Press Release

Santa Claus, Ind. -- Holiday World finished its 63rd season today by setting a new seasonal attendance record.

"This is the fourth year in a row we've topped one million in attendance," says park president Will Koch. "This season we grew by nearly three percent. We're very grateful to all the families who came to visit our parks."

With a final count of 1,039,359 guests, Koch credits the season's growth with the addition of Pilgrims Plunge, the world's tallest water ride, plus the parks' budget-friendly free soft drinks, along with a continued concentration on cleanliness and friendliness.

"So much of the credit goes to the incredible service and hospitality provided by our outstanding Hosts and Hostesses," Koch says. "It doesn't matter how great your rides are if the employees are rude and the bathrooms are filthy. We are very appreciative of our hard-working staff."

Last month, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari were awarded two coveted "Golden Ticket Awards" from Amusement Today magazine. The publication's readers, who are well-traveled park enthusiasts from around the world, voted the southern Indiana parks the world's #1 Cleanest again this year. The #1 Wooden Roller Coaster on the Planet title went to The Voyage for the third year in a row. Second-place titles were also awarded in the Friendliest Park Staff and Water Park categories.

Koch says the parks' strong growth pattern should continue next year with the addition of Wildebeest, the world's longest water coaster. The $5.5 million expansion is expected to create an additional 50 seasonal jobs in 2010.

Holiday World, the world's first theme park, will open its 64th season on May 1, 2010. Splashin' Safari will open for the season on Friday, May 14, with the debut of Wildebeest, the World's Longest Water Coaster. For more information visit www.holidayworld.com or call 1-877-Go-Family.

Source: Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

Interesting, add a new water ride and set a record attendance hmmm.....

Woo Whoooo

I was part of the 3%!

P Plunge is a refreshing ride. Perhaps its best aspect is the lift. Raven, Legend & esp Voyage... all great coasters!

I visited twice. Worth full admission both times.. Voyage is superb.

Five visits this year for me, and it was my first year ever going there. Next year, I intend to be a season pass holder. I was completely blown away by that little park.

Five visits this year for me, and it was my first year ever going there. Next year, I intend to be a season pass holder. I was completely blown away by that little park.

I agree. HW offered way more than I expected... double shock power!

Interesting, add a new water ride and set a record attendance hmmm.....

And as Terpy taught me, building Maverick (as amazing as it is) did not raise attendance like CP and company wanted.

I planned to make my first trip to HW this year but it didn't work out. I was thoroughly impressed by so much of what I have read about the park though. It's really neat how they pride themselves our quality, courtesy and kindness.

I made a trip out there a few weeks ago, and I'm glad I did. It's only about 3 hours away from me and it's well worth the trip in my mind. This is only my 2nd visit, but I'm sure there will be more to come. Hopefully I'll make a trip every year. If only just for Voyage..

I went once and it wasnt that great, the year before Voyage.

Seeing all the statistics lately and factoring in that its closer to my house then KI, I might return for next year.

Holiday World without Voyage would still be a great place. So much great theming, and Raven and Legend are both very good.

And some of us had even been to the park before Legend, and yes...before Raven even....

I last made a visit to Holiday World back in 2006, the year that Voyage was new. Holiday World is a nice little park with some very nice wooden coasters, an excellent water park and some nice flat rides. If you have never been it is worth a visit. I haven`t been back because I have been busy with school and work, and there has been nothing new that really has attracted me to go back. Granted Pilgrim`s Plunge looks like an awesome ride, but I`m not that into water rides or water parks, which is a little surprising given the topic of my thesis last year.

"It doesn't matter how great your rides are if the employees are rude and the bathrooms are filthy.

Agreed. I've pretty much said the same thing myself.

I was also part of the 3%. I visited 5 times, and was a season pass holder. Let's just say that I have never been so blown away by a park that I've considered getting a season pass within the first hour of my first visit. I highly suggest that any self respecting coaster enthusiast who has not been there should go.. HW is 260 miles from my house and crosses a time zone, but trust me, it is well worth the trip.

More news:

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/wireStory?id=8860336#

Holiday World president Will Koch said attendance at the park near the town of Santa Claus grew by nearly 3 percent from last year's record. Holiday World closed for the season earlier this month with a final crowd mark of 1,039,359.