HWLover

I have uploaded the renderings which can be found here: https://www.holidayworld.com/rides/good-gravy-family-coaster/ 1,500 ft. Long ride, 1:05 minutes, 37 mph, 77 ft. Tall spike, 38 inch height requirement, one train, ten cars, two riders per car. First vekoma family boomerang in America.

This is an incredible addition! I’m so happy for Holiday World, finally adding their sixth coaster (ninth if you count the massive and very expensive water coasters). It fills a glaring gap in their lineup and will definitely be a hit with kids. The theming is over the top in the best way and I know kids and their parents will love it! The renderings look gorgeous as well. On another note, in those renderings everything appears true to the park except for one thing. There is no Crow’s Nest swing next to Thunderbird in any of the renderings. This is probably not meant to mean anything, but I wondered if maybe it meant the end for that ride? Surely not, but I guess we never know.

It appears that it likely will be a Vekoma Family Boomerang! I am gonna be completely honest, this model had slipped my mind previously, but it sounds like an intriguing addition to their lineup. I wonder if they’ll get an existing layout and model, or if it will be a custom layout. So if this is true, which it seems it is, does the coaster get built at the old PP or RR spot? It seems likely that it will be the PP location since there’s action happening there, but the announcement of RR closing this week coupled with this new development does make me wonder if that is connected instead. We’ll see soon!

It points towards a family ride of some variation to me, but that could still be something like Big Bear Mountain. But I do agree that it doesn’t point towards a thrill coaster like an RMC or other manufacturer, as much as I’d love it to. Plus, the park is currently missing a step between the Howler and the Raven.

Maybe the Voyage will finally take back the number one spot. It’s been number two on and off for a minute (and is better than Phoenix, as is El Toro and Boulder Dash). We won’t know for a while but we can cross our fingers!

Redevelopment finally happening at the old Pilgrim’s Plunge/Giraffica location, AND Raging Rapids closing? The park stated, “After 33 years and millions of happy memories, Raging Rapids has officially retired. We know this attraction means a lot to our Guests, and it does to us too. While this may feel like an ending, it’s just the beginning. We intend to return the sound of laughter to Boulder Canyon as soon as we possibly can.” Could the vision behind these two locations be connected? I imagine at least one of the two locations will remain a water ride, but which one, or both? Notice that they do not specify that the replacement for Raging Rapids is coming next year, nor do they say that it will be a water ride that comes to Boulder Canyon. It could be a new midway in Boulder canyon with flat rides, they could extend Fourth of July down the hill and use that space as well, and it could be a new spot for a roller coaster. If it is a coaster, I am mainly imagining either a Mack Rides LSM (Helix and Blue Fire) or a Vekoma (Big Bear Mountain). It is also possible it could be an RMC, either single rail or hybrid. It makes sense that their next addition is a coaster, and with the development of the PP location happening, signs point to one there, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to find a way to put a big draw over in 4th of July (or a new themed area off of 4th of July). It’s the only corner of the park without a roller coaster or water coaster, and it would help to spread the crowds more while breathing new life into the area.

This is amazing news! It will be a new profit generator for the park, plus a way for them to finally make money on beverages (I assume there’s no free refills on the alcohol but if there is, let me know and I’ll be purchasing a season pass immediately).

I agree. Holiday World is my home park and the waiting game gets... painful... but at least it pays off when they do invest in a major attraction. I doubt we’ll see any 15+ mil rollercoaster for a long time, but I definitely could see them adding a small steel coaster, even if it is just something like an S&S free spin or a bigger one like a raptor. Hey, I’d take another Chance ride like Lightning Run down the road! I wouldn’t mind lightning striking twice

You can add Thunderbird to that list as well. For the money both parks spent on their B&Ms, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a clause like that

With the major investments that Ed Hart poured in, especially with the three major new coasters which are all very unique for the area and world class, Herschend should and probably will use the next few years to upgrade the facilities, infrastructure, and name of the park. I feel that a lot of people, especially those not from Louisville, still don’t realize the dramatic positive changes that the park received, and I fear many still view it as the same park it used to be. Hopefully Herschend will alleviate some of that old baggage

Wow, having Ross serve as interim GM is a good sign. At least from their press release, Herschend seems dedicated to making the park a better park. Even if it only operates at the same level that it was before, I’d say that’s still better than it closing down or having no money to invest. Now where’s the hyper coaster?

Look at the lineups of the roller coasters and other rides at Wild Adventure vs KK, and at the population of Louisville vs the Valdosta area. That is meant as no offense to Wild Adventures, but KK is, imo, well above their level and it wouldn’t make sense for Herschend to cast away the park on the same level as Wild Adventures. In fact, I think KK is potentially a gold mine for the chain and could be a good test drive for any potential new parks they may choose to pursue in other major cities

I have to be honest, my first reaction when hearing the recent rumors was excitement because I envisioned KK being run similarly as SDC and Dollywood. However, after reading on here I do understand the concerns. Ed Hart and his team saved this park and completely overhauled it into something special, but I don’t think that KK would fall to the wayside in Herschend’s lineup. It’s far enough away from their main two parks and already has pretty good bones. I’d argue it is significantly ahead of the other properties owned by Herschend and if they were to take over, it’s possible that KK becomes their third park in the chain. We’ll have to wait and see, but this could be a really good thing if it comes to fruition. Although, I honestly always imagined that Herschend would purchase Holiday World before KK because it seems like it fits more with the styles of SDC and Dollywood. One more thing: Both SDC and Dollywood have a special charm about them that represents their home’s heritage well. I feel like there is a lot they could do with KK to honor KY’s bourbon, Appalachian, and racehorse legacies. It would be interesting to see the theming opportunities in the park they choose to pursue or not to pursue.

I’m happy to hear they have moved forward with many changes that will benefit the park long term. The Karens having got watch their kids is so unfortunate, isn’t it?... I’m very interested to see if Cheetah Chase will actually live up to his acclaim for it. It looks very fun so it’s possible, but with two of the best water rides in the world it’ll be tough to beat them! It’s really good that HW has invested in a large addition in the back of the water park to help draw crowd’s out more. That should help the lines across the park. I’m curious to see what’s next for them in 2021, but we gotta make it through this season first! Also, thank you for practicing social distancing and wearing a mask. I know there are many opinions out there, but it is always better to be safe than sorry, if not for yourself than for others. Keeping people healthy through social distancing policies will be tougher in rural southern Indiana, but with all that HW has implemented per your report, they’ll at least be doing their part and then some

Haha yeah I did, my Mom got me to really enjoy puzzles when I was really young, so now I enjoy finding the differences in the maps each year