We only passed through IL for the night. Indiana we were able to get two nights at Camp Rudolph but had to move spots in order to do so. (Places really do book up for the summer). We had to wait on the people to leave in order to move and go over to the theme park. You really need 2 (or more) days to do this park. When you purchase the ticket, it gives you access to Holiday World and Splashin Safari. We went to the water park first, based on other reviews that say it is too crowded in afternoon. The first water ride took the girls and Craig one hour. (Waterloo). But, they loved it so much! They did a slide, where you ride down on a mat – I kept watching Zoe dance at the top before her turn. Then, I saw Craig trying to help her on the mat and the lifeguard stepping in. Turns out, she had changed her mind and didn’t want to do it… but… down she came and then quickly into my arms crying. She quickly cheered up at the splash park and then they all did one more water tube ride. I ripped my bathing suit trying to feed Connor – so I stayed dry and just changed. That is a side note to all the moms still nursing.
Holiday World – this is separated into 4 areas. Christmas, Halloween, 4th of July and Thanksgiving. They measured the girls at the beginning and put them both at 42″ – zoe was actually under (according to them) and Kenzie was only 44-45″. Strange considering zoe was 42″ at Nickelodeon Universe and Kenzie was 48″. So, Kenzie was very sad not to be able to do the Raven roller coaster. We went to Thanksgiving after the water park. Zoe wanted to do the Turkey Whirl and then quickly regretted while we were on. She kept her eyes closed, which I am sure makes it worse but Craig says makes it better. The lady doing the ride asked if she was ok during it and I said yes. Poor Zoe, she wished I said no. You would think that would be the last time for these spin type rides but she still loves them. Ugh! We shot some turkeys on another ride and had Thanksgiving dinner for lunch, which was actually really good. We saw Halloween cat and took photos but skipped that area, since girls could only do 2 rides and they didn’t want either. Christmas and 4th of July had plenty for them and Kenzie decided she HAD to do the revolution – a crazy spinning ride that you stand up on and it turns sideways, while spinning super fast – you know the one from the fair. We tried to talk her out of it, made her watch it in advance and she still insisted. Watching her face on that ride broke my heart. So happy she didn’t get sick, but she definitely didn’t look good and had a death grip on the sides. I took a video but it is so fast, even slowed down it is blurry to zoom in on her. I ran to the exit and quickly grabbed her in my arms and she just started crying saying she was trying to be strong during the ride (and she was).
After she got off, we tried to get her to look at what she had done. We both tried to talk her out of it and Craig made her watch it one time before going. Poor kiddo – so scared and not feeling great but
I don’t think we would drive to IN, just to go to this theme park, but if anywhere close – it is worth seeing. They do give free Pepsi drinks, Gatorade and water and free sunblock. The lockers were neat, you rent one for day by getting a wristband (and can get whatever number of bands you need) then stick band up to scan and it pops one open for you. No need to remember locker number!! And they had ample family restrooms. Next time I would spend way more time in the water park.
Camp Rudolph. They have lots of activity but, a lot will cost you a fee. Girls got glitter tattoos for $5 each… they have their own splash park (seems small) and a few water slides but they do charge you for these. They did not charge for the regular pool. They did have a free shuttle bus to and from Holiday World. Also, you can rent a golf cart. They nearest thing was the golf cart parade they do at 8:30. I wish I could have taken photos of them at night but my phone died. One looked like a boat. A lot had lights on them and there were so many – over 50 probably. One had Santa on the back, another the Grinch. One threw out candy. Some would yell Marco (and crowd would say Polo – or whoever they passed by), it was energetic and fun to watch!! Here a couple of the carts during the day. This campground had cabins you could rent, rv spaces and spaces for tents.
I will also mention we found Connor’s favorite toy, at Holiday World. Both girls got one of these balls and he is beyond obsessed. Luckily, they think he is cute and don’t mind sharing.
dewbus 