Holiday World Santa Claus Indiana
A unique theme park with thrilling rides, a massive water park, and festive holiday themes year-round. Free drinks, sunscreen, and parking!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, shorter lines
Holiday World Santa Claus Indiana
Best Time
Fewer crowds, shorter lines
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A unique theme park with thrilling rides, a massive water park, and festive holiday themes year-round. Free drinks, sunscreen, and parking!
"This park has enough to offer a fun time for the entire family, with free soda and suntan lotion."
🎯 Freebies Save Big!
Enjoy free soft drinks, sunscreen, and parking! Pack snacks or a lunch to save even more.
🎢 Conquer The Voyage
Don't miss The Voyage, a legendary wooden coaster known for its intense airtime and speed.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Voyage
Thanksgiving Section
Experience one of the most intense wooden coasters, famed for its airtime and inversions. A must-ride for thrill-seekers!
Splashin' Safari Water Park
Splashin' Safari Section
Cool off with thrilling water slides like Mammoth and Cheetah Chase, plus wave pools and kid-friendly areas.
Holiday Themed Lands
Throughout the park
Explore unique themed areas like Thanksgiving, 4th of July, Halloween, and Christmas, each with fitting rides and atmosphere.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds & Heat
Budget-Smart Fun
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Freebies Save Big!
Enjoy free soft drinks, sunscreen, and parking! Pack snacks or a lunch to save even more.
🎢 Conquer The Voyage
Don't miss The Voyage, a legendary wooden coaster known for its intense airtime and speed.
💧 Splashin' Safari Fun
Cool off in the water park! Mammoth and Cheetah Chase are intense water rides.
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Focus
Great for all ages, with dedicated kid zones and rides for younger children.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Freebies Save Big!
Enjoy free soft drinks, sunscreen, and parking! Pack snacks or a lunch to save even more.
🎢 Conquer The Voyage
Don't miss The Voyage, a legendary wooden coaster known for its intense airtime and speed.
💧 Splashin' Safari Fun
Cool off in the water park! Mammoth and Cheetah Chase are intense water rides.
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Focus
Great for all ages, with dedicated kid zones and rides for younger children.
⏰ Arrive Early
Get there before opening to maximize your day and ride popular attractions with shorter waits.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Holiday World for its family-friendly atmosphere, thrilling rides, and excellent value, particularly the free soft drinks, sunscreen, and parking. The unique holiday themes are a major draw, and the water park offers a great way to cool off. While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, some note that many rides are geared towards older children, and the park can involve a lot of hills.
"We felt like we had stepped back on time and we loved it. The park was so clean and well maintained. The different holiday themed areas were well thought out. They have free unlimited beverages for the guests and it was the best feature I've ever seen in an amusement park. They also had ample smoking areas and bathrooms for guests. We loved our adventure here and will definitely be back to check out the waterpark. I dont think we waited more then 20 minutes in any line we stood in."
Nat
"Amazing for 6, 4, and 2 year old! Seriously pleasantly surprised by how perfect this venue is for little kids and without much planning. We spent 11am to 8pm there and then watched the light show from the car, as we wanted to see it from the park but the kids were tired. Noticed cars line up on the side of the highway just outside the park. When in rome? No regrets!!! Highly recommend on Halloween weekend. It was 50s and 🌥️.
We tackled (in order): Lewis and Clark trail, carousel, firecracker, liberty launch, Holliday Halloween express, Fun town (where we ate), Howler, Kittys Tea party, Eagle Fright, Dino Corn Maze, The Voyager (6 yr olds first coaster as she’s over 48”), a few gift shops, Perky Turkey, Gobbler Getaway.
Wish we would have saved some time for their Thanksgiving dinner meal at Plymouth Cafe, but started heading out at that point.
Soooooo worth it. Core memories made 💕🎢🦖🦕🎅🍂🌽🦃🇺🇸🌭"
Anastasia Blum
"Halloween Holiday World always great! Best surprising things from visit: garlic cheese curds from Gobblers hamburger stand, awesome! Pay the up charge and enjoy! Halloween funnel cake flight (x3): super yummy! Pecan funnel cake, the best. Gravy boat ride: super long wait but still surprisingly fast and exciting (my first time riding). Corn maze: wow! Really, take time and do this. You won’t be disappointed. Dino drone show: once again, WOW! Really fun to watch. Only sad thing: no raspberry or cherry underly ice cream available. ?? And that was really disappointing to me and my family. And lastly, enjoy the fall decorations and flowers, they are lovely."
Anna Kaus
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The drive from Indianapolis to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, typically takes around 3 to 3.5 hours. Many visitors opt for a road trip, often stopping for breakfast on the way.
Yes, Holiday World offers ample parking, and it's completely free! This is a significant cost-saver compared to many other theme parks.
While Holiday World is the main attraction, getting around Santa Claus, Indiana, is best done by car. The town is small, but attractions are spread out.
Yes, you can exit and re-enter Holiday World. This is particularly useful if you plan to pack a lunch and eat at a nearby pavilion.
Yes, there are several hotels and campgrounds in the Santa Claus, Indiana area, including Lake Rudolph Campground, which is ideal for families.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
One-day admission tickets are typically around $49.99 when purchased in advance. Season passes for the following year are also available and can be a good value if you plan multiple visits.
Holiday World often offers discounts, including nursing discounts. Purchasing tickets in advance online can also save you money compared to buying them at the gate.
Operating hours vary by season. During Halloween Weekends, for example, hours can be from 11 am to 8 pm on Saturdays and 11 am to 12 pm on Sundays, with Friday openings starting in October. Always check the official website for current hours.
No, admission to Splashin' Safari water park is included with your general admission ticket to Holiday World.
Yes, Happy Halloween Weekends are included with a season pass and general admission entry, making it a great value.
🎫 🎡 Onsite Experience
For thrill-seekers, The Voyage and The Legend are highly recommended wooden coasters. For water fun, Mammoth and Cheetah Chase in Splashin' Safari are intense favorites.
Absolutely! Holiday World has dedicated areas with rides specifically designed for younger children, ensuring fun for the whole family.
Arrive early to secure a good spot, especially if you want a cabana near the wave pool. The racing slides are a hit for challenging family members.
Yes, Holiday World features variety shows and entertainment throughout the park, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as you'll be doing a lot of walking. If visiting the water park, bring swimwear. Many visitors enjoy themed outfits, especially during Halloween Weekends.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Holiday World offers a variety of dining options, from pizza at Santa's Merry Marketplace to burgers and more at Wildebeestro in Splashin' Safari. They have meal deals and kid-friendly options.
You can pack a lunch and eat it outside the park in a designated area, as re-entry is permitted. This can be a great way to save money on food.
While specific options can vary, theme parks generally offer some choices like salads, fries, or fruit. It's best to check with individual food stands for current offerings.
Many visitors recommend the pizza at Santa's Merry Marketplace and the onion rings at Wildebeestro in Splashin' Safari. The meal deals can offer good value.
Yes, Holiday World offers free soft drink refills throughout the park, which is a fantastic perk!
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the iconic roller coasters like The Voyage, the festive themed lands, and the vibrant Splashin' Safari water park. The entrance area and themed structures offer great photo opportunities. 
Generally, you cannot take photos or videos on the rides for safety reasons. However, many rides offer POV (Point of View) footage online, like The Voyage.
The park is well-lit, especially during evening hours and special events like Halloween Weekends. Natural daylight is best for most outdoor shots.
A smartphone with a good camera is usually sufficient for capturing memories. For action shots on rides (where permitted), a GoPro or similar action camera is ideal.
The unique holiday themes throughout the park provide many fun and quirky photo opportunities, especially during Halloween Weekends or Christmas-themed events.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider arriving early to tackle popular rides before lines get long, especially with younger children who have shorter attention spans. The ability to exit and re-enter the park is also a lifesaver if you need a break or want to enjoy a picnic lunch outside the park.
💰 Budget Travelers
This is a major advantage over many other theme parks where these amenities can add up quickly. Look for advance ticket purchases online to secure the best prices. Packing your own lunch and snacks to enjoy outside the park (with re-entry) is another smart way to save money on food.
🎢 Thrill-Seekers
+1 Don't miss The Legend, another thrilling wooden coaster with a unique layout. In Splashin' Safari, Mammoth and Cheetah Chase offer high-speed water coaster and racing slide experiences that are sure to get your heart pounding. The park's commitment to providing a variety of thrilling rides ensures there's plenty to keep adrenaline junkies satisfied.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Thrill of The Voyage
+1From its opening in 2006, The Voyage has garnered numerous awards, including being named the 'Best Wooden Roller Coaster' by Amusement Today for several years. Its track spans an impressive 3,940 feet and reaches speeds of up to 67 mph. The ride's design incorporates tunnels and a mid-course brake run that doesn't significantly detract from the overall intensity.
For coaster enthusiasts, riding The Voyage is a pilgrimage. Its reputation for being one of the most intense and thrilling wooden coasters makes it a top draw for visitors to Holiday World. Be prepared for a wild ride that will leave you breathless and wanting more.
Splashin' Safari: A Watery Escape
Key attractions include Mammoth, one of the world's longest water coasters, and Cheetah Chase, a high-speed racing slide that provides a competitive thrill. For those seeking a more relaxed experience, the wave pool offers a classic water park fun, while the kid-friendly zones ensure that even the littlest visitors have plenty to enjoy.
Visitors often praise Splashin' Safari for its cleanliness and the variety of activities available. It's a perfect place to cool down and have fun, especially on hot Indiana days. Remember to bring your swimwear and enjoy the aquatic adventures!
Holiday World's Unique Theming
+1Each themed land offers a distinct experience. The Thanksgiving section might feature rides reminiscent of harvest festivals, while the 4th of July area bursts with patriotic spirit. Halloween Weekends transform the park into a spooky wonderland with special events and decorations, and the Christmas section brings festive cheer year-round.
+1This imaginative theming creates a memorable and immersive experience for visitors of all ages. It's not just about the rides; it's about stepping into different festive worlds, making Holiday World a truly one-of-a-kind destination.
+1
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