June 2009
30 June 2009 - 8:01pm
Promise kept
A week ago, we spent a long, hot day with a crew from the Travel Channel.
There was one delightful fellow who missed getting on camera ... twice.
Meet Ben.
He caught up with us as we were leaving Pilgrims Plunge. He’d just missed getting interviewed. He was charmingly disappointed.
At the end of the night, we sent the last train out of The Voyage, thinking it was next to last.
Ben comes bounding into the station.
“Hey! I remember you!”
Hey! I remember you!
It was his big chance. His big break. With that smile and personality, he’d take over the show.
Alas, ’twas not to be. The setting sun stole our light and the cameraman packed up and called it a day.
Looking for any way to cheer Ben up, I offered to take his photo and post it on our park blog. Here you go, Ben. You’re famous (sort of…).
The episodes of Extreme are expected to air this fall. We’ll keep you posted.
26 June 2009 - 10:22am
A memo from Will
This is one of those "good news - bad news" things. Will just shared this info with our staff, asking that we spread the word.
The good news is: We ordered (and have just received) two additional boats for Pilgrims Plunge. That takes us from five to seven boats. Added capacity. Needed added capacity, right? Let's keep those lines moving! And let's keep those riders riding!
The bad news is: Adjustments have to be made in the ride system to allow for the 40% increase in boats. That means some planned down-time.
According to Will: (The ride manufacturer's) plan is to work through the night (Monday) to make physical changes to the ride, including wiring, relays, etc. and then to make control system changes during the following day. Of course, after the changes are made, the ride will have to be tested in all modes of operation, all e-stops, etc. before we can consider it safe and ready for operation.
This will happen on Tuesday, June 30. We're hoping that Pilgrims Plunge will reopen later in the day on Tuesday, with at least a few hours to ride. But (as much as we wish we could) we can't promise.
We just wanted to post this information ahead of time so if you want to change your plans, you can.
Oh, and the other good news is the weather is supposed to improve after Sunday, so we'll have a bit of welcome relief from this remarkable heat and humidity.
24 June 2009 - 3:29pm
Don't throw your back out, Will!
The Travel Channel is here today shooting footage for two episodes of their Extreme show. Will is being interviewed about Pilgrims Plunge, ZOOMbabwe and Voyage.
In this video, he describes the in-the-dark experience on ZOOMbabwe.
20 June 2009 - 8:01am
Pulling back the curtain
Click through to see the TV commercial for LINCOLN.
Performances nightly except Mondays through August 15. Call 1-800-264-4223 for reservations.
11 June 2009 - 2:11pm
Pilgrims Plunge in HD
Our friend Sean from Ohio was here last week. We teasingly refer to him as a "well-known coaster enthusiast."
He has a video camera that shoots HD. (That stands for high-def, not HoliDog.)
Here's Sean's video:
9 June 2009 - 1:48pm
Dancing pups
Yeee-dawgie!
If you have little ones, they'll want to join in on HoliDog's Dance Party up at Holidog's FunTown.
9 June 2009 - 9:57am
Louisville's turn
Our third load of donated food was delivered this morning, this time to Kentucky.
The wonderful driver from Kimball International took the interstate eastward this time around, to the Dare to Care Food Bank in Louisville.
Here's a box of food that was donated yesterday.
More than 16,000 food items were delivered this morning and are now available to the needy in the 13-county area in Kentucky and southern Indiana served by Dare to Care.
Our Feeding Families Food Drive runs through the end of June. Remember, each ticket holder who donates two or more food items will receive $5 in Holibucks to spend in the park that day.
4 June 2009 - 1:13pm
Sleeping on the job
This is from Natalee and Chris G., from Memphis, Tennessee:
I want to tell you about the most precious moment this weekend.
By Saturday afternoon, our little Caroline was exhausted! My job was to get her to sleep in her stroller. This was very easy as the morning in the water park had worn her out! I wanted to find some place cool so I decided to shop in the Christmas store.
When what to my wondering eyes did appear – but Santa coming back from lunch! I told him I was glad Caroline was asleep as she did not like him one bit. I went on to explain that she loved him in theory. She calls him "Ho Ho" and will point him out anytime she sees him, but being close enough to touch him is a whole other story!
Santa asked me if she was a good sleeper. I said yes - she was "out" and would not wake up for a while. We decided to try to see if Caroline would sleep in Santa's arms for one picture. Sure enough, she never budged. Santa even pretended to nap with her. He also gave her a little "Ho Ho" to hold during the picture. He told me that when she woke up, show her the picture and she would know it was from him.
Definitely the most precious picture I have in my whole collection of Caroline pictures – and as our only child, I assure you our pictures are numerous!
An hour or so later, Caroline woke up. Her new little "Ho Ho" was in her arms. She looked at me as if to say, "where did this come from?" I showed her the picture. I think – even at one year old – she understood that the REAL "Ho Ho" had given her the new toy.
I guess she enjoyed that nap in Santa's arms with little "Ho Ho." She has played with that little stuffed Santa and even took a few more naps with him since we have been home.
Please tell Santa thanks for helping to make our vacation so memorable!
PS – Tell Will not to be too rough of a boss on Ol' Saint Nick. He may have appeared to be sleeping on the job, but it was just a little nap.
1 June 2009 - 4:29pm
The Giggly Girls go for a ride
What floor, ladies?
Shoes?
Cosmetics?
Designer jeans?
1 June 2009 - 1:18pm
A scolding from a very wet Brit
Justin G., the founder of the European Coaster Club, came for a visit today. He was on assignment with Kirmes, a German magazine. Also, his club magazine, First Drop.
Here's his reaction to Pilgrims Plunge (along with Sean F. from Ohio and the voice of Yvonne J. from Texas):
1 June 2009 - 10:31am
Will explains "the tilt"
Leave it to Doug at SeasonPassPodcast.com to get to the bottom of Pilgrims Plunge's elevator "tilt."
Doug and the crew gathered during our HoliWood Nights (about 500 coaster enthusiasts from around the country gather annually for this event).
After the park closed to the general public Saturday night, and following an impressive thunderstorm storm, the enthusiasts rode our coasters till midnight, and the podcasters gathered for a late-night chat.
