Holiday World breaking down rides for annual maintenance process

SANTA CLAUS, IN (WFIE) - When the gates close for the year at Holiday World, the work for their employees is far from over.

Ride parts, tracks and decorative pieces go through a rigorous process before being re-installed for the next season.

Everything is stripped down and inspected. Small parts like bearings and nuts are replaced on every mechanical piece.

After a post-mechanical inspection, the various pieces head up the hill to get spruced up at the paint shop.

Five full-time employees work in the shop to make sure even older rides look like they're brand new. Once Thunderbird is built, a sixth full-time employee will be added.

Vice President of Development and Maintenance James Olliver, says the yearly maintenance and paint work is necessary to enhance the experience for park visitors.

"It's a long season," says Olliver. "We run all season and when we're closed in the winter we spend all that time to make everything--just refresh it and look like new again for the next season."

The workers have a little over five months to have everything ready in time for the park's opening. Because of the excitement over Thunderbird, that will be happening a week earlier than usual this year, on April 25th.

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