Messages

1

Construction/Rumors / Re: Areas for park expansion?

« on: July 19, 2011, 10:56:18 AM »

The problem is that these projects can change in an instant.  Sometimes, even after they've been announced, they don't happen or are pushed back.  A good example is River Blast, which was planned to be built in one year, but ended up taking two for budget reasons.  That, of course, pushed back other projects the park had planned.  Some of those projects may never happen.  I would say that if a coaster's being planned for next year, we should hear something soon since they do take a while to build.

2

Construction/Rumors / Re: Celebration City Developments

« on: July 19, 2011, 10:51:26 AM »

I liked the ferris wheel, but HFEC didn't seem to know how to operate it right.  Even on the busiest days, they could only fill half the cars for what they said was safety reasons.  If the wheel was built with x amount of seats, I'm sure it was designed to operate with people in all of those seats.  It was a bit too much for them.

I think the problem for redevelopment purposes is that it's just too big.  HFEC likes to go all out on themeing and this would definitely stand out in most of their parks.  Sure they could re-theme it, but the cost of doing so would be probably about the same as getting a brand new wheel.  It makes sense to sell it imo.

3

Construction/Rumors / Re: Celebration City Developments

« on: May 24, 2011, 07:28:00 PM »

I see a trend.  They're getting rid of all the portable/carnival rides.  Look at it, there's nothing portable in the green.  I know a common complaint at CC was that it had too many portable/carnival rides mixed in beautiful scenery.  I wouldn't be surprised if they have at least an idea of where they're eventually going to go with the property. 

When did the Orbiter get sold?  I never saw it up.  Must have missed it somehow.  Never saw the bumper cars either, but that doesn't surprise me as much.

4

Construction/Rumors / Re: Celebration City Developments

« on: April 21, 2011, 01:13:57 PM »

I think that concept art makes sense.  The last ride they put in had an Amazon theme which would fit in well with animals.  Also, The Wildcat would fit in well.  It all makes sense regarding that.  I still remember the Wild Adventures survey thing and it seems like HFEC would want to brand it that way. 

If I had to guess, I would say the amount of construction needed to do anything like what's shown in the concept art would be a couple years off.  You have to keep in mind they would have to some demolishing and then build.  To develop land suitable for animals, it will take some time.  Look at how long Disney spent building Disney's Animal Kingdom.  This is probably on a much smaller scale than that, but still, it'll take some time.

I'm going to say 2013 at the very earliest, which will also allow SDC to have its big addition next year.  By then, hopefully, the economy will be much better and Branson will be in a period of growth again.

5

Construction/Rumors / Re: Celebration City Developments

« on: January 09, 2011, 09:15:35 PM »

I don't remember seeing it for sale (unless you're talking about the kiddie ride) so perhaps it's staying with the company and moving to either Dollywood or Wild Adventures (which seems to be the popular choice).

6

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Single Day Ticket Prices (and other things)

« on: October 11, 2010, 10:26:13 PM »

I love Disney's parks to death, but let me say that $80 a ticket is an insult.  I always stood up for places like SDC because they haven't been overrun by greed as Disney has been.  That seems to be changing as SDC has been raising their prices at about the same rate as Disney except with few and less expensive additions (Disney spends about 100K on their rides).

Also, Disney's operating costs are much higher than SDC's, albiet they have a much higher capacity and sell more tickets.  My point is the value would prove it: If Disney were to sell, let's say Epcot today, it would be much higher valued (in dollars) than SDC.  That's the truth.  SDC has no reason to charge $80 to get in the gates and that's why they don't.  SDC is not equal to Disney in cash value, however, memories are priceless and for some people, I'm sure SDC's memories rank higher than Disney's.  So while Disney's experience might be more expensive, SDC can be more enjoyable.  For me, that's not the case, but I can understand how people can enjoy SDC more than Disney.  I do enjoy SDC and am a "fan", but I'm a bigger Disney fan if that makes sense.

A lot of other Disney fans have told me, "If you don't like the prices, don't go."  Well, I went to Orlando this summer and guess what, I didn't go to Disney (a hard, but affordable decision).  For a one day ticket to SDC, they crossed the line at $50.  I was living in Florida for the last couple of years so I missed being at SDC.  I moved back in January and went to SDC in April.  I just bought the season pass since I knew I would be going back again for Christmas.  For over $50 a ticket, I'm more likely to just enjoy being at the hotel relaxing.  That's what I did instead of going to Disney and I don't regret it.  It was the most refreshing vacation ever for me.  I did, however, miss my favorite attractions.  The way I see it, I'll go to Disney again, but instead of going yearly, it'll be every few years.  Theme parks are just too expensive anymore.

That is my opinion though.  SDC's still a good value if you get the season pass and actually use it.  I've used mine three times this year, so yeah, it's worth it compared to the one day pass.  What I don't like though is that they say that they are raising prices because of expansion when the truth is they are just replacing something most of the time and the attraction count is the same as it was before.  What was supposed to be a way to get you to return turn to the park turned into a price gouge.  The only years that I really believe SDC should have raise ticket prices was for the Grand Exposition and the swing, because those two things were actual park expansions.  PK replaced Buzz Saw Falls and River Blast replaced Tom Sawyer Landing (and at the expense of Splash Harbor and WB).

7

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2011 Project

« on: August 17, 2010, 09:41:23 PM »

They'll have to make the tower more handicap accessible if they want to have a major ride connected to it.  I think it'll end up coming down as it was built for Waterboggan.  Then again, it could always remain a random mysterious tower, much like the towers in the Tom and Huck area.

I really wouldn't mind and expansion of the Grand Exposition area.  Given that Waterboggan sat right next to Red Gold Heritage Hall, which is part of the exposition, they could easily expand the land as well as add a second entrance into the area.  Rides from CC could also be moved over including the carousel, possibly a rethemed Flying Carpet and Accelerator.  I also want the balloon ride back.

8

Construction/Rumors / Re: Celebration City Developments

« on: August 17, 2010, 09:31:27 PM »

I'm wondering if they plan on doing something theme park related.  While they are selling off a lot of rides and relocating others, there are still a bunch that is left.  Ones that I believe is still there (and not for sale or relocated) besides the kiddie rides which I'm not familiar with include: The Orbiter, Bumper Cars, The Ozark Wildcat, Go Karts, Mini-Golf, Carousel, Accelerator, Roaring Falls, and Fireball.  While the other rides are nice, none of them (unless you consider the Electric Star Wheel one) are poster worthy rides.  These rides still could be sold off, relocated or put into storage, but the fact they're all still there and haven't yet been moved or posted on a for sale website means HFE wants to keep them (at least, for now).

I'm hoping that they at least have an idea what they want to ultimately do with the space.  It's been almost two years since the gates at CC closed.  As a fan of the park, I'm still upset they closed it in the first place.

9

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Celebration City Closes, Possible Redevelopment Planned

« on: October 27, 2008, 01:32:24 AM »

^^ I'll take a stab at it.

I see Oz Wildcat, the ferris wheel, bumper cars, mini-golf, go-karts, RF, and the S&S (It's a small space) staying without any issues.

I think the scrambler, flying circus, the carousel, The Stinger, and Thunderbolt will probably stay.

Things I could see just about everything else leaving.

Obviously, the Celebration Theater will probably stay.  The boardwalk will probably retain the atmosphere.  The laser theater will probably become some sort of attraction, maybe the aquarium?  I'm not familiar with the HFE aquariums, so I don't know.

I find it funny that they're willing to spend millions to reinvent a park they failed to poor investment in.  If they would've taken the money they plan to spend redeveloping the land and used it to make the park better, CC would have been awesome.  They can blame the theme if they want, but I say it was a lack of investment.  Now they're going to spend TONS of money to redevelope a site that I believe didn't really need to be redevloped, just invested in.

10

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Lockers and other stuff

« on: April 27, 2008, 05:28:28 PM »

^^I don't see them making a fuss about that. Those rules are in place to keep people from walking around the park in bikinis and such.

I see people do that anyway.  SDC doesn't seem to enforce their policies.  As long as no one complains, you should be alright.

11

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: CC/Roaring Falls Opening

« on: April 20, 2008, 04:02:40 PM »

OT: Was Shute d' Chutes open?  They still don't have it listed on their website.

On Topic: The ride looks great!  I don't think the theming takes too much away from the park.  It's next to the boardwalk and that could have animal stuff all over it.  The boardwalk can technically be themed to anything they want it to be.

Although, I still think this is one of their tests.  Remember, I mentioned the Wild Adventures thing before.  What if they're testing the animal theme of the attraction?  Just a thought...

12

Construction/Rumors / Re: Your Attraction Ideas

« on: February 24, 2008, 06:47:27 PM »

I like your ideas, especially the first one.  I actually had typed up a list of things I'd do if I were in charge.  I'll just copy and past those ideas right over.  Out of my ideas, my favorite is the first one.  I've been wanting to see HFEC do a 3D film for a long time.  Anyway, here you go:

1885 Invention Convention:
TYPE: 3D Theater
VEHICLES: 4D Theater Seats / 3D Screen/ 3D Glasses
DESCRIPTION: In the wooded hills of the Ozarks, the annual invention convention is taking place.  At the convention, inventors will show off the very latest technology and inventions of the 1880’s.  All guests in attendance are required to wear safety goggles (3D glasses) in the event of an unexpected accident.  With all the inventions being new, anything can happen so be ready for anything.  Be ready to be amazed at where our world is going during the convention’s limited engagement at The Silver Dollar City Convention Center.

Fire in the Hole 2.0
TYPE: Indoor Roller Coaster
VEHICLES: Coaster trains/ track
DESCRIPTION: In an upgrade to the original Silver Dollar City classic, Fire in the Hole features cars carrying more passengers in a longer ride.  Basically, the entire ride has been rebuilt telling the same story on a more personal level.  The ride now features lifelike animatronics and a musical ending written by some of the same writers that created the amazing musicals Charles Dickens – A Christmas Carol, Headin’ West, and For the Glory.  A town lives, dies, and is reborn in this classic retelling that is sure to become a new generation favorite.

Lost River of the Ozarks 2.0
TYPE: Circular Raft Ride
VEHICLES: Circular rafts, flume
DESCRIPTION: Featuring the same length and layout (although refurbished), the ride features a better told back story in its queue area as well as several added effects.  Although a portion of the upgrades were made outside, including a few geysers, the big change is the ride’s climax after guests float into a dark cave.  In addition to the thrills of the water, guests will encounter bats, Ozark mountain lion, and even a small cave-in.  The ride is now more thrilling than ever while keeping its loved feel that its fans have come to enjoy since the ride opened in the 1980’s.

Powder Keg 2.0
TYPE: Launch Roller Coaster
VEHICLES: Coaster trains/ track
DESCRIPTION: Not a whole lot will change to the actual ride.  The only major change will be unnoticed and that is an upgraded launch featuring new technology.  The reason for this is because launch rides require heavy maintenance and sometimes an upgrade.  This is that upgrade.  In addition to the upgrade, geysers will be installed toward the ride’s conclusion (that were supposed to originally be included with the ride in its 2006 debut), matching the concept art originally shown.

Refurbished American Plunge area
DESCRIPTION: In an effort to improve the quality of the park, the American Plunge area has been redone giving the ride a new queue area and a widened path to the parks Wildfire.

New Table Service Sit Down Restaurant
DESCRIPTION: Giving guests the feeling that they are dining at an 1880 family’s home, guests are treated to some of the most popular food in the 1880’s.  Served in a great American fashion, guests will be able to order some of the finest foods in America at this one of a kind restaurant experience.  The restaurant will be the hot spot for food in the city as the only real table service restaurant in the park with waiters and waitresses.

Refurbished Train Ride
DESCRIPTION: The Silver Dollar Line, which has been entertaining guests for ages, gets a big upgrade.  New gates are installed in the station; trains are repainted, new seats installed, and a wall built over by The Giant Swing allowing the Robbery Scene to take place in its original location.

Story Time with Grandma
DESCRIPTION: After a day of running around, kids and their parents can take a seat and rest in a newly constructed garden in Tom Sawyer’s Landing while listening to Grandma read a story.  Take a break from they day and enjoy a story in a beautiful garden.

13

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: The January Debate (A little Late)

« on: February 02, 2008, 08:02:33 PM »

I know it's late, but I'm going to say Mystery Mine.  The park is moving in a quality driven direction and a wooden coaster seems like something that would be more of an amusement park ride.  Compared to the Mystery Mine (a themed ride), I think SDC has more to benefit from it.  Not to mention they park is on top of a cave.  That's something to take advantage of.

14

Construction/Rumors / Re: CC's 2008 Project

« on: January 19, 2008, 10:24:09 PM »

Sounds like a park expansion.  A couple years ago they had a carshow out that direction.  Maybe they plan to expand the park that direction.  It would be neat if they announced a new shop or restaurant that way too.  Expansion is good though.  Thanks for letting us know! 

15

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Cave Tour with Jack Herschend

« on: January 17, 2008, 07:01:07 PM »

That's cool, how long ago was that?

SDC should build a roller coaster that gives the illusion of going though a cave.  I guess the Mystery Mine is a similar concept though.  Great story, thanks for sharing!!