Holiday World

[BowlingGreenUKGrad]

The wife and I are talking about taking our kids to Holiday World this weekend. They're ages 4 and 2. From what I can tell on the park's website, it looks like a good place for young kids.

Anyone here have any experience with the place?

[WildcatDan]

Love it. We normally go on Memorial Day and it is a GREAT day to go. 4 and 2 may be somewhat limited on what they can ride, but our kids have ALWAYS had a blast (and we like it too!)

Check out their website for height restrictions on the rides.

I am extremely familiar with Holiday World so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[BowlingGreenUKGrad]

My 4-year-old is 38 inches tall, and according to the website most of the rides are OK for kids 36-inches and taller – at least with an adult. My 2-year-old doesn't like to ride much anyway, but she loves just watching all the rides from her stroller. We're also thinking she'll like the water park, assuming it's warm enough to do that.

I do have a couple of questions, though. Like how long does it take to get to the park once you get to Owensboro? How do the free soft drinks and sun screen work? And (assuming the weather is good) what kind of crowds should I expect since it's Memorial Day weekend? Would Saturday, Sunday or Monday be less crowded - or do you think it wouldn't make much of a difference?

[TrueblueCATfan]

great place for kids..they have some great rides for the adults too:thumbup:

[WildcatDan]

My 4-year-old is 38 inches tall, and according to the website most of the rides are OK for kids 36-inches and taller – at least with an adult. My 2-year-old doesn't like to ride much anyway, but she loves just watching all the rides from her stroller. We're also thinking she'll like the water park, assuming it's warm enough to do that.

I do have a couple of questions, though. Like how long does it take to get to the park once you get to Owensboro? How do the free soft drinks and sun screen work? And (assuming the weather is good) what kind of crowds should I expect since it's Memorial Day weekend? Would Saturday, Sunday or Monday be less crowded - or do you think it wouldn't make much of a difference?

It takes us about 40-45 minutes to get there from Owensboro.

The free soft drinks are set up at small shelters scattered throughout the park and are self serve. Of course, drinks are free in any of the places to eat as well. This is a fantastic feature of Holiday World and can save a family a fortune.

The sunscreen is mostly in the water park but I seem to remember seeing it available in the regular park a couple of places too. It is pretty much the same way - set up at a station. You go pump a squirt in your hand and apply it. One word of warning about the sunscreen - it goes a LONG way. Start with a small squirt and go from there - the pumps tend to disperse WAY more than you need.

From past experience it seems like Monday is actually the least crowded day. I am guessing that a lot of people THINK that Monday will be packed and that is why they stay away. We have never had too much of a problem with it being crowded on Memorial Day.

The water park is a ball and if it is warm enough to get in the water (we did last year on Memorial day weekend and it WAS cold but fun!) then you definitely should!

Parking - the best place to park is across the street from the main parking lot. Go to the main intersection by the park and take the street headed away from the main parking area.... Turn into the big lot there and head all the way up towards the front of the parking lot. 10 times out of 10 there are close spots in that lot and then it is just a short walk through a tunnel under the street to the front entrance of the park (park close to the tunnel).

Tickets - If you can, grab one of the coupons that are available on a pepsi can (and several other places) to save some pretty good money on tickets. If you cannot find one of the coupons, the little gas station/quick mart closest to the park sells the tickets at the discounted price without the coupons - we just discovered that by accident a couple of years ago. Downside to this is making a small trip out of the way (about a block). Upside - skip the ticket lines at the park.

Also, they do have wagons available at the front of the park to rent. We have found them to be handy to tote kids, changes of clothes, prizes won, etc... It does help to be able to give even my 7 year old a break from walking in the park.

Anyway... hope that helps! If I think of anything else I will post it here... If you have any other questions just let me know and I will do my best to answer...

Dan

[Rockober]

One of the best bangs for your buck to take the family. You will have a great time on the rides and the Water Park is very nice. Weekends can be pretty busy so I would try to make it during the week if possible.

[UKSam]

As any amusement park I would try to go Mon-Thur. Holiday World is great for young kids. The prices are a little less than the Six Flags/Kings Island guys. This is especially true with Food and Beverages. This is the only park I know that has free soft drinks and sun screen.

Years ago when this park was known as "Santa Clause Land" it was pretty lame. Now it has the two of the top five wooden roller coasters in the world and they also have some great water rides in their "Spalashing Safari" park.

Holiday World has also consistantly been voted both the cleanest and friendliest park in the country. We were there last summer and I saw one of the owners (she is in her 60's I believe) working one of the kiddie rides. That type of family atmosphere is apparent.

You could make a two day trip out of it...........however lodging is limited around the area.

[BrassowFan]

The last time I was personally there it was called Santa Claus Land!

My brother's kids have been several times and prefer it to Kings Island. It is nice that they offer free drinks and sunscreen, a very nice family-friendly feature considering the cost associated with some of these places.

[BowlingGreenUKGrad]

Well, we had an absolute blast at Holiday World on Saturday. It wasn't very crowded and both my girls love it.

We were most blown away by how affordable it is compared to the Kings Island/Six Flags type places. I suppose the admission is about the same, but once you get into the park, things are priced very low in comparison. The food is very reasonable and the free drinks are such a plus. They also aren't kidding when they boast about how clean it is. Everywhere we went, I saw someone wiping down or sweeping up. It was amazing. And all the employees were great. We never saw any of them goofing off or lazing around. We never made it into the water park, but we'll be making another trip or two (or three) this summer and we'll hit it then.

Oh... and Dan, you were spot on with your parking across the street suggestion. My wife thought I had lost it when I first turned into the lot, but then when I parked right next to the tunnel she was very impressed and said something like, "You've really done your research about this!" Thanks man.

[Ukosumu]

Gas for the trip...$80
Tickets....$160
Impressing the wife....priceless!

[Brian McCat]

Holiday World is the best. And it's only 35 minutes away. :thumbup:

[WildcatDan]

Oh... and Dan, you were spot on with your parking across the street suggestion. My wife thought I had lost it when I first turned into the lot, but then when I parked right next to the tunnel she was very impressed and said something like, "You've really done your research about this!" Thanks man.

:icon_mrgreen: No problem! We figured out that little nugget several years ago and have not parked in the main lot since. My family loves Holiday World and when the kids get just a year or two older we will likely start buying season passes. You really should try to get back and go to the water park. It is pretty good too!