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Pilgrims Plunge
Holiday World unveils world's tallest water ride
When Holiday World opened for its 63rd season Splashin' Safari so that riders may board in their
it introduced a record-breaking new shoot-the- swimsuits if they wish. It accommodates up to 960
chutes, Pilgrims Plunge. With its 131ft drop, the riders per hour.
ride immediately claimed the bragging rights to The ride represents the second largest project in the
the world's tallest water ride. Paul Ruben gets park’s history. Koch says the price tag for the ride was
wet in Santa Claus, Indiana $4.3 million (Euro.0373.0m), or more than half of the $8.4
million that was invested for 2009. Other additions
T
he new ride claims the title from the 115ft include more shade structures at the Splashin' Safari
Perilous Plunge at Knott's Berry Farm, which waterpark plus improvements to the Legend Parking Lot.
opened in 2000. Designed by Intamin and
installed by IntaRide, Pilgrims Plunge's tower height is Profound Planning
165ft, crowned by a giant Holiday World logo. "We have talked about doing a shoot-the-chute for
The ride’s signature feature is a straight-up open- many years," says Koch. “There have been two reasons
sided elevator that swiftly lifts each of five 10-person why we didn’t. First, we were sort of behind the curve –
boats over 130ft in 22 seconds, or six feet per every other park already had one. Second, we couldn’t
second. The boats pause briefly and then rapidly decide where to put it – waterpark or ride park? The
descend the 131ft drop at a 45-degree angle, first reason was resolved partly due to the passage of
reaching a top speed of more than 50 mph before time; it’s been a long time now since anyone
ending with a dramatic splashdown. On the way introduced a new shoot-the-chute in our markets. The
back to the station area, the already-wet riders are second concern was resolved by deciding to provide
sprayed by geysers as they complete their 1,480ft access from both the waterpark and the ride park. And
journey. when we saw the opportunity to break the world
“We asked Intamin what it would cost for the record, we couldn’t resist!”
world’s tallest shoot-the-chutes," recalls Will Koch, "Pilgrims Plunge is certainly a new signature
president of Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. "They attraction for the park," acknowledges Koch, "but I
proposed a design with the elevator lift." wouldn’t say it is the signature attraction. That honour
The name Pilgrims Plunge recalls the pilgrims who belongs to The Voyage coaster, for now at least. But
held the first Thanksgiving feast in America. Because with its significant ‘skyline’ impact and title as world’s
Holiday World & Splashin Safari of its nature, the water ride is accessible from both largest, Pilgrims Plunge certainly is very impressive.
president Will Koch the Thanksgiving section and by a pathway from Our guests have responded very favourably to it.
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SEPTEMBER 2009
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