Added: 01/06/2006 |
Holiday World Indiana -incredibly courteous and friendlyHoliday World Indiana originally drew its inspiration from the whimsically named town in which it is located, Santa Claus. A bit of history mixed with a dash of lore is in order: The town's founders wanted to call the southern Indiana hamlet, "Santa Fe," but postal authorities determined the name was already taken. On Christmas Eve, 1852, citizens gathered to choose a name for their community. Legend has it that the door of the meeting hall blew open and a certain red-suited gent appeared.
Once word got out about the town with the magical name, visitors began making December pilgrimages, but were disappointed to find little more than a general store, a post office, and a handful of homes. Third-generation Holiday World president Will Koch said his grandfather had "this kind of crazy idea to build Santa Claus Land" in the 1940s.
Opened in 1946, Koch says that Santa Claus Land was the "first theme park in the world." At first, Holiday World Indiana was open year-round and its highest attendance was recorded during the Christmas season.
Ironically, the , Holiday World Santa Clause discontinued year-round operation in the early 70s and has been closed during the Christmas season ever since. Koch says the proliferation of malls and mall Santas made a Christmas-time visit to Holiday World less special and post-summer attendance dropped significantly. Despite its Halloween theme and the recent explosion of haunted house attractions, the park isn't even open past Columbus Day. For tourists who visit the town of Santa Claus around Christmas, it's like dejà vu all over again. "Unfortunately, there isn't a lot for them to do," Koch acknowledges.
Holiday world Indiana located in the southern part of the state. The Highlights of holiday world Indiana are:
• Two world-class wooden coasters: Raven and The Legend
• Raging Rapids, with its flooded Old West town themeing, is among parkdom's best river raft rides
• An off-season audience with Santa Claus
• Food: Roasted corn on the cob at ZOOMbabwe Grille, spiral-cut chips at The Potato Patch, Udderly Blue Ice Cream
One of the few remaining privately owned and operated theme parks, Holiday World is loaded with charm, attention to detail, incredibly courteous and friendly staff members, impeccably clean grounds, and other features that corporate parks often can't match. Family park in the truest sense of the term, the Indiana themer foregoes the mega-thrill rides and hyped-up atmosphere of its teen-targeting competitors for a more laid-back and gentler experience.
That's not to say that Holiday World santa claus indiana doesn't deliver great rides. In fact, its two wooden roller coasters rank among the best in the world. But there is plenty for younger kids to love about the place and moms and dads appreciate the park's family-friendly perks: free parking, free entry to the Splashin' Safari waterpark with admission, and reasonable food prices. Everyone appreciates the industry-defying benefit: unlimited complimentary soft drinks.
Originally a Christmas-themed park, Holiday World now includes areas themed to Halloween and the Fourth of July as well. Kids can still sit on Santa's lap and some of the park's original rides endure; it would be nice, however, if even more remnants from the park's 1940s origins remained to help preserve Holiday World's authentic nostalgia.
Located off the beaten path in southern Indiana, Holiday World is worth the trip for coaster fans, theme park lovers, and families seeking a great vacation destination
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