Let's make one thing perfectly clear: I really don't try to listen in to other people's conversations. Especially when I'm at work, but not working. (You know what I mean!)

Youngest son James and I were in line yesterday, waiting to take a spin in one of the Lewis & Clark cars. (I love yelling, "You're a maniac!" while he's driving. He howls with laughter. And I comfort myself in the knowledge that we have more than a decade to improve his skills.)

While in the queue, a gentleman was regaling his party with his story:

Well, I just told my boss, "It's Holiday World and my family that come first with me!"

When a friend asked him how his boss reacted to that declaration, I must admit I did have to lean in to hear the rest.

He told me it was okay just this once. But next time I call in sick, I'd better really be sick!

(Originally posted 8/10/05)

... we've been asked to add a "birthing room" to our park.

Could you imagine?

Free unlimited boiling water?

Holidog to pant along as your breathing coach?

A miniature height-measurement stick to get the official length of your tiny bundle?

Would it be in the Labor Day section?

We've come to the conclusion that the intended suggestion was a "nursing room," which, by the way, we have. It's right next to First Aid.

When I was pregnant back in the summer of 1999, I alerted the EMTs to that fact. Jeanie, in particular, seemed all too eager to host my baby's birth in First Aid.

"We'll be ready for you," she cheerily informed me. "Stop by anytime!" Much to Jeanie's dismay, I opted to give birth in a hospital.

And sweet baby James turns six on Friday. Can you guess where the little redhead wants to spend his birthday?

(Originally posted 8/8/05)

Earlier today we posted this rather interesting photo on our Facebook page and via Twitter.

Didn't say what it was, of course. (What fun would that be?)

Lots of clever guesses were posted. Several matched my initial reaction - it sort of looks like we're painting all of our keyboards purple!

Other folks guessed we were painting our lockers, still others thought the boxes were napkin holders.

Here's a before photo. Same items, all prepped and ready for a new coat of paint.

Does this help?

No?

Well here's another "before" photo from the project.

Indeed, the Legend roller coaster trains are getting a heaping help of TLC this winter, including new paint.

Flying through the woods day after day can takes it toll on a coaster train, after all. Especially when there's some headless guy chasing after you ...

This story (from November, 2008) comes from Matt, our GM/Shared Services:

Matt was in Orlando, attending the "What's New Theater," which is more or less the kick-off ceremony for the week-long IAAPA Expo industry trade show. It includes a great production involving, as the name implies, the new rides and technology to watch for in the industry throughout the coming year.

As our animation for Pilgrims Plunge came on the huge screen, Matt heard someone sitting behind him mumble the following:

Those people just ain't right.

We're still laughing about that!

Fast forward to today, and this Pilgrims Plunge video has been viewed by more than 2.3 million YouTubers:

(Originally posted 9/15/05)

An email like this always gives us pause.

To know that a young fellow has been wanting to visit us for a decade (do the math -- this has been going on since he was five, and probably not nearly tall enough to ride The Raven) is rather amazing. Especially when you realize the kid's from Florida!

Emails like this remind us that each family has a story. And that each family deserves the very best visit we can provide. Because for some, the journey has been long in miles and time.

Anyway, Michael T. is from Fort Myers; he said it was okay to HoliBlog him.

My name is Mike and I live in Fort Myers, Florida. Yes, I am a huge coaster enthusiast and I plan on installing your coasters in the future. Although I have never been to your park, I just wanted to comment on something.

It has been a tradition in my family to take a trip to Cedar Point every year since before I was born (June 11, 1990). And every year we pack up the cars and head to the park with all of my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents (who are from the Detroit area). I will admit that Cedar Point never gets old, and there is a reason why it was voted the best park in the world by Amusement Today. But after this year, my preferences have switched a little.

You see, I have been wanting to come to your park ever since the introduction of The Raven, but I haven't been able to make it yet. I consistently nag my folks about how your park has a charm like no other, and all I get in return is, "But Cedar Point has big roller coasters and Holiday World only has two."

But you see that has now changed with you addition of The Voyage. I have been hyping your park for YEARS and I think it will all pay off in 2006. I tell my family about how your park offers free parking, suntan lotion, and Pepsi products (or is it Coke?) and they are amazed. And quite frankly, I am too. They now adore the fact that your park is run by a family and is so generous and welcome to its guests.

Every time I talk to them, I always mention Holiday World, and I get them wanting to visit more and more. Your array of World class wooden roller coasters is just the icing on the cake too! Because I am a coaster enthusiast, I have ridden many rollers coasters, more wooden than steel. My all time favorite is Shivering Timbers (which is an airtime monster) and has been ever since it opened in 1998. My father knew the Jourdans (the owners of the park at the time) and I got to tell them what a fantastic creation the ride was. I love that ride and am a Hard Core, Die Hard fan of it. But that might change with the addition of the Voyage. Ever since the announcement on July 13th 2005, I have been gushing over it. With the most airtime in the world, this thing is almost guaranteed to be a fantastic coaster.

My #1 wooden coaster spot might change come the summer of 2006. It really shows that Holiday World knows how to put together a great coaster. From the Shivering Timbers inspired hills, to the 90 degree banking, to the most tunnels in the world, you guys have done it again. I am truly excited as can be to visit your park in 2006. I'm sure it will be the time of my life, and of my family's too!

Your park is a work of art and is like nothing else on the planet. I love the fact that Holiday World is so "low key" and not industrial like Cedar Point or Disney World. And even though I have never been to your park, from all of the reviews that I have heard, Holiday World should be considered the best park in the world. If I had a choice as of right now, where I would want to spend my vacation, I would definitely pick your park. Holiday World's slogan should be billed "The Amazement Park."

(Originally posted 8/25/05)

I remember back when The Raven was under construction during the fall and winter of 1994-95. We took a magazine writer on a construction tour and some coaster enthusiasts came along (for color commentary, so I learned).

I must admit to initially thinking those people were nuts.

By just looking at the positioning of the footers and the beginnings of the structure, they already knew what kind of ride we were all in for the next spring.

"Look at that!" one cried out, pointing down into the woods. "The G-forces there will be incredible!" Another gasped: "Laterals!" (I caught him wiping away a bit of drool and quickly looked the other way.)

What were we getting ourselves into?

Happily, those folks gradually grew on us. Many of them really do know a lot about coasters--the history, the engineering, the physics. And their gushing (minus the escaping saliva) really is contagious.

Over the years, I been asked repeatedly if I'm a coaster enthusiast. My response has always been the same: I'm really more of an "enthusiast enthusiast."

Does that make sense?

I really get a kick out of these folks. (Well, most of them, anyway.) They have endless questions, boundless enthusiasm, and countless recommendations.

Most of their conversations with us start with the following: "Do you know what would be really cool?"

The first "special event" we hosted for enthusiasts was held on May 19, 1995. (I remember the date simply because it was my birthday. How old was I? A decade younger than now; let's leave it at that, shall we?)

The event was coordinated by the folks with the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) and included a little gift for me: Richard Schlesinger and a crew from 48 Hours. The CBS show was focusing on thrill seekers (that's Lucy from Florida being interviewed in the photo), and they found more than a few riding The Raven that day.

My favorite moment was taking Mr. Schlesinger for a walk out in the woods so he could see The Raven's wild layout close up. (We never did get him to ride it.) Mrs. Koch was back in the station, helping the ride ops dispatch trainload after trainload of deliriously happy ACEers. She was on the microphone, joking around with them. We could hear her jovial banter through the trees.

And I could tell he was listening.

So I hushed up.

Our esteemed network reporter, who had finally loosened his tie and was now even carrying his tailored suitjacket, at long last cracked a smile and murmured, almost to himself: "This is fun."

YES, Richard, yes! It's FUN! You get it! (Don't worry; I was still in "hush" mode at this point. Didn't yell at the nice reporter.)

The 48 Hours segment didn't air until that August. In fact, it almost didn't air at all. As I recall there was a dreadful hurricane that threatened the Eastern Seaboard that week.

We were nearly pre-empted. But it did air. And then made its way over to cable. I caught it on The Learning Channel a few times. Just thrilling!

Ever since that first event for enthusiasts, we've looked forward to their happy gatherings. There's one coming up in June, actually. If you think you might be an enthusiast, you'll want to consider signing up for our HoliWood Nights special event.

Because, if you've made it to the end of this tome ... you just might be an enthusiast.

We receive all kinds of emails.

Most of them are remarkably nice.

And thanks to IT Joe and our spamfilter, the majority are clean.

But once in a while, there's a message that gives us pause.

dffff

Pardon me, what's that? Dffff?

What does that mean? Is it code?

Or some of that texting lingo?

Happily, the sender quickly followed with a second email: Sorry about previous email - cat hit the send button.

Yes, of course.

Since there were no further instructions from the sender, I forwarded the kitty's email on to the appropriate staff member ... Holidog.

(Originally posted 8/15/08)

A wonderful grandma named Joy sent us this story:

"My granddaughter is two and is in love with Holidog. She was having a little trouble with the idea of 'potty training' and I had the idea of telling her that Nana couldn't take her back until she could use the potty and 'go' like all the big people at Holiday World. Well, believe it or not she looked at me and said, 'Me go Holiday World, ride roller coasters.' And she has not had one accident since! As she goes into the restroom she continually says 'Holiday World - ride roller coasters!' It's so funny! I'm sure the kids who do the Holidog get very tired and hot, but I hope they realize what an impression they have on the young kids. Keep up the good work and Nana will be there the first day with all the grandkids! (Pray for me.) Ha-ha!"

Nana Joy, please tell your darling granddaughter that Holidog is very proud of her and can't wait to give her a big doggie hug next summer.

(Originally posted 12/30/08)

Every December, there are lots of jokes that Santa "works just one day a year."

But we know better, don't we?

And his Elves keep busy year-round, too.

Take Millie, for instance.

Here she is, over by the former Betsy Ross Doll House.

Former?

That's right. The doll house is moving out of the park.

Don't worry, though, it's just heading down the road a bit.

Did you know the Doll House had an entirely different life before being moved here to the park in 1946?

That sweet little building was the original Santa Claus Post Office, which opened in 1856.

After 65 years here in Santa Claus Land (as the House of Dolls) and Holiday World's 4th of July section, the post office will be moved soon to join the historic Santa Claus statue around the bend on State Road 245.

Back to Millie - she's packing up the hundreds of dolls for safe-keeping.

Here's the 1935 Santa Statue, which we restored last year. Isn't it lovely?

The Santa Claus Museum moved a portion of its collection into the green building next to the statue in time for Christmas visits last year. This is where the Santa Elves performed their letter-answering duties, too.

Mrs. Koch has long dreamed of creating a village with some of the town's historic buildings, and the next step will happen very soon.

Two iconic buildings will join the Santa Statue and Santa Claus Museum in the coming days.

This historic church is nearly ready to go. Originally called the Deutsch Evangelishe St. Paul's Kirche, this 1880 country church long housed a congregation that originated in 1853. It's just beautiful inside ...

Here's where the church and the original post office will be moved to in the next week or so. Although we've had a mild winter so far, it's not easy to plan a move of this magnitude this time of year. But we'll be sure to keep you posted!

Meanwhile, the Santa Claus Museum will post updates on their Facebook page and Twitter feed.

(Originally posted 8/24/05)

Want to make Dee Ann blush?

...pay for your party's admission in cash.

And use all $1 bills.

This is Dee Ann's second year as Director of Admissions, and she is never short of a good story.

A few weeks ago, during our weekly directors' meeting, she mentioned the stack of "ones" she had to count one morning over the weekend. In telling us, her face was already taking on a pink glow.

"...there were three young men at my window; they purchased three one-day admission tickets together and handed me a pile of dollar bills. I counted them, and then they handed over another stack. And then another. Trying to make friendly conversation, I asked without thinking, 'Oh, my ... where did you get all of these?'"

Without missing a beat, Bobby Beefcake replied, "We're exotic dancers." Bobby and his buddies, Alan Absamighty and Steven Sikzpak, burst out laughing.

Dee Ann, concentrating mightily, continued counting those bills. At the completion of the transaction, she looked back up and told them with a smile, "Well I must say ... this is a first!" Dee Ann may never have to buy blush again; those three pranksters have had a lasting effect!