‘America’s graviest coaster’ is coming. See the most Midwestern ride imaginable
Some theme parks boast about having the country’s longest roller coaster or the tallest water slide.
That’s all well and good, but isn’t there anything out there that truly speaks to the Midwestern soul? Something that captures the essence of the heartland? Soon.
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari — located in Santa Claus, Indiana — recently announced an upcoming ride that promises to be “America’s graviest coaster.”
If you’re not sure what that means, you’re probably overthinking it.
If you imagined it to be a 1,500-foot gravy-themed ride that ferries passengers seated in gravy boats at a brisk 37 mph past monstrously large kitchen accessories, as part of a mission to help Grandma Gracy save Thanksgiving, then you thought right.
After all, “Grandma Gracy is renowned for her Good Gravy, and Grandpa Gavin is its biggest fan!” Holiday World said in a news release. “This year for Thanksgiving, the unthinkable happens: the family runs out of gravy! It’s up to you to help Grandma make more Good Gravy and save Thanksgiving dinner.”
For those not familiar with Holiday World, the park is divided into sections, each representing different holidays, including Fourth of July, Christmas, Halloween, and of course Thanksgiving.
“Good Gravy! Family Coaster” is scheduled to open in the Thanksgiving section in May, according to the park.
“Just like Thanksgiving dinner, there’s something for everyone! Good Gravy! is dynamic enough for thrill seekers, yet gentle and smooth enough for children and even Grandma Gracy,” the release said. “It’ll have the whole family saying, ‘Gee Whillikers! That’s some Good Gravy!’”
While Grandma Gracy and Grandpa Gavin might not have the name recognition of Mickey or Minnie, plenty of Midwesterners chimed in to say how stoked they are to spend an afternoon with gammy and peepaw.
“Cheesiest name and theme for a coaster but I am here for it!” one person commented.
“This is so corny, I love it,” wrote another.
“This is so chaotic and amazing,” a comment read. “I can’t wait to try it out!”
And already, there are some hungering for more.
“Now you will need to have a ride called cranberry sauce!” a commenter wrote.
The announcement comes after a long period of secrecy, park CEO Matt Eckert told WEHT.
“After a while it gets really hard to keep a secret,” Eckert told the outlet. “I didn’t even tell my kids, I didn’t tell my wife.”
Eckert added that Good Gravy! will “fit a gap” that was missing between smaller children’s rides and larger, more intimidating thrills.
He didn’t mention if there are future plans for rides focused on cranberry sauce, mac and cheese or, perhaps controversially, green bean casserole.
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is roughly 140 miles south of Indianapolis.
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