Reviews: Hurray for HoliWood...Nights!

Posted at 10:11 AM EDT (1411 GMT)

Jun. 26th, 2006 -- ThrillNetwork's Katie and Wes attended Holiday World's Holiwood Nights event May 26-27. In this review we get an inside view on the event and all that went on.

What was your favorite part of Holiwood Nights?

Katie: "There wasn't one special time, honestly. The entire weekend was great. It was one of the best weekends I have ever experienced at a park. If I had to single out one thing, it would be the ERT; it was out of this world."

Wes: "I'd have to say the ERT on Saturday night. All the coasters were running great and Voyage was just insane. I would also say getting to meet Will Koch and several friends from around the country I had only known through the internet before."

How did you think the park did overall?

Katie: "This is my favorite park I have been to. It blew me away, as it was my first visit to Holiday World. The owners Will and Pat Koch were the nicest people I have ever met. They run that park like EVERY park should be ran. When it comes to cleanliness, park operations this park knows what they are doing, otherwise their park wouldn't be getting a huge expansion like they did this year!"

Wes: "Holiday World is one of the best run parks I have been to. I can't say enough positive things about the park. The food was great; they took care of us in every way. You never felt like you were being a burden on the park."

How many people did you get to meet that before you had only known through the internet?

Katie: "A lot! I had so many people come up to me and say "Oh! So you are Katie from ThrillNetwork!" I met a good 20-25 people that knew me by name that weekend. It was amazing. Especially during the podcast people knew exactly who Clint and I were, and wanted to get in on the show!"

Wes: "Let's see, Will Koch, Katie, Clint, Paula (Holiday World), Brian and Lori (fbama73 and mrsfbama73)...I think that was it."

Did you think the cost was reasonable?

Katie: "This event in my opinion was under priced for the stuff that we got! There was a total of 9 hours of ERT all weekend. With 2 dinners and a breakfast included! It was the best. Of course who can not forget the free drinks! That really helped with the heat and humidity!"

Wes: "Yes! With two dinners and a breakfast and hours and hours of ERT for less than the cost of a 2 day ticket, it's a great value! I'm a huge stickler for value and the park gave us a great value!"

How did the ERT go for you? (Enough rides, too many people, etc.)

Katie: "I got a total of 15 rides on Voyage and a bunch of rides on Raven and Legend. Also, Gobbler Getaway was included. I got to do a ride through with the lights on. It was really neat. The lines were absolutely moving! The crews on each of the coasters were hauling both nights. I have never seen people that go that quickly dispatching trains. The longest I waited for Voyage was 35 minutes tops. With over 1,000 people in attendance that was awesome!"

Wes: "ERT was great. Even with tons of people in line for Voyage the line moved very quickly. Legend and Raven were both empty both nights. Over the two days I got a total of 10 rides on Voyage and many rides on Raven and Legend. I'm thrilled to ride a new coaster that many times. I could have ridden it many more times if I had wanted to."

What was your most hilarious moment of Holiwood Nights?

Katie: "Hilarious? Hmmm. I don't think I do have a hugely funny moment at the park all weekend. The podcast was a lot of fun. Clint should be busy with closed door meetings for the next month or so! Honestly, in general the park had a happy/joking attitude all weekend."

Wes: "There was this guy I saw on Voyage wearing 1920's style goggles on the ride. He was prepared!"

Was this your first visit to Holiday World and if so, what did you think of the park?

Katie: "Yes this was my first visit to Holiday World. As I said above I was blown away by the amazing service this park gave to us. Free drinks, free sunscreen and the food was AMAZING! The fudge was out of site. The owners and staff were the most courteous people I have ever met. I will be going back to this park for years to come because of the amazing time I had at HoliWood Nights. As I got to shake Will Koch's hand after midnight Saturday (Yes he was there until the end both nights) I told him as much. And I will be happy to do the park PR any day. (I would never want to get rid of Paula though, She ROCKS!)"

Wes: "This was my second trip to the park and I enjoyed it even more than the first time last year. Free drinks, free sunscreen, free parking! What else is there to say!?"

What would you change about HoliWood Nights 2 (if the park decides to host HoliWood Nights 2)?

Katie: "That is a tough question. Honestly, the way the whole event went I wouldn't change a thing about next year's event. If the park decides to have one, which I hope they do. I would drive the 8 hours again just for that park. Yes I am sucking up!"

Wes: "Nothing really. It would be kind of nice to have a full day in the park on Friday, but that's the only thing I could think of."

How did this event compare to other park/club sponsored events you have been to?

Katie: "I have been to a few park events. Just a handful I would say, and just what we get for the price of the event is what makes everything better. Accompanied by free drinks, great customer service and Voyage there is NOTHING better."

Wes: "One of the best I've been to, if not the best. As we've said several times the park really is one of the friendliest out there you'll find. They never acted like "Oh no, it's the coaster nuts again. I don't want to deal with these people!" It was also great to have all three coasters running both nights. Some parks only run one or two coasters during an ERT event."

We want to personally thank Holiday World, Will Koch, Pat Koch and Paula for all of the time and effort that went into this event. We are truly grateful for the memories, and sincerely hope you continue to host this annual event. If and when you do, we're sure the entire enthusiast community will give 100% of their support.

For more information on the park, please visit Holiday World.