LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- Holiday World says it wants to create more ways for families to stay cool beginning next year.
Park President Dan Koch says a $6.5 million investment will bring everything from a new water-slide complex to misters throughout the park.
"We're adding four new in-the-dark water slides in a complex called RhinoBlaster," Koch said in a news release. "The longest slide is 350 feet and includes a half-pipe element - similar to our Zinga water ride – for a really cool back-and-forth skate-boarding effect."
Also, the Pilgrim's Plunge chute ride will become part of the water park and will get a new name -- Giraffica. "We're not moving the ride, just the park boundary," says Koch.
The entrance to Splashin' Safari will also expand, and a new style of lockers will be installed.
Back in Holiday World, a new teacup ride called Kitty's Tea Party will be a new addition to Holidog's FunTown. It will also have a larger high-dive pool, stage, and seating area to replace the current theater.
Koch believes this summer's record heat kept the park from setting an all time attendance record. So the current season will end with the second highest attendance at about 1.1 million people.
He says the family owned business listens to its customers, and is always looking for ways to improve the park by continuing to invest in it.
"Pretty much we add about $10 million per year," says Koch, "so in the last 15 years it is about $150 million pumped back into the park."
This is construction season at the park. Holiday World is also building a larger pool, stage and theatre for its high dive show.
Other projects for 2013 include an expansion of Happy Halloween Weekends to six weekends, an after-dark light show on summer nights, 20 more cabanas, and more shade and seating.
Holiday World will be open October 27 and 28 for the final weekend of Happy Halloween Weekends. For more information, visit HolidayWorld.com or call 1-877-463-2645.
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