After leaving Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, the Reids, Eric G. and I all headed for Holiday World. Now this was my third visit to the park, of which one was a Legend construction tour when the park was closed. The other visit had been during Stark Raven Mad whom had provided coaster rides that all enthusiasts dream of. The Reids and Eric hard me say all day long how much I loved this park and its coasters.

We arrived later in the day, and met with Holiday World’s head of marketing, Paula Werne. Let me say that Paula is one of the kindest individuals you could ever meet. Her generosity is very much appreciated by all of us, and I cannot say enough to thank her. Paula took us all on a guided tour of the park, explaining it’s history and telling us great tales of all of the rides and attractions. Throughout the tour, I kept hearing that soon-to-be famous bell from the Legend’s schoolhouse ringing. With the first ring of that bell, my heart began to pound rapidly. I couldn’t wait. While the Reids decided to take in the park as a family, Paula escorted Eric and myself to Legend for our first coaster ride of the evening.

Legend – I rode it at SRM and it absolutely blew me away. I was curious to see how it would hold up in daylight without hundreds of enthusiasts cheering it on. Let me say that Legend easily rates as my favorite wooden coaster. It is non-stop, action packed, fast and fun. The elements are all distributed so well throughout the ride, with the best part being right smack-dab in the middle of the ride. The head chopper on the second tunnel still gets me and the laterals are unsurpassed. Mixed in with this is terrific air and lots of laughter. It is an excellent coaster. CCI and Holiday World outdid themselves on Legend and really pulled all the stops out. I agree with Paula in the fact that she said she felt like Will Koch (Holiday World’s owner and general manager) really pushed CCI. It shows, and CCI really delivered the goods. By the time the night had ended, we had logged numerous rides on it. By the time the park closed, Legend was just getting warmed up and I found it incredibly difficult to leave. The difference in the laterals from the time we first rode that day, to the time we left was amazing. I plan on riding this as often as I can, and I could tell the others thought it great too. All I remember from Eric when the train pulled back in the station after the initial ride was a loud, exuberant "WOW!"

Raven – You can tell this is the senior in the park and it is not ready to give up its title. Although it remained a walk-on the entire time we were there, the ride still packs a great punch. This time was a bit different for me. You see, having ridden only during SRM, I had never experienced the "effects." The mist in the tunnel and the surprise after the mid-course airdrop were not turned on during their event. So it was like a new treat to me. At first I thought someone had decided to spit mid-way through the ride. But then it dawned on me by the second ride that it was meant to be that way. I loved it. Raven was already warmed up and running at it’s best when we arrived. The jog immediately before the station is maddening. This is coaster riding at its best folks.

Prior to Raven, we ran into Pat Koch (Will’s Mom) who was her usual wonderful self. I absolutely cannot say enough in favor of this park. The family touch is unsurpassed and should be used as a guide by which all parks are measured. When you walk in, you feel like part of the family and wish you really were.

Soon you will see the results of a guided tour provided by Paula of Legend and Raven behind the scenes. I could tell that Eric’s shots will be great and will only build excitement for these A+++ rides.

As fate would have it, Flare (Dave) was able to make it to Holiday World late in the day as well and we all met up. After the guided tour by Paula, we all teamed back up for an evening of enjoying the park. We ate the best, most inexpensive meal I have ever had at a park, and never once went thirsty due to the generous "free soft drinks" offer Holiday World provides. I was so happy to see the fact that the free drink policy was not being abused while we were there. I believe that to be a statement on the quality guests this park draws.

On that note, I was disappointed to see that Legend has been a bit "ravaged" by the graffiti monsters. If it were at all possible, I would personally love to sit and bust persons doing this, then treat them to a rousing game of "lets clean the toilets." That would learn ‘em. Right Ichabod?

Folks, please make sure and not pass up this park. It is not huge, the coasters are not of epic proportions, there are not a million rides. Heck, with the exception of the waterpark, it is hardly a full day park. But guess what? It is the cream of the crop. This is a park at it’s best.