Messages

1

Branson Talk / Re: Starlite Theatre - No more

« on: December 13, 2018, 07:28:26 PM »

Interesting... like the idea of a flying theatre, hate National Enquirer...

Starlite looked like a cool place. Out of all the theaters in Branson, it's surprising that the bigger and better ones seem to have the most trouble.

2

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2020 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: December 12, 2018, 11:23:30 AM »

Appreciate the photos from everyone.

I can almost guarantee they won't re-use the name. If they are spending this much, they want to be sure and market it as a new ride, not a "refurbishment". It's all about marketing.

absolutely... it wont be
Lost river,
or Owens ride.

Be lucky if the name has any reference to the Ozark Heritage at all....

example-
time traveler
firemans landin
river blast-  (well maybe a little)

River Blast actually has a ton of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn theming. Isn't the full name actually Tom and Hucks River Blast?

Fireman's Landing has a lot of rides packed in, which makes it feel a little carnival-ish, but there's also tons of detail and theming.

Time Traveler apparently ran over budget, so the station exterior and bottom floor are a bit disappointing, but the upper levels and the trains are very cool. It also has a rich backstory and lots of detail for those who care to pay attention. The name itself is pretty generic.

So all in all, SDC has a good track record and deserves all the benefit of the doubt as usual. We always wring our hands about the theme being hampered, but they always deliver a good product. Even if the name is generic, I am expecting it to look really nice and have a fun back=story theme that us fans can appreciate.

Lost River wasn't exactly themed that much anyway. Might have been some stuff hanging in the queue line that I have forgotten, but I don't remember anything that stood out. The theme was just a river that sucks into a cave. If they have some kind of cave theme or element with the new ride, it will be a nice homage/continuation of the theme.

3

Branson Talk / Re: RFD sells again- NO Hatfields and McCoys Dinner Show..

« on: December 11, 2018, 01:25:49 PM »

I think they might be Dolly's subsidiary. You'd be surprised how many different entities are under/connected to HFEC.

4

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2020 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: December 11, 2018, 01:05:32 PM »

Appreciate the photos from everyone.

I can almost guarantee they won't re-use the name. If they are spending this much, they want to be sure and market it as a new ride, not a "refurbishment". It's all about marketing.

5

Branson Talk / Re: RFD sells again- NO Hatfields and McCoys Dinner Show..

« on: December 10, 2018, 10:57:25 AM »

That's a very interesting development. Hate to see a good modern theatre go to waste, but it's prime real estate. Hopefully they got the corner as well.

Stampede isn't really "under" HFEC, it's a partnership with Dolly's company. Speculation about building a new theatre for one of the other big shows under her umbrella makes sense. Makes you wonder why they wouldn't just do an internal sale for some of the CC property though... unless they still have plans for it down the road.

Shoji's theatre is smaller and on a smaller/worse lot. Isn't the Kirby theatre way out on the red route or something?

6

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2019 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: December 10, 2018, 10:45:27 AM »

Very interesting. So we've gone from assuming that they would move or close EH to them expanding it. Still seems weird to me, but I'm kind of glad they are doing this so they can keep attracting some really big acts.

7

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2020 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: December 10, 2018, 10:43:36 AM »

Thanks for the photos. Guessing it will indeed be completely gone after Christmas.

I'm curious if they will build it such that a path can extend around that side of the lake. They could have a boardwalk around that side to reach Fireman's Landing. That would relieve some congestion just by virtue of having more pathway around the park.

From Outlaw Run's lifthill, you can see a lot of work going on in the maintenance area, like it is being expanded or even pushed back some. Who knows what their future plans are for that area, but it looks like they are slowly adding some room back there.

8

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2020 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: December 07, 2018, 08:27:54 PM »

Yeah someone was telling me that they saw a ton of demolition out there today. If anyone is planning on stopping by after Christmas, it sounds like they will have the area bulldozed already by then. Would love to see photo updates.

I expected them to wait until the park closes for the season before starting the really noticible demolition. Wonder what they are trying to get done before spring.

9

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2020 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: December 03, 2018, 06:36:29 PM »

Forgot to mention, there's also an excavator parked behind the giant swing. Rode the train in the dark so I couldn't see much, but it looked like they may have started demolition on the back side by the drop.

10

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2020 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: December 01, 2018, 11:36:03 AM »

Just posted a few fresh photos on our FB page. Not much different from what Swoosh posted. Definitely obvious now though. Look forward to seeing the site transformed next year.

11

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Attendance numbers

« on: November 28, 2018, 09:20:52 PM »

2 Coaster Chritmasses maybe 3 the count was 24000 I believe.   It because unmanageable as the day went on.
SDC has to make a move to give these crowds something to do when they are there.  The streets are gridlock.  These folks have paid 40-60 to get in, it will not take long for this to become an avoided event.  As the crowds grow the magic fades.

I've been there on some days when ~26,000 were in the park. I think Spring Con was one of them? It was tough to enjoy rides at that point, and the whole park starts to feel cumbersome and more like an overburdened amusement park than a wooded wonderland.

On social media, plenty of people are saying they avoid Christmas weekends, and any weekend where the weather is forecast to be too nice. Of course it lights a fire under management. Heck, I'm sure they get plenty of flack from local authorities about the traffic issues alone. What can you do though, it's success, and it's good for Branson and the whole region. Just need to double the size of the park, that's all.

Over 28,000 means they have stepped up the number they will allow into the park at any one time. I thought for sure they were closing the gates at around 26,000 last year. I wonder if the re-done area and food stands lets them do that. Maybe the new riverfront will let them pack in another couple thousand bodies.

12

Construction/Rumors / Re: Retire the Old Tree ! I said it, discuss....

« on: November 28, 2018, 09:08:44 PM »

How is it shoved off in the corner? Isn't it pretty much the same setup as the last ten years or so?

It has been a bit outshown by midtown, I would agree. I didn't even get to watch it go during my last trip. I'll have to make a point to watch it this weekend since I do think they are probably working on the next iteration of the tree as we speak. We've been talking about how dated the tree looks for awhile now.

It has certainly been surpassed by Dollywood's new tree. I hear even Frontier city has a 5-story tree now? At the very least they have an interesting light show in the main street area. Gotta keep up with the competition. If not next Christmas, it'll come in 2020.

13

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2020 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: November 27, 2018, 06:52:04 PM »

Swoosh's latest photo update shows the markings and activity at Lost River, just in case this link has been missed: https://www.midwestinfoguide.com/2018/11/riverfront-redevelopment-sdc.html

I plan to be there this weekend and will get another update of what can be seen.

14

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2020 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: November 24, 2018, 08:14:40 PM »

Dollars and cents behind it all. We don't see the real cost/benefits, just what we like and don't like. Revamping lost river is a wash for me, but somehow it must be saving them a ton of money. AP might be a cheap ride to keep going at the moment. The squeeky wheel gets the grease as they say.

15

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Attendance numbers

« on: November 24, 2018, 08:11:37 PM »

Word on the street is that it's another record breaker... and it's just now getting dark. They've already closed everything off from the outside and are turning people away. 76 is a giant cluster as always. You can't exactly turn around until you get to the park...

WOW!!  turning people away? is that a first?..

as of 6:00 this evening 25,850...

Who in this group keeps track of top days of attendence??

today and last saturday should be in the top 5? maybe for sure top 10.

Not even close to a first. This has happened numerous times at Christmas, and sometimes during some of the popular summer events if I recall correctly. We discussed it a lot last year as during our speculations about the area around TT.

I had thought that around 26000 was the limit, but who knows. I don't think 35000 is possible. Probably be a few days to hear the real number.