Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana, has launched the world's first gravy-themed roller coaster, dubbed Good Gravy!, with an investment of $10 million. The family boomerang coaster features a 1,500-foot track and takes riders in a gravy boat-shaped train through a cranberry sauce can and up a 72-foot spike before reversing the ride.v
The Good Gravy! roller coaster is part of the park's Thanksgiving section, which includes various themed attractions and dining options such as the Plymouth Rock Café. The Thanksgiving area also houses The Voyage, a top-ranked wooden roller coaster, and Thunderbird, America's first launched wing coaster.
According to Leah Koch-Blumhardt, Fourth-Generation Owner, the Good Gravy! ride aims to deliver heartwarming family fun: "This isn't the tallest or fastest coaster to open in North America this year, but it certainly has the most heart. We've loved hearing feedback from the thousands of Guests who have already ridden with their whole family. Family fun is what Holiday World is all about."
Gravy-Themed Roller Coasters
Good Gravy! Opens to the Public in Santa Claus, Indiana
Trend Themes
1. Themed Roller Coasters - By incorporating unique themes, such as gravy, amusement parks can create memorable and differentiated experiences for visitors.
2. Culinary-inspired Attractions - Rides and attractions inspired by food items, like the Good Gravy! roller coaster, have the potential to merge dining and entertainment, drawing food enthusiasts as well as thrill-seekers.
3. Family-oriented Thrill Rides - Developing rides that emphasize family fun over extreme thrills provides parks with an opportunity to appeal to multi-generational groups.
Industry Implications
1. Amusement Parks - Innovative themed rides such as gravy-themed roller coasters can attract diverse visitor demographics, enhancing guest experiences and park appeal.
2. Food and Beverage - Food-themed attractions present a unique opportunity for the food and beverage industry to enhance branding and engagement in interactive environments.
3. Family Entertainment - Creating attractions that focus on shared family experiences can significantly boost attendance and satisfaction in the family entertainment industry.