Do you remember when Holiday World was Santa Claus Land?

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Canva/ Holiday World Facebook
Canva/ Holiday World Facebook
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Summertime in Santa Claus, Indiana

You know it's officially summertime in Southern Indiana when Holiday World opens for the season.  For many in the Tri-State, it's a summer tradition to spend summer days soaking up the sun at our favorite Indiana theme park.

I don't know about you, but when I was a kid the highlight of my summer was my family's annual trip to Holiday World and Splashin' Safari.  Now I grew up in the 90s, so I don't remember when Holiday World was Santa Claus Land, but my parents both remember visiting Santa Claus Land when they were younger.

Holiday World on Facebook
Holiday World on Facebook
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Seven Decades of Entertainment

For more than seven decades, Holiday World has been creating fun in southern Indiana.  In August of 1946 Santa Claus Land first opened to the public. Of course, Santa Claus Land was a big hit with locals, and it continued to grow into the theme park we know as Holiday World today.  In 1984 the Koch family knew Holiday World had outgrown being just a Christmas-themed park, and they were ready to expand to celebrate other holidays as well, thus Holiday World was born. Then in 1993, Splashin' Safari opened, and as they say, the rest is history.

I still remember singing this song every time we'd go to Holiday World when I was a kid. This particular commercial from 1993 is a core memory for me!

Vintage Summer fun

With Holiday World being around since the 1940s, generations of families have made memories at this theme park, whether it was called Santa Claus Land or Holiday World.

Holiday World recently shared the coolest vintage commercial that will transport you right back to Southern Indiana summertime in the 1970s.  The clothes are incredible, and the ride shots are too! In fact, their "octopus" style ride that's featured in this commercial was one of my favorites when I was a kid, I'm pretty sure it's not even there anymore, so this commercial brought up some fun memories for me as well, even though I wasn't around in the 1970s!

Spilling the Gravy

It seems like every year Holiday World grows and adds something new to the park.  This year Holiday World has been teasing us with some big news, a new rollercoaster is heading to the park.  However Holiday World isn't spilling the gravy just yet, but they have been giving us clues! Check out some of the clues here, and see if you can figure out exactly what Holiday World has up its sleeves!

25 Must-Try Rides at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

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