So, Holiday World then...

Well, this park is in a place called Santa Claus. No, really. Its official camping ground is round a lake called Lake Rudolph. As you could guess, they are big on Christmas there. There are Santa statues around (which were molested by the crew more than once) and lots of christmasy things going on.

The park itself, is awesome. Friendly staff, good ride selection, and free drinks. Thats right. Free drinks for everyone. Just walk up to the machine like you do in the cinema and just take a cup and fill it with pepsi, minute maid, mountain dew, whatever. they had ice on tap too, which is handy in a 95F heat. It was one of my favourite parks on the trip.

So, the rides. We started off with Voyage as our ERT. Awesome coaster, best seat is in the back. One its warmed up it gets good. After a good 6 hours running, it becomes awesome. There were many shouts of "Nintey Degrees!" but you would have to be there to really understand that bit. lol.

Holiday World is also home to the ledgendary Raven. Lots of air in the back, if a little short. Again, great once it has run in.

The Legend is a nice woodie with very little banking on the corners. That means tons of lateral g. Many folks thought it was too rough, but I really enjoyed it. The wolf howl sound effect just before the drop is a nice touch too.

Of course we also took over the kiddie coaster, log flume, and river rapids.
Now the rapids are cruel. At one section, you approach a waterfall which switches off just before you float under it. now thats a common, popular effect. Only, this nasty thing turns it back on again while your still under it. Just when you think your safe, balm! your soaked.

I managed to get a ridethrough on Raven, which was nice. When the train came back into the station, there was no-one waiting (which was really odd) and they just sent us round again once we gave a thumbs up. Even more oddly, the next time through, the station was full again. Strange how crowds ebb and flow like that.

After hitting up pretty much every ride the park had to offer (except the flyers) I went back to get some night rides on the back of Voyage before we left. Night rides, back seat of Voyage, in the near pitch blackness, are unbelievably awesome. You seriously have no idea of how great the rush is. And it wasnt even the biggest rush of the trip.

While waiting for back seat on Voyage, the ride broke (as sometimes happens when temperatures are crazy, messing with the sensors). There was this young couple, must have been 14, in front of us. For the whole 15 minutes the ride was down, they were locked to each others lips. it was getting annoying and pissing everyone off. They eventualy got in the back row, and headed out into the night. Then, the operator STOPS THE LIFT (a big, big deal when running two trains) and turn on the floods to reveal the kids still making out in the back row. He gets on the PA and says "Hey kids, knock it off, this is a family park!" Needless to say, the Op got a big cheer and a chant. lol. That made my night. His name was Chuck, btw. Yep, you know when your in the midwest.

More later, when I feel like it.