Faithful new customers

We visited the park on June 29, 2006.

Just want to let you know how great your park is.

We live in Richmond, Ind., approximately 240 miles away. You know have faithful new customers.

All of your staff are excellent and can't get over how clean the park is .

Thanks again for a perfect vacation.

Todd A.
Richmond, Ind.

Thanks to The Gravity Group

We just ended our third two-day trip to Holiday World and it was even better than the first two!

Thanks so much for a wonderful, clean and fun park.

Your staff is great and The Voyage is the best Roller Coaster I've ever been on. As soon as I got home I searched Google and I called The Gravity Group to thank them and see if I could harness some of their creativity.

You should be very proud of the Park you've built --– it's the best!

Lance & Leslie W.

(In attendance with us this year were our kids Kelly, Conner & Kara, a sister and brother-in-law Lisa & Travis, their kids, Jake, Mitch, Pete & Curt, a sister-in-law Darla and her kids Bailey, Emma, Tyler & Trent and she brought a baby-sitter Michellien. Next year we're bringing more.)

Bigger than expected

My husband, son, and my mother and I just visited Holiday World & Splashin' Safari on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

We had an absolutely wonderful time!!!!

We feel that park is better than even Kings Island!!!!

We were surprised at how big it was and how much there was to do! We will definitely go back again!!!!!! The Santa Claus you have there is awesome!!!! He is really good at what he does!

Sincerely,

Mike, Stacey and Jared M.
Karen S.

Back after 45 years

Dear Management of Holiday World & Splashin' Safari;

The last time I visited "Santa Claus Land" was in 1960 or 1961 and saw one of the greatest water ski-shows ever.

Just last week, my wife, son, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons visited for two days. What a wonderful experience! The rides are great (rode Voyage twice), the whole park extremely clean and well-maintained, free drinks and a fair price.

I wish you great success as you continue to provide great times for families.

Sincerely,

Randy N.
Greenwood, Ind.

"I am extremely fussy..."

I just wanted you to know that we just visited Holiday World & Splashin Safari.

It was Very Fun!! Very Clean!! and Very Friendly!!

I love the drink idea.

We had such a wonderful time that when we got home we told everyone.

I am extremely fussy about public swimming so we have our own pool. It is a big joke among the people that know us. So everyone looks at me when we tell them about your place.

My response couldn't be more sincere.

Your commercial is right on target. We live in Hendersonville, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville. So our journey was not a long one.

We will be back!

Thank you for a Great Day.

Sincerely,
Diane H.
Hendersonville, Tenn.

Two different parks on two different weekends

Dear Staff of Holiday World,

My friends and I were at your park on Friday, June 23.

Four out of six of our group had not been to your park before. I live in Boonville, Ind., so going to your park is pretty run of the mill for me, or so I thought.

The weekend before this we went to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. The night before we left the Travel Channel (I think) was showing the best parks. Of course there was Holiday World at the top with great awards. I told everyone that it really was a great time, but I too wanted to go to a different park and so we went.

Six Flags is a terrible park. One it is an older park that has not been kept up, paint is faded and peeling everywhere. Rides were broken and paths to and from rides were overgrown with weeds. The staff at that park is terrible. I know that there are always those that excel in their positions, but I feel like those were few and far between there. Also smoking is allowed there along with the consumption of alcohol, both of which are not family-oriented.

So this past weekend we visited you. Thank you for a great day! My friends and I always seem to have a great time no matter what we do, but your park really made it an enjoyable day. I was with a group of guys, so we always try to give the female workers a hard time by asking questions about the ride they are operating or how their day is going. Everyone we talked to responded with usually a laugh, but then continued with a smile and a most brief conversation. They really seem to take pride in your park, with their attitudes and appearance. Both male and female workers were groomed well, and represented a wholesome atmosphere.

My friends that had never been before were surprised at how much your park offered and I was glad that all I had said to build up your park to them was reiterated throughout the entire day. We want to come back as soon as our summer classes are over with and we have extra time.

Thanks for a great day of memories,

Brett F., 21
Boonville, Ind.

Comparing water parks

I just wanted to say a few words about Holiday World in comparison to Orlando's Wet n Wild.

We recently went on a family vacation to Florida and decided to go to Wet n Wild in Orlando. Boy were we disappointed!!!! After being at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, we expected great things from a park in Orlando.

Not only was the cost of admission more, the food prices were higher (much higher), there were no free soft drinks, no free sunscreen, you had to rent inner tubes if you wanted one for the lazy river and the place was a pig sty!!!! And not only that, but the workers were rude!!!

We absolutely love your park and the people working there!!! We will be back again to see you this summer!!!! Holiday World in my opinion is the best park in the country!!!!

Thank you for being sooooooooo great!!!!!!!

Dawn M.
Terre Haute, Ind.

Kids had a blast

I visited your park (along with two children and husband) last Sunday and would like to tell you how much we loved your park.

Holiday World is awesome, the kids had a blast and the rides were very age appropriate!

We also loved the water park!

It was our first time visiting from Indianapolis, although we have known about you guys for years.

I will DEFINITELY recommend Holiday World to all of my friends and family. I can't say enough about you guys!

Thanks for the memories and keep up the great work!

Jonnell R.
Indianapolis, Ind.

PS: The free drinks and free parking were a HUGE hit!

He thought the trip was for his daughter

We have visited several amusement parks over the years but none has or will be as memorable as our visit to Holiday World.

Your park is so clean and nice.

I had never been to Holiday World and thought it was going to be a trip for my 8 year old daughter; boy was I wrong.

I think I had more fun than her and I am 30.

The Voyage was wonderful (Kings Island has nothing on you)

When I think of amusement parks I will always think of Holiday World.

Sincerely,
Michael P.
Jeffersonville, Ind.

From a North Carolina teen

I visited Holiday World last Tuesday, June 13, and just yesterday, June 20. I had a great time as usual. I've been visiting with my family for many years now since I was about six.

I enjoy the feeling of walking into your park and being greeted by the staff, and seeing Santa (the statue and the live one). We always get a picture by his statue. My little brother and sister always visit Santa, and get a picture taken with him.

I am, and always have been, impressed by the park staff, and the park's cleanliness. You guys have trash cans everywhere, so I don't have to walk through half the park to find one. I hate how in amusement parks you can't find a trash can easily, but not at Holiday World. You guys make sure people can find the trash cans.

Your pizza is amazing as well. Every time we visit, we get pizza for dinner at Kringle's Kafe. And we also go throughout the park knowing we can drink something good when we're thirsty. I love the free unlimited soft drinks.

My family and I are blown away by the progress you have made through the years we've visited. I am impressed by The Voyage also. During my first visit of this season, I rode The Voyage seven times.

Your website and brochures say to visit during the months of May and June, and that's no lie. The lines for everything were much better than those at other parks. I hate going to Cedar Point just because of the long wait, but I won't get into all of that.

I was surprised and happy that I got to ride the Voyage three times in a row without having to get up. The Raven is my second favorite of the three roller coasters.

Splashin' Safari is the best water park I have ever been to. The one at Kings Dominion in Virginia is horrible. You guys have it all. You have two wave pools, two rivers, the longest water slide, the best water slides, and free sunscreen! I've decided Bahari wave pool is better, but that's just me.

Thanks for all that you guys do, and keep it up. I plan to visit next summer, and work there one summer after I graduate. See you guys in 2007!

Sincerely,
Jai J.
Age 15
Jacksonville, N.C.

Visiting from Alabama

Koch Family,

It has been over 20 years since I have been to Santa Claus Land.

I live in Alabama and was not aware of the changes.

We spent nine hours there on Father’s Day with a five-year-old and an 18-month-old.

The whole park is clean as a pin.

The flowers were all so beautiful and well cared for.

During the rain we went inside one of the gift shops and picked up a poncho at customer relations for the drizzle.

The water park is unreal. So many things to do for all ages.

All the attractions were so well maintained but the best thing about the park was the people.

Your employees were so helpful, friendly and accommodating.

It truly is a family park and I can tell your family takes great pride in it and a personal interest.

It was wonderful to have such a nice place for the kids and grandkids to visit while we were visiting family there.

We have definitely put it on our list of "Places to revisit."

Wendy J.
Moulton, Alabama

Polite staff appreciated

My wife and I just wanted to drop an email thanking your entire staff for a wonderful experience on Friday, June 16.

We chose Holiday World for our anniversary because we have never been. We had a wonderful time. The atmosphere was wonderful, the park was clean, and all staff were polite as can be. It was well worth the drive!

We also loved the gospel sing, and we were pleasantly surprised when we heard Christian music in the gift shop.

We plan to return so we can give Splashin' Safari a try.

We hope to make Holiday World a yearly tradition when our daughter gets older. (She is only 15 months.)

Thanks again!!

God Bless,
Tony and Cheri L.
New Castle, Ind.

Great time for ages 1 - 71

Just wanted to let you know our family and grandma and grandpa and lots of cousins, aunts and uncles went to Holiday World from St. Louis and Southern Illinois and we had a wonderful time.

We were there June 7 and 8. We had ages ranging from 1 - 71. There were 30 of us.

It was our third time there; we try to make it every other year.

Just wanted to say Thank You for the great time!

Debbie B.
St. Louis, Missouri

Nicki Jo didn't want to leave

Holiday World Family:

It was our first time visiting Santa Claus, Ind. We were there from June 15 until June 18. We stayed at the Santa's Lodge and went during the day to your wonderful park!!

It was so clean, friendly and inexpensive to visit. We are making this our yearly trip!!

My daughter, Nicki Jo, who is five years old, was crying on the way home because she loved it so much and wants to come back.

Thank you again for making our family trip so wonderful. GREAT JOB WE TRULY ENJOY IT!!

Thomas, Jeannene & Nicki Jo K.
Riverton, Ill.

"You are not robbing people"

I just wanted to let you know that I visited your park for the first time with my husband and son on Friday afternoon. This was the first time I have ever been there.

It was wonderful!! I think that it is so nice that there is an amusement park close to us that is so family oriented.

My little boy is only two and he had so much fun. There was so much for him to do and it was a very reasonable trip!! I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the fact that you are not robbing people for things like parking, food and drinks when they visit.

The park is also so clean!! I have absolutely nothing bad to say about our time and am spreading the word!! Keep up the good work!!!

Amy R.
Bridgeport, Ill.

"Loved the triple down"

I would just like to take the time to thank you for building The Voyage. It is easily the best roller coaster I've ever been on, both wood and steel. I rode in the rear seat on The Voyage, and it was such a great ride because of all of the unexpected hills.

I loved the triple down in the tunnel. I was caught off guard and it had my adrenaline pumping. What a great roller coaster to an already A-list park.

Thanks for the good time.

Sincerely,
Justin N.
Henderson, Ky.

A Hoosier Gem

My family visited your park with a school group on Friday, June 16.

We've visited Holiday World many times. This visit in particular I was so impressed that I wanted to write you my comments.

My family has visited Walt Disney World quite a few times. Holiday World rivals WDW in cleanliness and friendliness. We once went to Kentucky Kingdom, and will not return because it seems very dirty.

There were two instances that your park employees went out of their way to express interest in if we were enjoying ourselves, and they were very helpful when addressed with questions.

Whatever you do to make friendly employees, whether it be training or fair treatment ---keep it up. Splashin'’ Safari surpasses WDW's Typhoon Lagoon.

Holiday World is a Hoosier gem. It's surrounded by beautiful country as well. And, I suppose it may seem you pass up lots of profit with the free drinks and sunscreen, but I know that factor alone is a selling point for families.

What a place for good, clean family fun! I'm thinking of trying to visit twice during a season.

Thanks again,
Paula T.
Bloomington, Ind.

"You really care about the operation"

My family visited your park Friday June 9. It was our first visit.

I must say we were very impressed; standing right at the main entrance was the owner greeting people.

The park was clean and people were constantly going around cleaning. All the workers were pleasant and courteous. Throughout the day I would see Mrs. Koch walking around the park.

You run the park good and we will visit again. Hope next time to be able to visit the water park, too.

Thank you for having such a nice park and showing that you really care about the operation.

Keep up the good work!

Karen B.
Indianapolis, Ind.

Singing the praises

For several years now I've heard others sing praises of Holiday World. But I wondered how good can a park with only two roller coasters be?

Enter Voyage... I couldn't wait any longer.

After flying in from Los Angeles and meeting up with some friends in Cincinnati, we all made our first ever trip to Holiday World.

We were blown away.

The staff, the atmosphere, and cleanliness of the park is the tops of any park I've been to.

It was also the first time I went to an amusement park and didn't feel like my wallet was taking a beating. You know, that point when you go to lunch standing with eyes glazed over looking at the menu searching for something cheaper than the $8 soggy cheeseburger? $10 parking? $5 ice cream? $7 locker rental? Not at Holiday World, where the Koch Family and crew treats you right.

The Raven and Legend were an absolute thrill. And the Voyage? My mind is still reeling from that out of body experience! We loved the water park as well.

Thanks for making me feel like I was 10 years old again. I will be back.

Dan (oh, and Justin, Gary, Dwight, Brian, and Larry, too!)

"...funnest day of the year"

This is the third year in a row our school group has visited Holiday World.

I am happy to report that the visit was top-notch again. The service is impeccable.

I have never seen so many happy employees in one place before. Is there something in the water in Santa Claus?

I cannot think of a thing that I would do differently. My family has been going for about thirteen years in a row, and the place just keeps getting better and better.

It is a pleasure to still have at least one truly family-friendly, family-affordable place to take our children.

Thanks for consistently providing my children (and now our school group ) the funnest day of the year. You are helping many families create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

With Sincere Appreciation,
Lisa H.
Taylorsville, Ky.

"It was a blast"

I attended your park yesterday and I thought it was a blast.

It is so clean and so friendly and the lines truly are much shorter than anywhere I have been in a long time.

I was in Kings Island last weekend in Cincinnati which they stand no competition against Holiday World.

Thanks for the adventure, and I will be attending Holiday World often. I rode the new roller coaster the Voyage and I was very impressed at how much work and detail just the building had. It really has become stiff competition to big parks such as the Disney parks and even Universal Studios. I think that it definitely is one of the best roller coasters I have ever ridden.

Thank you,

Jacob M.
age 15
Providence, Ky.

Counting down the days

My family can't wait for our upcoming trip to Holiday World.

I have been coming to Holiday World since I was 13 and now enjoy bringing my children whose first trip was six years ago.

They have been driving me crazy about how many days were left until our trip. I had to make a paper chain for them to tear off each day for the countdown.

Each year we visit the park is better than the last and our group that makes the trip each year keeps growing.

We have an amusement park only ten minutes from our house but we would much rather make the trip to Holiday World every year.

Holiday World is the cleanest and friendliest park we have ever visited including Disney World.

Keep up the good work!

Kristie G.
Louisville, Ky.

Impressed with employees' work ethic

I was at Holiday World yesterday and only regret that I didn't stop Pat and speak with her in person. I have seen her on many advertisements and on the website. I noticed her walking through the park as she nicely asked a group of kids not to run through the other people.

I have been going to Holiday World since I was a child, and it was known as Santa Claus Land. Now my three children and nephew look forward to our visits to Holiday World each year - one visit just isn't enough! The wonderful family atmosphere, impeccable cleanliness, good food, and great fun can't be beat.

Yesterday I was truly impressed with the service and the employees. As I get older, it seems as if you rarely find young people who take pride in their work and actually want to work. Service at many places today is not pleasant to say the least.

That definitely cannot be said for Holiday World.

It was so encouraging and refreshing to see young people who enjoyed their job and did it so well. They were friendly, helpful, and took pride in what they were doing. I hear people often say that you can't find kids that want to work and have a good work ethic. My answer is now going to be - Holiday World can! Your employment selection, training, and expectations should be a model for other businesses.

Thank you for the great examples of good, quality work and the wonderful memories that my family and I continue to share at Holiday World.

I look forward to coming again this summer, and if I have the opportunity to see Pat, I would love to thank her in person.

Thanks again,

Lori S.
Georgetown, Ind.

"We were treated like human beings!"

Just wanted to drop a line and let you all know what a great job you are doing with the park.

My wife, myself, and a couple of friends came from Benton, Illinois, to visit the park on Thursday, June 8, and had a great time.

I was at Six Flags St. Louis only a week ago and the differences in the parks are amazing. We were treated like human beings by your workers, which was a nice change, the free drinks and sun screen is just crazy (I still don't believe it!), and the cost for the entire day was amazing.

I walked in with $37 and left with $17.

After eating/drinking soft drinks at Six Flags for a day, it was amazing to me that you could find a good meal for two people for under $15! The wife and myself spent over $20 on one of the smallest, most sub-par dinners I have ever had at Six Flags.

I live only 130 miles from Six Flags, and over 200 miles from Santa Claus, but the drive was definitely worth it!

Once you consider the free parking, free drinks, free sunscreen, and exceptionally cheap meals, the $20 spent on gas really doesn't amount to much!

I was also pleasantly surprised with the nativity scene gracing the park, which is something you definitely wouldn't see in most mainstream parks...or mainstream anything for that matter!

Thanks for the great time, and keep treating the employees well, it really shows through in the way they treat the guests!

Thanks again, and God bless!

Joey T.
Benton, Ill.

"Pictures don't do it justice"

I just made my first visit of the year on the past Monday June 5.

I was so excited to ride the new Voyage, and what a ride it was. I actually made 6 sailings on The Voyage during my visit. It was even more exciting than I thought it would be, the videos and pictures really don't do it justice, because when I saw it my mouth literally dropped open.

I could see it from nearly everywhere in the park.

I brought three friends with me, one of whom had only made one visit when The Raven opened back in '95, but was only five at the time, so couldn't ride. She really enjoyed the park.

And then one of my other friends hadn't really conquered his fear of roller coasters yet, so we took him on The Raven first, which was just about the only coaster he had been on before. He was really nervous when we pushed him into the queue line of The Voyage, but when we got off he gladly yelled, "That was awesome!! Let's do it again!"

We all had a great visit, and even my younger brother and my parents who don't go on too many rides enjoyed shooting the turkeys on Gobbler Getaway, even though my mom was confused at first on which way to shoot the turkey call, and was shooting herself in the face during the first half of the ride. LOL! But she eventually got the hang of it.

I was really surprised by the wait times for the lines. I actually got to go on The Legend twice without having to get off, and the first ride we rode when the park opened was The Raven, and there was only like a 15 minute wait, when I usually have to wait around an hour at the opening time.

I am always reading the HoliBlog, and I had remembered reading something about Will ordering the wrong colors of boats for the Raging Rapids, and when we got on, the hostess looked at us and said you guys are very lucky, you get the only blue boat on the ride this year. I thought it was quite funny and told her I had heard about it in the HoliBlog, she let out a small giggle, and wished us a great ride.

The Bahari River was good, but I'm not sure which one I like better the Bahari, or The Congo. I guess I will have to decide next time I come.

I am definitely making a second or maybe even a third trip back this year to ride my new favorite coaster The Voyage. I should be coming back in August with my church youth group.

I can't wait to see you all again soon.

In my opinion The Voyage should make the rating as #1 coaster on the planet by the end of this season.

Your coaster loving friend,

Josh H.

P.S. I saw the park on the Travel Channel yesterday. I was so happy to see it. Great job making it.

Top Ten Reasons to come back in 2007

Hi, this was our fifth annual two-day trip to your wonderful park with our three boys (ages 10, 7, and 4).

Once again we had a blast.

Here are our Top Ten Reasons why we will be back next year for our 6th annual trip.

10. Non-smoking.
9. Clean park, including the bathrooms.
8. Gatorade!! We really liked seeing this beverage as a choice. It's much better for you on those hot sunny days!
7. Free drinks and sunscreen!! This is great for a family on a budget and you can help yourself whenever you want!
6. Food. Wraps, fried fish, BBQ, corn on the cob, baked beans, and chicken tenders. The selection is great and the prices can't be beat!!
5. Splashin' Safari music!! Love the Beatles, Beach Boys, and clean music to listen to. Puts you in a beach mood!!
4. Safety. Your staff is to be commended for consistently checking the children's height, making sure all belts were tightened, and doing it all with a smile!!
3. The Voyage!!!! What a relentless ride! Can't wait for next year to get on again!!
2. Rides for the whole family. We love all the rides we can get on together as a family unit. We really appreciate the rides our youngest one can get on while our oldest ones ride the "big" ones.
1. Truly a park for families to enjoy together!!! Continue the great friendly family atmosphere and you have fans for life!!!

Thank you for creating wonderful memories for our family!!!

Sincerely,

The M. family
Fishers, Ind.

Can't wait to come back in August

I just made my first visit of the year on the past Monday, June 5.

I was so excited to ride the new Voyage, and what a ride it was. I actually made six sailings on The Voyage during my visit. It was even more exciting than I thought it would be, the videos and pictures really don't do it justice, because when I saw it my mouth literally dropped open. I could see it from nearly everywhere in the park.

I brought three friends with me, one of whom had only made one visit when The Raven opened back in '95, but was only five at the time, so couldn't ride. She really enjoyed the park. And then one of my other friends hadn't really conquered his fear of roller coasters yet, so we took him on The Raven first, which was just about the only coaster he had been on before. He was really nervous when we pushed him into the queue line of The Voyage, but when we got off he gladly yelled, "That was awesome!! Let's do it again!"

We all had a great visit, and even my younger brother and my parents who don't go on too many rides enjoyed shooting the targets on Gobbler Getaway, even though my mom was confused at first on which way to shoot the turkey call, and was shooting herself in the face during the first half of the ride. LOL. But she eventually got the hang of it.

I was really surprised by the wait times for the lines. I actually got to go on The Legend twice without having to get off, and the first ride we rode when the park opened was The Raven, and there was only like a 15-minute wait, when I usually have to wait around an hour at the opening time.

I am always reading the HoliBlog, and I had remembered reading something about Will ordering the wrong colors of boats for the Raging Rapids, and when we got on, the Hostess looked at us and said you guys are very lucky, you get the only blue boat on the ride this year. I thought it was quite funny and told her I had heard about it in the HoliBlog, she let out a small giggle, and wished us a great ride.

The Bahari River was good, but I'm not sure which one I like better the Bahari, or The Congo. I guess I will have to decide next time I come. I am definitely making a second or maybe even a third trip back this year to ride my new favorite coaster The Voyage. I should be coming back in August with my church youth group. I can't wait to see you all again soon.

In my opinion The Voyage should make the rating as #1 coaster on the planet, by the end of this season.

Your coaster-loving friend,

Josh H.

P.S. I saw the park on the Travel Channel yesterday. I was so happy to see it. Great job making it.

"A thousand times better"

My girlfriend and I visited yesterday for the first time. We had to drive past Six Flags in Louisville on the way.

These days, we are used to being nickle and dimed and treated like cattle. People have come to expect this treatment from any business they deal with. We were both very surprised by the difference we found at Holiday World. The management style is obvious, and makes the park a thousand times better. I just wanted to say thanks to the management for taking care of the customers.

We can tell.

James C.
Louisville, Ky.

"Oh well, their loss!"

I would like to thank you Holiday World for one of the best trips ever to an amusement park.

For family fun, you cannot beat it.

Most of all, thanks for the free soft drinks and the not-so-overpriced food. I cannot believe that other places wanting to attract customers have not begun to follow your lead. Oh well, their loss!

We visited Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom last year (we live in Bowling Green), and I will never, and I mean never, go there again. Holiday World is much nicer and must more hospitable. We were greeted many times and told to have a good time throughout our visit.

The pool areas were very clean. I will only say that if the businessmen running Six Flags were smart, they would visit your establishment and make note of many items that need to be changed at their park.

Needless to say, my friends and I were very impressed and WE WILL BE BACK!!!

Thanks again!

Sherry L.
Bowling Green, Ky.

Attentive lifeguards

Thanks for a great time last Saturday, June 3, 2006!

I was impressed with the overall cleanliness, friendly staff, and variety of attractions.

The no-smoking policy is wonderful.

Most impressive was the attentiveness of the lifeguard staff in the water park. All seemed professional and I noted that they weren'’t standing around chatting with each other or gazing elsewhere. They were focused on the participants and that contributed to a feeling of safety and security.

Have a great summer season!

Sincerely,

Alyce T.
Perham, Minn.

Returning from Georgia

My boys and I go on our annual summer amusement park trip each of the past seven summers.

Each of the last two years I have driven 3,000+ miles to about 8 parks, which included a trip to Canada. We always try to include new parks and last June, I included Holiday World.

What a fantastic time we had there.

We stopped Pat Koch and spoke to her about our appreciation of how they ran the park.

Free parking, a great family atmosphere, free soft drinks, free sunscreen, a smoke-free environment, reasonable entry fees, a great water park and some fantastic wooden coasters make it the ideal place and well worth the drive for us.

We are only able to afford one park this summer and that park is Holiday World. Being able to ride "The Voyage" will make it even better. See you next month.

Thanks,
Dave E.
Marietta, Georgia

They voyaged from New York

For what it's worth, I wanted to follow up on an email promise sent earlier this year thanking the Koch Family for having the guts and the foresight to build what we hoped would be the world's greatest woodie.

Well, we visited your beautiful park (for the second time) this past Sunday, and despite the initial fear that The Voyage might not operate at all that day, by 1:00 pm The Voyage was finally up and running (albeit with 1 train only).

Before I tell you our take on this new ride, I just wanted to mention that we have been all over the world riding coasters (individual count is now over 400) and sightseeing as well. We are not Roller Coaster fanatics in the usual sense in that when we ride a coaster for the first time, we usually ride it only once or twice that day--not the dozens of times that so many enthusiasts feel they have to (?).

We like to think we have a rational attitude toward travel and coasterdom. That is, we pick a place to travel to first, and if there happens to be an amusement park in the immediate area, so much the better.

I have to admit that in this instance, our travel plans WERE motivated by the opening of the Voyage.

That turned out to be a good thing.

Why? Because the Voyage (in my humble opinion) IS the greatest woodie anywhere on the planet, and just might be the greatest coaster ever built of any type, wood or steel.

By now, with all the reviews pouring in about your new creation, I won't bore you with all the details about what element or portion of the ride we enjoyed the most.

Suffice it to say that we reveled in every brilliant moment of your incredibly designed and executed creation. It boggles the mind to think of the huge amount of time, thought and energy that went into the birth of this phenomenal machine.

Many have already expressed the awe they have felt after riding The Voyage, with its relentless speed and its intense turns, drops, and airtime. Let me add my small voice to that chorus of approval.

Thanks for making our long journey to your wonderful park very worthwhile. Keep doing what you've been doing; it's working.
Sincerely, Sheldon L. (and Family) Plainview, N.Y.

Not one negative comment

In June of 2005 my family visited your park and enjoyed it tremendously.

We enjoyed it so much that this year we invited two other families to join us this past weekend. I just wanted to say that we were all pleased again with your park.

There were 16 of us in the party and I never heard one negative comment from anyone with us.

Sometimes people don't take the time to say what a good job you are doing but I would like to take this opportunity, so please pass the word to all.

We WILL be back again next year. Thank you so much for having a great park.

Yours truly,
Virgil W.
Lexington, Ky.

"Far beyond my expectations"

My family and I just returned from Holiday World, our second trip there in three or so years. I periodically check the website. When I saw the announcement about The Voyage so many months ago, I knew I would be back to your park. I faithfully watched the progress of The Voyage almost every day and watched the animation. When the actual video was released, anticipation was really there. Visited the park on 31 May and 1 June.

The Voyage was far beyond my expectations. I have been on many coasters, but The Voyage is definitely my all-time favorite.

About the Voyage, my son really enjoyed the Beast at Kings Island. His words were, "Good-bye, Beast!"

I thought as I sat at Splashin' Safari, if I see Will Koch I am going to tell this guy how awesome his new toy is. I'm talking to my wife, and who do I see hurrying by, Will Koch himself. Please let him know that I apologize if I startled him when I yelled "HEY, WILL!" I'm the guy from northern Kentucky. He'll remember me. I told my kids that I met him, and they were amazed.

Later in the day they were both thrilled to get to meet Mr. Koch also. Then on day two when the big storm blew through, everybody heads to Kringle's Kafe. The place was as busy as ever, and who do we see helping out ... Mrs. Koch.

This trip was more than complete. Your park is the best. Staff is awesome, the park is spotless. Free parking, free sodas, and wow, free ponchos. The big-league themers need some lessons from your awesome park. Thanks for a great time.

We will be return patrons to your park.

Never change your ways. I am a customer service supervisor...yours is excellent. My wife said to me, "Why is everyone here so nice?" My reply, "Good management trickles down."

See you next year.

Paul B. and family
Florence, Ky.

"Absolutely wonderful time!"

I was just looking at your HoliBlog so I thought I would send you my story!

My family made our first visit to Holiday World and Splashin' Safari in 2000 and absolutely loved it! The staff was friendly and the park was even cleaner than Kentucky Kingdom! We were staying for two days over summer break on a weekend. We stayed in a hotel minutes away from the park.

The first ride we went on was the Raven! It is wonderful that your friendly staff is just delighted to hold your fanny packs, prizes, glasses, sweatshirts, backpacks, and anything else. Even though it rained it was still wonderful!

The second day we did Splashin' Safari and it was equally wonderful!

The rides are for all ages and you even have rides for the toddlers and smaller children! The whole family enjoyed The Wave!

My Mom loved that you could rent a locker and then return the key and get your deposit back! It's nice to have a water park close to us and not be interested in just making money!

We have returned very year since and have still had the same absolutely wonderful time!

Katie H.
Louisville, Ky.