Boy-oh-boy, have we heard that question a lot this fall!
In 2016, we celebrate our 70th birthday. Pretty amazing to think we’ve been around that long – ever since Louis J. Koch (Lauren and Leah’s great-grandpa) decided it was time for Santa to have his own park here in the town that was named for him.
During the “off season,” we perform a tremendous amount of maintenance on our rides. Walk through the park this time of year and the rides are quite skeletal in appearance.
For example, HallowSwings was stripped down to its bare bones last month.

Even the smiling skulls will get a new coat of paint.

It should come as no surprise that our wooden roller coasters receive loads of TLC during the colder months.
The trains receive the full spa treatment.

And the track? We’ll, let’s just say that all three wooden coasters – Raven, Legend and Voyage – will be extra exciting to ride in the spring.
Because our Coaster Cats have an “in” with Santa. (The man in red loves riding coasters.) So we caught their plans on camera for you.

Let’s start off with a video greeting from Matt, Lauren and Leah … and be sure to keep watching, as our Cats work on their wish list for 2016.
We’ll be back in January with details. What do you think we’re up to? (Please post your comments below.)
I think you are building a new wooden coaster or redoing some track on the Legend, Raven, and or Voyage .
This is exciting sounding! I noticed that they were standing on the 90 degree banked turn and that he was standing in front of the blueprint for The Legend. I’m thinking Legend is getting the new element and the 90 – degree gets the tunnel. That undoubtedly means I’m wrong because Paula would never make it this easy.
Would LOVE to come see the park right now and just walk around and perhaps get an additional hint.
why are u guys takeing out HallowSwings
We’re not removing it, just giving it extra TLC during the winter months. No worries!
ok thanks i was not sure what was going on i guessed wrong 🙂
A new wooden roller coaster
I would love to see a new thrill Flat ride (Disk-O or frisbee (KMG afterburner) ) and a shaded garden-like park-setting around it for guests to get off the midway and rest
I think they’re throwing in a corkscrew, or overbanked turn, on the far turn of the Legend.
A new tunnel or two on the Legend.
Exciting! Thanks for another amazing year. Looking forward to 2016! Merry Christmas Paula and the rest of the wonderful people who make the park what it is.
My guess is a retrack for Raven and Voyage, and a Gravity Group redo of Legend, with Timberliners, retrack, new effects, and maybe an inversion?
However, we all know RMC could have some great fun with Legend. Just imagine the possibilities!
But knowing you guys, you’ll still make it a great addition/change/whatever it is for everyone. Can’t wait for January! 🙂
The Coaster Cats need more screen time. They make the Holiday World go round and round.
An inversion added to one of the woodies maybe? Topper track maybe? Wow, I thought you guys said no big announcements for 2016 but giving lots of TLC to the three woodies of this magnitude is a pretty big announcement if you ask me! You guys never cease to amazing and please me!
*amaze
Great teaser video! Paula always does an amazing job creating excitement and building suspense for Holiday World’s new ride/improvement announcements every year. Can’t wait for this year’s announcement!
And just a little fun trivia: Lauren & Leah’s great-grandpa, Jim Yellig, was one of the Santas that appeared at “Santa Claus Town,” a themed attraction that opened in 1935. He would later appear as Santa at their other great-grandpa Louis J Koch’s Santa Claus Land attraction when it opened in 1946.
Why is the legend closed for the remainder of 2015. Cause the last time i went there was a sign that said it was closed for the remainder of the year.
YOUR BUILDING A NEW WOODEN ROLLOR COASTER, PROBABLY NEAR THE THUNDERBIRD!
sorry for the double post, but after reading through the comments… is a wooden coaster inversion even possible? also they said new coaster name, so it’s probably a new wooden coaster
Yes, it has been done quite a few times before. See Hades 360, Outlaw Run, a few of the Jungle Trailblazers in China have one, just to name a few.
Interesting…Can’t wait to see where you guys are going with this. Your old woodies could definitely use some retracking.
One of the woodies has to be getting the “RMC treatment” (inversions like in Twisted Colosus at Six Flags)! Would be awesome to see some inversions added to at least one of them. (Of course, I suppose if it’s The Voyage, Gravity Group will come in and add the inversions…)
It’s not possible for 2016- RMC is already booked for the year and they announced all their projects beforehand- if they were rebuilding the Legend they would have started a while back. I believe it’ll be a retracting and retheming with potential adding of new elements such as a barrel roll
The Voyage might be getting a barrel roll similar to Hades 360…
I’m the ghost of Xmas future…. And I really want to know what it is, LOOK AT MY DATE!!!! So anticipated! 😀
I LOVE the Splashing Safari and its been a while since the mammoth with the sparkler and the thunderbird, so in my case i hope theres a plot twist and a new water ride?
I think it is a great idea for the 70 years celebration
You should make a new water slide for the water park.
Thanks for the suggestion – we’re certainly not finished adding to Splashin’ Safari!
You should make a new waterside.
I’m not really a big fan of rollercoasters.
You haven’t made a new waterslide in forever. Something like the jungle racers.
Thanks for the suggestion. (We added Hyena Falls slides in 2013.)
????
One slide you don’t have is one of those ProSlide SkyBox slides. They can work well at SS.
Have you guys ever thought of putting a Ferris wheel in (or the banshee)?
We have a long list of attractions we’d like to add! 🙂
something i am looking forward to is the legend and the Voyage and Thuderbird the and the lunch tower in the 4th of july is well
I dont think that they is any new coaster. I think that there is just an update coming
A bigger log flume would be nice. Similar to Splash Mountain or Timber Mountain log ride. We love these type of rides!
i think that there is just going to be some new things added to the coasters,Btw I am never riding the Thunderbird. LOL
So there is no NEW ride this year? Its really confusing me, Our school goes on the last thursday of may and i was hoping for a new one.
I would love to see a Chance Hyper/Giga/Hyper GT-X. Only one Hyper GT-X has been built and it was a major hit. I would suggest a Intamin Mega-Lite, but after a certain Shoot-the-Chute I’d say thats unlikely.