Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari has announced plans to open Cannonball!, a $22 million (€18.7 million) water roller coaster that is set to become the tallest and fastest of its kind in the United States when it opens in May 2027. The project marks the largest single-attraction investment in the history of the Indiana park and continues its strategy of combining headline attractions with distinctive storytelling.
Located within the park’s Fourth of July themed area, Cannonball! is being manufactured by Mack Rides of Germany and will become the first water roller coaster in the US Midwest. The attraction will lift riders 90ft before sending them down a record-setting 75ft drop. Boats will then travel along more than 1,000ft of track at speeds of up to 45mph before finishing with a splashdown. According to the park, the ride will feature five drops and will set new national records for both speed and drop height.
The attraction adopts a light-hearted theme based around a small-town community pool party and an annual cannonball diving competition. Guests will board one of seven themed boats designed to resemble colourful inflatable rings before passing scenes inspired by a neighbourhood barbecue and poolside celebrations. Construction is already underway ahead of the planned 2027 debut.
For the wider attractions industry, the project also highlights continued confidence in premium water attractions as operators look to extend guest dwell time and differentiate their water park offering. Mack Rides has supplied only a handful of water roller coasters in the United States, making Cannonball! a significant addition to the manufacturer’s portfolio in the North American market.
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari was founded in 1946 as Santa Claus Land and has developed a reputation for combining major capital investment with distinctive theming. The announcement follows the successful launch of the park’s Good Gravy! family coaster and comes as operators across North America continue investing in attractions that encourage repeat visits through unique guest experiences rather than record-breaking statistics alone.
