By HoliBlogger Jamie W.
Published

From photos with Holidog and Santa, to the Photo Spots, murals, and extraordinary backdrops, there are several spots around Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari to capture the perfect Instagram worthy photo.

It was hard to narrow down this list to only ten spots, especially between both of the parks. But, with the help of my teenage crew of savvy Instagramers, I’ve narrowed down our favorite spots (plus a few bonus locations!).

Remember, Instagram worthy photos don’t always have to be perfectly posed, scenic, and aesthetically-pleasing snaps. Fun, memorable, goofy, and interesting photos and locations are also worthy of an Instagram post.

1. The Raven

Located at the entrance of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari.

The Raven is the first roller coaster to greet you as you walk into the entrance of Holiday World. It was the World’s #1 Wooden Roller Coaster from 2000 to 2003. Even up close, a person looks tiny under those big wooden trestles. 

2. Santa Statue

Located next to Christmas Cupboard.

Get ready to run to Santa! Actually, walk – don’t run. Okay, so maybe not everyone was as excited about this as I was. My teenagers may have been trailing behind me and rolling their eyes over my insistence for a photo with Santa. But, who can resist the friendly Holiday World Santa? It’s one of the most iconic photo spots in the park. You don’t want to miss this!

HoliBlogger Jamie W, 10 Instagram Worthy Photo Spots , Santa Statue

Bonus: A real Santa also hangs out in this area as well. There is a Photo Spot located inside St. Nick’s Toy Shop to snap a picture with Santa at specific times throughout the day.

3. Santa Claus Land Mural

Located on the side of the building next to Santa’s Storytime Theater.

If you are heading in the direction of Santa’s Merry Market, Santa’s Storytime Theater, or the 4th of July area, you don’t want to miss this snapshot. Take a photo with the “Greetings from Santa Claus Land” mural. It’s another Photo Spot in the park. 

4. Holidog Statue

Located in Holidog’s FunTown.

Holidog’s FunTown is a hop, skip, and jump through the 4th of July area. You’ll be quickly greeted by a larger-than-life statue of Holidog, Holiday World’s mascot. Strike a pose with Holidog while the Magic Waters splash pad springs to life in the background.

5. The Voyage lift hill

Located at the bottom of The Voyage’s lift hill.

If you time this photo perfectly, you can catch The Voyage roller coaster ascending the lift hill in the background. There is a Photo Spot located at the bottom of the hill (also a Holiday World Digital Photo Pass location). Brag about taking a ride down one of the steepest drops of any wooden roller coaster in the world.

Or just take the picture anyway to prove you were there – we won’t tell!

HoliBlogger Jamie W, 10 Instagram Worthy Photo Spots , In front of The Voyage

6. Thanksgiving Turkeys

Located on the front of the Gobbler Getaway building.

Gobble, gobble. I love taking cheesy photos with my family and there is an opportunity for a few of these at Holiday World. The Thanksgiving Turkeys mural is especially great for families and is another Photo Spot location.

7. Thunderbird and Crow’s Nest lane

Located on the path to the Thunderbird and Crow’s Nest.

The nation’s only launched wing coaster is worthy of its own path. I like to call this the “Thunderbird and Crow’s Nest lane” because they share the same walking path to and from the rest of the park. Along the lane, there are several perfect spots to capture both rides in the background. It’s especially delightful at dusk. 

8. Bahari Wave Adirondack chair

Located in Splashin’ Safari by the Bahari Wave pool. 

Climb into the giant Adirondack chair at the Bahari Wave pool. It’s great for a solo or group photo and captures the Wildebeest water coaster and Bahari Wave in the background. Look for the Digital Photo Pass Attraction sign.

HoliBlogger Jamie W, 10 Instagram Worthy Photo Spots , Adirondack Chair

9. Zinga Observation Deck

Located in Splashin’ Safari near Jungle Racer.

There is an observation deck at the end of the Zinga water-park ride, and it is perfect for capturing the expressions of friends and family enjoying the ride. The colorful, checkered Zinga funnel is ideal for Instagram. And who doesn’t want to brag about capturing themselves on the world’s first giant half-pipe water slide?

10. Cheetah Chase Champions booth

Located in Splashin’ Safari at the end of the Cheetah Chase water coaster.

Ride the world’s first launched water coaster and document your victory at the Cheetah Chase Champions booth. This is a fun photo opportunity we discovered after the ride, near the Digital Photo Pass Attraction area. And if you didn’t win the Cheetah Chase? Don’t worry, anyone who took the challenge of riding at “maximum curving speed and centrifugal force” is a champ.

Other notable photo locations around Holiday World:

  • The Christmas fountain near the entrance, in front of Santa’s Merry Marketplace.
  • The Christmas door mural Photo Spot on the building of Santa’s Merry Marketplace. 
  • Holidog nutcracker in front of Santa’s Merry Marketplace. 
  • The pilgrim photo booth, located next to the Mayflower.
  • The ghosts photo booth near Scarecrow Scrambler in the Halloween area.
  • Digital Photo Pass on-ride photo locations: The Voyage, Thunderbird, Frightful Falls, Gobbler Getaway, Cheetah Chase, and Wildebeest.

 

HoliBlogger Jamie W, 10 Instagram Worthy Photo Spots , Christmas Fountain

Use the hashtag #OurHoliday and tag @HolidayWorld in your photos!

Be sure to follow the adventures of our HoliBloggers this summer. Each blog post will have a sweepstakes where you can enter to win two tickets to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari.

Entries accepted on this sweepstakes through Wednesday, July 20 until 11:59pm CDT.

This blog post was written by HoliBlogger Jamie W.

Jamie Ward is a travel writer and published author. She founded Cornfields & High Heels, a travel and lifestyle blog, over five years ago and travels throughout the Midwest sharing her travel stories and adventures. She wrote 100 Things To Do In Indiana Before You Die and co-authored Midwest Road Trip Adventures. Jamie resides in Central Indiana with her husband, Paul, and their four teenagers. She was born and raised in Indiana and enjoys road trips, coffee, thrifting, historic places, and spending time with her family.

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55 Responses to “10 Instagram Worthy Spots at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari”

    • Adrienne

      Definitely have a few “Instagram worthy” photos from holiday world! We will be there in a little over week!

      Reply
  4. Amber

    I think another great place for a picture is the sign at the front gate. My husband and I do a picture with it in the background each time we go.

    Reply
  5. Romelo

    It a fun and nice and a great place to go with family and for birthday parties

    Reply
  6. Sara Rigney

    I have been going to holiday world every year since It was a kid. Now I love taking my kids to make the fun memories. Holiday world is always fun, clean and welcoming. ????

    Reply
    • Amanda

      We love Holiday World!
      We always get a picture at the front entrance before going in to have fun.
      One of my favorite pictures is of my daughter and I before and after her 1st rollercoaster ride!

      Reply
  11. Krista

    The fountains.. Haven’t been here forever but definitely need to go back soon!

    Reply
  12. Stephanie Chappelow

    I think every spot in holiday world is great for taking pictures of all the fun memories your making while there but I’d add a picture of the raging rapids!

    Reply
    • Tina Marra

      I have never been. Would love to go & take my daughter & granddaughter. Just got fantastic news that I am cancer free & would love a vacation to celebrate.

      Reply
  13. Jasmine hope mayberry

    Qe absolutely love holiday world!!we took our kids for their 1st time last year and they are begging to go back….they love the roller-coasters!!!!! I enjoy the medium rides and the raging rapids as well as the food!!!!

    Reply
  15. Destiny Bell

    The Santa Claus at the beginning of the park has been the best place to take pictures for years! It’s nice to take pictures each year we go so we can see how much the family has changed over the years of going to holiday world??

    Reply
  16. Katie

    The glass blowing gift shop. It was always one of my favorite things growing up to go in there with my mom and just watch it all be made. So beautiful. Would love to take my daughter cause I know she would love it too.

    Reply
  18. Kelsey Marra

    Can’t wait to visit again soon! It will be my daughter’s first time ?

    Reply
  22. Abby Mast

    I love everything Holiday World and I especially love the blog and podcast.

    Reply
  31. Patty

    How could you visit Holiday World without a picture with Santa! We took the grandkids a few years ago and we all would love to go again!

    Reply
  33. Abby

    It’s been too long since we’ve been to Holiday World! Can’t wait to check all these out soon!

    Reply
  34. Doris Bement

    We always take a picture at the fountain.
    When my youngest was little, we took pictures of her in the ball pit every year.

    Reply
  43. Haley

    My favorite place to take photos is the Christmas area because my kids love all the Christmas decorations ?

    Reply
  48. Kelsey Marra

    Going for my daughter’s birthday soon! Can’t wait to show her the park 🙂

    Reply