SANTA CLAUS — While Pennsylvania and Florida often dominate the theme park headlines, a legendary wooden giant in Southern Indiana has officially sailed past the competition.
The Voyage at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari has been named one of the nation’s premier thrill rides in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, securing its status as a bucket-list destination for coaster enthusiasts worldwide.
The ranking, announced this week, highlights the park’s flagship wooden coaster for its unique combination of record-breaking airtime and relentless intensity.
Located in the Thanksgiving section of the park, The Voyage is famously themed after the 1620 journey of the Pilgrims to America. However, the experience is anything but a peaceful crossing.
What makes it a winner:
- Weightless Wonders: The ride holds a world record for providing 24.3 seconds of airtime, giving riders a sustained feeling of weightlessness.
- The “Triple Down”: One of the most talked-about features is the “triple-down” drop hidden inside one of its many tunnels.
- Tunnel Vision: The track spans 1.2 miles and plunges through five underground tunnels, scattering “underground moments” throughout the high-speed journey.
- Pure Power: Reaching speeds of up to 67 miles per hour, it is consistently ranked among the top wooden coasters globally for its speed and 90-degree banked turns.
2026 National Top 10 Rankings
The Voyage joins an elite list of coasters that represent the “best of the best” for 2026. While Indiana took a top-tier, Pennsylvania showed incredible strength with four entries in the top ten.
| Rank | Roller Coaster | Theme Park | Location |
| 1 | Phoenix | Knoebels | Elysburg, PA |
| 2 | Phantom’s Revenge | Kennywood | West Mifflin, PA |
| 3 | Time Traveler | Silver Dollar City | Branson, MO |
| 4 | Mako | SeaWorld Orlando | Orlando, FL |
| 5 | Ravine Flyer II | Waldameer & Water World | Erie, PA |
| 6 | The Voyage | Holiday World | Santa Claus, IN |
| 7 | ArieForce One | Fun Spot Atlanta | Fayetteville, GA |
| 8 | Iron Gwazi | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Tampa, FL |
| 9 | Steel Vengeance | Cedar Point | Sandusky, OH |
| 10 | Wildcat’s Revenge | Hersheypark | Hershey, PA |
The national recognition comes as Holiday World celebrates its 80th Anniversary season. Originally opened as Santa Claus Land in 1946, the park has evolved from a small Christmas-themed attraction into a global leader in both wooden coasters and water park innovation.
“The recognition from industry experts is nice, but Holiday World exists because of our guests who visit and love the park,” said Matt Eckert, President and CEO of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari.
The 2026 season is officially underway, featuring the “longest operating calendar” in the park’s history at 134 days.
- Location: 452 E. Christmas Blvd, Santa Claus, IN 47579.
- Added Perk: Platinum Season Passholders now receive 45 minutes of early entry to Splashin’ Safari daily throughout the peak summer months.
- Freebies: Holiday World continues its famous tradition of providing free unlimited soft drinks, free sunscreen, and free parking for all guests.
For those looking to conquer the “Triple Down” for themselves, tickets and park hours are available at HolidayWorld.com.
