Messages

271

Announcements / Re: SDCFans Turning 9

« on: July 12, 2016, 07:18:38 AM »

Happy Birthday SDCFans....

I have a 9yo at home....it makes sense that the board is getting moody and trying to do things on it's own now....lol

Appreciate you taking care of it Shave....I'm been a reader for years and have appreciated this forum for my SDC and amusement park nerdiness to come out.

and thanks for controlling the hairy whale population!!!

272

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2016 Trip Reviews

« on: July 05, 2016, 10:27:31 PM »

I think so....around 1:30 when I walked in I noticed a line and they had the sign out about tours every 30 minutes.  I think I recall the last tour being at listed 4 that day.  It was closed when I left around 5.

273

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 4th of July weekend

« on: July 05, 2016, 11:29:49 AM »

^^^^  I agree....another indoor family ride that is heated/cooled and can run all year long would be awesome!!!!  Notice the three (FM, FiTH, Cave) we have are three of the oldest attractions in the park.

274

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2016 Trip Reviews

« on: July 05, 2016, 08:30:43 AM »

Last Minute SDC trip review....

Sunday was planned to be a nice lazy day for me and my crew of 6.....we had a nice 'sleep-in' morning with the rain/storms passing through.  Around 10 in the morning I'd had already gotten bored of being at home and started check the weather to see if was going to clear up.  Then I also realized we where pretty much 'booked' up the next few weekends and make the call that today would be a SDC day.  I told the crew the goal would be to hit up the Globetrotters and take the cave tour (both inside stuff cause of the rain).  It's about a hour and 45 min drive from my driveway to the parking lot and we made it in 2 hours with a drive through lunch on the way.  We made it to the park just in time to go straight to the 2pm Globetrotter show and find pretty good seats.  They were pretty entertaining....show was pretty much what I'd expected.....my kids where laughing the whole time.  We got to be apart of the lucky crowd to get wet and my girls got 'picked on' a couple times while they where in the crowd.  My oldest daughter (who plays competitive bball) was disappointed they didn't actually play a game.  After the show the kids talked me in a taking a few rides in around GE.  Crowds where pretty light....even after the show GE was walk-on on all the rides.  Next we wanted to get wet.....so we headed toward lost river.  On the way....rain started and the rides got shut down.  Paths started filling up after the rains came and I think about half the park headed to the gates.  We went to FiTH since I knew it would probably still be open I hadn't had a ride on it yet this year.  Sure enough both FiTh and Flooded mine are open during lightning closures!!!!  Got two spins around FiTH in with the kids.  We then walk backed to Lost river as we heard all the rides where about to come back up.  Waited about 10 mins for LR to open up and got to fill a raft up with the 6 of us:)  Then headed over to PK but the line was backed up down the hill with only one coaster running.....so went over to WF and had a 15min wait with one coaster running.  By that point our 2 youngest and my wife where ready to go and we headed to the gate.  We grabbed sonic drinks in Branson West and ended up stopping for a nice meal on the way home.  I told my older two kids that we are going to have to get away for a coaster SDC trip by ourselves at some point.....and I still didn't get to do the cave tour

275

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 4th of July weekend

« on: July 05, 2016, 07:54:30 AM »

Sunday crowds was pretty light probably due to the heavy rain and the morning.  Then a small storm/shower in the afternoon closed the rides for about a 1/2 hour and the park really got empty.  It was great except that the coasters were only running one train so they all still had 10-20 minute waits.

btw....SDC tip.....if the rides are closed due to lightning....Fire in the Hole and FM are still open.  We got a two rides in on FiTH during the rain delay!!!

276

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

« on: July 02, 2016, 07:26:50 PM »

I'm guessing they have the biggest basketball giveaway ever!!!!!   Or the most globetrotters ever at different location spinning a ball on their finger at the same time!!!!!

Or....it's just more hype for the sweepstakes

277

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

« on: July 01, 2016, 03:34:22 PM »

Really....fireworks....lol....I think you guys are funny.


Here what the website says below the video.....(I'm guessing it's just about the sweepstakes)


Enter now to win a family getaway for 4 to Silver Dollar City Attractions including tickets to Silver Dollar City & White Water, a cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle and 2 nights at Silver Dollar City's The Wilderness!

Prize Package Includes:

4 One-Day Tickets To Silver Dollar City
4 One-Day Tickets To White Water
4 Tickets For A Cruise On The Showboat Branson Belle
2 Nights In A Log Cabin At The Wilderness

278

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

« on: June 30, 2016, 02:58:27 PM »

SPECULATION:
I have to think that this is Echo Hollow related.  I agree that putting an entrance there would make another bottle neck that much more congested... BUT it would also keep traffic from piling up there at the junction where the current entrance is.

^^^Very True.....that intersection is horrible too.  The cross traffic plus the lines for the potato stand/kettle corn/lemonade stand around there make that 'corner' crazy on busy days.

It's getting to be where basically the whole main loop can get bottlenecked almost anywhere at certain times.

279

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

« on: June 29, 2016, 03:20:35 PM »

That is another area that gets tight.....that curved hill around the hill by the swings

That would really make the exit a long way from the entrance after the EH shows....Guess that would make sense if the station take over that real estate at the current EH entrance.

or....could the station go there?  It could be themed as a new GE fair ride? or maybe some type of overview area for the new ride?

280

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: SDC's Character Meetups (a bit of a rant)

« on: June 27, 2016, 09:28:14 AM »

The Huckleberry Finn character specifically has a very racial history....including using the 'N' work multiple times in the  original writings.  Of course....the book is also known for helping to 'humanize' the black characters he encounters to readers at the time.  Huck was basically an escaped slave himself from his father.  Huck has been one of the most banned books in school because of the tough themes.  It basically has a group of people who says it is a positive book on race and a group that disagrees.

Personally.....Huck and Catcher in the Rye (the other largely banned book) are two of my favorite reads of all time....I read them both as a teen and I'll hand them to my kids when I think they are ready to read them.  I'd rather live in a country where parents screen out these books for there kids then where they are banned.  I'm also keenly aware that in today's world....our kids are one google search away from being exposed to a lot worse content than what these books have.

But.....a 'typical' SJW would find out that Huck used the 'N' word and automatically protest SDC.  What I would call a SJW is someone who reacts with no understanding or regard of history to try to keep their own or someones else's feelings from getting hurt.  SJW tend to want to take away opposing thoughts and opinions by any means.  You can care about all peoples rights and lifestyles without being a SJW and people can/should hold different opinions about other lifestyles without being harassed or bullied by SJWs.

There has been many Tom and Huck shows and movies....including some recent 'big budget' ones.  I just don't see them being a big attraction anymore....kids these days are reading harry potter, dumb dairies, watch really stupid Disney shows (with the standard dumb dad/parents), or are playing minecraft.  Maybe SDC should talk to Minecraft about putting Tom and Huck in that game....lol 

281

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

« on: June 26, 2016, 09:02:49 PM »

I see the news about RMC having issues with the new LR at Dollywood and the Wildfire ride at the Europe park.  Recall on trains safety parts....sounds like SDC almost had to close OR.  But I'm guessing that wasn't the 'big' news.

282

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2017 Project Part 2

« on: June 26, 2016, 08:54:05 PM »

I was wondering if it going to page 50 was an issue....some type of limit...

Figured it was that or my last post was so dumb it crashed the site....lol

283

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: SDC's Character Meetups (a bit of a rant)

« on: June 23, 2016, 08:35:52 AM »

I saw that post and had some of the same thoughts Joy....completely understand.

Lets give SDC some credit though....they been doing them for years....they aren't changing any park theming to help promote it....we haven't gotten any Veggietales or Spongebob (which I think is the worst) rides from it.  There isn't even one of those Barney like shows.  It's only a few weeks a year.  It's just a meet and great for those who want to pay for it off in a corner somewhere.  SDC makes a little money from it....and those families create memories....which is kind of one of their goals.

I personally love TMNT and my kids would love that experience no matter where it is at.  My older kids know who the Mark Twain characters are.... but lets be realistic.....they wouldn't get excited about have a meet and greet with them.  They could do the TMNT meet and greet at the new Pizza place....Mikey would love pizza for breakfast....lol

284

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2017 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: June 22, 2016, 10:51:22 AM »

I'm not sure if the majority of SDC guest would be ready for it yet.....but this system could also easily use your smart phone as a season pass too.  You'd just need to sign on through an SDC app and it could display a QR code to scan at the gates for entry (like paperless boarding passes the airlines use).  Upgrade the checkouts to have the RF scanners and/or displays and you can pay by either a "apple pay" like tech from a smart phone and/or open a QR scanner through the SDC app you are logged onto and scan a QR code from the display from the cash register to link the SDC account with the purchase.  Could go cardless with a basic smart phone and SDC season pass account/app.  Tech is already being used in retail and starting to catch on with consumers.

285

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2017 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: June 22, 2016, 09:08:22 AM »

Changing the ticket system and POS (point of sale) would be a huge upgrade!!!!  This is topic in my wheelhouse.

I'd recommend installing a common system between all properties (at least in Branson) to start capitalizing in basic user friendly tech enhancements throughout the park.  It doesn't have to be the Disney level system either.  Just need the common interface and readers at all point of sale locations.  Season pass holders could be issued cards (with or without RFID) with photo id printed on them at first visit (could even upload a pic before the visit online to have the card ready at the gate).  Cards can save credit or debit card account info to be used for charging you at the end of the day and then you can use your season pass card to purchase anything from anywhere in a HFE location.  Accounts could be linked to you SDC phone app to give you 'real-time' overview of the charges.  I wouldn't expect it to speed up the turnstiles that much more (still would need to probably bring a photo id) but could help with the restaurant and gift shop lines.  Could even do various types of promotions/discounts that are personalized to pass holders through the account...including bring a friend options that don't including having to have the physical ticket....just scan at the turnstile and point at your friend when it pops up that you have that option today.  One day passes could either utilize a generic card and/or paper.  Could probably add an account to a generic card if a customer wanted through an app or kiosk's around the park.  Could use the cards to scan for Show Lovers and Trailblazers passes.  Could use the cards year after year and HFE would have a form of direct marketing to season pass holders through the account setup.  Cards could be used as tickets to all branson attractions and even could be used as room keys if HFE gets to that point.  This is a pretty basic system to build these days....most hotels have a version of it....and I'm sure HFE could spin up some competition between tech providers if they can't create it themselves.

Of course Disney has a system like this on drugs.  It's is basically the same thing but at different level is utilizes more and newer tech.  The WIFI enabled RFID watches are both amazing and a little scary.  They can track a customers every move within feets while they are in the park.