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originally posted on 8/5/2024

Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

Nothing has raised eyebrows and sparked conversations more than the name of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari’s (Santa Claus, Indiana) new roller coaster. Park management will be the first to admit that they don’t take themselves too seriously, and coming up with a tongue-in-cheek name and theme for their newest coaster was admittedly all sorts of fun, just as it should be. It was equally loved and reviled, but certainly not ignored.

Named Good Gravy! (yes, with an exclamation point), the new attraction does numerous things, and not just well, but perfectly.

Holiday World wasn’t setting out to build a top ten coaster (not that they haven’t had their share of those), but a gap existed between its trio of renowned wooden coasters, along with a launched wing coaster, and the lone kiddie coaster in the park. Holiday World was missing that family coaster that everyone could ride. Filling that void was the first thing Good Gravy! got right.

And it filled another void, or in this case, empty space. Thanksgiving is the park’s largest “holiday” section (recognizing that the waterpark, Splashin’ Safari, is massive). As that land sprawls between The Voyage at the front and Thunderbird in the back, the removal of what was originally Pilgrim’s Plunge, left an absence of attractions along the walkway. The addition of Stuffing Springs, a themed land within a land, eliminates the blank real estate, and it does so in the most creative way.

Photo: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.

A stroll through the queue is a delightful trip through the Van Snoodle home.
Photo: Derek Perry. View full-sized image.

The station for Pilgrim’s Plunge, which was once a large, open building with a concrete floor and rails, is now a trip through Grandma Gracie’s house. This is theming at its finest. There are gigantic corporate parks that have massive budgets, and then there are the smaller, family-owned parks that have limited resources. What Holiday World has pulled off is remarkable. “Rooms” of the Van Snoodle house have retro vibes to them. It’s like Thanksgivings past and going down memory lane. Guests pass by ribbon-winning gravy recipes and a collection of gravy boats, a 1960s black-and-white television set, 1970s earth-tone wallpaper and all sorts of fun things stored in the attic. It makes waiting in line an engaging treat. Another box checked perfectly.

Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

Both the front and the back of the train resemble a gravy boat.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

But there is a ride at the end of the queue. Good Gravy! has a notable distinction. It was the first family boomerang from Vekoma in the United States. The first such ride opened in 2011. Since then, Vekoma has sold them like hotcakes — for good reason. These rides have a wide demographic and a low height requirement. They are smooth as glass and offer modest thrills so that they are fun but not intimidating. Again, just what Holiday World needed. So, after close to 30 of these rides were constructed around the globe, the Indiana park finally brought one to the States. However, Holiday World boasts a custom layout for its park.

The trip begins with a backward climb up an incline.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

Zipping through the can of cranberry sauce is a hoot.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

The reverse spike sends riders backward.
Photo: Derek Perry. View full-sized image.

Riders aboard Good Gravy! are first lifted up a backward incline with a tire-driven lift. Once released, they drop and zip through twists and curves until reaching the skyward-directed reverse point. Then riders travel through the entire course backward. The track length is only 721 feet, but the distance traveled is closer to 1,500 feet.

Larger-than-life props supplied by 3dx Scenic make for fun photo ops.

Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

But there’s more to it than that. As the gravy boat-themed vehicles hit the top speed of 37 mph, the journey slithers through an assortment of themed props supplied by 3dx Scenic. And what props they are! The train whisks through a can of cranberry sauce and past, well, a whisk. There’s a chicken-shaped egg timer, a box of stuffing and a milk bottle, because, after all, Thanksgiving dinner is being prepared. It’s all fun, and the photo opportunities are delightful. Mixed into Stuffing Springs is a children’s play area for toddlers who are waiting for big brother or sister to get off the ride.

Little brothers and sisters have a new playground to occupy time while older siblings ride.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

Good Gravy! is the sixth coaster at Holiday World and certainly one that fits into the park perfectly.

— Tim Baldwin, ACE News

There are Easter eggs to be found, such as the date Holiday World opened hidden in the cranberry sauce label.

#ACENews