Holiday World 2023 Tour Guide: Everything you need to know, before you go! (Santa Claus, Indiana)

Рет қаралды 17,711

Күн бұрын

The awesome theme park, hidden in the Southern Indiana Hills! It all started, when a man took his wife and kids to Santa Claus, Indiana, expecting to see Santa, and discovered: Santa wasn’t anywhere to be found! Louis Koch decided to do something about it, and started America’s first theme park, where kids could see Santa Claus. Each year it got bigger and bigger, and it now hosts well over a million visitors each year!
This amazing theme park has 4 world class roller coasters, the largest water park in the midwest, many rides for small children, and plenty of Hoosier hospitality! Did I mention that you get all the free soft drinks and sunscreen you want, all day long? If you haven’t been, you should go! A Hoosier tradition since 1946!

Пікірлер: 107

@kruallen9445 Жыл бұрын

Roger, I have worked at Holiday World for 9 seasons now and have love every minute of it. Thank you for making a video of the Park…I’ve been holding out for that since you uploaded your video over the town of Santa Claus. As always, your content is top-tier!

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

Thank-you, Kru! I’d put it off for 5 years, never getting “the perfect day” to do a walkthrough. I have both wonderful and bittersweet memories here, and wanted to make a lasting snapshot, catching the feel of what it’s like. I simply got the right sun and skies I was looking for, couldn’t have asked for better.

@jamesbreeden9016 Жыл бұрын

I truly enjoy your adventures, Roger. Much love and blessings to you and your family.

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

Thank-you, James! To you and yours as well!

@PinchTheSack Жыл бұрын

Yes!!!! Another adventure!!!

@teresak1177 Жыл бұрын

Love HW/SS!! I used to think Walt copied from Mr. Koch. I still think he did but that’s our secret. 😂

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

For a fact, Disneyland opened in 1955, Santa Claus Land opened in 1946. That would’ve been sooner, if World War II hadn’t slowed it down.

@geraldmckillip5594 Жыл бұрын

The best Amusement Park in Indiana , "GREAT VIDEO" ......

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

Thank-you, Gerald!

@angieburnett4341 Жыл бұрын

For anyone who hasn't been there, it's a must!! I've been to several parks but this one is hands down the best. It's the cleanest, friendliest, best around. I've been going since I was a kid, and have wonderful memories with my parents/friends growing up, and now with my own children. Thanks Roger, great video!

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

My pleasure, Angie! I remember going when they had baby deer! Such wonderful memories. 🙂

@DryWall-wd4ei 11 ай бұрын

I won't go to "cashless" places. Why do they do that?

@richardruddick8170 28 күн бұрын

Same here since childhood and I can't wait to visit this year love Holiday World I'm a first time season pass holder I live just 2 hours away up in Jackson County, Indiana but this place is worth the drive

@hshalom9113 Жыл бұрын

I went there in the 1960s when it was Santa Claus Land.. Fast foward: took my fam & friends every yr in the 1990s. We camped down the road at the Lincoln State Park. Great memories.

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

This section of Indiana simply has a ton of things to see and do! And in the case of Holiday World, things get updated every year, keeping things fresh! I went there as a kid, and remember playing with baby deer. Memories like that stay a lifetime, and that's what it's all about!

@chasebriscoefan14 5 ай бұрын

Awesome

@edwardh1591 Жыл бұрын

Another great video. It’s been 10 years since I was there.

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Edward! Think it was at least 15 for me!

@RetiredLovingIt Жыл бұрын

We just spent the day there yesterday. It was super crowded! Best park in the country! So much history there. I remember when it was Santa Claus Land. We drove y it when we went to Lincoln Park.

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

I remember when my parents took us, and they had baby deer! Somewhere, my brother has the pictures! 🙂

@carolcotton693 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for the tour of Santa Claus Land turned Holiday World. I grew up enjoying going to Santa Claus many times but after leaving southern Indiana haven't had the pleasure of visiting Holiday World. I must say it seems to beat both Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm. Both Knotts and Santa Claus lay claim to the first theme park.

@oathkeeper_648 11 ай бұрын

Excellent video, thanks so much! 👊🇺🇲🙏

@AdventureswithRoger 11 ай бұрын

My pleasure! I’d wanted to cover HW for several years, so families would know how to plan a trip!

@jeffweber8244 Жыл бұрын

Great video. Lots of good memories from Santa Claus Land. I used to love those handmade wooden models on display that you pressed a button to make them move. It's been well over 30 yrs since I've been. Long overdue for a visit.

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

I hadn’t been for at least 15 years, so much had changed! It was a walk down memory lane, and I walked and looked more than I rode anything. 🙂

@KentuckyGirl Жыл бұрын

Roger, you are a great storyteller. 🏆🥇

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

“If my English Teacher could see me now!” 😄 I always enjoyed creative writing. Someday, I might even make a fictionalized movie, that uses Indiana locations.

@sandyhaworth4181 Жыл бұрын

WOW! This brought back LOTS of memories! My Grandpa and Grandma Crane would take all of the grandkids there every year. When my boys were little, I took them. I guess the last time I was there was in 2002 when my boys were teenagers. A lot has changed since I was there. I would love to take my grandkids! Thank you for all your wonderful videos!

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

My pleasure of course! I hadn’t been there for at least 15 years, when I visited in early June. So much has changed, it was practically a different park!

@MynewTennesseeHome 8 ай бұрын

I remember visiting Santa Clause Land in the early 60's. My most notable memory was of a real chicken in a glass house that played a mini piano. On the way there we stopped at a "Ghost town" roadside attraction.

@AdventureswithRoger 8 ай бұрын

Lots of great memories for me too, especially the baby deer petting zoo!

@samikatt2151 Жыл бұрын

I love this channel

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

Thank-you, Sami!

@whitneykovener 11 ай бұрын

Hilarious narration Roger!

@AdventureswithRoger 11 ай бұрын

Thanks, Whitney!

@talesfromanoldmanpatoneal6372 Жыл бұрын

Great video Rodger. I believe the theme park should pay you a commission for this one 😁. As a kid that grew up in Florida it reminded me a lot about Disney world. Great job as always, looking forward to your next adventure.

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Pat! More to come!

@lacyhay9022 Жыл бұрын

Don't forget about the town. We make it a 2 day event when we go to holiday world. One for the park and the 2nd day to visit the town. All of the shops and homes are decorated for Christmas year around. It's a treat ❤

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

I filmed the entire town, and all the great history, but decided to use that in another film. Figured I’d focus on a short history of Holiday World, and what people can expect.

@lacyhay9022 Жыл бұрын

@AdventureswithRoger oh I agree. Break it down into 2 videos is awesome. Thank you for what you do. Take care and God bless you

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

It’s taken over 5 years, but I’ve NEARLY got all of southern Indiana. And then, I’ll find something else! 😄

@lacyhay9022 Жыл бұрын

@@AdventureswithRoger well there's always places like Shipshewana and other places in Indiana on the next adventure 💜

@gammaof3 Жыл бұрын

We love holiday world.❤

@barryallenflash1 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for making this Roger! Born and raised in IN, but never knew this existed. I live in Spanaway, Wa served 10 of my 14 years in the Army at Ft. Lewis so I just stayed here. My wife and I went back to visit family in 2007 and that's when my Aunt and Uncle told us about Santa Claus town AND Holiday World. It was around Christmas time so Holiday World was closed, but we had a GREAT time in Santa Claus town. Maybe one day we'll go back in the summer and visit Holiday World.

@AdventureswithRoger 9 ай бұрын

Super clean park and nice people! I know you’ll enjoy it! 🙂

@JohnSmith-zw8vp 3 ай бұрын

The Granddaddy of All Theme Parks! Or as I like to call it, the Happiest Place in the Tri-State!

@mistycle1538 11 ай бұрын

I go to holiday every summer! I’ve got season passes even. Absolutely love it every time !!

@AdventureswithRoger 11 ай бұрын

It’s a wonderful park with a great family atmosphere! People from all over the country, come to this hidden gem! 🙂

@lindafaulkner7982 Жыл бұрын

What a neat park. Thanks for the tour.

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

A really nice walk down memory lane

@dougdillon1271 11 ай бұрын

I live in Evansville, and love your videos.

@AdventureswithRoger 11 ай бұрын

Thank-you, Doug!

@amandaeddleman1478 10 ай бұрын

I love holiday world we went this year we live indiana

@AdventureswithRoger 10 ай бұрын

It’s a relatively hidden gem with great coasters, water park, and a family atmosphere

@peregrinolincoln 8 ай бұрын

Our church youth group from Mississippi went to a week long liturgy camp at St Meinrad nearby. They spent the day at Holiday World and had a great time. Thank you for this great video - great depiction of this park. Our youth group hopes to go back next summer and they definitely want to go to Holiday world again.

@AdventureswithRoger 8 ай бұрын

Just a really great area! St Joseph’s Holy Family at Gods Country is another great stop.

@renekelly4199 Жыл бұрын

Last time I was there, it was still Santa Claus Land, and I was young enough to still believe - probably early to mid-1960s. But I loved it.

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

Lots of good memories for me, both as Santa Claus Land, and Holiday World. One of the highlights of my life, was feeding baby deer, back in the 1970’s.

@ginamaria2579 Жыл бұрын

Amazing what a great place 🤗💕

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

After the free soft drinks, the thing I love most is the family atmosphere. There’s nothing scary or ghoulish, the entire park just seems wholesome.

@vanities7374 Жыл бұрын

Great job. Thank you! I had no idea it began so long ago.

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

Predates even Disneyland, by almost a decade! There were amusement parks before Santa Claus Land, but not theme parks. Louis Koch truly was a visionary!

@snort5203 6 ай бұрын

I remember the dancing chickens at Santa Claus land.

@AdventureswithRoger 6 ай бұрын

I remember the tiny baby deer petting zoo, when I was a kid. Much has changed, but it’s still a wonderful park, that’s not nearly as congested as Disney. I’ve visited several times, where I could get on any ride I wanted to, within 5 minutes. One time, there was no line at all, and the ride operator said, “you can stay put if you want another ride.” That would never happen at Magic Kingdom!

@snort5203 6 ай бұрын

@@AdventureswithRoger I only remember going a couple times. We hit the Elnora fair and Old Setler’s. Also Ferdinand lake.

@AdventureswithRoger 6 ай бұрын

@snort5203 My favorite new find is “St Joseph’s Holy Family at Gods Country”, not too far from Holiday World. A very long name, to describe a beautiful, rocky hike in the country, with many religious monuments.

@Cheryl28100 Жыл бұрын

Great video! Last time I was there I was impressed with their pizza. Way better than Disney's pizza. That was years ago though. Love the turkey whirl. PS: This is Cheryl .....your childhood friend. Keep up the good work!

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

Hi, childhood friend! Hope you and family are doing well! 🙂

@geraldmeehan8942 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the videos of Holiday World and Spring Mill. Holiday World has changed much since my last visit, Spring Mill not so much.

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

I know that’s right! Holiday world has went through a ton of changes, and they’re planning more! I’ve got 7 more videos in the works, about southern Indiana, hope to start publishing every two days. 🙂

@geraldmeehan8942 Жыл бұрын

@@AdventureswithRoger Good deal Roger. Keep up the good work!

@Tony78454 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for making these vids. You belong on wfyi

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

I used to watch “Across Indiana” on WFYI, when I was a kid: absolutely my favorite show!

@codyfritz3080 Жыл бұрын

I love your videos Roger! Holiday World is a walk down the road from me, and it was my first place of employment. I really need to check it out as it has been at least 20 years since I have visited; so many memories!

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

I hadn’t been for at least 15 years, many things had changed! When me and my buddy went, over 20 years ago, they had a tiny coaster near the kids section, and had just installed the Raven. We were very early in the season, and we could get on the Raven as soon we could walk the line! Just a great walk through memory lane, for me.

@codyfritz3080 Жыл бұрын

@@AdventureswithRoger Same same brother, I auditioned for Holidog when I was like 15, apparently they thought I was too "enthusiastic" and big for the kids; got to work the company picnic side which turned out to be a lot of fun! Have you done any episodes about the Catholic Archabby and monastary in the area? They are very interesting and I am sure that they would love to have you! Keep up the good work!

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

I got a wonderful and very memorable tour of the Monastery Immaculate Conception. A tiny little nun, in street clothes, saw me filming the place from the road. She asked me if I’d like to see inside. She took me to the evening service, then gave me a tour that lasted well after dark, with plenty of her personal recollections. I’ll never forget it! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aa2IYNBlm8edqJ8.html I also did the Monte Casino Shrine kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l6iGfbZ0y5y1j6c.html

@chrisblack8390 Жыл бұрын

Cool place! I can't ever go there. It's cashless. I'm in protest against any cashless businesses. I did enjoy your humor throughout the video. Thanks for the laughs.

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

I think their logic was that paper money was a potential source of disease, and maybe even theft. If the park gets much bigger, I wouldn’t be surprised if they try electronic ride reservations, like some of the bigger parks, to enhance customer experience. “No need to wait in line, do something else and come back, walk right on.”

@richardruddick8170 28 күн бұрын

@@AdventureswithRoger awesome video Holiday World has always been a go to from childhood to now I actually just purchased my first season pass for this year I live almost 2 hours away but I don't care the drive is so worth it.

@AdventureswithRoger 28 күн бұрын

@@richardruddick8170 I went to Magic Kingdom in January. Holiday World wins on so many levels: price, free parking, coasters, free drinks, two parks in one, and not nearly as congested.

@raptorman48 Жыл бұрын

The only theme parks I knew about is Indiana Beach in Monticello where I currently live now and a theme park called Old Indiana that I think is shut down now but I've never even heard of Santa Clause land but I would have like it when I was little I think!

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

Parents took us when it was Santa Claus Land. It had tiny little deer that I remember feeding, and I’m 54 now! Great memories last a lifetime! 🙂

@jimmie_g 10 ай бұрын

Awesome video! Too bad I don't live in Indiana anymore. I'd say the the Voyage is the flagship coaster, but that's just my subjective opinion.

@AdventureswithRoger 10 ай бұрын

I’ve always been a wooden coaster fan, as you get a different ride as the humidity changes. The Voyage also has my vote!

@indianagirl00 11 ай бұрын

Dont forget about the bad weather guarantee they have. Youll get a free ticket for a return visit.

@AdventureswithRoger 11 ай бұрын

That really is a great feature!

@furgulley8077 Жыл бұрын

I was just there last Wednesday. Been going there every year since the santa clause land days in the early 80s. I would debate that the flagship ride of the park is the voyage over thundebird. (Thunderbird is great though). I'm a little nerdy about coasters and there are coaster enthusiasts worldwide that consistently rank the voyage in their top 10 of rollercoasters. These are people who have ridden over a 1000 different coasters. Its quite impressive considering its just a small town in Indiana. There was a guy from the united kingdom who did a review of holiday world just a few weeks ago. His channel is called Themepark Worldwide.

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

Holiday World is a wholesome place, one of the best! When I was single, my buddy and I used to hit Theme Parks every summer, and it was a huge part of our lives. Kings Island was a favorite, due to the Beast roller coaster. T2 at Kentucky Kingdom, nearly killed me, as it’s one of those where your feet dangle, and your safety depends on the chest restraint: mine didn’t go all the way down. But Cedar Point: some of the very best coasters, all in one place. Since my friend died from leukemia, I’ve only ridden one coaster: the Raven, when I filmed this segment. It’s just not the same without him, and my wife is not into coasters at all.

@brianwatson3705 Жыл бұрын

We buy season passes every year and go 3-4 . Im saddened that they closed down Raging Rapids for this year , but itll be back

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

When I was there, I thought maybe it was just down for the day. But looking online, it’s closed for good. I can’t imagine why, unless it was a safety issue they couldn’t work out. I know I loved it!

@furgulley8077 Жыл бұрын

They're getting a vekoma family boomerang coaster next year. The shipping receipts were leaked. It will be a wonderful addition to fit between the howler kiddie coaster and the raven. Something holiday world could use. Im hopeful it goes in the rapids location to save more room in the future for something bigger in the old pilgrims plunge area. The rumor is that its going in that area though. I imagine they will make the announcement sometime in august.

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

That would make complete sense! I believe they have some forward-thinking people on their team, and are looking to much bigger projects!

@brianwatson3705 Жыл бұрын

@@AdventureswithRoger from what I read on their fb page , the ride was having to many shutdowns. It's 30+years old. The vekoma ride will be built in the Thanksgiving area. Hoping for a bigger and better water ride next year !

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

I bet it will be spectacular!

@fredfeldt5329 3 ай бұрын

I wish you had at least mentioned the cheetah chase water slide that goes uphill ! I hope you got to ride it. Thank you for good detail otherwise 👍

@AdventureswithRoger 3 ай бұрын

Really great water park. It was super busy, I couldn’t get many shots at the water park.

@AventurasLiz Ай бұрын

How many days i need to see thisbpark??are there rides for 4 and 7 years old?

@AdventureswithRoger Ай бұрын

There’s a small Christmas section with all little kid rides, and then in the 4th of July area, a very large section for little ones. I walked the entire park for this footage in 45 minutes, with many stops. Most people alternate between the water park and theme park, and can do it in a day. The water park is pretty great, a few years ago we spent a day there.

@buckshoth585 Жыл бұрын

Cool park. Too bad this "turkey" gets motion sick at the drop of a hat!

@AdventureswithRoger Жыл бұрын

😀 I rode a handful of rides, and walked around the rest of the time, making sure I filmed the highlights. It was pretty much a walk down memory lane, and although I used to love roller coasters more than anything, one was good enough. For sure, I can’t do spinning rides, and that crows nest made me woozy, though I enjoyed the high-up view!