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Amusement parks just seem to keep getting bigger and better, with new rides continuously competing to go further, faster, and higher (much like this record-breaking roller coaster in Texas). The latest attraction to smash, or in this case splash, records will be opening soon at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Indiana. The construction of Cannonball!, a new $22 million water coaster, and the first of its kind in the Midwest, is already underway and is scheduled to open in May 2027. Once complete, it will not only be the fastest water coaster in the U.S., reaching speeds of up to 45mph, it will also have the country's tallest drop at a height of 75 feet. Water babies will be in their element at Splashin' Safari, which already has some award-winning water coaster rides. However, Cannonball! will be the park's first track-based water ride.
Based in the small town of Santa Claus in southern Indiana, Holiday World first opened in 1946 as a Christmas attraction under the name Santa Claus Land. It later expanded into four holiday-themed lands, with Splashin' Safari opening in 1993. The two parks now cover around 125 acres, and the "Water Coaster Capital of the World" attracts more than a million visitors each year.
Read more: These Are By Far The Most Dangerous Water Parks In The World, According To Traveler Reviews
What to expect from the new Cannonball! water coaster
For those unfamiliar with the concept of a water coaster, most rides usually have floating rafts that are propelled along a waterway using water jets, conveyor belts, or magnetic launch systems. Cannonball! is different. Designed by established German manufacturer Mack Rides, seven boats will move along a track, which will feel more like your typical roller coaster, with the difference being, of course, that you'll get wet.
The ride is focused around a Fourth of July pool party in the small, fictional town of Boulder Canyon. As one of the themed boats leaves the station, it climbs up 90 feet before plummeting down the record-breaking 75-foot drop. It twists and turns its way along more than 1,000 feet of track, reaching speeds of up to 45mph. Expect a few more drops along the three-minute ride before landing with a huge splash in the community pool, where you'll be encouraged to shout a resounding "Cannonball" as you hit the water.
While you wait for the highly anticipated ride, there's always Wildebeest, Mammoth, or Cheetah Chase to keep you happy. The 1,710-foot long Wildebeest, with its underground tunnels and seven drops, held the Golden Ticket Award for the world's best water park ride for more than a decade. At 1,763 feet long, Mammoth is the world's longest water coaster, while Cheetah Chase brings some friendly competition into the water with side-by-side racing tracks. Splashin' Safari also contains plenty of other water attractions for a fun family day out.
Visiting Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
While Cannonball! won't be opening until May 2027, you can still plan your visit in advance and could even reserve a weekend stay before accommodation gets booked up. The park has a variety of nearby lodging packages including partnerships with hotels and on-site camping. Santa Claus is a fairly small town close to the Kentucky border. The nearest city is Evansville (around 40 miles away), which has a regional airport and should be visited on this thrilling road trip through the Midwest. Louisville, one of America's most underrated cities for a summer vacation, is roughly 72 miles away via I-64, and has the larger Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. There's no rail connection nearby, so the easiest way to get there is by car, with free parking available once you reach the park.
Holiday World is open from May through early November, but Splashin' Safari closes in September. Opening hours change throughout the season, so you should check the calendar on the website. All ticket prices include admission to both parks and several options are available. Daily tickets start from $72.99 if booked online, and include free sunscreen, WiFi, and unlimited soft drinks, although prices could change in 2027. You also have the option of two and three-day Flex Tickets, and there are special discount tickets for teachers, nurses, and first response and military personnel.
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Read the original article on Explore.
