In between, Voyage and Legend. It isn't smooth, but could be worse. There is airtime, but not as much as Voyage.

you'll always remember your first roller coaster, no matter how old you get. sometimes (if your like me), you'll look back and say "i was scared of that?" well, the raven was my first coaster. i remember when i was little and i used to look at the 110 ft. lift hill at the parking lot when we came to HW and was scared of it when i heard the screams of people coming down the first hill. 2 years ago i decide what the heck, lets do it. well, i rode it 3 times that day and it never bored me. i was surprised when i found out it was 2,800 ft long. it always seems short to me, but i thought that was because it went fast, although it's slower then the other 2. i also like the schoolhouse themed queue area for all 3 coasters, but the raven's schoolhouse in my opinion looks the best. the light blue outer walls and black roof with the raven emblem above the entrance makes it seem very spooky, especially at night. i also like the overhead metal fencing above the path to the schoolhouse that says "the raven" in capitol letters. another thing that makes the raven unique from the legend and voyage is that it sports a raven logo on the side of its lift hill. thrill seekers that have braved and are used to the smoothness and fast speeds of steel coasters may walk right past this wooden classic on their way to the thanksgiving section of the park, where they will find the voyage that they've heard so much about. yes, the voyage is better than the raven in almost everyones opinion, but wooden wonders like the raven and legend cannot be passed up because they do not get as much attention as modern day wooden coasters like voyage and el toro. no, they should be praised because they are the real traditional wodden coasters, with other coasters such as the beast and phoenix. and so i close by saying if you go to spencer county, indiana and visit it's modern day claim to fame, holiday world, and you stand under the metal letters, thinking about if its worth a ride, well, theres just one way to find out

This is an excellent coaster! It fits in perfectly with the halloween theme of the park. While it is relatively short its got some good air and I loved how it wrapped around the lake.

Although it is the smallest major coaster at Holiday World, the Raven is still an excellent woodie that packs a surprising punch despite its size. The fun begins with the very slow lift, that, if memory serves, increases as the train nears the summit, resulting in a great, speedy first drop into a tunnel with great airtime. The turnaround over Lake Rudolph follows shortly thereafter, and from that point on, Raven is a nonstop romp through the woods, with both great airtime and laterals on tap in plenty. The bulk of the coaster is completely hidden from the rest of the park (as are Legend and Voyage, actually), and the wooded setting makes for a very wild and out-of-control feel. A great starter coaster for those that are unfamiliar with wooden roller coasters, or simply coasters more generally, there is plenty here to appeal to enthusiasts as well.

Once upon a May night glistening, while I in this park were listening,
To the screams that rose above the distant trees galore –
The park was empty, it was later, but the sounds of glee grew greater,
Sounds of many coaster people dropping to the forest floor.
"A wooden marvel", I declared, "giving great rides ever more:
Must be Raven, I am sure!"

And so ends my brief poetic dabbling, as I’m not about to continue the rhyming and butchering of Poe’s classic. Besides, with Timberman’s classic gem posted below, I know I wouldn’t be able to come up with something that good! During my trip out to Holiday World last May, I had the distinct pleasure to experience their triple threat of coaster greatness. There was Voyage, which became my new #1 overall coaster, The Legend, which wowed me with its frantic pacing and twister action, and then Raven, the modest black bird that perches itself off to the side of the park’s entrance plaza. Raven, to some, might look just like an average wooden coaster, as nothing jumps out with it or causes a jaw-dropping reaction like its mighty brother in the Thanksgiving section. Yet, I assure you, this bird packs a ton of wallop into its rather modest structure!

From the ground, the only real views of Raven which are visible are from the parking lot. And even then, it’s pretty clear that this could be one top coaster, as much of what you can see is still partially masked by some very dense foliage. I am a very big fan of coasters like this, which interact well with rather undisturbed nature around it. As we departed the car and went towards the front gate, I was very intrigued by what parts of Raven I could see – and even more intrigued by the parts I could not. A rather large sign adorns the side of Raven’s lift hill, right by the park entrance, proudly displaying the #1 status the coaster had shortly after its opening. Hmmm, I thought, would this coaster, like the Phoenix, be one of those gems that hides all of its glorious surprises from the rider until they hop aboard? Or is this "fowl" exactly that, reeking of disappointment? There’s only one way to find out!

There’s something simple and wonderful about the look of all the Holiday World woodies, especially the Raven. No flash, just the simple beauty of the wooden structure, topped off with vibrant and colorful flags as riders approach the ride’s apex. Sitting comfortably in the Halloween section of the park, Raven hugs the outer edge of the park, eagerly awaiting to take riders on a dash through the woods. The entry to the queue is perfectly done, with stately brick pillars supporting a hauntingly simple black metal arch sporting the coaster’s name. Just like the poem, it has this spooky look to it without being scary. The queue heads up some stairs through the station house made to look like an old spooky house, which is an equally nice touch. After a very minimal wait thanks to an equally enthusiastic and efficient ride crew, I hopped aboard Raven in the very last row, with simply no idea of the tremendous ride that awaited me.

After departing the station and ducking down below the brake run, the train hit the lift hill, with trees all around. I was filled with excitement as Raven leveled out at the top of the lift and slowly glided towards the first drop. It was at that point when this mighty bird took over this journey! As though we were a raven swooping down on unsuspecting prey, the coaster whipped and nose-dived down the amazing first drop. This 110 foot plummet is surprising, as you dive underground into a perfectly placed tunnel. The drop itself is incredible, and I was ejected from my seat for the entire drop from the back row! Two more nice hills follow, with more blissful airtime bursts, especially in the back. Then this bird kicks into overdrive and the real fun begins!! The coaster then does an excellent banked curve over Lake Rudolph, and you really can feel the G’s at that moment

I had always heard good things about the Raven, so I was excited when I finally got to Holiday World to ride it. Its not the tallest or longest coaster...but wow is it intense. The whole ride is fast and it seems like it just keeps picking up momentum until it ends. I didnt get a chance to ride it at night as the park wasnt open that long. Even so its one of the best wooden coasters Ive been on and just barley missed my top ten.

Second best woodie in the park and thats certainly a compliment. The first drop gave amazing ejector air and it was followed by a decent tunnel. Afterwards came a nice hill that combined a little air time with great laterals. Then came another good air time hill followed by the speedy turnaround along Lake Rudolph. Next was another great air time hill followed the Ravens legendary drop halfway through the ride that gives insane ejector air. Then came the fast paced finale that gave good air time and some laterals as well.

The only reason I have to give it a 9 is because the ride is short, maybe its because of the speed it has, but I dont know. The Raven was once rated the best Wooden Roller Coaster and continues to be in the top 10 in Amusement todays golden tickets. This ride is really taken care of and is also has a great park to be running in.

Date Ridden - Labor Day of 2006 and 2007 Times Ridden : 11 in every seat imaginable including a final ride at night on the front this past Labor Day.

I find it very difficult reviewing some of these outstanding rides that you guys have already said virtually everything about. I do not wish to repeat things that have already been stated but it is difficult coming up with new things to say about these wonderful coasters. Some people feel that the Raven is overrated or too short but the fact of the matter is that this is just a wonderful little ride. It is much better ridden in the back when its signature 60 foot drop in the middle of the course hits you by surprise but our final ride of the day in the front was also wonderful. Flying through the woods with the wind in your face in pitch black dark with no clue where you are going is just a great feeling (bordering on nirvana) for a coaster enthusiast. That ride for me, despite lacking the insane ejector air that the back seat offers, was probably a perfect 10. It capped off a a great day of hanging out with friends, riding all the great rides in the park including the Legend (review coming later) and the Voyage (still great despite the mid-course breaks). Holiday World is a wonderful park and all three of their coasters deserve the high ranks that they receive. I can even see how pure woodie fans would prefer the Raven over the Voyage as you simply feel that you are riding a piece of "old-fashioned" perfection. The Raven is and probably always will be a wonderful ride at one of Americas great family theme parks. I know that I didnt give you any new mind-blowing facts but for this tough little coaster there is not much more that can be said. The Raven is a very solid 9 with night rides in any seat making for possible 10s.

Once upon a summer day blazing, I stood in line upward gazing /
At a roller coaster whose feats inspire lore. /
Through the leaves I did espy rising against the sunny sky /
A lift hill climbing, climbing from the forest floor. /
The top was only 80 feet above the floor. /
Eighty feet from top to bottom and nothing more.

Such dimensions these days are modest, and if I might be truly honest /
I wondered if this stop might be a brief detour. /
The Voyage lay awaiting yonder, and I would not easily wander /
From the ride that was beckoning, beckoning as a lure. /
I had come to Indiana to chase that lure. /
All else seemed a mere distraction and nothing more.

I climbed into the Raven’s back seat and soon enough we taxied /
Up the lowly lift hill of which I spoke before. /
Then the train that lift hill crested and my attention was arrested /
By the sudden launching, launching of the four. /
In the rearmost car the asses numbered four /
That down the first drop would touch their seats no more.

At this point I should mention the Raven held my full attention /
As we careered through the forest at full bore. /
As we sped along the course, I was awestruck by the force /
So much so that verily, verily I did ignore /
The Voyage; even the Voyage I did ignore. /
I thought only of the Raven and nothing more.

Then, I give you my word, we were launched more sharply skyward /
By an even fiercer drop the ride had kept in store /
Not only to surprise us but even more so to chastise us /
For our doubts lingering, lingering heretofore. /
The doubts that had plagued us heretofore /
Of Raven’s status would plague us now no more.

Still, the Raven would not rest but became even more possessed /
As faster and faster through the woods it tore. /
CCI thus understood that when it comes to building wood /
Bigger is not better, better is hardcore. /
Few coasters twice as big are so hardcore. /
May the Raven impart this lesson ever more.

[With humble apologies to Edgar Allen Poe]