VISITORS GUIDE
VISITORS GUIDE
Area Maps
Area Maps
WHAT'S OPEN?
WHAT'S OPEN?
>> PLANNING GUIDES & MAPS
>> PLANNING GUIDES & MAPS

Making Plans for Family Fun

Posted on January 26, 2015



Spending quality time together is a major priority in the lives of Iowa residents Ron and Marilou. Every year, the couple surprises their family with a fun-filled vacation that allows for bonding and creating everlasting memories. I initially spoke to them during late summer and had the opportunity to meet them when they made the drive to Santa Claus, Indiana, as they were scouting locations for their 2015 trip.

We chatted about all of the things they could do as a group, places to eat, and where to stay. They were very intrigued by Santa’s Cottage’s and thought it would be a great place to check out next. Definitely impressed with the family-owned property (they loved the fact that all of the family members could be next door to each other), they booked enough cottages for their 20-plus family, right on the spot.

Santas-Cottages-Exterior_.JPG

Next they went to Holiday World, where Mike, the park’s sales director, took them on a tour. They got the rundown on all of the great amenities that the park is known for: free parking, discounted group tickets, meal options, and so much more.

When the couple returned to the Visitors Bureau office, Marilou exclaimed, “Oh, I’ve never seen anything like Holiday World before. It’s so big and it’s incredibly clean.  And let me tell you, Mike, who took us on our tour, was the nicest person. He even bought us lunch at the park, can you believe that?”

I could actually. The entire town is full of kind-hearted people who really do take pride in our visitor’s experiences.

Family-Reunion.png

There was one more person I wanted to introduce to Ron and Marilou before they called it a day. We stopped by the Santa Claus Christmas Store where they got some one-on-one time with Santa himself.

Santa was ecstatic about the family’s upcoming trip and he filled them on all of the great things they should do during their stay. He included the Lincoln parks, Santa’s Stables, and shopping on the must-do list. 

Family-Reunion.JPG

On Christmas morning, all was revealed to Ron and Marilou’s children and grandchildren, when they surprised their family with the news that they would be traveling to Santa Claus, Indiana, for their next trip. She emailed me a few days later to say that everyone was so excited and that they were looking forward to all the things they could do as a family.

Looking for ideas for your next family reunion? Call us at (888) 444-9252 or email us for more information. The Visitors Bureau is happy to provide sample itineraries, suggestions for group lodging, and more.