is the most intense ride.
Animan1 on 10/3/2008 9:46:21 AM said:
Wow, that sounds incredible, although as I said, I don'.t think I could do it. Maybe it'.s just my personal physical punishment threshold, but I would be hard-pressed to do all that you did in a day, much less 3 hours. That said, it still sounds awesome! That'.s great that you didn'.t have to get out and walk around the station even once. I must keep this time of year in mind for a future trip!
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