While many are familiar with Holiday World after it began building its incredible roller coasters in the mid 90s, the Santa Claus, Indiana, park has been around for much longer. In fact, it’s celebrating its 70th birthday season this year.
I made a last-minute trip to the park last weekend for the kickoff of the park’s Happy Halloween Weekends event, a kid-friendly Halloween celebration packed with activities for the younger ones (and kids at heart).
Unfortunately, while this is a “fall” event, the 90-degree temperatures said otherwise.
But despite the heat, I was determined to make the most of my day at one of the most unique parks in the United States.
I was also very excited to ride the new and improved Legend. Read my review of the “Legend 2.0” here.
As expected, the entire park is filled with Halloween decor…
…even more so than what’s normally found in the Halloween section of the park.
But don’t expect to be scared out of your mind at this Halloween event. The decorations are cute, not terrifying.
It’s a nice change of pace. There’s no need to worry that a scarecrow will come to life and chase you down the midway.
The park has to be in the running for holding a record number of pumpkins in a theme park. They are everywhere you turn!
.@HolidayWorld's coaster (and pumpkin) game is 👌 pic.twitter.com/cnf58sER9D
— Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) September 24, 2016
The decorations may not be as flashy or as terrifying as those found at some theme parks, but the attention to detail is the same, if not better.
The Carnival Chaos walk-through attraction is probably the most teen- and adult-friendly “fright” at Happy Halloween Weekends. It features a clown-filled abandoned carnival full of mazes and “startles” for guests.
The park’s bigger Halloween attractions — such as the corn maze and hay rides — are found on the Activity Trail.
This year, the corn maze design fittingly commemorates the park’s 70th birthday:
Cornfused about our maze? Here you go: a Raven's-eye view. Happy Halloween Weekends start tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/h39clvPugg
— Holiday World (@HolidayWorld) September 23, 2016
While the Halloween decor and events are fun, I was here for some very awesome roller coasters.
While I love Thunderbird’s second half which is built in a forested area, the view of the beautiful Indiana landscape — turned upside down — from the top of the immelmann loop is quite stunning.
The forces exiting said loop always take me by surprise. They’re unlike those I typically experience on these types of inversions.
I’ve turned into a “front row or bust” wing coaster rider. I’ll happily endure a longer wait for a front row seat. Nothing beats flying through the air with nothing above, in front or below you.
This is especially true as your flying through the trees. The zero-g roll and the small camel back hill are both fantastic.
It’s hard to imagine Holiday World without Thunderbird. It perfectly rounds out the park’s collection of thrill rides.
Now, onward to Voyage.
I really love the first half of Voyage. The layout, speed and airtime are all spectacular.
My woes with the coaster begin after the mid-course brake run and last until the final brake run. It’s a jarring and generally unpleasant ride experience.
I have to space out my rides to let my head and spine recover.
My mouth waters at the thought of Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) getting their hands on Voyage. Hey, a guy can dream.
Overall, I was very impressed by Holiday World’s family friendly take on Halloween. The handcrafted decorations and kid-focused atmosphere are something few parks could pull of so well. Even with the heat, I had a blast.
Holiday World Happy Halloween Weekends is open weekends now through Sunday, Oct. 30. To learn more about Holiday World’s Halloween celebrations, visit the park’s website.
And watch a video from our day at Holiday World Happy Halloween Weekends below:
Holiday World Happy Halloween Weekends Video
See more photos from our Holiday World visit on our Facebook page.
Have you visited Holiday World during the Halloween season? Share your thoughts about the festivities in the comments section below.
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Thanks for visiting! Yes indeed, there was no frost on the pumpkins last weekend!
It was a great day – can’t wait to go back!