A purple puzzler

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

Purple ... something

 

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?

Prepped and ready for paint

No?

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

Legend train parts!

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

Legend!

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 …

“Those people … “

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Pilgrims PlungeThis 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:

Joy to the World

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A wonderful grandma named Joy sent us this story:

Holidog!"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)

Just what do Santa’s Elves do in January?

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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.

Millie packing up the dollsTake 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.

The original Santa Claus Post OfficeAfter 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.

1935 Santa statueHere'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 …

Church

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!

Santa Claus Statue and future village location

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

 

Your head will spin!

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… when you come down the hill from Christmas to 4th of July this season!

We're making a few changes …

This craterous space will be colorfully and musically filled by the Star Spangled Carousel.

New home for the carousel

Here's another angle, just so you get your bearings:

New home for carousel

And what Independence Day-themed ride will take the newly-vacated spot right across from Liberty Launch?

The new Sparkler, of course!

Sparkler at Holiday World!

Here's a quick video of what our six-story vertical swing ride will look like at night:

Throw Holidog a bone … er, wiffle ball

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It's been a few years, but does anyone remember our retired Dog House game?

Out with the old

Erin, our new Games Director, is bringing the old game out of moth balls.

Or should we say wiffle balls … that's what you'll need to toss through Holidog's mouth to win a prize.

And in with the new

Do you like the new look? Hmmmm … maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks!

If you're a Holidog fan, please take a look here on our HoliShop for all sorts of fun souvenirs.

Dan and Chad take a walk by The Voyage

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We love our Voyage.

It's been voted the #1 Wooden Coaster on the Planet since it was one year old.

This year is Voyage's seventh season. (Gosh, and it seems like only yesterday we were potty training … oh, wait, I seem to be confusing work and home. Once again. Never mind.)

All of our coasters get some TLC during the fall and winter months. This year, Voyage gets a little something extra.

Why? Because we can.

And we want to.

Our president, Dan Koch, invited one of the top-notch engineers from The Gravity Group to take part in a video shoot just before Christmas. (The Gravity Group designed Voyage, along with Dan's late brother Will.)

Dan Koch and Chad Miller

This video includes details about this year's track work, plus an update about the Timberliner trains that have been designed for Voyage.

We hope this appeals to coaster enthusiasts and the general public alike.

Any questions? Please post them below and I'll try my best to get you answers. Comments are welcome as well.

Meanwhile, can't wait till opening day!

Holiday World has Holidog, HoliBlog, HoliCash …

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… and … HoliBerries?

Such a pretty burst of color on a gloomy winter's day.

HoliBerries

Thanks to Communications Nathan for trudging through the park in the chilly temps to grab some snow photos.

” … just another Mammoth Monday”

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It turned into quite a fun-day, as the first pieces of Mammoth fiberglass took flight.

Mammoth fiberglass

It all began shortly after 7:30 this morning.

This first piece is part of Mammoth's first drop.

Mammoth Monday

We started with a low-to-the-ground piece.

Yes, it's all … ahem! … uphill from here.

First fiberglass

Each piece of Mammoth fiberglass will be lovingly guided into place by a human while being hoisted by a mammoth crane.

Want to watch the process live? Take a look at the Mammoth ConstructionCam.

Nathan shot a video of that first piece swinging into place:

 

 

Blast from the past

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Thought you'd get a charge out of the original (1984) Frightful Falls logo:

Original Frightful Falls logo

Graphic Artist Rick says the best he can remember (it was 25 years ago, after all) this graphic was hand-painted on the original Frightful Falls billboard.

The riders are very well dressed, don't you think?

First posted 2/15/09