Holiday World Reopening Could Bring Long-Term Changes
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowHoliday World & Splashin’ Safari last month became the first theme park in the U.S. to publicly announce its opening dates amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The family-owned theme park will swing open its gates to the general public June 17, but many have questioned whether the move will be safe for attendees. Officials at Holiday World say some of the changes being implemented will benefit the park in the long-term.
It’s the oldest theme park in the United States. Open in 1946 as Santa Claus Land, then renamed Holiday World in 1984, the once tiny southern Indiana treasure now attracts more than 1 million visitors a year, grossing nearly $200 million.
As it enters its 74th year of operation however, it won’t quite be business as usual.
“We’re in a different world right now,” said Matt Eckert, president and chief executive officer of Holiday World. “We’ve been following this pandemic from day one. We’re going to make sure that we try to help maintain social distancing from the time they park until the time that they come through the front gates. Guests need to recognize that just like everywhere else, things are going to be a little different right now.
Some of the more notable changes that will take place this summer include limiting attendance to 50% capacity.
“To help manage the crowds and manage the number of people that are in here, we’re only going to have the dry park open. So the water park right now won’t be open but we are targeting opening Splashin’ Safari on July the 4th.”
Another big adjustment for park goers will be admission; tickets now have to be purchased ahead of time online.
“Tickets will not be sold at the gates, so they will have to be bought in advance,” said Eckert.
They’ve also developed major sanitation protocol for employees.
“We’ve enhanced all of our sanitation procedures,” said Matt Blumhardt, vice president of operations for Holiday World. “Every single department in the park has defined intervals for cleaning and sanitizing high-touch areas such as hand rails, ride restraint systems, seating areas, hand sanitizer. We’ll have over 90 of those throughout the park located near restrooms, food and beverage facilities, attractions.”
One of the biggest changes to Holiday World this summer is the in-line reservation system that not only makes social distancing easier, but the real perk? You only have to wait 15 minutes for your favorite ride.
“We’re installing a new virtual queuing system to allow people to wait for rides virtually instead of being in a physical, confined viewing area,” said Blumhardt.
Eckert says visitors can use their smartphone to go to a page on the Holiday World website to reserve their place in line. They’ll get a notification about 15 minutes beforehand to give them time to get to the attraction.
“If you don’t have a smartphone, no problem. We’re going to give everybody a wristband so we can utilize the wristband procedures as well,” said Eckert.
Blumhardt adds the changes have been a challenge.
“There’s been a challenge every single day but we’re kind of approaching it from the standpoint that there’s things we can do here to improve the business in the long haul. We think things like virtual queuing, it’s an opportunity for us to evolve as a business. I think people are going to see the theme park experience not just change, but it’s going to improve for the better.”