Hi! I'm Lindsay Ferrier. You might remember me from a blog called Suburban Turmoil. Well, a lot has changed since I started that blog in 2005. My kids grew up, I got a divorce, and I finally left the suburbs for the heart of Nashville, where I feel like I truly belong. I have no idea what the future will hold and you know what? I'm okay with that. Thrilled, actually. It was time for something totally different.
August 19, 2011
The day before school started, we loaded up the SUV and headed for Holiday World.
Holiday World is one of those places we joked about for years. Located in Santa Claus, Indiana and surrounded by miles of farmland, the holiday-themed park seemed sort of… hokey. The whole thing brought to mind a real-life Wally World with rusting rides and cheap “free soft drink” dispensers. But in the spirit of doing something new, we made the three-hour trip from Nashville for the first time a few years ago.
We’ve been back every year since.
Go one time yourself and you’ll understand. Everyone I know who’s visited Holiday World returns a fanatic. Here’s why.
The park is divided into holiday-themed areas, and while it might feel a little silly to, for example, watch a live Santa show in July, our kids LOVE the idea. My 7-year-old often fantasizes about living at Holiday World. My 4-year-old son asks every single day when we’re going back. We’re going to Disney World in October and I actually suspect my children are going to like Holiday World better. Check it out:
There are TONS of rides for kids. Babies can ride some of them. Toddlers can ride even more of them. Small children can ride most of them.
It’s the first amusement park I’ve visited that has rides for small children literally all over the park, with a few sections of the park devoted specifically to them as well.
Because there are so many rides, there’s little to no waiting in line for the kids, particularly if you visit the park on a weekday. Many of the children’s rides had no line at all. The longest we waited for anything was ten minutes, and that was very unusual.
SCORE.
Because of this, my kids had a tremendous sense of independence and importance. They chose rides themselves, went and stood in line by themselves, and in some cases, even got to drive boats by themselves!
This particular bumper boat ride was especially memorable because while my children were waiting in line, an older boy standing beside them was, according to Punky, being really mean to Bruiser. He even called him an idiot. Punky told him he’d better stop because every time he was naughty, an angel died. (?????!!!!!) HE DIDN’T CARE. This rocked poor Punky’s world.
For his part, Bruiser put up with the boy’s meanness without saying much. But the moment he got in his bumper boat, he was ready for revenge. He bumped the boy’s boat over and over and over again. “Stop!” the older boy told Bruiser crankily, but my son joyfully ignored him and continued his attack. I may have even shouted “Get him, Bruiser!” as I took pictures. I’m not saying.
I like to think the angels were pretty happy about it, too.
Holiday World has plenty of rides for older kids and adults as well, from amazing roller coasters and thrill rides to rides our entire family could enjoy together, like the Raging Rapids and Frightful Falls— two rides that, incidentally, had no lines. We rode them over and over and OVER again! Scarecrow Scramble always has a bit of a wait, but it’s a good intermediate ride, so Punky and I generally do this one together.
Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride has always been a favorite intermediate ride for Punky and me in years past. This time, though, our car spun throughout THE ENTIRE RIDE. I have never gotten carsick, but even I felt nauseated when the ride was over. I closed my eyes for most of it, as did Punky, and when I opened them, I couldn’t even focus, I was so dizzy.
I don’t think we’ll be going on the Midnight Ride again any time soon!
Fortunately, while we waited for our stomachs to settle, there were lots of other things to do.
We headed straight for Holidog Town, a kids’ area with an immense playground, fun kids’ rides (including an excellent roller coaster for children), and one of my kids favorite parts of the park– THE FOUNTAINS.
The kids LOVE to come here and cool off, and it’s a great spot to have lunch as well. Food is sold in this area and there are plenty of outdoor, shaded tables surrounding the play area so that your kids can eat and have fun.
Afterward, the kids had their first experience with amusement park games.
That didn’t turn out so well.
Don’t worry, though. Once Mommy put down her camera and played a round, SHE WON a Smurf doll.
DAY=SAVED.
(I always knew I should’ve been a sharp shooter…)
I should also add that the park also offers free sunscreen and free soft drinks.
Drink stations are everywhere, and there are tons of options, ranging from Pepsi to root beer to Gatorade and Fruit Punch. Choosing what to drink is so much fun, even I got at thrill out of it!
The free sunscreen stations were another nice touch. Holiday World also offers free ID bracelets beside the front gate, which you can write your phone number on and put on your children’s wrists. AWESOME.
Holiday World admission also gets you into Splashin’ Safari, a full-scale water park within Holiday World. In years past, we haven’t even made it over there, because the kids weren’t strong swimmers and the amusement park had more than enough activities for the day. This year for the first time, we went to the water park, and then proceeded to beat ourselves up that we hadn’t visited it in years past.
I put my camera away for the water park, but let me tell you, Splashin’ Safari is every bit as awesome for families of all ages as Holiday World. I am not at all confident about Bruiser or Punky’s swimming skills, so I was sort of dreading the water park, but I shouldn’t have worried. There were SO MANY things for them to do, with absolutely no chance of them (literally) getting in over their heads.
There are at least a dozen (I think even more than that- they were everywhere) water slides specifically designed for the smallest children. The kids could ride down them alone or with a parent, and they ranged from the simplest slides up to long, curvy, “adventurous” kids’ water slides. Best of all, the slides are all designed so that the kids come to a stop before they reach the slide’s end. The water they empty out into is only about shin-deep. So there’s absolutely NO chance that your child will go under.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVVVVVVE.
Splashin’ Safari has not one but TWO enormous children’s water playgrounds, with slides and water cannons and climbing ropes and all that good stuff. We had a BLAST there.
And we even were able to ride two different family raft water slides together. Again, the rafts were big and deep and while the slides were thrilling, there was literally no way that the kids would fall out or go under. And for the extra-cautious, Splashin’ Safari has life jackets for anyone who wants one for their child.
As with Holiday World, there are lots of thrill rides at Splashin’ Safari (not to mention a lazy river and two large wave pools) as well. We can’t wait to try these rides out when the kids get older.
The bottom line? We had so much fun at both parks that we’ve resolved to spend the night next year, so that we can devote a full day to Holiday World and another to Splashin’ Safari.
Here are some tips if you’re planning a visit, first from the website:
And from me:
Bottom line? Holiday World really does give Walt Disney World a run for its money, as crazy as that sounds. It is FAR less expensive, the wait times (particularly for the kids rides) are slim to none, and it is every bit as clean and welcoming as Disney World. I have long dreamed of taking my kids to Disney, and can’t wait to have that experience this fall — but I really do suspect that they’ll like Holiday World better!
And I can’t BELIEVE I’m writing those words….
What do you think of Holiday World?
Disclosure: Holiday World provided media passes for my husband and me. I was not compensated for this post, nor was I asked to write anything about my experience.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
You have to love short lines! Especially with kids. I remember wasting SO MUCH time as a kid at Disney waiting in those long, long lines. This place looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for the info! By the way I love your son’s face while he is riding the fish ride. Holiday World should use that in an ad for their park!
I love that shot, too! 🙂
One aspect I dont think was touched on in main blog or replies. At the time of moving to indiana in mid 90’s and through childrens early years, Holiday World was a true “family owned” park…. and the feel of the park reflected that. I assume its still “family owned and run” by the children of the original creator in the late 40’s. I remember one time seeing the Matriarch wife of the original founder sweeping and cleaning up in one of the eateries(broom in hand!) . Where else would you see something like this. Plus she and other family members on another occassion were greeting patrons at the front gate. This is a great park and there is a worry that it may be over-grown these days and lost that “southern indiana independent charm” — not saying it is; just a concern like with anything racing for yearly growth. I am 61 these days and plan to take my visiting older brother into the park this summer.
Well that boy WAS in a wife beater….. I wish we had one of those in Texas!!
Kids in wife beaters who call your kids idiots? ;D
I’m all excited that you liked Holiday World – it’s just an hour or so from us and we’ve taken the kids there every summer for many years. They like it better than Disney, too – all of the fun, rides, and cool and none of the blatant marketing. (or horrendous expense!)
Now that my kids are older, they go by themselves, in carloads of other young adults who have loved Holiday World (It used to be called Santa Claus Land until it branched out into all the other holidays as well!) all their lives.
So yeah, we’d choose Holiday World over Disney ANY day.
I have a feeling my kids will be driving there when they’re older, too! 🙂
Nice article. I love Holiday World too, and I visit once a year from the Toronto area. One correction I must make though… they only serve Pepsi products. No Coke.
You’re right! I always thought of Dr. Pepper as a Coke product, but apparently, that’s changed. Here’s an interesting post on theme park soft drinks: http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200907/1278/
Dr. Pepper was never a Coke product. Coke had Mr. Pibb, now Pibb Extra. Dr. Pepper was part of Cadbury Schweppes, then Seven Up, now I think it’s under Snapple Group. Basically, it’s a stand alone product.
I’ll have to go! Now, I have very wonderful memories of Santa Land ( I think that’s right) in Cherokee, NC– we’d stay at the Pink Motel and spend a day w Santa. It may have just been bc I was little, but it was awesome.
We live close to the park and have season passes, so we are biased, but we LOVE the place. There are plenty of things to do for those older kids and adults too (world-class wooden coasters, Tallest water ride, longest water coaster, etc), but having a place where our young child can play to her hearts content without ever getting bored is PRICELESS.
I love Holiday World. Ive been going now for about 15yrs or so. I took my nieces this yr. and they loved it. We will be back next yr. and cant wait to ride the new ride.
This is a great post, as a longtime lover of Holiday World. 🙂 I definitely prefer it over Disney World, HANDS DOWN. It’s a much better value for the money, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s a TON closer.
This is a great post, as a longtime lover of Holiday World. 🙂 I definitely prefer it over Disney World, HANDS DOWN. It’s a much better value for the money, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s a TON closer.
My Mom and Dad brought us to Santa Claus, Ind. I have brought my kids there and now come with my grandchilren. It’s a fun place to be with family and friends. Keep up the good work.
My Mom and Dad brought us to Santa Claus, Ind. I have brought my kids there and now come with my grandchilren. It’s a fun place to be with family and friends. Keep up the good work.
I’ll take Holiday World over Disney ANYTIME ! And yes….I’ve been to both places!
Excellent article. My family has been going to Holiday World for nearly 20 years (Santa Claus Land). The past 5 years or so, I have been the organizer, getting my brother and sister and their families, my cousin and even friends and neighbors together for a trip. We live about 3 hours away near Scott Air Force Base in IL. We always get a great deal because we do the group ticket option. Most of of us stay at a local hotel (Tell City Days Inn 2 years, never again!) and spend the first day at Splashin Safari and the 2nd day in Holiday World. We stayed at Santa’s Lodge across the street. It was affordable, clean and perfect! We got a family suite and fit 4 adults and 8 kids, it was tight, but with a fold out couch and an air mattress, everyone was happy. Besides, they didn’t care where they slept as long as they got back to Holiday World in the morning!
Free Parking, Free Sunscreen, Free soft drinks and Free tubes, why would you want to go anywhere else? Six Flags is about an hour from us and I’d much rather drive the extra miles to Holiday World than deal with the crowds and overpricing at Six Flags. Holiday World is a family oriented park, kept clean and staffed with friendly people. A+++
We LOVE holiday world. my kids haven’t had an opportunity to visit disney yet, which is in the plans, but I know for a FACT my son never forgot holiday world and would go back in a heartbeat. We use to live in Kentucky, so it was closer, but now that we’re in Texas, it’s much harder. I agree with the other post, I WISH there was one down here, we’d go every year.
We LOVE Holiday World. Been 3 years in a row now. It is a family tradition. We live in KY and used to get free passes for the elementary aged kids to Six Flags. We love HW so much better. Quieter, cleaner, friendlier, the employees have clothes that FIT, the food is good and well priced. Just all around a great park! I anticipate going for many years to come. We also stay at Lake Rudolph Campground and love it. Great clean family oriented campground. Free mini golf, free playgrounds, free swimming pool, helpful staff. There is also a great buffet in town next to the grocery store that we go to every year. THey have both Pizza and fried chicken with veggies.
Holiday World & Splashing Safari Rocks!!!!!
We love it!!
Holiday World – HANDS DOWN!! We have been going to Holiday World for several years and it just keeps getting better. We usually spend an entire week there camping at Lincoln State Park which is just a few miles down the road. I would recommend Lincoln State Park over Lake Rudolf. Lincoln rents out cabins and is much cleaner than Rudolf. Lake Rudolf is ok but a little busy and noisey for our taste. We went to Disney World a few years ago when our son was 5 and we were very dissapointed. It was busy, crowded and dirty. We could not wait to get back to Holiday World. We kept comparing Disney to Holiday World the whole time we where there and Disney just could not compete.
Holiday World is a wonderful theme park. The water park is the best I have ever seen. The prices for food are family friendly and there is a large variety of options including prime rib. You can get salads and lower calorie fare if you desire them.
The very best thing about Holiday World is the fact that the Koch family continues to invest in their park. Every year they add new attractions to the park. And they work to ensure that the family friendly atmosphere is maintained. My family has had season passes for years. We lived 15 minutes from a Six Flags park yet drove the hour to Holiday World because we liked the parks atmosphere and climate so much better. I would reccommend this park to anyone looking for a great outing filled with good, clean, safe family fun. It’s true what they say, “We’re number one for family fun!”
Holiday World, or Santa Claus Land, as I remember it, will always be number 1 in our family’s book! We always stay at Lincoln State Park as well, because we always have, and it’s like a second home to us. All of our family lives within an hour of it, and we wouldn’t let a summer go by without a visit to both! Thank you for helping everyone see just why Holiday World is so special!!!
We love Holiday World! If my kids had their way we’d go once a month. 🙂 We make an annual pilgrimage soon after school is out with two other families and our campers. The campground is great as well as the park. It’s a great time for all ages!!
Definitely bring a water proof camera! My kids and I absolutely love holiday world, we go every year at least once, but I never thought to bring a water proof camera until someone mentioned it this year. oh the pics I have lost… there is so much to do I think we could spend a week in the water park and my son (4) would be happy 🙂 I rented an RV rental in Rudolph campgrounds one year and it was fun to be able to ride the shuttle over, they also have a pool in case your there longer than the day or so your in the park, we usually camp in lake lincoln camp grounds and they are awesome, we get a spot right at the lake. They gave real bathrooms and showers with hot water and electricity so no worries. I have not rented a cabin there yet but I did look at them and they are very clean inside and cute. We are planning to do the cabin thing next summer. Holiday world, Rudolph campgrounds, and lake lincoln make for a great 1 or 2 week vacation!!
Great info- Thanks!
Probably not real important to most people but can you tell me if it’s special needs friendly? My son doesn’t get to enjoy much because he’s in a wheelchair so it would be nice if there was something for him to do Otherwise, I guess i’ll pass and take him to Disney.
Here’s Holiday World’s accessibility guide and info: http://www.holidayworld.com/visit/accessibility-guide
Hope that helps! 🙂
Yep. Sure, Disney has characters. But it also has long lines for many rides. Last year, after taking my 7 and 11 year old to Disney for the second time, they agreed that Holiday World was better. And Splashin Safari is the 2nd best water park in America. And it’s in the middle of nowhere, Indiana. Who would have thunk it?
I think my favorite thing about Splashin’ Safari is that it was still fun for my husband and I, even with 4 and 7-year-olds. The family rides were really fun and thrilling and I even had fun going down the longer kids’ slides with my children. I’m so used to just enduring their water play since they’re still so limited when it comes to swimming!
Hey Lindsay! I always really enjoy reading your posts. But please don’t forget one little thing?… you need to say “it was still fun for my husband and me,” not “for my husband and I.” An easy way to check yourself on this is to cut out the other person in the sentence. Would you have said “it was fun for I”? no, you’d have said “it was fun for me.” Just sayin’……
[…] Visit link: Holiday World: Better than Disney? ‹ Suburban Turmoil […]
In the picture of Bruiser pouting after the shooting game – he looks just like Hubs! I used to live in Orlando and I refer to Disney as “The Rat House”.
[…] fudge, danced at twilight, visited children’s museums and Holiday World and Chattanooga and Gatlinburg and Disney World and did so much […]
[…] 25. Load up the car and head to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, a 2 1/2 hour drive from Nashville. You’ll find super clean water and amusement parks, free soft drinks, and tons of rides that will thrill small children, teenagers, and adults. We love this place and go every summer. […]