Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari sits in the town of Santa Claus, Indiana, where retired industrialist Louis J. Koch opened it in 1946 as Santa Claus Land, making it one of the oldest theme parks still operating in the United States. The park was rebranded Holiday World in 1984 and today spans about 125 acres divided into four holiday-themed lands: Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Fourth of July.
Long known for treating guests well, Holiday World has repeatedly been voted the world’s friendliest theme park and has racked up more Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards than any other park, including honors for its wooden coasters and for park cleanliness and food. Its included water park, Splashin’ Safari, opened in 1993 and features some of the longest water coasters in the world.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Santa Claus, Indiana
- Opened: August 3, 1946 (as Santa Claus Land)
- Renamed: Holiday World in 1984
- Size: about 125 acres
- Roller Coasters: 6 total (3 wood, 3 steel)
- Water Park: Splashin’ Safari, opened 1993
- Notable Coaster: The Voyage, a Gravity Group wooden coaster with the most airtime of any wood coaster (about 24.3 seconds)
- Free For Guests: Soft drinks, sunscreen, and parking
The Ride Experience
Holiday World’s coaster lineup centers on three acclaimed wooden rides: The Raven (1995), The Legend (2000), and The Voyage (2006), all built by Custom Coasters International or The Gravity Group and consistently ranked among the world’s best wooden coasters by Amusement Today. On the steel side, Thunderbird, a Bolliger & Mabillard launched wing coaster that debuted in 2015, was the first of its kind in the United States, launching riders to about 62 mph before sending them through inverted airtime moments.
Splashin’ Safari adds to the thrills with Mammoth, a Guinness World Record holder as the longest water coaster at roughly 1,763 feet, along with Wildebeest and Cheetah Chase, billed as the world’s first launched water coaster.
A Park Built on Freebies
Since 2000, Holiday World has offered free unlimited soft drinks throughout both the theme park and water park, a perk that has become central to its identity and drawn national media attention. Free sunscreen and free parking round out a guest-first approach that has helped the park earn ‘Friendliest Park’ recognition from Amusement Today multiple times.
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Holiday World FAQs
When did Holiday World open?
It opened on August 3, 1946, as Santa Claus Land, making it one of the oldest continuously operating theme parks in the U.S. It was renamed Holiday World in 1984.
What is Holiday World’s most famous ride?
The Voyage, a wooden roller coaster built by The Gravity Group in 2006, is the park’s signature ride and holds the record for the most airtime of any wooden coaster in the world.
Is the water park included with admission?
Yes. Splashin’ Safari, which opened in 1993, is included with regular theme park admission rather than requiring a separate ticket.
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Photo: Jeremy Thompson / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.