Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

Throughout its existence, Holiday World has set high standards for the theme park industry, with a steadfast adherence to the values established in the company’s cornerstones: safety, service, cleanliness and friendliness. Evansville, Ind., industrialist Louis J. Koch created the world’s first theme park; Santa Claus Land opened in 1946. Koch’s son Bill soon became the head of Santa Claus Land. He and his wife, Pat, had five children; the eldest, Will, was park president for 22 years, until his unexpected death in 2010. His brother Dan was president through 2012. Long-time employee Matt Eckert is now president. In 1984, Santa Claus Land added Halloween and 4th of July sections; the park’s name was changed to Holiday World. In 1993, Splashin’ Safari Water Park was added; it now covers 30 acres and features two water coasters plus wave pools, raft rides, water slides and interactive waterplay complexes. Holiday World introduced The Raven in 1995; it has been voted a top wooden coaster ever since. In 2000, Holiday World became the first park in the world to provide free, unlimited soft drinks. In 2006, the park introduced the Thanksgiving section, which helped catapult the park’s seasonal attendance past the one-million mark for the first time. In 2007-2011 Amusement Today named Voyage the worlds #1 Wooden Coaster; the parks, which now cover 120 acres, have repeatedly been named the World’s Friendliest and Cleanest.