Holiday World FAQ

Here’s what TripAdvisor users say about their visit:

Use these tips to help plan your visit to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari!

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Best Time to Visit

We have smaller crowds and shorter waiting times – plus lower online ticket prices – on operating days in May, most of June, September, and October than in July or August. Please note that we are closed to the public September 8 and 15, 2019.
In general, Mondays through Fridays are the least busy days to visit, with Tuesdays through Thursdays a bit slower than Mondays and Fridays.
Saturday is nearly always the busiest day of the week, followed by Sunday.
Tip: Visit Fridays from June 28 through July 26 to enjoy our Friday Night Fireworks!
Please remember, we’re on Central Daylight Time.

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What Do I Need to Know?

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari have a pay-one-price admission, which entitles Guests to ride all the rides and slides (except where safety regulations impose height and/or weight restrictions) and see all the shows and attractions in operation during the day of admission. Age verification may be requested. Prices and schedules are subject to change without notice; no refunds.
Searching for the deepest discounts on tickets? Look no further than our Pick Your Price online ticket deals! We also offer 2 Day and 3 Day Flex tickets online, plus Next Day tickets (available at Guest Relations for $30 each during your first day’s visit).
We do not have “adult” and “child” tickets. Instead, children two and under are free, and paid admissions are divided into the following categories: General Admission, Guests-under-54-inches (measured with shoes on), and Seniors (60+).
Our tickets are not for re-sale. Please do not risk being scammed: do not purchase tickets from any online sales or auction site.
The two parks are connected. Our front gate opens into Holiday World; Splashin’ Safari’s entrance is located across from HallowSwings in our Halloween section.
We accept MasterCard, Visa, and Discover in the park. Apple Pay and Android Pay, too. Oh, and cash. (No personal checks.)
Automated teller machines (ATMs) are located in Holiday World inside St. Nick’s Gift Shop (in the gift shop closest to the Height Measurement station) and in Splashin’ Safari (just inside the door of Splashin’ Safari Services).
Be sure to have your wrist stamped at the Front Gate as you leave if you wish to return to the park that day.
Parking is always free. The majority of our parking is located across the road, to the south of the park. Cars, campers, and other vehicles may not be left overnight in the parking lots.
Rental lockers are available in both parks (most are in the water park); please note our large-sized lockers are available only in Splashin’ Safari. Lockers in Splashin’ Safari may be accessed during the hours Holiday World is open each day. On days when only Holiday World is open (early and late in the season), only lockers in the Christmas section are available.
Signature food items? Pizza at Santa’s Merry Marketplace and fudge at Candy Cane Confectionary. Thanksgiving Dinner at Plymouth Rock Cafe and our blue ice cream at Udderly Blue. In Splashin’ Safari, don’t miss the Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap at Wildebeestro!
There are five Family Restrooms located in Holiday World:
- Inside Santa’s Merry Marketplace (2)
- In Christmas Plaza next to the Holiday Theater
- In Pilgrims Plaza
- In Thunderbird Plaza
- You are also welcome to use individual restrooms in First Aid
There are four Family Restrooms locations in Splashin’ Safari:
- Between Safari Sam’s SplashLand and Jungle Jake’s
- Beside Wildebeestro
- In Splashin’ Safari Plaza, by the changing rooms
- Next to Hyena Falls
- You are also welcome to use individual restrooms in First Aid
Traveling with four-legged family members? Here’s information about our kennels.
Please bring your own beach towels or plan to purchase them at one of our gift shops.
Information about rental strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, and scooters is available on our Rules & Services page.

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Stay Safe & Healthy!

At Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, we take ride safety seriously. Violating ride safety rules (written, spoken or implied), especially failing to remain safely seated with restraints in place at all times, could result in serious injury. If you violate ride safety rules, you will be ejected from our parks and prohibited from returning for a period of time as determined by park management, based on the nature of the violation. We want you to have the best visit possible, and that means taking care of yourself before and during your trip.

Please be sure to eat breakfast the morning of your visit and apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before arrival.
Once you’re here, reapply sunscreen often (every two hours) taking care to rub it in (not just “on”). Sunscreen is available free in both parks.
Be sure to stay hydrated! Soft drinks are free in both parks and include iced tea, Gatorade, lemonade and water.
Don’t take a vacation from medication! If you’re on medication, don’t skip it the day of your visit unless advised to by your doctor. If you need over-the-counter medications during your visit, please plan to purchase them in our gift shops. Our First Aid building is located in Splashin’ Safari’s entry plaza and is staffed with EMTs.
It’s a great idea to wear a hat or cap plus sunglasses during your visit.
Don’t hesitate to keep your shoes, sandals, flip-flops, etc., on in Splashin’ Safari; it’s okay to wear them in the water and on the slides.
Do you have food allergies? Be sure to check out our Allergen-Friendly Menu, Healthier Menu Options, Gluten-Free Menu, and Nutritional Information available on our Food & Restaurants page.

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Have a Plan

Lost Parents: Discuss ahead of time what to do if your family becomes separated during your visit. Plan a meeting place, such as the fountain in the Christmas section or the Lost Parents station next to Watubee in Splashin’ Safari. Be sure to note what your children are wearing (better yet – take a picture on your phone), in case you need to describe your child to the Lost Parents attendant. Make sure your children know your name and can describe you, too. Children should know to ask a uniformed park employee for help if lost. If you are visiting with children too young to memorize your cell phone number, please be sure to get them Phone Find wristbands.
Next Day Tickets: Save time by buying your Next Day tickets for $30 each ($20 each during Happy Halloween Weekends) when you purchase your first day’s tickets, rather than waiting until just before you leave.
Map & Show Schedule: When you log on to our free park-wide Wi-Fi, you’ll automatically be directed to our Today At A Glance page, which includes that day’s hours, menus, show schedule, and more. You may also pick up a printed Show Schedule & Park Map when you enter the park.
Attraction Wait Times: Right after opening each morning, lines in the Halloween Section tend to be longer than later in the day; try mid-afternoon instead. In the morning, rides in the Fourth of July Section (especially Holidog’s FunTown) tend to be much shorter than elsewhere in Holiday World (Holidog’s FunTown is a great spot for families with younger children!). Visit Splashin’ Safari before lunch, when it’s not as busy.
Best Time to Eat: Try eating a bit earlier than most: For shorter waits—try a meal between 10:00 and 11:30am CDT and then dinner between 4:00 and 6:00pm CDT. Snack locations (ice cream, pretzels, etc.) are least busy between 10:00 am and 2:00pm CDT (they are busier in the evenings).
Games are the least busy before 3:00 pm CDT.
One Last Ride: Please don’t wait until just before closing time to ride your favorite ride one more time. The queues at the more popular rides may close early so that everyone already in line gets to ride before (or shortly after) the park closes for the day.
Bring an Extra Set of Keys: Nobody wants to think about losing their car keys, but unfortunately, it happens. It’s a great idea to bring an extra set of car keys and secure them in a locker, a separate bag from your primary set of keys, or even inside your locked vehicle. If you realize you’ve lost your keys during your visit (and you didn’t bring a second set), please come to Guest Relations immediately so we can help you find them or help you make arrangements to get another set brought to you.

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Free stuff! Really?

Yes, really! Here’s the list:

Free soft drinks (including Gatorade, lemonade, iced tea, coffee and water) are available throughout both parks all day, every day
Free sunscreen kiosks are located in front of the restroom buildings in Splashin’ Safari and by the west steps of Holiday Theater in Christmas, in Holidog’s FunTown, next to Tippecanoes by The Alamo, and in Thunderbird Plaza in Holiday World. These pump bottles contain Sea & Ski Sport Sunscreen SPF 50.
Free parking
Free Package Pick-Up is available for purchases made prior to two hours before Holiday World’s closing time. Packages can be picked up at Holiday World Services a minimum of two hours after purchase up until park closing
Free Wi-Fi
Free use of inner tubes
Electric Vehicle Charging Station in the Legend Parking Lot – free, of course!

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Fireworks?

There are lots of opportunities to celebrate in 2019:

Celebrate the start of each weekend from June 28 through July 26 with Friday Night Fireworks at 9pm CDT
Join us for our 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza on July 4 & 5!
The best place to watch? Fireworks are launched just north of the park – so head into Thanksgiving and up toward Hyena Falls for the best view.

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Do you have Cabanas?

Indeed we do:

Click here for Splashin’ Safari Cabana information, including a map
We also have mini Cabanas, called Riverside Retreats
Reserve your Cabana or Riverside Retreat online or by phone (1-800-467-2682)

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What if it Rains?

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari do not close in bad weather; the rides continue to operate in the rain.

If lightning, high winds and/or other extreme weather issues occur in the immediate area, some or all of the rides in both parks will temporarily shut down, and will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. We encourage your family to wait out the storm and enjoy the rest of your day with us.
Storm Warranty: If a storm causes our rides to be shut down for at least 90 consecutive minutes (starting prior to 4pm CDT or four hours before Holiday World’s scheduled closing time, whichever is later) and you prefer to leave for the day before we begin to reopen rides, you are welcome to pick up a voucher for a free return visit in 2019 at Guest Relations.
Please note: Storm Warranty vouchers are only available before rides reopen on the day of the storm; not valid for Season Pass and Summer Fun Card holders.

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What’s the Water Temp?

Please note that Splashin’ Safari has closed for the season. The average water temperature will be updated next spring in the weeks before it reopens.

Happy Halloween Weekends

Happy Halloween Weekends run from September 21 through October 27. Park hours during this event are Saturdays 11am to 8pm CDT and Sundays 11am to 6pm CDT.
Enjoy many of the rides you love at Holiday World, plus lots of Halloween shows and fun!
Enjoy a variety of our Fall Food items, such as Pumpkin Funnel Cakes and Caramel Apples! Drop by our Food & Restaurants page to start planning your must-haves now!
Tip: Visit Saturdays during Happy Halloween Weekends to catch night rides! For more tips and our daily schedule, visit our Happy Halloween Weekends page.

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Thunderbird Steel Roller Coaster

The Voyage

Insider Tips & FAQs

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