Messages

256

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2017 Trip Reports

« on: June 27, 2017, 08:23:38 AM »

Why do you supposed TNT is getting very rough all the sudden?

I have become very much concerned with this as well. It was really bad when I visited a few weeks ago, bad enough that I almost commented to the staff about it. I have some concern that the track and supports might have shifted slightly in the wake of all the construction and earth moving next door. There is one bad jolt as you exit the tunnel and another at the bottom swoop that I never experienced before and I have ridden TNT a lot. (it was my first big coaster as a kid) I would hate to think this might signal the beginning of the end of TNT. Hopefully the maintenance staff will address it in the off season or have the construction crew assist them as they wrap up construction on the new coaster.

Very possible with all the dirt work nearby that it was damaged .....or that earthquake?....or it's just getting old:( 
Very much agree that it needs to be fixed....halt the new construction and fix TnT!!!!

257

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2017 Trip Reports

« on: June 26, 2017, 09:28:56 AM »

It seems like Powderkeg and even Wildfire are more popular. I'm sure you have numbers to prove otherwise but everytime I'm at the park OR is a walk-on.

Keep in mind this is largely just a debate of opinion.....

I'd argue OR is no doubt a franchise coaster that all but a few other parks in the country would love to have at the top of there lineup.  At least in the roller coaster fandom communities OR is a much talked about and respected ride even years after it opened.

I'd argue that OR has drawn more people to SDC than PK and WF combined....meaning more people came and bought SDC tickets just for OR after it opened than the others ever attracted.  These are the folks who travel the country just for the rides and/or park.  Of course the fact that the park was already respected with PK and WF also helped get them there.

PK and WF are also great rides and I'd argue that WF if usually a walk on more often than OR.  It has the highest capacity and is usually an easy reride.   PK always has a line because it is both extremely popular (non-looper that attracts more riders) and has the lowest capacity per hour of all the major rides in the park....and is also the ride that has the most downtime:(  Don't forget other things that impact queue lines like....1. # of trains running  2. How good the operations are running 3. How the crowd flows through the park throughout the day (impact of shows nearby, time of day, etc).  All make it hard to just look at the queue line on a random day to say which is most popular.

258

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: June 19, 2017, 07:06:48 PM »

Back to the "How are they going to market it?" topic....

If it is a spinner....could it be the worlds longest/steepest drop spinner?  What is the record holder today?

259

Dollywood Discussion / Re: Dollywood 2018

« on: June 08, 2017, 12:00:34 PM »

Silver Doggie City?   

I would probably be a customer.

260

White Water Discussion / Re: SDC and White Water in one day

« on: June 06, 2017, 09:45:52 AM »

That sounds exhausting....I'd only plan for one park hop....I can't imaging being able to do two...you will spend the whole day in transition....watching your watch....and feeling rushed.  I would personally do WW first....you can do most of it in 2-3 hours and run through Wendy's and eat on the way to SDC if I where to attempt this feat.  I don't know how old the boys are but make sure they understand they are going to be leaving and get them prepped for it so you don't have meltdowns.

261

Dollywood Discussion / Re: Lighting Rod's Continued Issues

« on: June 02, 2017, 01:34:44 PM »

Man that is most unfortunate on both accounts. I thought the new wheels on OR made the coaster perform phenomenally better. (and quieter) As for Dollywoods RMC I thought they could simply make the hill taller with a chain or cable lift and delete the pre-drop or whatever they called it before the main drop to compensate.

No!!!!  That ride starting off with two large mounds is one of the most unique parts of it.  Off course it only makes sense it's at Dolly's park.  one large peak just would make sense anymore.

262

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: May 30, 2017, 12:44:41 PM »

Is that first section out by the TnT helix?  Looks like it in the background.  Can you get a good look at it from TnT?

Also looks like the curve is following the TnT helix?  Is that right or I'm I looking at it wrong?

Guess this is our visual proof that it is a Mack...and a roller coaster....lol

Thanks for the pics

It is directly behind the stage at EH.  You can see it from TNT, but then you can pretty much the whole project from TNT.  It looks like they are going to install parts in the Northeast corner of the project and then work away from there so they don't "paint themselves into a corner"

So they are starting at the further point out from the station?  I don't claim to no anything about the best way to build these things but I'd assume they work from the furthest point away from the service access entrance....and only if all the footers in the area are done.

263

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: May 30, 2017, 12:25:06 PM »

Is that first section out by the TnT helix?  Looks like it in the background.  Can you get a good look at it from TnT?

Also looks like the curve is following the TnT helix?  Is that right or I'm I looking at it wrong?

Guess this is our visual proof that it is a Mack...and a roller coaster....lol

Thanks for the pics

264

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: May 09, 2017, 10:46:49 PM »

I'm not holding out for anything spectacular in the theming department on this ride anymore. Just doesn't seem like the signs are there, but I guess there is still lots of time.

I think your right about the theming, I think we will see heavy theming on west side, maybe south side, and of course some signage inside the building and along the Queue.  other than, i dont expect to see much.

We still have a long built time left.  I don't understand the conclusion that they have cut theming? 

265

Branson Talk / Re: Tiger Woods and Johnny Morris teaming up for new golf course

« on: April 19, 2017, 12:58:58 PM »

I was involved with golf in a business sense.  Golf is also failing because the younger generation can not afford to play it.  Check out what greens fees and cart rental and clubs run for one-half days play. It makes a trip to Disney world look affordable at a per person price.  They have shut out a large portion of the population and everyone is watching their pennies in today's world.

that has a huge amount to do with it.  It's why I've never played a round of "real" golf in my life- no way I can justify the amount of money I would spend on it, let alone to attempt to learn how to actually play it for real.  I know a good number of people college to middle age that wouldn't mind trying it out, might be interested, but aren't going to spend the large amounts of money it takes just to start let alone continue to play.  Not exactly something you do on a lark.

Exactly!!!!  I went through I time when I tried to learn golf.  He a buddy who lived at one of the apartment complexes around here with the 9-hole courses (played for free) - so we went out and tried to teach ourselves.  Then had a pro/am guy we worked with from Bella Vista take us out a couple of times (with a first timer guest discount because of his membership).

I was terrible at it but still had a decent time playing....but when they started wanting to play more and the non-discounted fees started to kick in....I (with family of 5) could not afford to pay theme park ticket price every week to go hang for 2-4 hours chasing a ball around trying to get better. 

Maybe one day I'll get the room in the budget and schedule to pick the clubs up and try again. 

266

Branson Talk / Re: Tiger Woods and Johnny Morris teaming up for new golf course

« on: April 18, 2017, 11:48:43 PM »

Golf is struggling...the current touristy golf towns are struggling and many local clubs around the country are in trouble too.  Most reports about golf is that it's rapidly losing players and viewers ever since Tiger's issues killed his career.  The sports older players are literally dying off and the younger Tiger inspired players seemed to lose interest and stopped playing when he did. 

Not to say that this will not work in Branson....it has a small reputation already in the golf community that will help...Tiger designed course will draw people in no matter where it is put. 

Tigers dirty laundry though doesn't exactly fit the Branson's clean image....Not sure that is that important or not....especially if it's just a place that is "designed" by him vs him actually hanging out around town beyond some type of grand opening.

267

Random Talk / Re: What's going on in NWA, Spring 17

« on: April 14, 2017, 09:04:08 AM »

Pretty sure the current ISD layoffs are in regards to better, cheaper, and yes, foreign contracts as replacements. While the layoff tradition appears to grow, so does the WM hiring seem to be growing.

I have so many thoughts, opinions, some inside knowledge on this topic and other points made on this thread.  Just don't think it would be wise to lay it all out here.  Don't believe 90% of the conspiracy theories about the company and the 10% that are true are the ones that aren't that juicy.

Let me just say this....the company has been changing to make sure it can compete beyond the old traditional retail market over the past few years.  The company is in a market share fight....and it's not with Kmart and Target.  It makes sense that the Tech division is a focus of change.  It is being asked to blend having to support the traditional business while also being asked to be a Silicon Valley tech start like IT company to push the new stuff needed.  A lot of cool new tech delivered stuff has be done and is still on the way.


 

268

Random Talk / Re: What's going on in NWA, Spring 17

« on: April 05, 2017, 08:51:18 PM »

Well....A very well known NWA company has been going through some pretty major layoffs the past two days that hit very very very close to me:(  10% (over 300 jobs) of the tech division this week with rumors of more in other departments this month.  I'm shocked that the news isn't picking it up.

269

Random Talk / Re: Your Travels outside of Branson for 2017

« on: March 19, 2017, 03:38:21 PM »

We are taking RC - Liberty:  Same ship we took last year with some new ports to explore.

270

Random Talk / Re: Your Travels outside of Branson for 2017

« on: March 17, 2017, 05:14:40 PM »

This will be a off year for SDC for our family.  Saving up our vacation dollars for a different trip.  We talked about doing the Disney thing (again) but they kids wanted a different adventure (as did I).

I just booked a cruise for the family for October.  Got a great deal on a family suite.  Sailing out of Galveston and touring the western Caribbean for 7 days.  Wife and I took non-kids getaway cruise last year and thought they would love it.  Thinking about taking a day for Six Flags Dallas on the drive down and/or the Galveston pier.

Also planning a get away with the wife this summer.  Probably NYC to catch a broadway show she wants to see.  I've go a airline voucher and miles that will probably make that trip pretty affordable.

Plus I still have some work trips in pending for this year.  I'll probably be going to FL (just north of Tampa/Busch Gardens), Allentown (dorney and maybe SFGA), South Carolina (Carawinds) this year.  Hoping and praying I can carve out a 1/2 day during one of these visit to get some coasters in.  I literally drive by Dorney and Busch Gardens multiple times last year without having any time to go.