HoliBlog: A Walk In The Park

A memo from Will

2009-06-26T08:07:00.002-05:00

This is one of those "good news - bad news" things. Will just shared this info with our staff, asking that we spread the word.

The good news is: We ordered (and have just received) two additional boats for Pilgrims Plunge. That takes us from five to seven boats. Added capacity. Needed added capacity, right? Let's keep those lines moving! And let's keep those riders riding!

The bad news is: Adjustments have to be made in the ride system to allow for the 40% increase in boats. That means some planned down-time.

According to Will: (The ride manufacturer's) plan is to work through the night (Monday) to make physical changes to the ride, including wiring, relays, etc. and then to make control system changes during the following day. Of course, after the changes are made, the ride will have to be tested in all modes of operation, all e-stops, etc. before we can consider it safe and ready for operation.

This will happen on Tuesday, June 30. We're hoping that Pilgrims Plunge will reopen later in the day on Tuesday, with at least a few hours to ride. But (as much as we wish we could) we can't promise.

We just wanted to post this information ahead of time so if you want to change your plans, you can.

Oh, and the other good news is the weather is supposed to improve after Sunday, so we'll have a bit of welcome relief from this remarkable heat and humidity.

Don't throw your back out, Will!

2009-06-24T14:14:00.003-05:00

The Travel Channel is here today shooting footage for two episodes of their Extreme show. Will is being interviewed about Pilgrims Plunge, ZOOMbabwe and Voyage.

In this video, he describes the in-the-dark experience on ZOOMbabwe.

Pulling back the curtain

2009-06-20T15:10:00.002-05:00

Here's the TV commercial for LINCOLN.

Nightly except Mondays through August 15. Call 1-800-264-4223 for reservations.

A look at LINCOLN's stage

2009-06-17T17:30:00.003-05:00

Just four miles from Santa Claus is Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home.

Lincoln City is tiny when it comes to population. But when it comes to heritage, it's a megalopolis.

Abraham Lincoln lived here from the time he was seven until he reached the age of 21. In the new play LINCOLN, audience members witness the boy's character as it is forged in Indiana and later put to the test as our nation's 16th president.

Here's a peek at the Broadway-quality stage and set and one of the early scenes in the new production.

For ticket reservations, please call 1-800-264-4223 or see Lincoln Amphitheatre's website.

Pilgrims Plunge in HD

2009-06-11T15:21:00.003-05:00

Our friend Sean from Ohio was here last week. We teasingly refer to him as a "well-known coaster enthusiast."

He has a video camera that shoots HD. (That stands for high-def, not HoliDog.)

Here's Sean's video:

Dancing pups

2009-06-09T16:35:00.001-05:00

Yeee-dawgie!

If you have little ones, they'll want to join in on HoliDog's Dance Party up at Holidog's FunTown.

Louisville's turn

2009-06-09T12:09:00.002-05:00

Our third load of donated food was delivered this morning, this time to Kentucky.

The wonderful driver from Kimball International took the interstate eastward this time around, to the Dare to Care Food Bank in Louisville.

Here's a box of food that was donated yesterday.

More than 16,000 food items were delivered this morning and are now available to the needy in the 13-county area in Kentucky and southern Indiana served by Dare to Care.

Our Feeding Families Food Drive runs through the end of June. Remember, each ticket holder who donates two or more food items will receive $5 in Holibucks to spend in the park that day.

Sleeping on the job

2009-06-04T20:56:00.002-05:00

This is from Natalee and Chris G., from Memphis, Tennessee:

I want to tell you about the most precious moment this weekend.

By Saturday afternoon, our little Caroline was exhausted! My job was to get her to sleep in her stroller. This was very easy as the morning in the water park had worn her out! I wanted to find some place cool so I decided to shop in the Christmas store.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear – but Santa coming back from lunch! I told him I was glad Caroline was asleep as she did not like him one bit. I went on to explain that she loved him in theory. She calls him "Ho Ho" and will point him out anytime she sees him, but being close enough to touch him is a whole other story!

Santa asked me if she was a good sleeper. I said yes - she was "out" and would not wake up for a while. We decided to try to see if Caroline would sleep in Santa's arms for one picture. Sure enough, she never budged. Santa even pretended to nap with her. He also gave her a little "Ho Ho" to hold during the picture. He told me that when she woke up, show her the picture and she would know it was from him.

Definitely the most precious picture I have in my whole collection of Caroline pictures – and as our only child, I assure you our pictures are numerous!

An hour or so later, Caroline woke up. Her new little "Ho Ho" was in her arms. She looked at me as if to say, "where did this come from?" I showed her the picture. I think – even at one year old – she understood that the REAL "Ho Ho" had given her the new toy.

I guess she enjoyed that nap in Santa's arms with little "Ho Ho." She has played with that little stuffed Santa and even took a few more naps with him since we have been home.

Please tell Santa thanks for helping to make our vacation so memorable!

PS – Tell Will not to be too rough of a boss on Ol' Saint Nick. He may have appeared to be sleeping on the job, but it was just a little nap.

Will explains "the tilt"

2009-06-04T07:07:00.003-05:00

Leave it to Doug at SeasonPassPodcast.com to get to the bottom of Pilgrims Plunge's elevator "tilt."

Doug and the crew gathered during our HoliWood Nights (about 500 coaster enthusiasts from around the country gather annually for this event).

After the park closed to the general public Saturday night, and following an impressive thunderstorm storm, the enthusiasts rode our coasters till midnight, and the podcasters gathered for a late-night chat.

Here's where to find the podcast.

The Giggly Girls go for a ride

2009-06-01T19:47:00.002-05:00

What floor, ladies?

Shoes?

Cosmetics?

Designer jeans?

A scolding from a very wet Brit

2009-06-01T19:02:00.002-05:00

Justin G., the founder of the European Coaster Club, came for a visit today. He was on assignment with Kirmes, a German magazine. Also, his club magazine, First Drop.

Here's his reaction to Pilgrims Plunge (along with Sean F. from Ohio and the voice of Yvonne J. from Texas):

Who is our #1 fan?

2009-06-01T18:09:00.000-05:00

...or rather "what" is...

The Holiday World 'cure

2009-05-30T11:08:00.002-05:00

There's the manicure.

There's the pedicure.

And then there's Kim's...

Holiday World 'cure.

Really.

Screaming for tickets?

2009-05-29T08:19:00.002-05:00

Head over to Screamscape for a chance to win two one-day tickets to Holiday World & Splashin' Safari.

Greetings to the Military

2009-05-28T19:29:00.003-05:00

This "American Adventure" segment was shot at Holiday World during the 2008 season for the Armed Forces Network; it is expected to air for four years.

Mrs. Koch's description of The Voyage ... sounds like she's ridden it! (Or at least listened very carefully to a lot of comments from coaster enthusiasts).

Meanwhile, if you're in the military (or know someone who is) ... or are a firefighter, police or EMS, please be sure to check out our Heroes Discount.

SpokesSkipper

2009-05-27T18:31:00.006-05:00

Oops. Meant to post these photos weeks ago.

This is part of the shoot for one of this season's TV spots.

Starring ... who else?

Somehow I pictured her in a pilgrim's hat.

You know ... with the big buckle?

But apparently the props department was fresh out.

John says at first Mrs. Koch wasn't all the crazy about donning a skipper's hat. Squished hair and all.

He told me she later changed her mind...

...and kept it.

(Oh, and I don't know why she's standing on her tippy-toes in this photo. I'm guessing something needed adjusting and she tried to compensate by growing an inch.)

What a difference 2 weeks makes

2009-05-22T17:58:00.002-05:00

Two weeks ago, the lifeguards were training in 72-degree water.

Did you know we post Splashin' Safari's average water temperature on our website? Here's the link straight to it on our Rules & Services page.

We also post it on our Twitter page.

And yes, the water is considerably warmer after this week of lovely weather and temps in the 80s.

How wet?

2009-05-20T18:39:00.002-05:00

Dripping wet!

Here's the link to the video report of Mrs. Koch riding Pilgrims Plunge with Keith from Fox 41. Just click on "Taking the Plunge at Holiday World."

Crazy like a Fox

2009-05-19T18:38:00.001-05:00

Do you think Mrs. Koch is crazy to ride Pilgrims Plunge again--twice?

After all, she'd just gotten her hair done this morning.

Well, Keith and Eric from Fox 41 in Louisville were here. It would have been sort of rude to refuse.

Keith had special permission to ride with a video camera taped to his hand.

He and Eric were taking a look at the footage afterwards. Tiny Mrs. Koch nearly had to leap in the air to see, too.

The footage and interviews they shot will be on 41's Fox in the Morning show on Wednesday.

A cake like none other

2009-05-18T17:56:00.004-05:00

When I was a kid and mom asked, "What kind of birthday cake do you want?" it meant chocolate or vanilla.

When Spencer was asked that question recently, just before he turned 8, he had a very different request.

His mom, Melissa, emailed this today:

Our family enjoyed opening day at the park this year. My oldest son was kind enough to ride Pilgrim’s Plunge twice (once with each parent). He then decided that is what he wanted for his birthday cake. I have attached the pictures.

How cool is this cake?

Here's a close-up of the frosting splashdown:

Still have to wonder, though ... chocolate or vanilla?

Special day for special kids

2009-05-16T17:32:00.002-05:00

Play Day was Thursday. It was our 17th annual, which is hard to believe.

We partner with the Evansville Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center and each year invite children with disabilities and special needs.

Here's the article that ran in the Evansville Courier & Press.

Funny, Bob and I took close to the same photo.

Aaron from Boonville was awfully cute carrying his winnings.

And that ain't lyin'.

Closer to a Cure

2009-05-16T16:10:00.002-05:00

In the four years we've hosted the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, we've seen a lot of walkers.

About 1,430 today.

Raised about $275,000 today. Thanks to all who helped make this possible.

A Thousand Words is just the beginning...

2009-05-09T21:46:00.002-05:00

Click on the arrow to see a full album of Pilgrims Plunge photos.

Picture-perfect skies today

2009-05-09T19:04:00.001-05:00

Here's a straight-on view of a Pilgrims Plunge boat taking...uh, the plunge.

A sunny day at last!

2009-05-09T18:40:00.000-05:00

A beautiful day to take a ride...