Holiday World announced Wednesday it will add a new $22 million water roller coaster in 2027, marking the largest single-attraction investment in the park’s history.
Named Cannonball!, the attraction is scheduled to open in May 2027 in the park’s Fourth of July section. The ride is themed around a small-town community pool and an annual Fourth of July cannonball diving competition, a nod to America’s 250th anniversary celebration.
The ride will carry passengers 90 feet into the air before sending them along 1,700 feet of track at speeds up to 45 mph. Riders will experience five drops, including a 75-foot plunge, before splashing into a pool-themed finale. Each ride will last about three minutes aboard eight-passenger boats designed to resemble colorful novelty pool floats.
Holiday World said Cannonball! will be the first water roller coaster of its kind in the Midwest and just the third built in the United States. The park also said it will feature the nation’s tallest drop and fastest top speed for a water roller coaster.
“This ride is dedicated to every kid who had to work up the courage to climb the tall diving board at their community pool,” said Leah Koch-Blumhardt, Holiday World’s fourth-generation owner and director of communications. “And it’s a tribute to every small town with a quirky annual tradition. There’s something special about the way we come together to celebrate our independence as a nation, and we hope Cannonball! conveys that magic.”
Guests will board one of seven uniquely themed boats, including designs inspired by a watermelon, doughnut, patriotic popsicle and stars-and-stripes pool float. After passing a backyard barbecue scene, riders will climb the 90-foot lift hill before racing through twists and turns and finishing with a splashdown into the fictional Boulder Canyon Community Pool.
Holiday World encourages riders to shout “Cannonball!” before the final splash and then float past oversized swan inflatables named “Ron the Swan” and “Ron Swan’s Son.”
The attraction is being designed and manufactured by Mack Rides of Waldkirch, Germany, and is expected to accommodate up to 870 riders per hour. The ride will hold approximately 475,000 gallons of water.
“Our vision is to be every family’s home for the holidays,” Koch-Blumhardt said. “We’re laser-focused on young families here at Holiday World, so we love to build rides that the whole family can ride together. Cannonball! is going to be the perfect step between Good Gravy! and the rest of our high-thrill roller coasters.”
Lauren Crosby, Holiday World’s fourth-generation owner and director of entertainment and events, said the park enjoys creating attractions with playful themes.
“One of our company values is, ‘We have fun,'” Crosby said. “We’re daring enough to be a little absurd with our ride concepts. We built a gravy-themed coaster, and now we’re building one around a fictional cannonball competition. Where else can you do a group cannonball with family and friends while riding a doughnut inner tube boat?”
Holiday World, founded in 1946 as Santa Claus Land, includes themed sections celebrating Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July. Admission includes both Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari, as well as free soft drinks, sunscreen and parking.
The park also announced 2027 Platinum Season Passes are now on sale. Guests who purchase passes in full will receive one free visit during the 2026 season, while Platinum Passholders will also receive early access to Cannonball! and select Splashin’ Safari attractions after the ride opens next year.
