When your 6-year-old emails your boss

My James absolutely loves to email.

He's only six. He's in Kindergarten.

You may recall he is one of those "Coaster Crazies." He can't get enough.

Remember Ralphie from A Christmas Story ...how when he's describing the Red Ryder BB gun he wants for Christmas, it's all one word?

James is the same way when he talks about The Voyage. To anyone who will listen, he announces:

DidyouknowTheVoyagewasgoingtohavetwo90-degreebankedcurvesthatgolikethis... (he demonstrates dramatically with his little hand) ...butthenWilldecidedtoaddanothersonowtherewillbethree?

Most adults just nod, their eyes growing wider.

The latest thing in Kindergarten is "stretching." The children are taught that sounding out words and spelling them phonetically is the way to go.

They'll worry about spelling some other year.

I was skeptical at first. Actually, the word horrified is far more appropriate.

But I'm beginning to see the light.

According to the experts, too much emphasis on spelling tends to block the tots' creativity glands. They get so worried about i-before-e that they just don't bother.

So we stretch.

And James emails.

The lad is quite independent. He wants to do it all by himself.

So after a bit of tutoring, he now opens the computer program, double-clicks on the appropriate name, taps out a message, and clicks on "Send."

My folks in Connecticut hear from him almost daily. Other recipients are scattered throughout nearly a dozen states.

I'd forgotten Will was in my email address book at home. James discovered it over the weekend.

"Mom, I wrote an email to Will."

You didn't send it yet, did you?

"Oops."

I held my breath as I clicked on the "Sent" folder. Stretching, after all, can lead to words that don't always mean what you intended.

Here's what James wrote to my boss, word for stretched word:

dear Will,
hey how much
do you like
rollercoster?
cood it be u thousins
is that how much you like
rollercosters?
james the littol
giy
that
cam owt of
paulas
beley
so
by
Will
james
werne

What a relief he was able to help Will avoid any confusion by describing which James Werne he is!

I wasn't really all that worried, as Will has three children of his own, and is genuinely a nice guy.

So nice, in fact, that he replied the very next day:

James, I really like roller coasters. I love to ride them, but I really
love to work with designers/engineers to create new ones. Like a lot of
people, I can't wait to ride The Voyage!

- Will

Speaking of stretching, here's a look at James stretching out on a hillside with The Voyage rising up behind him.



Going to work with Mom on the weekend has its perks, after all.

Plus it gives him something to write about.

Craig called

You remember Craig and his camera, don't you?

He called a bit ago.

"Hey, Paula ... do you want me to take some more photos?"

Can't turn down an offer like that. He can offer a different perspective of The Voyage, if you know what I mean.

Meanwhile, the roof is going on the station. You can watch that on our webcam.

And the February wallpaper is up.

A full plate

We're up to 50 candidates for the Discovery Channel to consider for their new show. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories so far. (And I really don't think Liz will take points off from those who called the new coaster "The Voyager.")

My buddy over at About.com was interested enough to blog about it.

Meanwhile, three little piggies sneaked away from the office for a feeding frenzy yesterday.

It is, after all, the menu-planning time of the year for our foodservices department, poor dears.

Will, Wayne and Tonya-Marie went to Louisville for a "tasting" prepared by one of our food vendors.

Get this -- five chefs prepared food for three people to sample.

And sample they did.

Tonya-Marie, who is still a bit stuffed, just gave me the rundown:

They tried (try singing this to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas):
...five styles of turkey ... four kinds of ham ... four rotisserie chickens ... two types of stuffing ... three sweet potatoes ... four different gravies ... yummy green beans ...

Six mashed potatoes!

Four different rolls ... three cooked apples ... two macs and cheese ...

...and more pies "than I could begin to count," groaned Tonya-Marie.

Choosing exactly what to serve at the new Plymouth Rock Cafe is a bit more difficult than one might think. Sure it's easy to put mashed potatoes on the menu, but then you have to figure out what kind of potatoes and what goes in with said potatoes.

Wayne is still suffering: "I burned the roof of my mouth on my third serving of mashed potatoes."

All together now...

Oh, wah!

Roller Coaster weight loss

Poor Liz. She's got a difficult choice to make.

This will not be an easy decision.

Just a day after the search was launched, we've already received 25 entries.

The candidates, so far, are from 10 states. And not just from Indiana and nearby Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio.

We've also heard from Pennsylvania, Tennessee, New Jersey, Florida, Michigan and Texas.

A grandma. A young man in college. A new mom. A husband whose wife told him they should try it together. A couple of stories where people said they'd been downsized at work and as a result felt the need to downsize their physique.

I don't doubt for a second, though, that Liz will find a candidate who's the perfect fit.

Watch for Will

If you have access to Evansville's WTVW, you might want to tune in tomorrow (Thursday) morning to see Will's smiling face.

He's going to be on with Chris Williams shortly before 7:00 am CST and again just prior to 8:00 am CST.

One segment will be about the new Discovery Channel show and the other will revolve around the construction of The Voyage.

They promised me they'll have good coffee brewing.

Will's a coffee guy. Every morning we're open, he's out at the front gate with his steaming cup.

Even in the dog days of August.

Mad dogs, Englishmen...

...and Will.

A countdown of another kind

It's January 25.

Only 11 months till Christmas!

(Oh. And we open for our 60th Anniversary Season in exactly 100 days.)

A weighty question

Remember Liz?

That darling associate producer for the upcoming Discovery Channel show about the most exciting new wooden coasters for 2006?

Liz visited first in September to get a look at the park and The Voyage's construction site.

The production crew crossed the pond in October and spent five glorious (if muddy) days with us.

Liz is a freelancer. When she finished her work on the coaster show (sorry, we still don't know the air dates), she went on to another gig.

Right now she's working on a joint project involving the BBC and Discovery Channel.

And she needs our help.

In a nutshell, she's looking for someone who has a very specific goal. Liz wants to find someone who is trying to lose weight in order to fit comfortably on The Voyage this summer.

Now before the emails start coming in, let me assure you that if you fit in the seats at The Raven and The Legend last season (and you didn't overdo the fruitcake consumption last month), you'll be fine. The Voyage's three trains are being produced by the same company.

Liz is looking for someone who seriously wants to lose weight. It can be someone who is already dieting. The key is, your goal must be to ride The Voyage.

This is for a new series called The Truth About Food. It's a joint venture between the BBC and the Discovery Channel and will air next January.

In the Eat to Slim episode, Liz and crew will follow the Chosen One on a four-month weight-loss program. A team of leading nutritionists will provide expert advice and guidance (based on the person's specific body type) throughout.

Liz was quick to point out the nutritional program is meant to be a guide for life. And she's not worried about the candidate tipping the scales at any particular amount.

"We're not looking for mass weight reduction," Liz explained in that accent I've so missed.

"We really don't expect them to lose two stone."

Huh?

Gallstones?

Kidney stones?

Always at the ready, Liz used the conversion scale on her cell phone and discovered that "two stone" equals 28 pounds (of weight, not British money).

So...are you game? Again, Liz is looking for someone who can't wait to ride The Voyage who would also really like some help losing weight before taking that First Ride. All on world-wide TV, of course.

If you'd like Liz to consider you, please jot down your thoughts in an email (click on the Comments button at the top right portion of this page).

And let's do this within a week, okay? We'll pass along emails to Liz through the last day of January.

Please include your name, address, phone number, age (18+ only), and a brief description of your struggle and your progress.

We already know your goal.

Separated at birth?

Jon emailed over the weekend to point out how our storyteller for Gobbler Getaway...



...bears a striking resemblance to the Arthur Carlson character of WKRP TV fame...



The "Big Guy's" granny, perhaps?

If you've been around long enough, you'll remember the famous turkey-drop fiasco episode from 1978.

In it, Mr. Carlson cries out: "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!"

Further research reveals the frightening fact that a "turkey drop" may actually have occurred back in 1946.

Sixty years ago.

The very year our park opened.

Hmmmm...

So what about that other ride?

We haven't forgotten about Gobbler Getaway, don't worry.

Our dark ride is being created in sunny Florida.

Now remember, since this is a dark ride, there's lots of black light used, so the colors look a bit extreme in natural light.



This is part of one of the scenes as we search for the escaped turkeys.

Next we show a portion of the "practice" area, where you can try out your turkey call.



The storyteller who will explain how to play the interactive part of Gobbler Getaway is being created. Thought we'd give you the heads-up:



She...oh, did I not mention the gender? She will explain the background story to the riders, and will encourage good behavior.



There, that's better.

And finally, a familiar looking fellow from a colorful fall field:



Mr. Scarecrow is also only partially complete. He has quite a profile.



Construction of Gobbler Getaway's building will begin soon. It will be located to the east of the area between The Voyage's station and the lifthill.

Don't let on that I mentioned this, but in just a few days the "countdown clock" takes us down into double digits.

But who's counting?

Yesterday's TV story about The Voyage

Channel 14 has the video available on their website.

If you pick up TV news from Evansville

...you might want to watch WFIE this evening.

Liza and Aaron came up for a two-fer a little bit ago.

The first story is Will's reaction to the Time Zone Decision. Somehow, Will managed to maintain his composure and not break into a little dance-of-joy while on camera.

As you may recall, Indiana has been in a state of flux, as the Federal Government has held hearings to determine which counties will be on Eastern and which on Central. The State has already decided we'll all be on Daylight Savings Time.

Without going into all the details, let's just say we're part of a slightly larger cluster of counties in the southwest part of the State which will be on Central Time from here on in.

Next, Liza asked Will about The Voyage.

Another grin as big as the sky.

I should have taken a photo or two, but I didn't think to grab the camera before heading down to the construction site. Happily, we still have some of Craig's to show from the top of the lifthill.

Here's what's going on in Splashin' Safari:



This is the location for Bahari River. See the Bahari wave pool at the top of the picture?

Craig took a closer look:



The Tiki-carving crew is back this year, so we'll have some nice looking theming.

Here's a front-to-back look of the park. That's The Wave in the foreground and our other two lovely wooden coasters in the background.



Liza just moved to the area a few months ago, so this was her first look at the park.

She assured us that, growing up in Ohio, she loves riding coasters.

When I asked if she had a favorite, she said she didn't really have a #1 Coaster.

Just wait till May...

On top of the 'World

It's after lunch here, so I think it's safe to post the next batch of Craig-on-the-lifthill photos.

(Those in Mountain and Pacific Time--you've been warned!)

Let's join Craig for a glance up the lifthill. This is what you'll see when you ride The Voyage. (Of course, by then, Craig et al will have added little things like the top layer of the track, plus the all-important lift chain).



Ready for a second view?



Up to the top he climbs.

Then Craig takes a peek over the top for a look at The Voyage's 154-foot drop at a 66-degree angle.



Dessert, anyone?

A view from the top

Two guesses whether Rachel or I took this photo:



Not.

A.

Chance.

This was taken from the top of The Voyage's lifthill, looking back at the station.

Craig is helping out with the tracking and brought his camera along the other day.

Let's zoom in a bit to get a better look at the coaster's finale:



If you look carefully, you can see how the track swings back around the station and through two final tunnels before coming to the end of the ride.

Craig's wife, Marlene, works here, too. She emailed these--and other--photos. We'll post more of them in a bit.

Marlene mentioned to me she's rethinking whether she's going to ride "that thing."

Gravy, anyone?

The menu for Plymouth Rock Cafe hasn't been set in stone yet, but it's probably safe to assume there'll be gravy somewhere.

Here's the look of the place:



Not far from the Cafe is this view of The Voyage. If you remember from the video, at the end of the ride the track wraps around the station and heads into one last tunnel.



You may remember from yesterday, that little roof top sticking up is the Pepsi Oasis building.

Another weekend has arrived, believe it or not. Sometime next week, we'll revisit the turnaround area, as that track should go up fast.

A look at the station

Conceptual, of course.

Will, as always, reserves the right to tweak around on the design.

But you've waited long enough to see what's in the hopper, so here it is:



And the location of the station?

It's right behind the building that's under construction in this photo. That building is the Pepsi Oasis and restrooms (a twist on one-stop shopping). The Voyage station will be located across the walkway.



Check back tomorrow for more photos and drawings.

Christmas may be over

...but Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

Wouldn't your sweetheart just love this one-of-a-kind souvenir from Holiday World?



It's available on eBay for a few more days, if you'd like to take a look.

And if you can't wait for Valentine's Day, there's always Groundhog Day...

What's this obsession with barfing?

I mean, seriously...

Have you ever noticed how the news media nearly always equates riding a roller coaster with...regurgitation?

It really doesn't happen that often (not here, anyway). But I guess it makes good ink.

That said, who's complaining?

It's quite nice to have the Associated Press come calling.

For their online multi-media news page for the younger set (18-34 years old), they've chosen five of the nation's new-for-06 coasters for their article, complete with on-ride footage for each.

We like to think they saved the best for last.

Don't adjust your monitors!

Or get a crick in your neck.

...but this is what you'll see when riding The Voyage.



This is a POV (point-of-view) shot heading into the third and final 90-degree banked curve.

That's the "walkboard" on the right side. It's what our maintenance staff walks on when they're inspecting and, well, maintaining.

Yes, it's parallel to the ground.

Excuse me while I call my chiropractor. I've got this crick in my neck that needs some attention...

Planning ahead

It was sort of a relief that not one single person emailed Friday to remind us the park opens in just four months.

Believe me, we know.

The countdown clock on our company intranet is ticking.

Loudly.

Dee Ann hears it, too.

She just emailed me the dates she has set for early Season Pass photos. The specifics are here on our Rules & Services page.

So if you'd like to get your 2006 Season Pass in advance of opening day, Dee Ann and her crew will be ready for you.

On the 12th day of Christmas

Today is "Little Christmas."

Epiphany.

The "last" day of Christmas.

The perfect time to post the photos I'd intended to put up back in mid-December.

As you know, there's something about the number seven.

There are the Seven Sisters.

The Seven Seas.

The Seven Deadly Sins.

...and even Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

There are also Seven Santa Statues.



The above statue was dedicated just before Christmas of 1935. It's located on Highway 245, just south-east of Holiday World.

A smaller version was added to the town a few years ago, and is located in front of our town hall.



Then there's the Santa statue in front of the hotel in town, Santa's Lodge. It's huge! I've never heard why his arm is extended that way; it almost looks like a "you must be this tall to ride" sculpture.



Over in front of the post office, this Santa is working on his biceps.




Next, we head over to Kringle Place, which has a variety of Santa statues.



This one is in front of a brand new attraction that is scheduled to open in the spring. More about the Santa Claus Museum as it gets closer to opening.





Of course if you've explored the town of Santa Claus, you probably realize there are more than just seven Santa statues. Those six are some of the finest.











But we must admit a sentimental attachment to this final Santa. This fellow has posed for thousands and thousands of photos with families visiting Santa Claus Land and Holiday World over the decades.

Remember the "coaster nut"?

You met Paul back in September. He and his wife, Carrie, and their five-year-old son, Bond, live here in town.

Paul is more than a little bit psyched about The Voyage.

Our new coaster is even working its way into his dreams.

And they're not always pleasant.

Carrie picks up the story:

He woke up angry at me yesterday, I bet he didn't tell you. But you'll laugh - he had a dream that we were at the Voyage opening day, and I wouldn't get off the coaster to watch Bond so he could ride. So he asked one of the ride ops to watch him, and I screamed at him for neglecting Bond. He said he woke up at 4 am furious, and it took all his self control not to wake me up so he could holler at me!

The Santa game

Our web designer, Rick, wondered if my ears were burning on Christmas morning:

My daughters received two identical games (one was actually a "deluxe
version") for Christmas. One game was from Santa and the other game was from cousins.

My oldest was so excited to play the game, that she opened the standard version. We had planned to try to exchange the standard version for another toy at a local toy store.

When I realized that she had opened the wrong game, I explained that we could not exchange it now that the plastic was removed.

My youngest thought a moment, and then said, "Can't we call your friend Paula at Holiday World and have her ask Santa if he could put new plastic wrap on the box?"

I told her that we could not do that as she would then get the same request from thousands of other children with the same problem.

Her reply was, "Not if she doesn't tell anyone!"

The powerful connections you have there in Santa Claus, Indiana.

Voyage update, sort of

These are from early December, but if you haven't seen these photos on The Gravity Group's website, they're new to you, right?

I kid you not

The intern who took this photo a few years ago...?

His last name is Snow.

Happily, this month's wallpaper is not the current state of affairs in Santa Claus, Indiana.

But it's still a cool picture.

Home for the Holidays

Remember that coffee commercial, in which the college lad returns home for Christmas vacation early one morning, with only little sister awake to greet him?

To prove he's put the tuition money to good use, said college student proceeds to brew a pot of coffee that's so strong the aroma awakens his parents.

Holidog nearly did the same thing.

Now the java, of course, but all that emotional stuff.

If you've followed his travels, you'll know Holidog has been visiting all sorts of big cities.

But for Christmas, his heart and home found their way back to Indiana.



Don't you just love what's he's done with the place? There's a portrait of Safari Sam and Holidog on the wall, just next to a graphic of The Voyage. And that's his TV next to the Christmas tree.

The prodigal pup enjoyed himself immensely, catching up with all our full-time staff.

But the visit was not strictly social; Holidog made sure to check in with Will.

We thought we heard a whimper from Will's office and took a look.



Not sure who actually did the whimpering.

The odds are pretty even, though.

It's budget time, after all.

Next, Holidog helped out Santa and Mrs. Koch with the last few Letters from Santa. It took dogged determination on the part of all of Santa's Elves, but they got all the letters sent out.



After that all-too-brief paws here at home, Holidog embarked on the next leg of his journey: due south.

His next update should come to us from sunny Florida. Lucky dog!

Meanwhile, anyone else in the mood for a nice cup of coffee?