Search

Hey Swoosh,

Have you heard anything about season pass rollovers.  We didn't get there for the second straight year.  Last year they rolled it over, but I was wondering if it was the same for next year?

Thanks!

I know no one has a crystal ball, but how busy is Labor Day usually?  Looking at going the 2nd of September, but was wondering if that is a crazy day traditionally?  Maybe people heading back from mini vacation on the second and a little less crowded?

I have to say, I have been a skeptic because of the spinning, but my kids and I were riding Thunderation and WOW that track looks fun!  My daughter said ....no,no no, but my son and I are going to give it our best shot.  That track is down right beautiful.    

We were riding with some park employees, and they were excited to see the recent track additions as well.  A lot of oohs and ahhs.     Love how they put it real close to Thunderation.  It gives the illusion of too close, but is well out of range of danger.  I think it adds to both rides in the end.

"Lots and lots of publicity already for this coaster... every major news station has picked up the story, and I'm sure it will be talked about a lot next year."

I literally saw a "Time Traveler" watermark underneath a definition of a word at Merriam Webster that had nothing to do with "Time Traveler" the day of the announcement.  I don't know how that is even possible but I was still baffled. 

My Son and I will ride it, probably late in the day as to avoid ruining our entire trip.  We may love it....however that is the biggest complaint I think most have.  If you did a poll, spinning would have been last every time.  Sure some may love it, and most might be pleasantly surprised, but that is the whole thing from a marketing point of view.  A large portion of your patrons are hesitant because of the nausea factor.  It is also still okay to have an opinion on the matter as well.  I like the theme and very glad that SDC is making these major investments to keep the park relevant, but wish they would have dropped all the firsts and went for something a little different.  To each his own.

If anyone thinks the "controlled spinning" on TT is going to be more tame than this on any level, I think you're kidding yourself. I just scanned the comments from SDC's official announcement on FB and I would say at least 25-33% of the comments echo the concerns about spinning and being bummed about never getting on the ride.

I think you need to go back to the video and listen to Brad Thomas' comments about the spinning.  What you're talking about on Spinning Dragons is EXACTLY what Brad said he DOESN'T want on the coaster- free, fast spinning that can get people sick.  Much to much spinning, much to fast, and this will NOT do that.  It is a very slow rotation that has built in brake controls so that it can not spin fast.  This has no chance of getting you dizzy or disoriented anymore than any other coaster because of how slow they are going to allow the cars to spin.

I understand your fears, but I don't think you're understanding the limits they are putting on the rotating that will prevent what you are afraid of.

Sure hope you're right, but I'm not buying it. Spinning is spinning and as I pointed out in an earlier post produces forces far different from that of other more traditional coasters. I think it's comical that this coaster's uniqueness was  sold on it being a spinning coaster that does XYZ, but Brad had to go out of his way to downplay the very thing that is supposed to make it unlike any other in the world.

I do think it only fair to reserve full judgement until the ride is operational, but whether you're on board with the spinning element or not, as long as it does spin, I am shocked that SDC chose to bank their largest investment in history with a ride that will statistically alienate a significant portion of the people who visit before they even get through the turnstiles.

Just think for a second about how the percentages quickly dwindle for park patrons who will never set foot on TT:

A percentage of patrons will not ride any rides.
A percentage of patrons will not meet the requirements to ride.
A percentage of patrons will visit and enjoy rides, but are not thrill seekers, or coaster enthusiasts and will not ride. 
A percentage of patrons will visit who enjoy coasters, but are unable to tolerate inversions.
A percentage of patrons will visit who enjoy coasters, but are unable to tolerate spinning rides.

That's a $26 million gamble that could have easily been minimized by incorporating the ability to allow the rider to dictate his/her ride experience as it relates to the spinning. Obviously, I am of the opinion that this omission would have made a bigger splash in terms of touting so many "world's only/firsts" in the coaster arena.

As I said above and in earlier posts, I applaud SDC on its willingness to continue pushing limits. I only hope public feedback will either prove me wrong, or force their hand into tweaking the experience at some point sooner than later. 

My wife and I discussed this same thing.  I wonder what kind of excitement would have been generated by a Larger version of the "Wildcat" from Celebration City smoothly plunging through the same terrain?  MUCH larger base of riders and conversely a larger season pass sales uptick.  Too much emphasis on "firsts".  Top Wooden rollercoaster would have the same effect on coaster enthusiasts.

I was pondering today's announcement and there were several clues as to the direction of Silver Dollar City in today's announcement.  Every corporation wants to expand and stay relevant, especially those in the entertainment business. 

It got me wondering aloud to my wife.  Is the "Time Traveler" now the prevalent answer as to why we are going back to the 1880's town? 

I also wonder if this means...and I say this lightly lest the purists come and snatch me away like the flying monkeys did in the Wizard of Oz....if this becomes the quasi-theme for SDC...Time Traveler. 

It sets up an answer to a mystery; on the one hand in which one can think "ahhh this is how we were able to visit an 1880's town".  While at the same time opening up a MUCH broader theme to a company that may have designs on becoming the "Disney" of the midwest.  In other words in say a few years if there is a resort and MANY expansions to this great park, is there a chance SDC becomes a park within a park.  You are able to stay true to the original, yet able to incorporate what they were trying to do with Celebration City visa vis 1930's, 1950's and beyond?  With the Time traveler in the theme one could go even further in the past, making their theme even more broad. 

It would be sad on the one hand, but exciting on the other, as long as there was a distinct way of separating the different sections of the park.  Many parks have lands, or sections with different themes, and maybe management is trying to broaden the appeal past the regional status.  You could stay true to the 1880's heritage while moving into a broader future.  It would sadden most purists like me, but insulate the company from a Dogpatch future. 

Anyway, just throwing that out when listening to the announcement,  I heard the future of SDC mentioned a lot juxtaposed with remembering it's heritage/past.  I love the SDC of old, but on many trips I see less polyester pant suits and craft demonstrations, and more cell phone impaired attention spans.  From a corporate point of view, maybe they are a little afraid of plowing millions into a theme park of the "past".  Broader themes mean a broader audience.  And if there are any plans of moving out of a niche then I am sure this has been discussed. 

The Family had a great day on Thursday, May 26.  My oldest daughter is now riding TNT after years of persuasion and LOVES it!  It does seem much more rough than in the past like someone else mentioned, but I figure it is because all of the attention is devoted to the coaster next door.   I wish I could have gotten her to ride it before all of the trees were bulldozed, but still fun.  My youngest boy age 6 loves it as well, but my other daughter age 7 rode it last trip and loved it...but passed out.  I hadn't ever witnessed someone pass out  on a ride before so it kind of took me by surprise.  She passed out and then jumped right back into laughing when she regained consciousness.  I am holding her out of bigger rides for my sake for a year or two. 

On a sour note the Powderkeg was broken down yet again.  Something definitely must be up with this ride in the maintenance end because it has been down every trip we have made for the last five trips in a row.  This is my 11 year old boys favorite ride and mine as well.  He always jokes about making another failed attempt to get on every time we are there lately and boy he is right every time.  I hope this doesn't mean it is becoming to hard to maintain to justify the ride.  You gotta love that launch! 

Joel Manby must have also loved Mack Rides...  Cobra's Curse is a Mack spinner that just opened at Busch Gardens Tampa for 2016.

That pic of Cobra's Curse has a structure in the middle a lot like the old "Waterboggin".

Took a trip to SDC Tuesday, May 12.  BEAUTIFUL day to be on park.  The weather was cool enough to soak up the sunshine, but warm enough to ride the water rides. 

First thing I would like to say is kudos to SDC for all of the attractions.  The park is really starting to be more than a one day visit if you want to experience most everything.  I think that is great news if they are going for the "destination" angle. 

The crowd seemed pretty large for a Tuesday in May.  I don't recall seeing any special events posted, but I may have missed it.  Some if not all of the Dugger's were there from the show, "Nineteen and Counting", but I don't think most anyone knew they were going to be there so I don't think that could have been it.  Anyway the park was crowded for a Tuesday in May, but not in anyway too crowded.  They were running two trains on many coasters and it was a great day to be there. 

My kids love the new "Fireman's Landing".  It has added a lot for them to do.  It definitely feels a lot like Celebration City in that area, but that isn't a bad thing for my family as we loved the place.  I wouldn't want it to expand and lose the "charm" and history of the rest of the park, but the kids felt like a lot of fun was crammed in one little section.  The theme music reminds me of an old "Our Gang" episode.  I kind of liked it even though is different than the rest of the park.  I agree with most in that I miss the climbing vine structure.  That took a lot of years to grow, and it looks a little bald in that area now.

The Giant Barn swing had a huge line even though it was running two arms, but that was the only ride we avoided due to lines.  The park looked great and the staff was very friendly.  The food...man it makes the park smell good.  We could smell the bbq chicken while boarding the Thunderation!  We got a ride in the Fire in the Hole, but couldn't locate "the face" everyone was talking about in another thread, but it was enjoyable paying close attention to all of the detail. 

Love the mix of old and new attractions.  I like many wish the American Plunge and the Treehouse would see some love, but the funny thing is my kids would still be going through Grandfather's Mansion a day later, if I would succumb to "just one more time". 

[However, I appreciate the apology, and we are good.]

I was not trying to come off rude so I give an open and scencire apology. You are correct, this forum is about sharing opinions and I will not start walking down the road of discounting them. If BAF's are important to you and your loved ones then you have the right to be worried about them. My mind travels down the overall management of the company and not the management of the individual properties. (BAF's are a marketing function and would not necessarily be axed by the CEO). This may not be the first Rodeo, but this will be the first time Jack and Pete do not step in as CEO while the BOARD searches for a new one. Hey have appointed Andrew Wexler, the Company's CFO, as interim CEO. Another differance is the Joel resigned, he was not let go. This brings a sudden jolt to the company instead of a thought out, methodical plan. Jack and Pete planned out everything years in advance when they stepped down, and the Mel Bilbo era was also phased out, this was a surprise and no one is ready to fill the spot, there will be no formal training from Joel. This is why I consider the company shaken to the core... Not to mention that every park is now in full swing... It's like not having an understudy and the lead actor does not show up for opening night.

Now that is a post I can dig.  Chock full of interesting information that a lot of us don't know, also explains where you are coming from. It also actually kind of also carries the tone of my first post.  "I don't like the sounds of that" when hearing of Manby's abrupt departure.  When things are good it is never a positive to lose your CEO.   

The other one did come off as rude and condescending. However, I appreciate the apology, and we are good.  Quite refreshing in the age of "the internets".

The BAF's were just an example of those little changes that can add up. They are nice personally and aren't a deal breaker, but without things like that I worry that the park will see a decline.  My point was look how many season pass holders were created from just my small family alone.  All from that little personal touch such as BAF vouchers.  Your perceived, whether real or not, annoyance with them as trivial, only reinforces my worry that restructuring might turn SDC into something different.   I personally would HATE it if it ever lost it's private ownership appeal. 

Thanks History Buff.

I was just wondering out loud what changes might be in store if any.  I highly doubt the Herschends as long as they have crafted this business are too rattled.

I figure comments on this board are much more valuable/honest to SDC than prefabbed surveys.  I was actually attempting a compliment to the way things have been ran in the past several years.  We have been season pass members for years, and the BAF vouchers have allowed us to take 12 others with us.  Those parlayed into 12 new season pass holders, and since we keep coming back my family of six makes 18 season pass holders.  They must be doing something right. 

Also Blake; I'll bet you are right.  This isn't the Herschend's first rodeo. 

HFE has been shaken to its core... And you are worried about BAF's... Wow

What?

Shaken to it's core?  Such drama! 

Yes, I am very worried about BAF's....just sick and scared and oh my! What will I do?  The sky is falling!  Good grief!

I was merely, light heartedly, doing two things:

Commenting on such a good job Manby did, and wondering if changes were coming, while giving an example.  That is what e.g. means.  Now that I have been thoroughly reprimanded for commenting; I will learn to keep my comments to myself...as assuredly a comment board is not the place for....comments.   

So disregard my obviously insensitive previous post and let me try again....

Gosh, it sounds like SDC is looking for a new manager....that is all. 

Was that generic enough?

Wow!  This seems like a shocker. 

Queue Cosmo Kramer when talking about low flow showers, "I don't like the sound of that"...

I hope that doesn't mean big change on the horizon e.g. loss of BAF passes should a new corporate chief with new fangled ideas come along. 

I don't know if Manby had anything to do with those, but they have been a great way of building repeat guests.  We have taken two families of six at different times using our BAF passes.  Each time buying a ticket or two that we didn't have.  Both families went on to buy season passes.  Now that we are a family of six, that makes 18 passes between us.  Anyway, BAF passes and the like are a great marketing strategy that has to pay off in the end.  I may be way off, but I don't remember things like that before Manby came along.  Of course I could be wrong....I was once or thrice.

That fee is actually used for web site maintenence. Contrary to popular belief web sites are not free to make, update, or operate daily, and the fee you pay monthly for Internet goes to your service provider and not the sites you visit.

I am VERY familiar that websites aren't free to create or maintain due to the business that I am in.

I also don't think that is a "popular" belief.   Sheesh.  Is their really anyone out there that believes that "fee you pay monthly" goes to the websites and not the provider?   

I also stand by my "dinosaur" comment.  Imagine a "convenience" fee on Amazon, Netflix, or Joe "the plummer".  Websites are just a cost of doing business in the internet age.  Also, at $7.00 a pop, that must be some amazing website to maintain.  One that might even be able to complete an order....conveniently. 

Just my observation on season pass ordering.

I had trouble also trying to order online.  We were ordering six passes and would make it to the confirmation page before being instructed to call. 

When I called, the sales person said that they thought it was due to a glitch when trying to order the parking pass.  She thought they were having trouble when people checked the parking pass option.  They were very helpful and it was probably easier than ordering online in the end. 

Also, the "convenience" fee for ordering online is really outdated.  I get a chuckle when I see that dinosaur tacked on at the final stages of a purchase.  It should be called the "We can't stand the thought of paying the credit card fee, even though it is nearly the universal way of paying for anything in the 21st century....fee".