Messages

16

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

17

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.

18

Branson Talk / Re: Branson Weather 2019

« on: May 01, 2019, 10:29:13 AM »

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

19

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.
 

20

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? 

21

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. 

22

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

« on: April 01, 2019, 01:18:20 PM »

This is funny to me....that smell takes me back to my short career working on a road crew in the middle of no where KS....laying down asphalt....which is what we called it.

I didn't like that summer. 

23

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC’s 2021 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: January 19, 2019, 01:18:20 PM »

This is absolutely based on nothing - but what if new FITH was placed over by FL?

Thats actually a great idea....build on the waterboggen land or behind the current restrooms in the back.  If FiTH's building has to go....why not?

Freeing up it's current location opens up a lot of possiblities on the side of the park too.  They could close the path back to Wilsons farm and open a new one through the FiTH area (bridge or tunnel over the RR track?).  Widen the path around the saloon and back to PK and the OH....plus have room for shops and/or some small flats.  Could really theme up the area into a more comprehensive western town?

24

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

« on: November 16, 2018, 06:35:15 PM »

I have no emotional connection with AP....I'd love them to repurpose that area and create a new water ride.

25

Branson Talk / Re: New Attraction for Branson. A Cross north of town on 65.

« on: October 11, 2018, 09:59:54 PM »

Spending other peoples money is always the easiest opinions to give.

26

Other Parks / Re: Six Flags St Louis new ride for 2019.......is SuperGirl!!

« on: September 02, 2018, 10:43:30 PM »

It’s really a lateral addition as it is replacing Highland Fling that was removed this season.  This is basically the next Gen version of the enterprise. 

As far as disappointment? I knew this was coming for awhile and as the sole new ride at MO parks next year, it’s better than nothing

That last statement is the most disappointing thing I've heard this year:(  Might be a year to use vacation money for Orlando instead.

27

Other Parks / Re: Carowinds "Copperhead Strike" 2019 Mack Double Launch Coaster

« on: September 02, 2018, 10:41:07 PM »

That looks amazing...and like a lot of fun.  Has to be a new ride of the year contender.

28

Other Parks / Re: Dogpatch Update 12/17

« on: August 28, 2018, 08:36:52 AM »

I drove by the site and the hotel back in early June.  We were in Harrison for my son's baseball tourney and had a couple hours to kill.  I didn't realize how close to the highway the park was....I never had been there before and only know about it through the various websites and posts about it.  I would have tried to talk my way down to the park but my wife and kids weren't exactly as excited as I was about trying to do that in the near 100 degree afternoon....lol.  The hotel looked like it had been cleaned up a bit but it was obviously empty.....only a couple cars anywhere near the hotel.  The place just looked sad and a bit creepy.....like banjo music might start at any minute.  The open sign was lit and poster plastered all of the windows with offers.  I ended up not getting out.....and was expecting someone to pop out as soon as i slowed down....lol.  I can't image anyone wanting to stay there....maybe it could be used as a family getaway camp or a reunion place.  Seemed to me it would only be a matter of time till those folks ran out of money.  Charging for tours of the abandoned park might be the only thing that place could make money on.

29

Branson Talk / Re: Microbreweries

« on: August 24, 2018, 09:27:17 PM »

It's a bit off the beaten path....and over an hour from Branson....but I've heard this place is unque...

http://www.whistlingsprings.beer/

30

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

« on: August 24, 2018, 09:20:25 PM »

With the TT post closed....wasn't sure where to put this.

Ran across a youtube clip today of the Mack shop....include some footage of the TT cars being built....might be the track too...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBL-159APAo