After a night of little sleep, I was off to the park for another day of fun! It started with us first heading down for ERT in Splashin’ Safari. We were greeted with fresh fruit, muffins, and other breakfast goodies. After grabbing some strawberries and a muffin, it was time to ride Wildebeest. It a really fun ride, I wish more water parks would get one. (I’m looking at you Cedar Fair.)
I then had to go back to the lockers for my camera. I found this out later, but we weren’t supposed to go back to the lockers. Oops, but Dan Koch walked by me on my way back and didn’t say anything, so I guess it was OK and I will know for the future. After that, I headed back up to the Wildebeest for my first photo walkback. We were free to walk along the sidewalk, inside a tunnel, and up to the crow’s nest.
I got a lot of great pictures. When I was done, I met up with my dad and we went on ZOOMbaba twice and Zinga once. We then headed back to Wildebeest for a few more rides before the general public literally came pouring in.
With the lines growing, we took a relaxing ride around the Bahari River. To finish off the water park, I took a ride on Jungle Racers.
Since we were all wet, we grabbed a shirt and headed off into the park in search of water rides. First was Frightful Falls. It was a nice to be back on an actual log flume when my last log flume was at Kennywood back in 2005.
It was fast paced and had a fun final drop.
Next was Raging Rapids, not exactly Thunder Canyon, but I loved the western town themeing!
Finally, we rode Shoot the Rapids’s sister ride Pilgrims Plunge.
It really was nothing compared to Shoot the Rapids, just a quick ride to the lift and then the drop. No two hills, a misty tunnel, or a waterfall canyon.
We then went back to our locker to empty it out before heading to the car to change back into dry clothes. As seems to be the trend, all that water made us hungry.
Being short on time we settled for Kringle’s Cafe and some famous Holiday World pizza. It lived up to the little hype I’ve heard about it.
Of course I was expecting a little more to the breadsticks. I thought they would have a garlic taste, but instead they just tasted like dough. After lunch, I was heading out to the car for my video camera when I ran into my friend, Jeff Guilkey. We talked for a few minute, but I needed to get the camera before the walkback. When I got back he introduced me to Ted Adams and I introduced them to my dad. Shortly after that, the walkback began.
It gives you some really close-up views of The Raven and The Legend. To get all of the shots in the little time we were allowed back there, I took the pictures and my Dad took the videos.
I was really surprised by how there was no “restricted area” fences and signs around the coaster. Holiday World is really trusting of their visitors.
After the walkback, I was drenched in sweat, so I grabbed a free drink and went over to the Hoosier Celebration Theatre because Real Country was going to start soon. I was expecting the show to be like a small amusement production. Especially after seeing Cedar Point’s shows over the year, I wasn’t expecting much. After watching just a few minutes, I was blown away at how good it was! It had great performers, upbeat song selection, and audience interaction.
I was sad to leave before it ended for The Voyage walkback, which was another great opportunity to take pictures that the general public can’t.
We were allowed to walk down the whole road up to the 90° turn at the far end. After I had taken a ton of I pictures, my dad and I started to walk back with Ted and talk about coasters.
With sunset approaching, we headed off into the 4th of July to ride all if the rides we missed. First we went to Holidog’s Fun Town for the Howler credit.
Fun little coaster and we got double rides!
Next was my first round-up ride on Revolution. Ouch, way too much pressure on my feet.
Next, I picked a gentler ride, Eagle’s Flight. A really fun ride, but lacks the capacity needed on busier days.
Moving on to the bigger rides, we went on Liberty Launch.
For a small version of Power Tower, it really packs punch. Tons of air when it hits the top!Moving down the midway, we found the Lewis & Clark Trail.
It was fun and amazing that 5+ person crew at Cedar Point was replaced by one at Holiday World.
Although, the ride was nothing special, CP has better tracks for their cars, longer rides. After getting off of the ride, I heard the Vinyl Daze had started, so we raced over to catch another great Holiday World show. The performers are great even in the super humid weather.
After the show, we headed down to Splashin’ Safari to empty our locker since they had just closed.
We then made our way back up to the 4th of July and Christmas to do some shopping.
Since The Raven was nearby, we got in line for a ride where we found some other HoliWood Nighters and struck up a little coaster talk.
After flying through the woods, it was time to get a t-shirt as the park was closing soon. We made our purchases and I stayed down in Thanksgiving to take pictures of Pilgrims Plunge and The Voyage.
I then headed up to Halloween and rode the HallowSwings where someone asked me what was up with a lot of people in the park wearing E.R.T. shirts and name tags. I told her it was for HoliWood Nights and she thought it was really cool how many perks we got, I still think its awesome how many perks we got too!
I then met up with my Dad and we headed over to the Good Old Days Picnic Grove. We were treated to a delicious buffet dinner of hamburgers, fried chicken, fruit, veggies, Mac & Cheese, cookies, brownies, and of course free soft drinks.
The Beachcombers band was there playing for us and they sounded really good! There was silent auction. I placed a bid on a few things, but didn’t win. After, Mrs. Koch and Dan Koch came out and auctioned off ride time with him and Leah. Then they brought out the very first Pat Koch bobble head to be auctioned off. If I remember right, it went for over $100.
After that, we were set free into the park. My Dad wanted to drop some stuff off at the car so I went to Halloween to take pictures. Just then I ran out of storage space, so I had to run out to the car to get my other car, which I ended up having with me the whole time. Going back into the park, we went on The Raven and The Legend a few times before walking over to Thanksgiving.
I had a bit too much to eat and since I didn’t want to repeat the events of the night before, I decided to sit it out. As 10:oo pm rolled around, the Scarecrow Scrambler was open, so we took it for a ride and that had a really long cycle, almost too long since I wasn’t feeling too good to begin with.
Before leaving we got one more ride on The Legend and The Raven before calling it a night.
On the way out we were given Recesses Pieces because it had a tie in to E.T. (E.R.T).
I had an AWESOME weekend at Holiday World and I can’t wait of go back again next year!
