Top 15 Rides and Slides at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana is a charming holiday-themed amusement park. This park has an award-winning wood coaster collection and the world's first launched B&M wing coaster. But it also features an acclaimed water park with three different water coaters. Find out the park's best rides and slides in this countdown!
Video Credits
Cheetah Chase POV (Holiday World)- • Cheetah Chase POV | Ri...
Crows Nest (Holiday World)- • Crow's Nest at Holiday...
Eagles Flight (Holiday World)- • Eagles Flight Highligh...
Gobbler Getaway (Holiday World)- • Gobbler Getaway at Hol...
Liberty Launch POV (coastercrutchfield)- • Liberty Launch (HD POV...
Mammoth (Holiday World)- • Holiday World's Mammot...
Pilgrims Plunge (Sean Flaharty)- • Pilgrims Plunge at Hol...
Raging Rapids (Holiday World)- • Raging Rapids at Holid...
Raven POV (Holiday World)- • The Raven Roller Coast...
Voyage Spaghetti Bowl (wingless92)- • Spaghetti Bowl The Voyage
Wildebeest (Holiday World)- • World's Longest Water ...
Zinga (Holiday World)- • Zinga at Holiday World...
Zoombabwe (Holiday World)- • Zoombabwe at Holiday W...
Background Music
Cinematic Dramatic Orchestra by Infraction [No Copyright Music] / Rebellion- • Cinematic Dramatic Orc...

[@alligatorscrublord]

I went here recently, and got on the wildebeest as my first ever coaster type ride. It had been years since I'd experienced any airtime and I was always extremely terrified of coasters. At the back of the line, I was excited. At the front of the line, I was nervous. At the top of the lift hill, I had never felt greater fear in my life. Down the first drop, I thought I was going to die. Every moment after that, it was the most fun I'd ever had. The Wildebeest is a great way to introduce yourself to coasters.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's an elite water slide.

[@mctag6755]

cool I went on thunderbird and maybe wildebeest will help me be able to ride and conquer the raven legend and voyage

[@mariosonicbandicoot]

I went on the mammoth . It was so fun

[@StamfordBridge]

The Plymouth Rock Cafe should make the list. 😊

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love that place.

[@hamslice3159]

Best dining place change my mind

[@noahkessler5500]

One of my favorite restaurants at any park

[@ChrisStephenHP]

Home park shout out! I'm one of the few coaster fans who can say I went to Holiday World pre-Raven. They used to have an old steel Zyklon called Firecracker as the only coaster there when I was little. Thankfully, they opened Raven after I was tall enough to ride it and once Legend was built all bets were off. We owe The Voyage to Will Koch and his enthusiasm for great coasters. The Koch family are dedicated to their guests and the local area. I hope to be visiting Santa Claus for decades to come!!

[@SpacePirateK]

Damn, I haven't heard anyone mention Firecracker in years. Just thinking about that old coaster is making my arthritis act up. That and the old tank battle game were my first two stops at HW as a kid.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Raven really changed the course for this park.

[@SpacePirateK]

@@CanobieCoaster Raven on opening day...man it was something. Up to that point the only coasters we had nearby were all either Zyklons, one Dinn woodie and a Boomerang at Kentucky Kingdom. Yeah we also got T³ that same year as well but that's an SLC and we don't talk about how it was before it got the updated trains.

[@Asshat237]

That’s not THE Koch family, is it?

[@ryanjessen9181]

I want to go to holiday world too it looks like so much fun my brother said years ago that holiday world is lame how does he know if he never been there acting like he knows he doesn't know it is lame he never went there

[@michaeltaylor1603]

When I think of this park, I think of the song by Montell Jordan. "This is how we do it" It sums UP a park older than Disneyland w/ theming + the pulse of what its market area is. It is a well themed sought after jewel in both the coaster community as well as locally. Sally truly IS "The dark ride company" as seen at the IAAPPA Expos. This park has something for everyone.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't know that song.

[@khjuggler]

My home park as a kid, sadly back when I was scared of coasters. Still get to go every now and then. Wildebeest and Mammoth are amazing and might be my 2nd and 3rd favorite in the park behind Voyage. Voyage was the first ‘elite’ coaster I rode, but now it sits at my number 3 behind Iron Gwazi and Velocicoaster. Excited to see if it can go back to my number 1 or 2 spot in July. On a side note, I feel lucky that I got to ride Pilgrims Plunge, one of the only defunct rides I’ve ridden.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Voyage is running great!

[@addicasesings]

Going tomorrow so excited!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Enjoy!

[@chargedonpc9989]

I like how Holliday Word seems to only install great coasters. It reminds me of Busch Gardens Williamsburg where they also only have great coasters. That kind of quality in all of the major coasters is matched by few parks.

[@CanobieCoaster]

True, it's quality over quantity.

[@maxhagenauer24]

As a park with free drinks, reasonable prices and still has 3 or 4 elite coasters make this park worth traveling for. Maybe only 5 coasters but 2 of those are world class CCIs, 1 is the best B&M Wing, and 1 is probably the world's best wooden coaster.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's quality over quantity.

[@zbfuller]

So glad I get to call this park home!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@johngentil1835]

I think you nailed it! I've watched and even rode the others but keep coming home to Holiday World. These have to be the best thought out rides in the industry. I know I complain about the price compared to other parks with more attractions and I do believe the entry fee is high, I still enjoy every minute of play time at Holiday World.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm happy to pay it for a good experience.

[@ryanfrieman733]

My #1 bucket list coaster, the Voyage!!! Maybe one day!!

[@ChrisStephenHP]

You gotta come!! I promise it's worth it.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's worth it.

[@edwardrhoads7283]

Hell of a ride. I have tingles when I get off it.

[@gregcharles3240]

I'm so excited Im going for Holiwood Nights this weekend. I can wait to go on the walk back for Thunderbird and Voyage.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Enjoy!

[@VillasByrne]

Eyy have been hoping for a countdown from here!! I expected the Watee Coasters higher!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like the water coasters a lot, but their regular coasters are even better.

[@thedevildag1722]

I love this place.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too.

[@thequackenscoasterchannel2927]

Glad I'm not the only one who prefers Raven over Legend. Although I prefer Thunderbird to both. The water park is a ton of fun, even if I haven't ventured in there since my first visit. Would like to try out Cheetah Chase sometime.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

Yes! We have the same coaster rankings: Voyage, Thunderbird, Raven, then Legend. Cheetah Chase is a lot of fun, but the other 2 are far superior.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I much prefer the woodies to Thunderbird, but that steel coaster is a nice compliment.

[@sarahsullivan3973]

I’m going to watch this later so I can watch it during dinner

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@jacktherex9242]

As you stated, riding the Voyage in total darkness is amazing.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Absolutely.

[@mitchellries256]

My favorite ride at Holiday World is The Voyage, followed by The Legend, Thunderbird, Gobble Getaway, Frightful Falls, and Rough Riders. My favorite ride in Splashin' Safari is Mammoth, followed by Wildebeest, Zinga, Bakuli, Jungle Racer, Zoombabwe, Watubee, Otorongo, and Bahari River. The only reason why The Raven and Cheetah Chase weren't on either list was because they were both closed during my visit. Raging Rapids also isn't on the list because they retired it a week before my visit.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's a bummer those rides were closed. Raven is usually very reliable.

[@kimberlylumbley4855]

You did awesome I remember all these from childhood and showed my kids, and we are planning a trip. My son wants to ride raven and voyage but idk if he's big enough to get🤣

[@CanobieCoaster]

48" for those ones.

[@urbex_coasters]

Thunderbird should've been the signature attraction of a new land, being that as it's laid out it essentially feels like an afterthought. Perhaps a barn owl theamed land just based on the reality of what has taken place at the station (love that they embrase it and didn't relocate the owls). Although perhaps they don't want to overdevelop that area because it might disturb the barn owls, which I totally get.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's annoying going up the hill, but Thunderbird has a nice area.

[@charlanator225]

The top 4 at this park makes it a bucket list park for me. The water park also looks amazing.

[@CanobieCoaster]

They're great.

[@nerdoftheatre]

HW is the closest park to me. I've been to quite a few parks, but HW is easily my favorite. It is such a clean park and they are extremely strict about safety. (Also, you can't complain about the free drinks and sunscreen. But I digress.) I would have to say that the Revolution, Raging Rapids, and Wildebeast are all some of my favorite rides at the park. When I go, we'll often go on Raging Rapids and then dry off with Revolution. (That or we just head into the waterpark.) Mammoth is not my favorite. But I love going single-rider on Wildebeest. When I went with my friends, it was fun exchanging stories about what our experiences were on our separate rides. It's honestly a lot more fun than riding with friends.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I really like the feel of this park.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

This park is quality over quantity. I also rank Mammoth over Wildebeest. Both are so great, I may actually have them as # 3 & 4 overall. I was able to ride both several times during last year's HoliWood Nights on Saturday during the day, thanks to the single rider line. I won't be at this year's event, but hopefully next year.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Those single rider lines are lifesavers for the water coasters.

[@musthavemetalradio]

They still have the Eagles Flight? I remember going on that 30 years ago. It is a good one.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes they do.

[@koalakyle19]

I'm glad I got to ride the Voyage at night trimless

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think the trimless part is overrated, but the night rides are insane.

[@aldodaci9055]

I think wonderland might be getting a launched wing coaster similar to thunderbird that will go through wonder mountain I heard

[@CanobieCoaster]

That would be amazing. I saw that concept art.

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

I have trouble placing the Legend and the Raven, I like both of them so much for different reasons.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I go back and forth.

[@tyreevongsaly]

I remember going here when I was a preschooler

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@SkyrushFanboy]

For some reason the captions are for the review for Legend lol

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks, I must've put the wrong ones in. That should be fixed now.

[@Synth_Cat]

9th visit in a few days

[@CanobieCoaster]

Enjoy!

[@Synth_Cat]

Thank You!

[@TheNinjaDC]

I just don't get the hype of Raven. It doesn't have much speed or airtime. It has good laterals, but compared to Legend or Voyage, it's outclassed there too. The only thing it has going for it, is its beautiful setting. But it's so short, you don't even get to appreciate that for long. I've never been so underwhelmed by a coaster from its hype before. Legend, Voyage, and Thunderbird in contrast lived up to, or exceeded my expectations.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Raven took me a few rides to appreciate, but I always got the speed.

[@TheNinjaDC]

@@CanobieCoaster I believe I worded that part wrong. To be more accurate, the initial speed from the drop was underwhelming. It's not a particularly steep angle, and only 85ft drop. The coaster didn't really come alive till the turn at the lake. Making the short coaster feel even shorter. The forest section does give a good sense of speed even if you are not going that fast. And I did give it several tries, backrow and front. I just didn't really feel any of these great drops or ejector I was told about. The laterals were great, but again. Legend owns that department.

[@CancelHappiness]

I mean, Raven is pretty dang old now

[@greengardeningeducator6705]

My number 1 wooden coaster is legend and number 1 steel coaster is thunderbird

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@rgh21]

Out of all of those I have only rode the Legend and Zinga

[@CanobieCoaster]

Two good ones.

[@dytamic]

can you do top 1 rides ever

[@CanobieCoaster]

Just see my Lightning Rod review.

[@abbywright1333]

Mammoth 10 Stars

[@CanobieCoaster]

Amazing slide.

[@coasterseveryday]

gonna watch this video later so I can watch it during dinner.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hope you liked it!

[@coasterseveryday]

@@CanobieCoaster I loved it

[@360coasters]

Is there a technique to snap the flying scooters?

[@CanobieCoaster]

There are videos on it. Basically you change the direction of fin right before you reach the max/low heights.

[@zacharyfaunce5072]

Literally clicked on this video and got a holiday world advertisement lol

[@CanobieCoaster]

Coincidence!

[@jpmc271]

Just got back from holiwood nights and I have an unpopular opinion: The legend is the best coaster at Holiday World. It was not as rough as the voyage, nor the raven. They redid a lot of the track at the turnaround and I believe this is where it was the most rough. But this time around it was not rough at all! Don't get me wrong, the voyage was great, but it beat me up. I couldn't ride it more than once without needing a substantial break. The legend however was a blast, the laterals are so good and they don't jerk your neck like the raven or voyage, the airtime moments are superb no matter the car, and it has such a good layout. So there. The legend is the no 1 woodie at holiday world, and thus, the most underrated coaster in the world! And for me, the raven had better airtime moments then the voyage. The voyage is too fast for its own good as it was Jack hammering at the bottom of every hill which just wore me out!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Wow that's a hot take. I did hear Legend was riding great.

[@jpmc271]

@@CanobieCoaster definitely gotta get out there and ride it this summer! I need to get back out and give voyage another try in a few different cars to see if my opinion changes. I didn't sit in the back of legend, so my insistence on its smoothness was perhaps unfounded.

[@edwardrhoads7283]

I also can't do Voyage twice in a row. I need a cool down first I tingle too much as that ride is so good. Last time I did Thunderbird as a cool down, lol.

[@superthrills7398]

Would have been cool if the rides had incredible theming

[@CanobieCoaster]

Agreed!

[@CancelHappiness]

It's still a great park

[@izduckii8143]

So do you like voyage more than el Toro?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Easily

[@aflorey]

I have been to ho!I day World 2 times

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

At Holiday World, what would you rate Raven?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Somewhere in the 8-9 range.

[@robertannable9584]

CAN-O-BEAST

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hello!

[@me-myself-i787]

Holiday World and Knoebels have a lot in common, with three wooden rollercoasters, one steel rollercoaster, and them both being independent parks. However, Holiday World is better. The Voyage is probably better than Phoenix, Thunderbird is probably better than Impulse, and Holiday World also has an awesome waterpark included. I've never visited either, so I don't know for certain, so this is just based off of what I've heard. Also, I wonder. Which is better: Phoenix or Raven? Twister or Legend?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Knoebels, but Holiday World has the better coaster lineup.

[@Maddie_D2005]

RIP raging rapids 😢

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope something good replaces it.

[@Maddie_D2005]

@@CanobieCoaster me too

[@chadbroski9438]

0:00 Every time I see this clip, for some reason Thunderbird looks like its track is chopped off and it reminds me of GP video thumbnails.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Lol

[@zacharybabcock7809]

I think zinga and bakuli are the best water ride their wildabeast i about passed out on it i about hit my head onvthe netting

[@CanobieCoaster]

Oh no! I personally love the water coasters.

[@kork4spork543]

When I was there I had to wait 3 hours to get on cheetah chase caus it kept on overfilling

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's rotten luck!

[@michael9cats812]

This park is literally in the middle of nowhere

[@CanobieCoaster]

True!

[@camikelly2356]

Where’s Howler? Lol

[@CanobieCoaster]

Not quite on the list.

[@koalakyle19]

I was telling my friend how this park has free unlimited Mountain Dew, and he was shocked

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's great for those who like soda.

[@edwardrhoads7283]

Lol get the season pass just to drink the soda.

[@micoasters3024]

Doja cat

[@CanobieCoaster]

?

[@CanadianGr3atness]

Legend is awful and way too rough. Voyage, thunderbird, and wildabeast are the 3 best rides there by far

[@CanobieCoaster]

I heard Legend was retracked.

[@CanadianGr3atness]

@@CanobieCoaster rode it yesterday and it’s still the roughest coaster there

[@CancelHappiness]

You're tripping, Legend is incredible

[@me-myself-i787]

Airtime on a water slide is a dumb idea. It's what caused the accident on Verruct at Schlitterbahn. Having a giant camelback on a ride with no upstop wheels is a really stupid idea. Obviously, Holiday World's water slides have less airtime, but it's still not a good idea.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The difference here is that Holiday World's water slides need the magnetic or water propulsion to go uphill. Verruckt had enough momentum to go up on its own.

[@SlackerWannaB]

We are season pass holders this year. I’ve ridden Legend at least 6-8 times over the last several years and still have zero appreciation for it. I love Voyage and Thunderbird and Raven is decent. I do not understand how Legend has any appeal to any enthusiasts. It is not fun, just an uncomfortable sensation of nearly constantly being pressed against the side of the car.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love laterals, but to each their own.