Anna Duplantis -
6 days ago In summary
• Splashin’ Safari in Indiana was named World’s Best Water Park for 2026.• Its three water coasters ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd worldwide.
• Family perks and a new 2027 ride boost its appeal.
When people imagine the world’s greatest water parks, they often picture destinations in Florida, California or major resort areas. But the newest winner of the industry’s most prestigious award comes from an unexpected place: Santa Claus, Indiana.
Splashin’ Safari, the water park inside Holiday World, has been named the Best Water Park In The World For 2026 at the Golden Ticket Awards, an annual ranking presented by Amusement Today. The recognition places the Midwest attraction among the most celebrated water parks worldwide and highlights how a family-owned destination has grown into a global reference.
The award represents a major milestone for Splashin’ Safari. Although the park had already built a strong reputation among water park enthusiasts, especially for its innovative rides, it had never claimed the top position in the category before 2026.
A Record-Breaking Water Park With World-Class Attractions
Splashin’ Safari has made its name through one specialty: water coasters. These attractions combine the excitement of traditional roller coasters with the refreshing experience of a water ride, using powerful water jets to send riders through twists, drops and uphill sections.
The park’s three signature water coasters dominated this year’s rankings. Mammoth was named the world’s best water coaster, followed by Wildebeest and Cheetah Chase. The three attractions secured the top three positions in the category, a rare achievement for any amusement park.
This success has helped Splashin’ Safari earn recognition as the “Water Coaster Capital Of The World.” The park continues to focus on large-scale attractions that appeal to thrill seekers while remaining accessible to families.
The 40-acre water park also offers a wide range of experiences beyond its famous rides. Visitors can enjoy massive wave pools, relaxing rivers, children’s play areas and dozens of slides designed for different ages and comfort levels.
Why Visitors Keep Choosing This Indiana Destination
Splashin’ Safari’s success is not only based on record-breaking attractions. The park has also developed a reputation for offering a more complete and family-friendly experience compared with many large entertainment destinations.
Guests benefit from several services included with admission, including free parking, unlimited soft drinks and complimentary sunscreen stations. These small details have become part of the park’s identity and contribute to its popularity among families looking for a stress-free day out.
The water park operates as part of Holiday World, a larger theme park located in Santa Claus, Indiana. Together, the two attractions create a full-day destination combining amusement rides, entertainment and water-based adventures during the summer season.
The Golden Ticket Awards, organized by Amusement Today, are based on evaluations from experienced theme park visitors who assess attractions around the world. The rankings consider elements such as ride quality, guest experience and overall park performance.
For the Koch family, which has managed Holiday World for generations, the award represents the achievement of a long-standing ambition. The park’s leadership has spent decades developing a destination capable of competing with the biggest names in the industry.
Holiday World also celebrated another major victory in 2026. Its wooden roller coaster The Voyage reclaimed the title of the world’s best wooden coaster after 15 years away from the top spot. The park invested approximately $2.5 million over five years to replace more than 3,000 feet of track and maintain the attraction’s reputation.
Splashin’ Safari is already preparing for its next expansion. A new attraction called Cannonball! Water Roller Coaster is scheduled to open in spring 2027, adding another major ride to a park that has transformed a small Indiana town into a destination for water park fans around the world.
