Messages

1816

Branson Talk / Re: Big day for Branson and surrounding area

« on: March 27, 2013, 11:44:54 PM »

What's to come of the air show?

Fayetteville's bit the dust several years back. I used to go to the yearly one at Blytheville Air Force Base till it was closed down, same for Millington Naval Air Station.

1817

Branson Talk / Re: Big day for Branson and surrounding area

« on: March 27, 2013, 08:37:14 PM »

Well, we did finally get some healthcare reform (which I will benefit from once it's fully implemented) and finally an administration that believes in marriage equality!

Well I'm glad it's working out for you. Look, more subsidies. Yeah, my premiums are going to go up even more and likely more taxes for me for low income subsidies.

Some people purchasing new insurance policies for themselves this fall could see premiums rise because of requirements in the health-care law, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told reporters Tuesday.

Under the Affordable Care Act, medical claim costs, the largest driver of health insurance premiums, are expected to increase by 32 percent for individuals, a new study by the Society of Actuaries finds.

Though some states might see declines in cost-per-person medical claims, the report found “the overwhelming majority will see double-digit increases in their individual health insurance markets, where people purchase coverage directly from insurers,” the Associated Press reports.

California’s claim costs are estimated to increase by 62 percent by 2017. In Ohio, it’s expected to be 80 percent. Florida costs are expected to grow 20 percent and in Maryland, 67 percent. The higher claim costs are related to the increase in sick people expected to join the pool, according to the report.

and

Ms. Sebelius’s remarks come weeks before insurers are expected to begin releasing rates for plans that start on Jan. 1, 2014, when key provisions of the health law kick in. Premiums have been a sensitive subject for the Obama administration, which is counting on elements in the health law designed to increase competition among insurers to keep rates in check. The administration has pointed to subsidies that will be available for many lower-income Americans to help them with the cost of coverage.

The secretary’s remarks are among the first direct statements from federal officials that people who have skimpy health plans right now could face higher premiums for plans that are more generous. …

“These folks will be moving into a really fully insured product for the first time, and so there may be a higher cost associated with getting into that market,” she said. “But we feel pretty strongly that with subsidies available to a lot of that population that they are really going to see much better benefit for the money that they’re spending.”

Now, if the feds really wanted to help heathcare costs in this country, particularly among lower income folks, well, just read this:

Through the years, the program has helped millions of low-income American families struggling with food insecurity. But are too many SNAP dollars being spent on junk food? A new study by Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity has uncovered that the amount SNAP recipients spend on sugary drinks—including sodas, fruit drinks and sports drinks—is a staggering $2 billion per year.

Nobody wants take choice away from food insecure families, but with skyrocketing obesity rates and rising healthcare costs, some are questioning whether the federal government should set nutrition standards for what can be purchased with food stamps.

I'd rather they stop being an enabler instead of forcing others to pay for something they have been complicit in.

1818

Branson Talk / Re: Big day for Branson and surrounding area

« on: March 26, 2013, 09:17:42 PM »

I used to love to talk politics in college.  Anymore I have to completely avoid the topic otherwise I become so irrate that I cannot even begin to see straight.

He promised Change.  That's all I am going to say about him.

you believed it?

Look, I'm not going to get into my platform but I can say I admire the Pauls and Dennis Kucinich(sic) cause they seem to be honest in their beliefs. I respect that. Doesn't mean I vote for them, but respect them. Pryor down here in Arkansas is transforming into a Republican cause he's running scared. I find all these sudden transformations on gay marriage completely laughable. Doesn't mean I'm for it or agin it. Just saying, these epiphanies are humorous.

1819

Branson Talk / Re: Big day for Branson and surrounding area

« on: March 26, 2013, 06:04:31 PM »

Thank Goodness the Easter Egg Roll was spared from the sequester.

Seriously, are we not learning anything from the Eurozone?

1820

Branson Talk / Re: Big day for Branson and surrounding area

« on: March 26, 2013, 04:06:27 PM »

In case you haven't noticed, the towers that are closing happen to be those manned by non union ATCs that are contracted outside of the regular ATCs. Just so you know the games being played.

1821

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Outlaw Run. . .

« on: March 24, 2013, 09:12:08 PM »

We were told that all the new rides starting with outlaw run will have the lockers and no cubbys.  All the rides that currently have cubbys will be keeping them.

  Lost River Doesn't either 

Lost River hasn't had cubbies for about 5 years now

They want you to purchase a plastic bag to keep your stuff in. Different version of a locker

1822

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC 2014 and Beyond Projects

« on: March 20, 2013, 02:51:19 PM »

So... We all have been waiting for our version of MM, but we are going on 6 years now and no signs of it. Swoosh seems to think 2015 will be big, but no MM in sight. Are we really going to get something that is 10 years in the past? I'm not so sure. But anyway, if you were building SDC's version of MM, where would you put it? My area of choice would be across from GG. Take out the water guns and the pop jets and theme it as a logging company (Buzz Saw Falls Flashback!) The trains already resemble logs, and the placement there on the water would be beautiful. It would defiantly bring life back to the GG area, and it would be a nice start on that loop to OR.

The gerstlauer euro fighters are evolving, so I wouldn't rule one out. I'm curious to see the final product of Alton Towers eurofighter under construction.

1823

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2013 Project

« on: March 20, 2013, 02:48:03 PM »

Just like a boat ride down the Arkansas River at 5am in Jan at 25 to get to a duck hole. Fun times, good times.

1824

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC 2014 and Beyond Projects

« on: March 20, 2013, 02:45:25 PM »

Looks like WW will get something next year and SDC in 2015

Water coaster for WW? 
Doesn't mean there will not be anything going on at SDC though just small scale stuff.

1825

Other Parks / Re: Magic Springs changes (Hot Springs AR)

« on: March 17, 2013, 10:56:31 PM »

Magic Springs will be hanging on to the X Coaster for another year. When they went to disassemble it to move, they discovered it was welded in places and not bolted. That slowed it up and they stopped till they figure out if they can move it now. So... It's to operate this summer.

And now the 2013 concert lineup, lots of Christian Comtemporary. It's missing some urban flavor in the likes of a soul artist. one date yet to be announced.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnLsb1JU7G0

1826

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2013 Trip Reviews...

« on: March 17, 2013, 07:21:39 PM »

I didn't ask, but the min temp must be lower than 38.  It hovered between 37 & 39 today.  Wildfire & Powder Keg (min temps 40) were closed all day.  Giant Swing (min temp 38) closed and reopened later due to the temp.  Outlaw Run was open all day.

SDC said on facebook that OR would run in the rain as well as long as long as there was no lighting or the rain wasn't heavy.

1827

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Outlaw Run. . .

« on: March 17, 2013, 11:26:50 AM »

I understand the nickle & diming.. I also understand speeding up the wait in line.. Whether i agree or not is a different story.

So, do you HAVE TO pay for the lockers, or are we responsible for taking our own stuff on the ride? I just wanna be ready for this weekend coming up.
I aint no cheap-skate. Heck, i pay for preferred parking when most people wont. Sorry i seem to making a big deal out of this.

From reports, you had no choice.

1828

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Outlaw Run. . .

« on: March 17, 2013, 10:30:43 AM »

We were told that all the new rides starting with outlaw run will have the lockers and no cubbys.  All the rides that currently have cubbys will be keeping them.

It's called nickel and diming. I saw a complaint on facebook about considering the rides that SDC offers, it was more expensive than other parks. That poster, leaves off that SDC offers free parking that Six Flags doesn't.  I get the more expensive due to all the other stuff including the amounts of shows, demonstrations and such that others don't. If the park is to add rides that makes it appeal to more of the masses used to Six Flags and nothing but rides, rides and more rides and not jack up admission to near Orlando levels they are going to find other ways to capture revenue. I actually get the refillable mug issue, They figure lots of folks are not going to come year after year, whether it's season passes from time to time or folks doing a two day visit. They may still see it as a good deal. Where as, lots of us year after year folks are grandfathered in. The cups do have a disclaimer on them, to cover there bases. I imagine there will be a time that parking is no longer free, I'm shocked that it still is considering the fuel costs these days seem to be sticking long term. That's why we will see things like season pass parking go to season passes themselves. It also gets more operating money in the budget upfront.

The thing I saw on Facebook this morning is that it appears they had lots of issues with most all the coasters and it was really an annoyance considering the large crowd that was more ride driven than say a Thursday crowd in June.

From reading their facebook

1829

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2013 Project

« on: March 17, 2013, 10:04:36 AM »

we have a Buzzsaw Falls mug, that says refills 1$...and that price is still being honored..

My Sister in Law has four of those.

1830

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Outlaw Run. . .

« on: March 17, 2013, 08:43:32 AM »

Y'all sure aren't going to like the new generation Eurofighter cars if that's what is in SDC's 2015 future cause they are now sans lap restraints.


Vekoma is going lap restraints as well, not that SDC has any Vekoma stuff, some of the other big manufacturers are using a bar that comes down from above but they are not over the shoulder restraints. The complaints parks get with OTSRs are the headbanging issues.

I'm 6'2 and 300lbs and could stand to shed 30 lbs but if I get back down to 270(That's actually zero belly for me) it will do nothing for me. My issue with OTSRs is that I have a large chest, like in a 56in. chest. I'm a no go Wildfire due to chest size alone. I can do PK.