Sunday night, Holiday World President Will Koch passed away. While I don’t know him personally, I do know what Holiday World has done in the past few decades. Since he took over the reins the park has transformed from a small regional park to an amusement park with national recognition in the enthusiast community.
On my visit to Holiday World in 2006, I not only got to experience the marathon of thrills that is The Voyage, but I also met the friendliest staff I have ever encountered. Holiday World is known to be one of the most enthusiast-friendly parks around. Their use of YouTube to make announcements, Twitter to tease Pilgrim’s Plunge, and one of the longest running official theme park blogs HoliBlog, all exhibit the park’s openness and friendliness. All of these things have to start at the top. I’d have to think that Will Koch was the driving force behind the park’s growth and he will surely be missed. More on Will Koch here.
Recent reports are that Koch drowned in his pool, but his family insists that his Type 1 diabetes were likely a contributing factor.
This year Holiday World will boast the World’s Longest Water Coaster in Wildebeest and those new game-changing coaster trains on their already amazing Voyage roller coaster. If you’ve never been out to the park, I highly recommend it. It’s a fan favorite for good reason!
What’s Your Take?
What’s you take on this sad news? Leave a comment below.
June 18, 2010 at 08:41
Holiday world is something that is on my to-do list. Mainly for their coasters.
June 19, 2010 at 02:19
It should be on every coaster/amusement park enthusiasts to-do list.
June 20, 2010 at 08:39
it's on mine.
June 19, 2010 at 05:01
Wow, that's sad. I've only been there once, which was a few years ago. I really wish I had a chance to ride The Voyage.
June 20, 2010 at 08:40
at least you'll be able to ride it later.
June 19, 2010 at 11:01
i am palning on going there this summer.how old was he i appreciate the hardship of diabetes because my cousin who i am very close to was recently diagnosed with and it has completly changed her life. he mus have been an amazing man considering the strees of running a big time theme park on top of diabeties
June 20, 2010 at 08:42
while i have no first(or second)hand experiance, i think i know what you mean.
June 23, 2010 at 04:34
This is very sad news.
Holiday World has announced his younger brother will succeed his position.
June 23, 2010 at 13:30
wow. this would make the perfect CSI case, (or at least if the diabetes thing wasn't there.) Big family owned buisness man. mysteriously dies in his pool. little brother takes over buisness. not saying that would happen or anything, it just struck me as a little funny, in a sick humoured kindaway.
July 20, 2010 at 12:06
Shocking news! The Kochs are simply the nicest people in the amusement industry and have always run Holiday World with love and care. This is a true tragedy for all coaster lovers.
October 21, 2010 at 05:11
National Geographic Channel is doing aomething on The Voyage tonight. The Show is World's Biggest Fixes.
October 22, 2010 at 18:15
Thanks Prof. BAM. I missed it, but I'll have to find out when it'll re-air.
October 23, 2010 at 03:20
please tell me when you find out!
December 3, 2011 at 12:17
I went there three times, I only rode the Raven because that was when I was really cautious about roller coasters. For heaven sakes I'm only 12
But now I love roller coasters, my favorite i the Maverick at Cedar Point, also I think it's really sad that he passed away.