SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City & Celebration City Discussion => General Silver Dollar City Talk => Topic started by: Okiebenz on May 16, 2018, 08:53:48 PM
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Fire in the hole needs some work. I noticed at the start of the year that some of the lights inside were replaced with blue lights, I assume LED lights. For example the baldknobber setting the bridge on fire was always holding a red light, which makes sense, as its supposed to be fire. He now has a blue light, which looks stupid. Today riding it NONE of the music or sound effects appeared to be working. The only one was the part about putting on the pants. The bridge collapse noise was gone, the laughing sound was gone, no train whistle.
This year for sure, and I think part of last year I have noticed the saw blade no longer moves in FM. On the part where the guy sets off the TNT which blows water up and the flood of water comes down no longer works like it used to. The flood of water comes in, but we dont see the big explosion of water first anymore. Outside as you come back in, they don't have the cannon exploding in the water anymore.
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I think we are all in agreement the PTB really need to put some love into the older rides.. Get them all fixed up and special effects working.
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I was happy to see that, at FM, many of the lanterns are some kind of simulated flame. They look VERY good, and I applaud that effort!
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This is where I repeat that FITH needs a redo with modern tech that includes a Drop Track at the Burning Bridge and then launch into the dark finish. Anyone that's been on Verbolten knows how awesome this would be.
Buy we all know how awesome a modern tech Diving Bell would be too.
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What I would say is get FITH working like it should be, but build another indoor dark ride similar but with modern tech and more thrills.
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This is just me talking...
I think we’ll see the Lost River and American Plunge dealt with before we see anything major happen at FM and FITH.
Personally I think complete rebuilds will need to happen. I think integration of the two rides into FL would be ideal. The new log flume could go in the WB lot. The new LR could be themed to fire boat rafts and maybe even have a waterfall like Infinity Falls.
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This is just me talking...
I think we’ll see the Lost River and American Plunge dealt with before we see anything major happen at FM and FITH.
Personally I think complete rebuilds will need to happen. I think integration of the two rides into FL would be ideal. The new log flume could go in the WB lot. The new LR could be themed to fire boat rafts and maybe even have a waterfall like Infinity Falls.
What need to be done with Lost River?
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From the outside looking in, I think the park is slowly allowing the classics to slip away because are gradually getting more cynical in how they manage capital investments and maintenance of things that don't provide immediate, overt ROI. A lot of the things that people complain about on FM and FITH could have been fixed years ago for not a lot of money in the broad scheme of things. They'll spend tens of millions on a shiny new coaster, but neglect $10,000 of cosmetic repairs for a ride that the entire family has enjoyed for generations.
This is similar to how other parks operate, especially Six Flags and Cedar Fair. It's a corporate mindset problem. They are completely focused on the "new", the "brand", the stuff they can show off. Gone are the days when the Herschends kept everything around and refurbished or re-purposed as needed. The whole park has a short shelf life now, and when a piece is deemed "used up" it is unceremoniously bulldozed and rebuilt into something else.
That's not to say that redevelopment is always bad, but the apparent mindset bothers me. Too much of the old character of the park gets thrown away without much thought given to it. The newer people don't notice and I doubt many of them would care anyway. Stuff like Flooded Mine was built back when the park was more of a labor of love and the creators enjoyed the process of making it as detailed and unique as they could. It's replacement will be made by a bunch of contractors and designers trying to cost-justify every little thing, and the PTB will be looking for what gimmick they can squeeze in to make it "marketable".
/rant. Sorry, I have to do that every once in awhile. It's cathartic.
Yeah, the day of reckoning is coming for FM and FITH. They are simply getting old, and either mass-refurbishment or replacements are in order. I am a big fan of classic rides, especially these specifically, and obviously I'm super pessimistic that they will be replaced with anything that captures the essence of the originals.
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Shave, the hubs is in a group with a gentlemen that worked at SDC for years and years. He retired from a prestigious park character position the year before the corporation took over. I wish I could've heard the conversation they had. Hubs came home talking about it. He essentially talked about most of the things you said in the above post.
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This is just me talking...
I think we’ll see the Lost River and American Plunge dealt with before we see anything major happen at FM and FITH.
Personally I think complete rebuilds will need to happen. I think integration of the two rides into FL would be ideal. The new log flume could go in the WB lot. The new LR could be themed to fire boat rafts and maybe even have a waterfall like Infinity Falls.
What need to be done with Lost River?
Major rehab on the canals. Apparently that earthquake we had last year (?) made it rather porous and it loses a lot of water.
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Shave, the hubs is in a group with a gentlemen that worked at SDC for years and years. He retired from a prestigious park character position the year before the corporation took over. I wish I could've heard the conversation they had. Hubs came home talking about it. He essentially talked about most of the things you said in the above post.
Lol, yeah... listening to the "old timers" can really deflate the way you look at the park these days. There are so many little things that are no longer done, so many traditions lost, so much "non-PC" stuff stripped away... You just have to remember that the park has always been evolving and that this is just the way the world turns. I try not to bitch too much about inevitable change, but I do have a love for the old SDC so it can be tough.
Major rehab on the canals. Apparently that earthquake we had last year (?) made it rather porous and it loses a lot of water.
I could see that being the case. We'll see what happens. I'm betting right now their budget is so turned around that they try to do rehab work instead of completely re-doing the whole thing. Then again, maybe insurance is on their case about it. After the Australia accident, I hear it's a lot tougher to keep those rides going even though they are statistically safe. LR is one of the earliest models, and lacks some of the modern features to keep people from falling out. The station is also pretty bad since the boats pound into each other as people are trying to get on and off and you have to be careful not to slip off.
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A lot of the things that people complain about on FM and FITH could have been fixed years ago for not a lot of money in the broad scheme of things. They'll spend tens of millions on a shiny new coaster, but neglect $10,000 of cosmetic repairs for a ride that the entire family has enjoyed for generations.
PREACH!
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I would not be surprised if one day they decide having the gun on the train robbery will be deemed too controversial and get rid of that, perhaps get rid of a robbery completely.
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What need to be done with Lost River?
They could replace it with some kind of diving bell.
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What need to be done with Lost River?
They could replace it with some kind of diving bell.
Remove AP and then build it there. They could use the Lake/Waterfall for the entrance facade. They’ll need to eventually rebuild that waterfall anyway so 2 birds 1 stone.
A version of Aquatopia at TDS would be better though
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I would not be surprised if one day they decide having the gun on the train robbery will be deemed too controversial and get rid of that, perhaps get rid of a robbery completely.
There are some that think they have been working for a while to slowly eliminate the train robbery from the ride. I'm not sure they are wrong. Not sure how much would be inappropriate to say, so I'll leave it at that.
Shave, I'm completely agreed with you. And so are many that have worked at the park for a while, or used to work there. :-)
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What need to be done with Lost River?
They could replace it with some kind of diving bell.
Remove AP and then build it there. They could use the Lake/Waterfall for the entrance facade. They’ll need to eventually rebuild that waterfall anyway so 2 birds 1 stone.
A version of Aquatopia at TDS would be better though
Never thought about how old LR is....those raft rides just seem to last forever. Is LR older than Fury of the Nile? LR loading platform is not a very efficient or safe setup....is kind of a mild ride too....but it's better than Nile IMO.
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This is where I repeat that FITH needs a redo with modern tech that includes a Drop Track at the Burning Bridge and then launch into the dark finish.
It was like that, or something very similar, long long ago.
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I would not be surprised if one day they decide having the gun on the train robbery will be deemed too controversial and get rid of that, perhaps get rid of a robbery completely.
I'm one of those old-timers who would cheer to see the guns gone from FM. Not because "gunz!", but because they're distracting. It used to be a ride of wonderment and discovery and imagination; now it's just constant pew-pew-pew, and no one sees the story unfold.
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I would not be surprised if one day they decide having the gun on the train robbery will be deemed too controversial and get rid of that, perhaps get rid of a robbery completely.
I'm one of those old-timers who would cheer to see the guns gone from FM. Not because "gunz!", but because they're distracting. It used to be a ride of wonderment and discovery and imagination; now it's just constant pew-pew-pew, and no one sees the story unfold.
Me too. The guns ruined the ride a long time ago.
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Hopefully the next trend will be to revitalize old rides. The current trend is big coasters. I think SDC needs a breather on big new coasters for a while. Hopefully over the next five years we see FITH fixed up and AP completely redone with an emphasis on theme. The PTB are making a huge mistake if they let classic theme go by the wayside and SDC is just another park.
however I must say that flooded mine looked great the last two seasons I went. Havent gone yet this year but seems like they did a lot to it last year. I was pleased and they deserve credit for it. Now if they would please advertise it a little.
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I hope the management at SDC is reading this post.
Don't get me wrong. I love roller coasters. You can add all the drops, loops, barrel rolls, etc., that you want, but in the end, a roller coaster is a roller coaster. You can ride a roller coaster at any park in the country, and the experience is fundamentally the same.
However, you can only ride the Flooded Mine at Silver Dollar City. And you can only ride Fire in the Hole at Silver Dollar City. (The version at Dollywood doesn't count. :D)
There is more to a theme park than a roller coaster.
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Don't get me wrong. I love roller coasters. You can add all the drops, loops, barrel rolls, etc., that you want, but in the end, a roller coaster is a roller coaster. You can ride a roller coaster at any park in the country, and the experience is fundamentally the same.
There is more to a theme park than a roller coaster.
While I like Flooded Mine and FITH also, they don’t draw new people to the park. What most people care about when traveling to a theme park is the roller coasters. Big, new coasters are about the only thing that bring new people to a park. While I would like to see the old rides being rebuilt/fixed, I don’t really see it happening if it wouldn’t bring in new people.
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While I like Flooded Mine and FITH also, they don’t draw new people to the park. What most people care about when traveling to a theme park is the roller coasters. Big, new coasters are about the only thing that bring new people to a park. While I would like to see the old rides being rebuilt/fixed, I don’t really see it happening if it wouldn’t bring in new people.
Mmm, yes and no. I wouldn't say "roller coasters" per se, but rides that interest and intrigue them. As an example, there are reasons that Six Flags started putting in Justice League rides in many of their parks. Because they drew interest and brought people in. There are other rides and other ways to draw people's attention and interest, and make them want to visit, beside roller coasters. Coaster tend to be the most obvious, but I think SDC also did well with the Fireman's landing addition. And not a coaster in the area. :-)
I truly believe that if they were to put in another indoor ride or two- a well done dark ride, 4d movie/ simulator, or something else similar that families could do together, that it would go a long ways towards reinforcing that it's a park for families to enjoy together. And that can be done very well to bring people in.
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I want a good theme park, not just another coaster park. While signs and creative names help, it is the well-done dark rides, simulators, and shows (in theme - no deviation) worth seeing (not stunts ordered from a catalog of "entertainers") that can really push the unique theme of a park and set it apart from the rest. Any theme will do, as long as it is consistent.
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I want a good theme park, not just another coaster park. While signs and creative names help, it is the well-done dark rides, simulators, and shows (in theme - no deviation) worth seeing (not stunts ordered from a catalog of "entertainers") that can really push the unique theme of a park and set it apart from the rest. Any theme will do, as long as it is consistent.
I've been saying that for quite a while now. We can't afford to lose another classic. Speaking of classic, how long was the diving bell in operation anyway? Now that was a cool ride and cutting edge for it's time. Imagine what it could be like today!
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While I like Flooded Mine and FITH also, they don’t draw new people to the park.
The problem with drawing new people to the park, is that attendance, parking, and traffic are at the edge of making SDC that place that is so popular that everyone hates going there.
Focusing on big new rides instead of theming and the classics, also runs the risk of losing the multi-generation visitors who have been loyal for decades, and replacing them with people who will skip the city entirely if they don't have a huge new record-breaking ride every other year.
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While I like Flooded Mine and FITH also, they don’t draw new people to the park.
The problem with drawing new people to the park, is that attendance, parking, and traffic are at the edge of making SDC that place that is so popular that everyone hates going there.
Focusing on big new rides instead of theming and the classics, also runs the risk of losing the multi-generation visitors who have been loyal for decades, and replacing them with people who will skip the city entirely if they don't have a huge new record-breaking ride every other year.
Yes, this is very important and Ihave said many times, we drive by numerous coaster parks or close to them on the way to SDC/Branson every trip. I dont go to those parks beause I like the theme of SDC and my facorite rides are FM and FITH and thunderation...and used to be AP. Also my family has been multi generation (4) season pass holders/visitors for decades. We really dont care that SDC got time traveler...its fine and good for them and everything, but it isnt whats bringing us back and it wont bring the coaster chasers back.
But FM and FITH, and the themeing might. Youll have some families go for a new coaster and realize SDC is different and come back. If SDC becomes less and less unique, that wont happen.
PTB cannot take families like us for granted, however. If they get rid of old rides or go down a no theme trend, we wont come back. But as I said above I thought FM was good last two trips and hopefully the next five years are about revitalizing old rides like AP while still keeping classic theme.
And can we get back to ha d painted signs !
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Don't get me wrong. I love roller coasters. You can add all the drops, loops, barrel rolls, etc., that you want, but in the end, a roller coaster is a roller coaster. You can ride a roller coaster at any park in the country, and the experience is fundamentally the same.
There is more to a theme park than a roller coaster.
While I like Flooded Mine and FITH also, they don’t draw new people to the park. What most people care about when traveling to a theme park is the roller coasters. Big, new coasters are about the only thing that bring new people to a park. While I would like to see the old rides being rebuilt/fixed, I don’t really see it happening if it wouldn’t bring in new people.
They bring people back.
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Don't get me wrong. I love roller coasters. You can add all the drops, loops, barrel rolls, etc., that you want, but in the end, a roller coaster is a roller coaster. You can ride a roller coaster at any park in the country, and the experience is fundamentally the same.
There is more to a theme park than a roller coaster.
While I like Flooded Mine and FITH also, they don’t draw new people to the park. What most people care about when traveling to a theme park is the roller coasters. Big, new coasters are about the only thing that bring new people to a park. While I would like to see the old rides being rebuilt/fixed, I don’t really see it happening if it wouldn’t bring in new people.
They bring people back.
Not only do they bring people back...but they are the rides that create memories for families. They are first 'big' rides kids have with there parents....the are transitional rides between the kid rides and the thrill rides. They are the consistent and dependable rides that 90% of visitors expect to be open....they are even open in weather. Its not that WF and TT can't be memory making rides....but they aren't what parents and grand parents remember about SDC trips. Frankly that darn frog ride in GE has a higher place in my families list of favorites as OR....we've got dozens of pics of our kids on that ride through the years....my now coaster riding teenager still smiles thinking about riding it.
These classics have a unique advantage of being multi-generational in there ridership.....I just hope they get a modern makeover so they keep some of of that uniqueness but SDC can also use to continue to let them be family memory making rides everyone can enjoy. Completely losing them would be such a waste of a competitive advantage SDC has with these classics.
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Excellent comments on this thread! You are all very much correct about these classics are what brings a lot of us back year after year. PTB listen up! We are SDC's biggest fans!
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I noticed on my visit today to FM, at the part where the explosion happens and water floods down from above, the explosion part seems to be working again with water blowing up from below right before the water coming from above. In the part where the guy is trying to pump the water out and it used to come out of the pipe he was turning the pump on, that part does not work. I don't recall any of the music playing anywhere thru the ride. The pond out from that now has all the new buildings in front of it is starting to look more like a stagnant sewer pond. Also, I thought we were going to get stuck on it at one point. Coming out of the station the boats seemed to have gotten stuck for a minute. Also seemed to be moving slower than normal all during the ride. I rode it again later and did not notice this. On another note, the guy with the long grey hair and beard who used to work at FM was playing Alfie the train robber today. I guess he moved over there.
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Yeah I too wished they could clean up and fix the outdoor part. Along with that area giving the "sewer pond" impression I have noticed for quite some time that the audio where they yell "Fire!" and the blast sound fx from the little gunboat has seldom worked along with the water jet simulating a shot hitting the water.
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The outdoor effects will never happen again due to the new dining area — and since the water out there is stagnant due to no longer having that blast you get the sewer water.
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The outdoor effects will never happen again due to the new dining area — and since the water out there is stagnant due to no longer having that blast you get the sewer water.
They will need to put in a couple of small fountains, or something to circulate water to eliminate this problem.. Then it would be fine and look good..
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A good algicide treatment also. It is so bad now it needs to be killed off. A definite eyesore.
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A good algicide treatment also. It is so bad now it needs to be killed off. A definite eyesore.
The heat makes algae grow quickly. It’s been stupid hot here lately
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Was disappointed today the music wasn't playing in Fire in the Hole. Asked one of the ride ops why and all he said was "sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't".
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Was disappointed today the music wasn't playing in Fire in the Hole. Asked one of the ride ops why and all he said was " sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't".
Antiquated sound cards in both FM/FITH are nearing the end of their shelf lives. It just needs to be completely rewired and upgraded but that costs money and there’s not much ROI in doing that
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Yes, the last time I rode FITH there was no much or sounds at all except the part about the stolen pants. There was no bridge collapse or train horn noise.
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Truly sad that this is the case. Dollywood has been able to refurbish Blazing Fury recently, and while I wish they had kept the water splash, overall the ride was looking much fresher when I last saw it. I would hope they would see the ROI in reinvesting; Six Flags over Georgia and Knott's refurbed their signature dark rides to great success not that long ago, and it would be short-sighted to not consider doing that during an off year. I think they might be surprised at how effective it can be at reviving interest in the classics.
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Rode both today and there was no soundtracks/ music on both. FITH had the Ned Flanders line and the "Fire in the Hole" on the drop, but pretty much no other sounds.
Flooded mine had none of the sound track working at all.
it was really odd with both of them being so quiet. And kind of sad.
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Agreed Sirwillow. When we were there last week it just felt weird or hollow without the music. The experience was definitely different. I think odd and sad are two good words to sum it up.
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I've been down here this last week. During my rides on both rides, I have seen many of the problems addressed in the forum.
Fire in the Hole doesn't have the song playing throughout the ride though everything else was working just fine. Come to think of it, maybe the saloon song and Baldknobber gun shots weren't on either. I'm fine with my barrel dumping Baldknobber getting his "Here's a barrel of laughs!". As long as that line is running I'm good.
Flooded Mine at the beginning of the week had the jackhammer for the jackhammer inmate missing and the inmate cranking his busted pipe had his arm unattached. I rode it yesterday and the jackhammer was back and cranking inmate had his arm back on his busted pipe though he wasn't cranking. Also, there is a random head sitting in the cell with the inmate giving another inmate a bust on his shoulder, the saw scene seems to be off, and the "I'm getting outta here!" inmates head is turnt quite well to hide his broken neck.
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Rode FITH Saturday and it was just sad. No music and I am pretty sure Red Flanders was gone. If not gone he wasn't functioning. We did not do TFM so not sure about it.
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The music hasn't been working for a while now... maybe since last year? The Red Flanders bit was working a couple months ago though.
FM has all kinds of funny business that goes on with the manaquins. The moving parts seem to like breaking off. If you ride it a bunch throughout the year and keep track, there's so much stuff that moves around and gets fixed/broken. Just part of the nature of that old style of ride with the budget it's been given.
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The music hasn't been working for a while now... maybe since last year? The Red Flanders bit was working a couple months ago though.
FM has all kinds of funny business that goes on with the manaquins. The moving parts seem to like breaking off. If you ride it a bunch throughout the year and keep track, there's so much stuff that moves around and gets fixed/broken. Just part of the nature of that old style of ride with the budget it's been given.
I was thinking the music was working during our visit in December last year. Maybe not ? And , yes The Flooded Mine is a moving target so to speak. I just wish there was enough maintenance budget to get it right. Especially during its 50th year.