Holiday World - Indiana

[julyjewel]

My husband and I are planning a trip to holiday World in June 19-22. We figured we'd spend two days at the park just because we love rides. Can anyone suggest a place to stay.

[sassafras]

We used to sell Holiday World tickets at the Credit Union I worked at in Indiana. Not sure about the places to stay. If you go online and search for Santa Claus, Indiana, I'm sure you will be able to find nice lodging. I know our members were able to, and they all LOVED Holiday World! You might check with some IN credit union websites, a lot of them sell discounted tickets and you don't have to be a member to buy them!
Our members said the park was very clean, shady (when unbearably hot and humid as Indiana can get in July and August), free drink refills,and a great place to take your kids. There's a water park there, also. We sold tickets many times to the same folks year after year. So, try checking online...Have a great time!

[Scott C]

Thats our hometown park--I can fill you in about anything you need

Evansville is about 45 min west--that will have your best selection by far.

I can recommend some a little closer, but the selection is not much--much more to do in evansville also.

What are you looking for as far as price amenities and location and I will be glad to suggest some places

Thanks
Scott C

[julyjewel]

I just sent you a message Scott.

[ldc12377]

We love Holiday World!!! I live about an hour north of HW and me and my kids get season passes every year. Just a little hint...If there is a chance that you will visit the park for three days or more, then buying a season pass before May 1 might save you money. The price for the passes before May 1 are just under $100 which pays for itself with the third visit. Don't know how often you visit Indiana but just a suggestion. Also if you are visiting back-to-back days then you could just buy a next day ticket before leaving the park on your first day and pay like $20, I think. If you have any questions that Scott can't answer just let me know, I might be able to help. Hope you have a wonderful trip and enjoy Holiday World as much as we do!!

[julyjewel]

We ar elooking forward to this trip. I hope to find a Christmas ornament and a shirt!

[Scott C]

We ar elooking forward to this trip. I hope to find a Christmas ornament and a shirt!

That wont be a problem

Thanks
Scott C

[Tink#64]

We live about an hour away from Holiday World, in Louisville, KY. Adjacent to the park is a campground that is decent called Lake Rudolph. It is huge compared to what it was when I was a kid. I'm not sure how you feel about camping, but this works great for us. If you do not have camping gear, such as a tent or a camper, they have cabins & RV's (already set up on site) for rent! There is a shuttle to the park entrance from the campground, which is less than a 5 minute drive! You could walk and they have golf cart rental for tooling around the campground. They have a couple of pools, and activities as well. We watched "Night at the Museum" at the pavillion there a couple of years ago when we stayed there.

Not sure of the hotels in the near area, not alot around in close proximity to the park, surprisingly enough! If you Google, I'm sure you could find the closest hotel or motel in the area. If I can help with anything, feel free to pm me!

Holiday World is a great place, we don't do much in the amusement park rides (we are spoiled to WDW ) but the water park is awesome! We spend our entire day in there!

Wishes or a great trip!

[11290]

The "closest" chain type hotel is in Dale, IN at the intersection of 231 and I-64. Sorry but I can't remember the name of it though.

The next closest hotel group is in Huntingburg, IN. I know there is a Holiday Inn there and I think there are several others but the names also escape me.

North of Huntingburg is Jasper, IN and while closer to Holiday World is Ferdinand, IN. I believe there is a hotel at the turnoff from I-64 at Ferdinand but not sure.

Should have thought about this before. Here is a link from their site about hotels.
http://www.holidayworld.com/lodging.html

There is a video on their site of a new water ride, Pilgrims Plunge that they are going to open in May. It will be an awesome ride. http://www.holidayworld.com/new2009.html

The park is great, very clean, a LOT of great roller coasters and water park stuff to do.

If you have an extra day to spend or get rained out, go east to French Lick and see the French Lick hotel and a mile or so away, the West Baden Springs hotel. Both of these are very large hotels from the early 1900's that have been restored. The French Lick hotel also now has a casino attached to it. They both used to be hotels for the rich and famous to go to in the 20's and 30's, for politicians, presidents, Hollywood types and certain Chicago area gangsters. A huge amount of history associated with both hotels.

[julyjewel]

Any food recommeneded we try? Since we are from Pittsburgh, we love Kennywood Park food. It's quite hard to beat! We are always in search of good amusement park food.

[Scott C]

Most of the food I have had is somewhat generic. Nothing wrong with it -- but just sort of plain. The pizza is on a par with wdw. One warning -- weekends in the summer draw quite a few corporate events which increase crowds somewhat -- though they are usually catered so that wont affect the dining. I understand the the turkey dinner in the thanksgiving section is pretty decent -- have not tried it yet though. Perhaps I will make it up there this year -- opening is in about 3 weeks

Thanks
Scott C

[cmshelton1979]

I've stayed in one of the campers, but that was probably 5 or 6 years ago. They were very nice (they were brand new when I went). You were able to bring your own food and cook everything you want. It had 2 rooms to sleep in plus I think the dining/living room area had some sort of bed.

[Mulan]

There is the lodge that is right down the street. The campground is nice and big. Like everyone else has said, the park is clean. You'll even see Pat Koch walking around picking up trash (owner)! The ride part of the park opens up earlier than the water park, so the rides can be crowded until about 11:00 than the crowd moves to the water park. The water park gets very congested when you first walk into it, go towards the back and find lounge chairs. There are food stations everywhere and they serve different foods. We can't leave without a funnelcake!

[Scott C]

DW and DS17 rode Pilgrims Plunge saturday -- a very nice ride. They only rode once though as it was pretty chilly and you will get very wet. This ride is unique in that it can be accesses from the regular park or the water park(which may be the better idea)

Thanks
Scott C

[MushuGrl]

Aww Scott, we were in the park at the same time!!! I was there seeing a friend compete in the school band competition!

We stayed at the Sleep Inn in Jasper for the first time, and I gotta say, that was a NICE hotel. Comfy beds and a walk-in shower! Plus the price wasn't too bad.