The Official Holiday World Podcast

Chad Benefield (who helped us announce Cheetah Chase and Thunderbird) gets to ask the questions this time in an exclusive "Ask Me Anything" segment and Media Relations Manager Sabrina joins in the fun. What song title describes Matt Eckert's life? Find out now.  Recorded 3/6/2020 #HoWoPo If you're looking for more information on how the park will be affected by COVID-19, please visit HolidayWorld....

View this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/Cpty8GsuD-M Join us for a special socially distanced episode of HOWOPO and meet Baby Blake! We discuss Digital Opening Day, our new Digital FunTown, and cooking Holiday World treats at home. We also share our favorite opening day traditions and what we're most looking forward to when we return. Recorded 4/28/2020 #HoWoPo Digital Opening Day: HolidayWo...

Director of Park Services Cathy G. joins us as we discuss what it takes to "wake up the park" each season. WBKR Personality (and our Cheetah Chase and Thunderbird ride announcement emcee) Chad Benefield joins us as well to tell us how it feels to help announce a ride while completely in the dark. We also discuss our opening day, which has since been postponed to early June. We're deeply aware of t...

For feedback this time, we attempted to crowdsource some FAQs about Season Passes and HoliWood Nights. That didn't work, so we went back to feedback as it should be. No big deal, but Leah also invented a new game. It had mixed reviews. Released 4/13/2020 #HOWOPO Reminder: We're now pre-recording the podcast. And we recorded these in a simpler time. If we seem ignorant of Coronavirus or COVID-19, i...

It's time for the annual(ish) food episode. Special Guests: Director of Revenue Administration Lori G. and VP Matt join us while we explore what exactly a churro donut is and why it's been missing from our lives... and so much more. Plus, find out about a delicious new pretzel coming your way in the 2020 season. Released 3/30/2020 #HOWOPO Reminder: We're now pre-recording the podcast. And we recor...

Merch Queen Vanessa K joins us to tell us all about the cool apparel coming to the park this season, along with VP Matt. Michael, our Director of Games, joins as well to tell you about all the perks coming your way whether you're a Season Passholder or a Guest joining us for just one day. Released 3/16/20 #HoWoPo Hosted by: Leah, Matt, and Lauren Special Guests: Matt B., Michael C., and Vanessa K....

Feedback time rolls around again. The #PodSquad goes back in time to when we first announced the return of the podcast, ornithophobia, Mick Foley, and of course, bacon. PLUS! Highlights from the first official emails to the official HOWOPO email address! How to be featured: Email us: podcast@holidayworld.com Leave a voicemail: Phone (812)-937-4401 Ext. 8081 Reach out on social media: @holidayworld...

Sean S. (Maintenance Planner) and Anthony V. (Manager of the South Maintenance Shop) join the #PodSquad for a ton of updates on why Cheetah Chase will be just as cold as Mammoth, what's going on with The Voyage, and what kind of work is happening on our carousel. How to be featured: Email us: podcast@holidayworld.com Leave a voicemail: Phone (812)-937-4401 Ext. 8081 Reach out on social media: @hol...

It's Hiring Season here at Holiday World as HR Trainer Vanessa B. joins the #PodSquad. Leah reveals how she got her first infraction point and everyone talks about how working at Holiday World changes you forever. Plus: learn a little more about the unique personalities of each department with our commercials. How to be featured: Email us: podcast@holidayworld.com Leave a voicemail: Phone (812)-93...

The first episode of the newly revamped HoWoPo revisits all the new things 2019 had to offer, and what's new in 2020. Director of Attractions Lori joined us for updates on Cheetah Chase construction and our 800 feet of Voyage track work. Media Relations Manager Sabrina hops in to tell us more about the revamp coming to our Star-Spangled Carousel. 00:00 - Welcome the #PodSquad 03:11 - Catching Up 1...

3 of 3: After no podcasts in 2019, the #PodSquad has a lot to catch up on. Bacon vending machines, bacon, bacon pigs in a blanket, Cheeseballs galore, HoliWood Nights 2019, packing tips, and we're pretty sure Rentz never got his tattoo. Oh. And our apologies because we called a sousaphone a tuba. How to be featured: Email us: podcast@holidayworld.com Leave a voicemail: Phone (812)-937-4401 Ext. 80...

2 of 3: The #PodSquad is back to full speed discussing this year's theme for HoliWood Nights: "The HoliWood kNights who say 'Whee!'" Director of Marketing Ashley and Creative Manager (and normally audio engineer for the podcast) Stephen join as we discuss creating our book of the event to announce this year's theme. If you want to know more about HoliWood Nights, visit https://www.holidayworld.com...

1 of 3: In their grand return to the podcasting realm, Matt, Lauren, and Leah thank Paula for her years of hard work for Holiday World and explain how the podcast is changing including a fan search for a new game and new ways to reach out: Email us: podcast@holidayworld.com Leave a voicemail: Phone (812)-937-4401 Ext. 8081 Reach out on social media: @holidayworld using #HOWOPO. This is the first i...

We're baaaaaack! Buckle up because you're next in line for the official Holiday World Podcast. Ask us a question or provide feedback: Email us: podcast@holidayworld.com Leave a voicemail: Phone (812)-937-4401 Ext. 8081 Reach out on social media: @holidayworld using #HOWOPO. Released 12/23/19 #HoWoPo For Show Notes and Transcript, visit https://www.holidayworld.com/holiblog Subscribe on iTunes: htt...

A reprise of our last podcast episode, a year after our hiatus. Enjoy getting back up-to-speed with the #PodSquad! It's Christmas-time in the town of Santa Claus, Indiana, and the Holiday World #PodSquad is researching the origins of the town's name, its post-office locations, and other towns named Santa Claus. Recorded 12/14/18 #HoHoHo #HoWoPo For Show Notes and Transcript, visit https://www.holi...

It's Christmas-time in the town of Santa Claus, Indiana, and the Holiday World #PodSquad is researching the origins of the town's name, its post-office locations, and other towns named Santa Claus. A Santa's Merry Marketplace update, this week's feature on The Today Show, and a Hungarian mathematician. Recorded 12/14/18 #HoHoHo #HoWoPo Hosted by: Paula, Lauren & Leah Special Guest: Lori Koch 00:00...

He joined the Holiday World team nearly three decades ago, golfed with Santa every week, and was one of the "evil geniuses" behind Free Soft Drinks. The Holiday World #PodSquad says goodbye to Sales Director Mike Johannes this episode, with 26 years worth of memories. Also, an IAAPA Expo recap, SpongeBob memories, and four decades of hidden graffiti. Recorded 11/30/18 #HoWoPo Hosted by: Paula, Mat...

Matt and Paula fly solo this episode as we announce the movie theme chosen for HoliWood Nights 2019, a special event for roller-coaster enthusiasts. Surely you've guessed it by now! An unplugged ATM, Bohemian Rhapsody, Season Pass Sweepstakes, new offices, a NASA connection, a taco hat, a Prune Fair, and more! Recorded 11/8/18 #HoWoPo Hosted by: Paula, Matt, Lauren, and Leah 00:00 – Intro and Welc...

The #PodSquad is all about the Spoopy this episode, as Amanda from the Holiday World Halloween show sits in and swaps behind-the-scenes stories with Lauren and Leah. A 74-year-old Voyage-riding grandma, a British "kitsch," a box full of beanies, marshmallow-roasting advice, getting mean-mugged and ... Where's Foot-o? Recorded 10/26/18 #HoWoPo Hosted by: Paula Werne, Matt Eckert, Lauren Crosby, and...

With Happy Halloween Weekends ending October 28 and the 2019 Announcement just hours old, the #PodSquad digs in to share all sorts of behind-the-scenes tales about Santa's Merry Marketplace and more. Edgar Allan Poe, Jeannie C. Riley, sloths, birds, bacon, Spoopy, the creator of Fettuccine Alfredo, and a sweet girl named Norah. Recorded 10/12/18 #HoWoPo Hosted by: Paula Werne, Matt Eckert, Lauren...

For the first time, the podcast goes Paula-less as accountant Tiffany Leonard joins the #PodSquad. Homemade Halloween costumes, buffalo chicken sandwiches, coffee hacks, pierogis, and the merits of casual versus holiday bacon. Also badgers. Recorded 9/28/18 #HoWoPo Hosted by: Leah Koch, Matt Eckert & Lauren Crosby Special Guest: Tiffany Leonard 00:00 – Intro and Welcome the #PodSquad 04:59 - Amusi...

The #PodSquad goes deep on the recent Golden Ticket Awards, talking travel, treats, and late-night search for the Top 50 lists. Also, prep for the fast-approaching Happy Halloween Weekends, with new shows and SCAREbnb nearly ready to go. Oh, and bacon. And SPAM. Recorded 9/14/18 #HoWoPo Hosted by: Paula Werne, Matt Eckert, Lauren Crosby & Leah Koch 00:00 – Intro and Welcome the #PodSquad 02:58 - A...

The father-and-son team from Theme Park Families Podcast joins the Holiday World #PodSquad to talk about their travels, their taste in music, and that adorable theme song of theirs. Mean Tweets (sort of), a Season Pass Sweepstakes, ketchup vs. mustard, and ... bacon. Recorded 8/31/18 #HoWoPo Hosted by: Paula Werne, Matt Eckert, Lauren Crosby & Leah Koch Special Guests: Adam & Andrew Brechner, Them...

The #PodSquad welcomes a YouTube Sensation to the Griswold family as Taylor Bybee of Coaster Studios joins the conversation. Gluten-Free Funnel Cakes, "the Holiday dog," a Google+ fan, the Santa Claus Land mail-order catalog, and Matt gets in a pickle. Recorded 8/15/18 #HoWoPo Hosted by: Paula Werne, Matt Eckert, Lauren Crosby & Leah Koch Special Guest: Taylor Bybee, CoasterStudios 00:00 – Intro a...

The #PodSquad sits down with Eyewitness News Meteorologist Ron Rhodes to talk about the weather, including a love note to the late Marcia Yockey. Fireworks, a TripAdvisor award, a college-student's need for HoliFudge, and more. Oh, and bacon is back. Recorded 7/27/18 #HoWoPo Hosted by: Paula Werne, Matt Eckert, Lauren Crosby, and Leah Koch Special Guest: Ron Rhodes, WEHT Meteorologist 00:00 – Intr...