Indiana Beach was the forth stop on our adventure. The drive from Holiday World was really long and filled with corn and other various vegetables as the only scenery. We ended up going to the park the same evening that we arrived because of a family emergency that was to cut our trip short. After waiting for the boat at the campground to take us over to the park, we were there. Wow! What a cool place. We received the ACE discount for half-price off of admission for the evening session. The park closed at 10 or 11 so we had plenty of time to do everything.

Overall thoughts

Monica: I really didn’t have any expectations of this place. Ryan added it to the agenda, but I had never heard of it and I really didn’t know what to expect even after reading the web site. I am glad that we went to the park during the evening session, the crowds were really light so we walked from ride to ride without more that one cycle’s wait.

Indiana Beach was unlike any amusement park that I have ever been to. Since it has been around for 80 years or so, it had that old time atmosphere. You could feel the history and sense all of the fun that people have been having there generation after generation. We went to the Skyroom bar for a Corona and in my head I could picture people jitterbugging, swing dancing, doing the electric slide, or whatever other popular dance of eras past. I was happy to see that they still offered “Fascination.” I think I only played that game once, but there is a certain feeling of nostalgia that comes over me when I see it. Since the park is located essentially over the lake on boards, it provided a complete unique experience. I felt like I was at one of the boardwalks on the East Coast that I love so much.

Monica summed it up for me, the atmosphere here was incredible and their wooden coaster duo take second place only to Knoebels. I wish it were closer to us. Does anyone know if there are any houses on the lake to rent for a week?

The Rides

Den of Lost Thieves

This ride was a really fun old dark ride retrofitted with electronic guns. what a great way to preserve an old ride and make it fun for the new generation.

Monica: I love dark rides! This one was great. I loved shooting the targets and I think I even beat Ryan for once.

The Hoosier Hurricane

The hoosier hurricane was a cool coaster. It didn’t have as much airtime as I expected, but it was fast, smooth and relentless. I loved it. Throughout the evening we walked on, or waiting for the train to come back into the station to board.

Monica: I loved it. It felt like an old-time coaster. There was no line and we couldn’t get enough!

Cornball Express

Cornball was a complete shock after seeing how small it was in person. It packed quite a tight little punch with airtime over each hill, just enough laterals to keep it intense without pain, and some nice headchoppers. The buzz bar restraints are such a great way to experience any coaster let alone one with some good airtime moments.

The Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain

I had heard a lot about the comfort level of this ride, and while I can’t say it was comfortable being squeezed into a tiny car looking across from two strangers trying to avoid touching legs, I can say that it was really fun and maybe a bit scarey. I never knew which way we were going as the turns were so tight and usually hidden.

Operations here were rather sad though with only two cars running, that means four people riding at a time. This was the only ride with a wait for us.

Monica says: This ride was a lot of fun and different than any other mine ride I have ever ridden. You ride up in an elevator and then you are dropped on to the track. The ride is very compact so there are lots of twists and turns. I think I laughed the entire time.

Haunted Castle *

Sitting in the holding area waiting to go into the house a costumed grim reaper walked up to us, didn’t say a word and motioned for us to enter the elevator. As we went up the elevator the reaper simply looked forward and never made a peep. This set us up for a cool walk through attraction. Two thumbs up to the actor. We let the two young kids walk in front of us for a bit so we could experience all the gags ourselves. This is a good time, and highly recommened for even the most jaded coaster enthusiast.

Monica: I am sort of embarrassed to admit this, but I was actually really scared in this thing. I don’t want to give away any details about it to ruin the experience for anyone else, but it’s so dark in there and disorienting that I couldn’t wait until we were finished. I think I was more afraid than the little girl who went in ahead of us. Oh well!

Food

We weren’t really hungry when we were at the park because we stopped at and had pizza on the way. I was disappointed that we couldn’t try the Skyroom. But as mentioned before, we loved the bar area.

Accommodation – Indiana Beach Campground

Monica: From the get go, I was more impressed with this place than Lake Rudolph at Holiday World. I noticed on the map that we weren’t too far from the dock to take us across the lake which was an added bonus. Our campsite was large and sufficiently wooded. I loved walking on the wooded pathway to the lake. I really felt like I was one with nature. Again, we got stuck with rowdy neighbors and were graciously educated in whether or not we might be rednecks from the Jeff Foxworthy recording amplified from their truck’s sound system.

Ryan: The campground seems to be falling on hard times as the docks, mini golf course and other amusements are falling into dis-repair. Other than that the campground was really nice. Our site was large enough and close to bathrooms. As Monica said we continued our tradition of loud neighbors. I don’t get it, every campground we go to is silent at night except for our neighbors.

Reasons to go back

• Cornball Express and Hoosier Hurricane
• Unique atmosphere of the park
• Various lake and boating activities
• Atmosphere again

Questions Marks

• Too far from Pittsburgh.

• Coaster operations were odd, they wait for a full load before sending off the train, and re-rides are exhausting without jumping the railing and skipping the stairs.

• There is an up charge for this amusement to keep out the riff-raff