Messages

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General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2019 Daily Attendance

« on: August 20, 2019, 09:04:29 PM »

Do you guys think Time Traveler was a bust for SDC for attendance draw? Everytime I go the ride seems to draw a decent crowd even on the slower days.

I used to buy season tickets basically every other year for SDC.  Since TT opened I've only been twice and both times I didn't pay for tickets (bring a friend with another season holder family and as my parents treat for my us). 

I don't think it was TT that caused me/us to stop buying as much as its been my family has wanted to do other things with our money.  We bought Six Flags tix last year and hit up 3 parks with them over 3 different weekend trips through the year.....we did a cruise 2 years ago.....and this year we did a couple Orlando parks and a week on the beach in FL. 

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

« on: August 15, 2019, 01:43:03 PM »

Another new thought - That lift looks a lot higher than Infinity Falls at Sea World.....maybe it isn't.  But it will be interesting to see how the rafts queue up for the lift....or if it will be quick enough that they don't.  The lift really changes how to operate a raft ride.

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

« on: August 15, 2019, 01:15:27 PM »

Call me weird but even as a coaster enthusiast I'm actually more excited to see this finished than I was for Time Traveler.

You're wierd.

This doesn't much move my needle. I view it as making American Plunge expendable for a B&M launched dive coaster in that area. Wouldn't that be a world's first

I like your thinking but imo SDC needs at least 3 water rides for the summer season.  Soooo...maybe a WOF Monsoon like plunge could be built along side the Dive coaster....lol

I nice high volume flat ride would be nice in the new area too....would help keep people around the area when cold.  Pick up riders from the overflow of the enevable long waits.  Even better if it was an indoor attraction which SDC could use more of besides shows.

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

« on: August 13, 2019, 03:18:49 PM »

This ride is very similar to Infinity Falls at Seaworld Orlando, including a similar (but not quite as high) lift and drop. I haven't ridden on it, but the POV videos I've seen seem to make the drop not nearly as bad as what some naysayers think. I don't even think it will be that bad for most people who don't like heights (I don't, although I do still ride all the coasters).
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I was at SeaWorld on the 4th of July....even had fastpasses....but they where not good for infinity falls.  Ride had an 1.5hr wait all day:(  So I didn't get to ride.  I did check the drop out and it looks pretty mild.  The 45 degree drop really keeps the raft at a slow pace.  I would say the raft hits the bottom about the same impact as the some of the regular raft rapids.  The popeye themed rafts at Universal seemed to be more intense.  IMO...American plunge seems scarier....but flume rides feel more out of control to me.  Time will tell how the SDC version rides.  btw....all 3 B&M coasters at SeaWorld are amazing.

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

« on: August 13, 2019, 03:08:53 PM »

I guess its bigger than infinity falls then....but wait....how can it bigger than infinity

SDC better not pass up the chance to invite Freddy Prince Jr. for an opening day cameo 

But seriously....

Great promo vid....simple backstory that fits the park well (Time Traveller was a bit much imo).

Looks like a fun ride - I hope the rapids part give a serious ride too.

That bridge and little swirl of a turn from the lift into the drop looks awesome!!!  What a unique looking experience.

I don't see that this will change the flow of the park any....main paths look to be the same.  I little surprised that didn't do some type of reconfiguration like they did with TT.  That path could use some widening (as could most on busy days).  But I'm sure that they need to keep FL with one in and out.....a realignment to Wilsons Farm would really extend out the loop....and any 'shortcut' there would possible cut traffic from in front of the Pizza place.

Really is just an update to the raft ride and the BBQ restaurant.....two very important attractions to a park like SDC.  Not much for me to complain about....maybe the lack of a tunnel (from the looks of the drawings) is a big out of place considering the backstory. 

I wish SDC could do a project like this every year.

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General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Thunderation Bump

« on: August 08, 2019, 02:55:55 PM »

It is close to the end of the helix. It almost feels like you are hitting a pothole in your car. It's not a subtle dip. It's a very sharp, jarring feel.

So it's probably literally the fastest part of the ride?  Where it would probably also be the most noticeable. 

Hopefully is just normal wear and not caused by TT damage.  Id suggest calling SDC and letting them know.  I'm guessing they do know about it....but it wouldn't hurt to make sure they SDC knows people are talking about it.  Hopefully that would just help prioritize a fix for it.  I would tend to think the park would go with a fix maybe in the offseason before doing anything too drastic with the whole ride.  Like all things in theme parks....just depends on the money and lawyers what can be done.

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General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Thunderation Bump

« on: August 07, 2019, 02:12:46 PM »

I haven't been this year....where is the bump at?  After the station? Before the helix? On the helix? after the tunnel and before the lift (where I assume)?  By TT?

Is it a dip in the track?  Does it slow the train down?  Just give a jolt up/down/sideways?

You guys aren't very descriptive...lol  How am I supposed to keyboard engineer a fix?

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Random Talk / Re: What's going on in NWA, 2019

« on: July 30, 2019, 03:41:25 PM »

Southwest would be amazing!!!!  Maybe could afford a trip to Hawaii for the whole family.

Allegiant cancelled a return trip from Vegas last year about 12 hours before boarding due to mechanical issues.....they offered to pay for another night but we had to get back to pick up a kid from camp.  We ended up renting a car and driving to LAX to catch another flight back that day.  That was through Tulsa.

On the FL trip they charged all my kids for carryon bags ($50 each) that I would have considered personal items in bags that they didn't charge me for on our Vegas trip.....plus.....they were 3 hours behind leaving XNA which put us into the hotel in Orlando at 3am:( 

Took my about 10 tries over 3 days and 3-4 hours worth of waiting on hold before I found anyone to actually pick up the phone for customer support.  I'll at least give the credit for waiving the bags fees cause of the delays and believe it or not....they applied a small credit from the Vegas trip issue.  I had a voucher that they never contacted me about.  All that being said....Its going to be hard to use them again in less it's just me traveling light and my schedule is pretty open.

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Random Talk / Re: What's going on in NWA, 2019

« on: July 28, 2019, 08:40:07 PM »

I took my first non-business flight out of XNA recently.  Good old Allegent.  Good price and terrible flight experiences have been common with them in my 3-4 flight experiences and out of XNA is no exception.  Had and arguement about a carryon bags and both our flight to Stanford and from where both delayed:(  I ended up regretting saving the few bucks I did by taking the airline....Would have been less hassle to pay a bit more....have better flight time options (had late and early flights) and better service.  Of course remember with these flights...seat selection and bags are upcharges that quickly can make those great prices disappear.

I've got HS friends in Denver and I was excited to see Frontier come.  We have flown them before from Tulsa.  Not much better than Allegant but excited about trying them out.

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General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2019 Trip Reports

« on: July 02, 2019, 10:58:52 AM »

FWIW, Mark Twain is not the Ozarks, and the Ozarks are not Mark Twain.

It's the Missouri tie in....SDC has already used Twain before.  Plus 90% of the general public isn't going to go "Twain shouldn't be in the Ozarks"...lol

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Random Talk / Re: Your Travels Thread (2019)

« on: May 20, 2019, 03:11:44 PM »

Family Vacation this year was a hard choice.  When/Where/Who/How was all up for debate.  Due to putting it off so long.....kinda went with the boring choice (compared to cruises and foreign adventures)

Ended up getting air/car deal for early July to Orlando for an 8 day getaway.  The plan is to hit a couple of parks for a couple days (probably SeaWorld/Busch or Universal) either at the start or end....then relax on a beach the rest of the week.  I've been looking at cocoa beach rentals (kids want to do surf lessons) on like VRBO.   Anyone have a money saving tips or advices on where to book or other non-disney/tourist trap things to do?  I'm trying to book a charter boat for fishing/dolphin watching already.  I figured this group could give me some ideas.  This area is so popular it makes planning actually harder.

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Branson Talk / Re: Branson Weather 2019

« on: May 01, 2019, 10:29:13 AM »

Did you take that sulphur, ok footage?  That was amazing!!!!

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Other Parks / Re: SFOT Purchase Offer From HFEC?

« on: April 26, 2019, 09:21:18 AM »

Wouldn't SFOT be considered SFs "home park"?  and probably a top 5 flagship park?

The park is out of real estate.  When I went 2x last year I wondered about its future myself.  Its location is both perfect for a national flagship theme park but the lack of real estate also really limits its potential.  I would say it's a regional park by 70s standards but it is now just a local park that feels old.  I would think that the DFW area could actually support a bigger park....or 2nd major park.  I bet it is a cash cow as it is right now in that market....but I wouldn't recommend it as a national must see park. 

I have a hard time seeing how HFEC would manage it....it is so different than the resort town parks they have now. 

Then SFMM....wow....that is a whole different culture and level of management.  That park seems to be the the step-child that is successful in it's own way but they don't know if its worth the trouble to keep it.  Plus....every few years you here rumors that it's land is more valuable than the park it self.  The Ninji loading station last time I was there had a lovely view of the half leveled mountain behind MM being cleared for more condos.
 

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Branson Talk / Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations

« on: April 01, 2019, 10:24:16 PM »

The traditional motels are actually not bad if they are restored, have basic modern needs, are clean and hip.  By hip....I mean a modern theme....not the same old branson themes (rt 66, 60s, country, Merica, etc).

It's the 90s and 00s style hotels that with 2-5 floors of drap indoor hallways, lobbies, and rooms that could be in any city in the country that millenials find boring.  Unless those hotels offer really good on-site entertainment, clubs, waterparks, etc.....they need to go off the strip.  Leave them for the business travelers.

They need to level all the old theatres.....it's time to face reality that the nightly live show business is shrinking....get rid of the eyesores as they go and open room for other options.

Large scale development of a festival grounds seems like a no-brainer.  Multi purpose grounds for concerts and festivals that would let Branson host all kinds of events.  Could also include convention center like meeting spaces. Branson needs to create weeklong events and themes to help create those millenial experiences.

Branson needs to turn all those empty timeshares into more airBNB choices.

I frankly don't know how to solve the traffic issue.  Its an issue but probably irritates the older generation more than they younger generation. 

Another one that is hard to solve:  Need more homegrown eating options around town.  Focus on the non-chain resturants and ones that create unque experances.  Food truck courts?  tax breaks for local owners?  Food tours of local spots? 

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Branson Talk / Re: Branson Losing its Attraction to Younger Generations

« on: April 01, 2019, 01:56:45 PM »

Being 40 with kids.....i feel like I'm between generations....and always left out of being marketed to.  But I also seem to 'get' both generations around me.

The folks my age and younger are very niche in what they want to spend money on.  They will go where they want to see the specific people they want.  They aren't going to book a vacation and hope some act is going to be entertaining.   With tech these days....most people my age and younger have already youtubed entertainment before we decide to go....so the pressure of being good enough for our money is pretty high to actually expect a ticket sale.  They have to prove themselves before they even perform.

Most my age and younger have done most of Branson already.  Go Karts, putt putt, wax museums, IMAX, stampede, tribute shows.....we did that with our parents.  Sure we'll take our kids at least once....but what else is there?  If there is not more than that.....we aren't just going to do it again and again.

We are looking for more and new experiences.  Ziplines, mountain coasters, play places, escape rooms, etc....  Always looking for new experiences that can't be done on or through a screen.  Almost everything that is done on a stage can be watched on a screen....even some rides don't need to be done because they can be done on a screen.  I don't mind spending money any almost anything as long as it has the potential for real interaction between me and my family.  Paying for shows is just getting harder for me to do unless someone in the family is just really want to see it.

This is why SDC is actually positioned pretty well with all generations right now.  Even though you can ride every ride on a screen - they are visually enough for everyone to know that you have to come experience them.  Plus they have the stage shows....food....shopping...etc all in one place that everyone can do and experience together.

imo.....Branson needs to shift its marketing to show all the experiences that it offers....especially the new ones.  Focus more on the outdoor adventure stuff....the interactive things you can do together as a family.  Everyone knows it has the country comedy shows, girls with flags on horses, and roller coasters.  Run an ad showing a family at a cabin, ziplining, hiking, eating together without phone. 

I think they are slowing trying to do this.....but I got a feeling some of the old guard might have a strong influence on the tourism board.