Holiday World: The Nicest Way You'll Ever Be Scared to Death
Many lifetime Louisvillians remember Holiday World as a family-friendly theme park designed mostly for kids, but Holiday World has redefined itself in the last few years by adding many rides that are the best, tallest and longest in the world. At less than an hour and a half drive from Louisville (and just three hours from Indianapolis, IN, and Cincinnati, OH), a trip to Holiday World is the perfect way to spend a day with friends, family or your sweetheart.
Awards such as "Cleanest Park on the Planet" and "#1 Friendliest Park" attest to Holiday World's family-friendly reputation, but the park is home to more than friendly workers and clean restrooms. Holiday World houses Pilgrims Plunge, the world's tallest water ride; The Voyage, named the top wooden roller coaster on the planet; and Wildebeest, the world's longest water coaster.
Though general admission to Holiday World is a hefty $41.95 ($31.95 for individuals less than 54" tall), unlimited free soft drinks take some of the bite from the price of admission. Where drinks at other theme parks can cost as much as $4 each and last only as long as it takes you to walk to the next ride where you have to throw it away, self-service drink stations sit on every corner at Holiday World, allowing guests to drink as much soda, Gatorade and water as they want.
The $41.95 admission fee gets guests into both Holiday World and Splashin' Safari, the theme park's water park. Within Splashin' Safari you'll find a wave pool, a lounge river, splash parks and water slides. And unlike other parks where there is a fee to use the inner tubes, use of the rafts at Splashin' Safari is always free.
Holiday World is on Central Time, one hour behind Louisville time. The park is open daily from mid-May through mid-August and on weekends in early May and late August and throughout September and October. Make sure to check the park's website before making plans to visit -- Holiday World occasionally closes to the public because of private parties.
HelloJeffersonville Tip: Check Holiday World's website for discount information when making plans to go to the park--empty containers of select brands of food and drink will often get you a discount on admission.
Posted on Jun 15, 2011 by Jessica Elliott
