Podcast: The one with the PYP

Posted

‘Twas a blessing to celebrate Saint Patrick’s day with the #PodSquad, who did their best to share a bit o’ blarney for today’s podcast episode.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

We hope you enjoy listening:

We’re excited about progress on the restoration of our classic Calypo ride.

Firecracker’s lights are being installed this week:

Firecracker cars with lights

Watch for updates about Firecracker plus Voyage track work next week, when we release a new Hard Hat Chronicles video on YouTube (you can subscribe to our YouTube channel to be among the first to see it).

Pick Your Price | Online E-Tickets at Holiday World & Splashin' SafariWe chatted a bit about our new Pick Your Price online tickets – watch for them on Monday.

In a nutshell: Pick Your Price (PYP) gives you ticket pricing options as you plan your visit to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. Simply click here and select the day and price that suits you best. Please note, PYP tickets are available online-only.

Next, Lauren updates us on plans for this year’s HoliWood Nights. If you’ve been meaning to join one of our partner clubs, now is the time. Check out the list of clubs and see the flyer, including this year’s theme: Jurclassic Park on our HoliWood Nights page.

We moved into holidays and discovered National Awkward Moments Day is celebrated more than one day a year by the #PodSquad.

Lauren’s awkward moment was perhaps the most intricate tale – from her days on the Holiday World stage.

Lauren's "country arms"

You’ve been warned.

Lauren even had a pose she had to take while she told the story.

These are her “country arms.” Her awkward moment was during a country show.

I wish I could provide you with a GIF of Lauren while she was telling her story – she was doing a little country dance jig thing throughout.

Way to go with the green top, Lauren. May the roads rise to meet you …

For Eric’s awkward moment, we revisited the story of his Skype interview when he was applying for his current position. If you missed the original pantsless-Eric story, it was told on Episode 006, nearly a year ago. He’ll never live that down. Ever.

And speaking of applying for a job, we have several full-time openings you might want to check out over on our Jobs page. Seasonal positions, too – we’re still hiring for this season.

My awkward moment involved this:

bucket list

’nuff said.

We mentioned this sweepstakes. Be sure to enter daily!

Oh, and the “Park Madness” over at Coaster101.com will be interesting to watch!

And then the conversation turned to Pi.

And pie.

And Eric’s promise.

Rentz's strawberry pie

It was delicious!

And finally, we share some great tableaux from The Coaster Crew:

Two in one day!

And that Bad Album Covers Day from the ’60s game? Get a load of these:

Bad Album Covers from the '60s album1 album2 album3 album4

 

We open in just six weeks – see you soon!

“Good News” Sweepstakes

Posted

Congratulation to Nena N. from Frankfort, Kentucky, our latest sweepstakes winner. Thanks to all who entered!
—–
There’s a trending topic on Twitter today: #GoodNewsIn5Words

So we joined the fun:

What’s your #GoodNewsIn5Words? Enter our Good News Sweepstakes and your #GoodNewsIn5Words could be: I won Holiday World’s sweepstakes!

What’s the prize? Four one-day tickets to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, plus two nights in a Rudolph’s Christmas Cabin at Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort!

Before you enter, please read through these instructions and rules:

  • You must be at least 18 years old to enter and you must not have won tickets from Holiday World in the past six months.
  • Employees of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, Sun Communities, and Sun RV Resort (and the immediate family members of employees) are not eligible to enter.
  • By entering, you agree to be added to our e-newsletter list (you may unsubscribe at any time by following the directions in your email).
  • Use the widget, below, to enter daily. There are lots of options, so you can earn extra entries by posting here on our HoliBlog, tweeting about this sweepstakes, following us on Pinterest, and visiting us on our Facebook pages. If you win, please note you must be at least 21 to phone in your Rudolph’s Christmas Cabin reservation at Lake Rudolph. Here are the dates the cabin will be available for reservation: May 1-25 and May 29-June 8, 2017.
  • For the “post a comment on the blog” entry option, simply tell us your Good News in 5 Words. (Our comments are moderated, so as long as the content is HoliFriendly, it will appear soon.)
  • Did you know you can subscribe to our HoliBlog so that you receive all of our posts (including contests) by email? If you’re using a desktop computer or tablet, look for the “Subscribe to Blog” sidebar at the top-right corner of this page. On a smartphone? Just scroll down a tiny bit more to find it.

Ready to enter? Simply enter our sweepstakes here from a mobile device; or if you’re on a desktop, enter by using the widget, below. And not just today – enter daily through Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 2:30pm CDT, when we’ll choose one winner at random.

   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here’s some more good news: We just launched our new Pick Your Price online ticket discounts – take a look and save!

Also, Opening Day is getting closer by the day – we hope you’ll join us on April 29 and see all the changes we’ve made for 2017!

Podcast: Food Fight!

Posted

It’s hard to miss the irony behind this episode’s topic being Food … and yet there was nothing to sample.

Not a crumb.

Rentz kept twitching, thinking the door was about to burst open, with Justin bounding in with goodies.

You know, like this:

Justin with Giant Sub Sandwich for Cabanas

That’s Justin with a Giant Sub Sandwich, which will be on the menu for Cabana service this season.

Nonetheless, we survived. And we hope you enjoy this ‘cast:


For Wildlife Day, we talked about critters. All kinds of critters.

You know, like Santa’s special buddies:

Deer Jumping Gate

Actually, we didn’t even talk about the above occurrence (doesn’t the deer on the right look like a kangaroo?), but since Matt couldn’t produce a photo of his surprise childhood pet, we had to make do. Those deer jumped the fence to avoid bag check, apparently.

In our #HoWoPo Feedback segment, we talked about this hilarious video @CoasterDean shared with us on Twitter:

And Leah paused from her MBA studies to help out a fellow oboist (that’s how it’s spelled – I looked it up).

Here’s our text exchange:

Leah's Oboe Advice
Is the Toothfairy Maze for real? Michael Bondy has proof:

Eek! I looked it up on YouTube, and sure enough there are videos of the maze. I sent a video link to Matt and his response was: Welcome inside my head as a child.   And here’s that tweet with the inimitable (and always adorable) William Shatner:

The Coaster Crew never fails:

Don’t miss the look on Kitty Claws’s face! And Mardi Gras was properly ushered in with beads, horns, cake and party hats:

For 33 Degrees of Separation, we thought you might like to see a photo of Mr. & Mrs. Crosby taken during a secret trip in November 2014, when they were still just dreaming about heading into the ultimate Upside Down:

Michael & Lauren in Thunderbird seats

Say cheese!

Posted

No one complains when the photo assignment is taking pictures of new menu items!

Opening Day is April 29, just nine weeks away!

Podcast: Tell-Tale Tattoo

Posted

Eric Rentz returns for this week’s podcast and updates us on iROC, his first Dole Whip experience, and a promise he must not break:

 

To illustrate this episode, let’s start with a few links:

Next, a photo of the new Beest Burger:

Beest Burger

… and Matt proudly showing off the treat he picked up for us at the gas station this morning:

Bacon Sunflower Seeds

And a few graphics:

Our shout out to Matt’s HoliVersary:

  My beloved James Tiberius Kirk, William Shatner, at his understated best:

The amazing bouquet of Bacon Roses:

Mick Foley’s amazing sleigh recliner:

And, of course, our clever holiday tweets from The Coaster Crew:

Finally, here’s that Saved By the Bell moment that Rentz so fondly remembered during our 33 Degrees of Separation game:

Love roller coaster

Posted

wedding cake topper

I’ve been saving this one for a special day.

And what could be more special than Valentine’s Day, right?

Okay … a wedding day.

Because, you know … you get cake.

wedding cake

But wait – doesn’t the cake topper look oddly familiar?

Let’s get a closer look:

wedding cake topper

Kara and Sean tied the knot in Florida back in December. Here’s what Kara emailed me when she sent the photos: Holiday World holds a very special place in our hearts and the hearts of our friends. We worked with an artist to create the custom cake topper, which shows us boarding a Voyage car (renamed “The Plunge” for this unique occasion).

They really did work with an artist – get a load of this:

cake topper design

And here’s a photo of the wedding party … at the wedding party:

carousel wedding

If you’re thinking the dapper fellow on the far right looks familiar, you’re correct – that’s Jeff from CoasterBuzz. The red-haired, hoof-holding gent to Jeff’s right is his son, Simon, who has the distinction of being the youngest person to have his own tag here on the HoliBlog.

Congratulations to Kara and Sean as you embark on your life-long Voyage of wedded bliss.

Just one question: What flavor was the cake?

Ready to Ride! Sweepstakes

Posted

Congratulations to our winner – selected at random – Julie C. from Eureka, Illinois!

Many thanks to all who entered.
—–
These gloomy winter days make us all long for days filled with blue skies, sunshine, and families having fun riding roller coasters and water rides!

Painting Firecracker CarOh, and funnel cakes.

We’re busy as can be getting the park ready for opening day (in just 80 days!).

Our Paint Shop is full of Firecracker cars being painted sparkly blue and red as the classic Calypso ride is restored for its new home in our 4th of July section.

Let’s help these days pass with a sweepstakes. Who wants to win four one-day park tickets plus two overnights in a Holiday Cottage at Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort?

Before you enter, please read through these instructions and rules:

  • You must be at least 18 years old to enter and you must not have won tickets from Holiday World in the past six months.
  • Employees of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, Sun Communities, and Sun RV Resort (and the immediate family members of employees) are not eligible to enter.
  • By entering, you agree to be added to our e-newsletter list (you may unsubscribe at any time by following the directions in your email).
  • Use the widget, below, to enter daily. There are lots of options, so you can earn extra entries by posting here on our HoliBlog, tweeting about this sweepstakes, following us on Pinterest, and visiting us on our Facebook pages. If you win, please note you must be at least 21 to phone in your Rudolph’s Holiday Cottage reservation at Lake Rudolph. Here are the dates the cottage will be available for reservation: May 1-25 and May 29-June 8, 2017.
  • For the “post a comment on the blog” entry option, simply tell us which park attraction you want to ride first when you visit. (Our comments are moderated, so as long as the content is HoliFriendly, it will appear soon.)
  • Did you know you can subscribe to our HoliBlog so that you receive all of our posts (including contests) by email? If you’re using a desktop computer or tablet, look for the “Subscribe to Blog” sidebar at the top-right corner of this page. On a smartphone? Just scroll down a tiny bit more to find it.

Ready to enter? Simply enter our sweepstakes here from a mobile device; or if you’re on a desktop, enter by using the widget, below. And not just today – enter daily through Friday, February 17, 2017, at 2:30pm CST, when we’ll choose one winner at random.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interested in learning more about Firecracker and our other off-season projects? Be sure to listen to the Holiday World Podcast.

Come on back and enter this sweepstakes every day – good luck to all!

Podcast: Hire & Hire

Posted

The #PodSquad is back, with a Firecracker update, the story of Kitty Claws and her tutu, and a visit from HR:

Here’s the tweet with our first IT Intern, Andy Imlay, this year’s Easterseals Adult Ambassador

John mentioned “Blue Monday” candy bars last week, and we weren’t sure whether we should believe him. So he gave us a sampling. We are now believers. Blue Monday candy

Matt talked a little about the development of Kitty Claws, who started out looking more like Jane Fonda or Richard Simmons than our current Kitty. For the upcoming National Fettuccine Alfredo Day, we discovered Bill Koch (Lauren’s paternal grandpa) met the Alfredo back in 1955.

Bill Koch and Alfredo

During our #HoWoPo Feedback segment, we questioned the wisdom of picking a Twitter fight with wrestling great Mick Foley.  Here’s a photo of Ol’ Saint Mick, who was a guest on our podcast last fall during his visit with us while working on his Santa Memoir.

Mick Foley on Podcast

And, of course, The Coaster Crew once again gave us a chuckle. Twice:  

One more reminder about Easy Pay – if you’d like monthly payments for your Season Passes, be sure to sign up by the February 15 deadline. Check out all the Season Pass Perks here.

And finally, we never mind an interruption from Foods Director Justin, who brought us paninis to sample – they’ll be on the menu at SmokeHouse this season (up by Thunderbird).

Thumbs up from Lauren!

Lauren Crosby

 

The main frame

Posted

When you hear the phrase “main frame,” you think of a computer, right?

Well, not today.

Firecracker Platform on Pad

This morning, Firecracker‘s main frame was lowered into place.

Firecracker is a classic Calypso ride. It has graced two other parks since its birth in 1972. We’re restoring it for this season.

Third time’s the charm, right?

We showed the procession with our crew positioning the first piece on Facebook Live:

Here’s a photo from just a few minutes later:

Maintenance Guys Placing Firecracker Platform on Pad

We’ll bring you more Firecracker updates in the coming weeks – who’s ready to ride?