Hi, guys! Today I’m talking all about tips for Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. A trip to Holiday World tops our Summer Bucket list every summer (and now it tops our Fall Bucket List with their Happy Halloween Weekends!).
I can remember visiting Holiday World as a little girl with all my cousins. This was back when there was a petting zoo, back before there were any roller coasters, and back when Splashin’ Safari only had a handful of attractions. I’ve been on school trips, on Girl Scout trips, and, of course, with family. I’m a Holiday World “lifer” if there ever was one!
Over the past 30 years I have seen the park grow and change into this amazing place that people travel from all over to visit!
Why Holiday World?
Holiday World is awesome, no question about it. Not just because its nearby (for us), but because it offers so many things that other amusement parks don’t!
Here are just a few of the reasons we love Holiday World:
- Free Parking (even free electric vehicle charging)
- Free Sunscreen (SPF 50)
- Free Drinks (soft drinks, Gatorade, lemonade, and water)
- Cost of Admission gets you into Holiday World AND Splashin’ Safari
- Free WiFi
- Free use of life jackets & inner tubes in Splashin’ Safari
- Free package pickup (buy something at the gift shop and pick it up on your way out instead of carrying it through the park all day)
Tips For Holiday World
1. Check The Schedule
First and foremost, check the Park Hours page to see if there are any special events happening on the day you are planning to visit. The main reason I mention this is because in the late Spring, before summer break hits, the park is open, but all the rides and/or restaurants are not. Generally, the price reflects the number of attractions that are open. So, if you notice a dip in the price you may want to look into it. Don’t get me wrong, you will still have a lot of fun! I just think it’s best to know ahead of time.
Also, if you go when school is still in session (May) you run the risk of there being a zillion busloads of school-aged kids there on a field trip. Again, not horrible, but not ideal either!
2. Stroller/Wagon
A stroller or a wagon is A MUST if you have young kids. If you don’t want to haul yours to Holiday World you can rent one when you get there. They have both wagons and strollers available for rent.
My kids are just past the “stroller stage” but we still rent one because having someplace to put all your bags is so nice! I mean, sure, you can totally rent a locker and not have to worry about it, but it is really nice to have all your stuff with you at all times. Plus, every once in a while one of my kiddos is “too tired to walk” and I would much rather push them around for a bit than listen to the complaining halfway through the day!
We keep everything with us all day. The only things of value that I have are my phone and my money and I keep both of those in my pocket, so I’m never concerned about anything getting stolen. Everyone parks their wagon/stroller at the entrance of the rides and picks them back up when they are done. It’s just sort of what everyone does. I’ve never had an issue with theft, but again, I don’t leave anything of value unattended.
3. Bring Your Own Thermos/Cup
One of the amazing things about Holiday World is that they offer free drinks all day. They have paper cups available, however, it’s nice to have your own spillproof cup (that you can put in your wagon). Also, bringing your own cup is much more environmentally friendly.
4. Water Protection for Phone
Whether it’s a water ride situation or protection in the water park, you definitely want to have some way to keep your phone dry. Plastic bags (think Ziploc) work just fine, but they also make a waterproof case that works great and you can even take pictures underwater.
5. Start in the back
You want to get the most bang for your buck by getting to the park when it opens. The only problem is…everyone else is doing that too! So, what happens is that all the rides towards the front of the park are super crowded.
What we have been doing the past several visits is walking all the way to the back of the park as soon as we get there. It isn’t easy telling the kids we will ride things later as we pass them, but the lines aren’t long at the back of the park early in the day. Also, the lines throughout Holiday World are very short in the afternoon because everyone is in Splashin’ Safari.
Definitely think about how you want your day to go, but also be open to making a change when you get to see the lines.
The only rides that almost always have a long line are the water slides in Splashin’ Safari. It’s very hard to find a time when those aren’t crowded.
6. Military Discount
Holiday World offers a pretty great military discount! Show your military ID and get $19 off each ticket (up to 8 tickets).
Not only do they offer military discounts, but they offer discounts for first responders, nurses, foster families, and more! Check it all out here!
7. Wet clothes
Bring something to put your wet clothes and towels in to keep them from getting all your other stuff wet. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive. In fact, a plastic grocery sack works great!
8. Single Rider Lines
As I mentioned, long lines for the water slides are unavoidable. HOWEVER, if you are open to riding by yourself you can take advantage of the single-rider lines. Your wait is usually shorter (like WAY shorter), which is awesome! The only downside is that you won’t get to ride with your friends/family, but honestly, how big of a deal is it? Stand in line 15 minutes and ride with strangers OR stand in line an hour and sit behind your friend?
9. Extra Clothes
It’s a good idea to pack a set of extra clothes (In addition to the clothes you wear into the park). If you ride Frightful Falls, Raging Rapids, or stop by Holidog’s Fun Town you will be thankful you have something dry waiting for you!
Oh, and don’t forget your own towels!
10. Phone Find
Phone Find is a great service for anyone visiting with young kids. Phone Find is a bracelet for your kiddo that has your phone number on it. If you and your child get separated a Holiday World employee will be able to contact you via the number on the wristband.
Whether you use Phone Find or not, it’s a good idea to have a meeting place and/or show your child what a Holiday World staff uniform looks like in case he/she needs help.
11. Parent Swap
Ever heard of Parent Swap? If two parents are wanting to ride a ride that their child isn’t quite old enough to ride OR decides they don’t want to ride once they get to the front of the line, Parent Swap allows one parent to ride the ride while the other parent stays in the queue. Then, when the first parent exits the ride, the parent in the queue is able to ride.
Holiday World explains it a little more eloquently here.
12. Shoes on hot concrete
In Splashin’ Safari there are a ton of fun things to do, however, it does require a bit (a lot) of walking and a lot of waiting in lines. Make sure you have shoes you don’t mind getting wet. Also, don’t wear your most expensive pair of sandals either. There is usually a long line of shoes at the entrance of each water ride. You can wear your shoes/flip-flops between attractions but can’t wear them on the slides. I’ve never experienced theft or heard of anyone having their shoes stolen while they were on a ride, but why risk it, ya know?
So there you have it! All of my tips for Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari! I’d love to hear your thoughts or any new tips you might have. Please leave them all in the comments below!!
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