Naturally, Holiday World Indiana is located in the town of Santa Claus. Along with Splashin' Safari, the theme park is sure to be a highlight of any Indiana vacations that include time in the holiday-themed town that is found not far from Evansville.

Once you've decided to add Holiday World to your Indiana vacation packages and have thought about tickets, you'll be ready to pack up and head to Santa Claus. Holiday World discount tickets are available for seniors, visitors under 54 inches, and for two-day admissions. Also when planning when to go, it's helpful to know that the park is open May through October.

Recently, Holiday World debuted a number of improvements and renovations for the 2009 season, including the addition of the Pilgrims Plunge. This classic "shoot the chute" ride utilizes an open elevator to swiftly lift boats 135 feet in the air. The boats pause briefly and then rapidly descends a record 131 feet at a 45-degree angle, creating a wall of water splashing 45 feet high and 90 feet wide. The other innovative addition is the The HoliWatch, a wristband-style radio frequency identification (RFID) device offered free to all guests. Park visitors just need to go to one of two stations to sign out the devices for the day for everyone in the group. People wearing HoliWatches can locate each other, leave messages, and retrieve a variety of information about the parks throughout their visit to this most fun of Indiana attractions.

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While they're enjoying the new additions and visiting the old favorites, park guests are sure to find fun when they've included Holiday World in their Indiana tours. Holiday World discount tickets offer access to a full slate of shows, rides, and dining options in the various holiday-themed sections.

The schedule of daily shows includes the HoliDazzles, who share laughter and song; Rockin' the Country; History of Diving; Sing Praise; Holidog's Dance Party, and a trip down memory lane at the Hoosier Celebration Theater. There's always time to celebrate Christmas at Holiday World Indiana, especially when Santa Claus reads stories and sings songs at his theater.

The rides at Holiday World suit park visitors of all ages, from the mild to the wild. The roller coasters, including The Raven and The Legend, are sure to thrill. An anchor of Holiday World's Thanksgiving section, the Voyage, consistently has been named one of the top wooden coasters in the world. Park visitors also can ride a carousel, brave the rapids, take a whirl on the swings, play some reindeer games, and enjoy the Gobbler Getaway dark ride in the Thanksgiving section.

The water slides at Splashin' Safari provide a barrelful of fun when the weather's warm. The newest addition, family-friendly Kima Bay, is home to seven water slides and more than 100 interactive water elements. Holiday World Indiana visitors are sure to find that Bahari River is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a float.

Holiday World also offers its guests a number of amenities including unlimited free soft drinks and the use of lifejackets and inner tubes. Park guests also will find a wide array of restaurants and shops.

The operating season for Holiday World Indiana begins in May continues through the summer, and ends with weekend hours in September and October. Discounts are available and vary according to the time of the season and the time of day. Holiday World discount tickets provide access to the park at a significant savings; second-day tickets can be purchased while at the park.

Holiday World is just one of the many attractions to enjoy on an Indiana vacation. Southern Indiana is known for its interesting caves and history attractions in Evansville and Terre Haute, all within a short drive of Santa Claus and Holiday World.