Messages

286

Random Talk / Re: Airports!

« on: February 02, 2017, 08:28:39 AM »

When I fly on my dime....I've usually flew out of MCO or TUL for the best deals which are both pretty far from my home in Northwest Arkansas.  They both have Southwest and Frontier to go west and I've used them both before.  I also have family near MCO that have dropped kids off at to help us get away;)  I've flew out of Springfield before on Allegent to Orlando a few years ago too.

XNA (Bentonville/Fayetteville) is a great airport to get in and out of and growing airport and I use it all the time for work travel but it has some of the most expensive fares in the country (sometimes 2-3x more than TUL or MCO) since it's such a biz hub and doesn't have any very many discount airlines there (only has allegent that flys to Orlando and Vegas).  I know the airport has been begging for more airline to come in to help with the competition and increase the non-biz travel.  I know they have direct flights to LA but I'm not sure about San Francisco. 

I've notice billboards up advertising that American is flying out of Joplin with free parking....might check on that too.

MCO is Orlando.  Did you mean MCI?

Sorry....yeap...MCI (KC)...was just at MCO (Orlando) last week...still in my brain 

287

Random Talk / Re: Airports!

« on: February 01, 2017, 02:03:11 PM »

yeap...xna's fares are depressing.  A certain retailer has deals with the three big airlines that fly out of it where they get access to X amount of seats to help ensure their teams can get in and out when needed.  That deal plus what seems to be a handshake like deal between the airlines to not compete with each other on routes causes the prices to be jacked up.  Region has a steady biz traffic in and out everyday and the airlines seem to be content to not mess with the cash cow they have.  But yeah....i don't get why southwest, spirit, blue jet, or frontier hasn't tested out the market yet....the region is ready for them and the airport has room to add one pretty quickly....and plenty of room for bigger expansions.

I've got some Delta miles and credit I need to use this year (had a nightmare travel day with Delta last week).  I've been eyeing fights to NYC for a get away.  I've got a personal trip planned for Denver this spring too will probably go through Tulsa.

288

Random Talk / Re: Airports!

« on: February 01, 2017, 09:13:08 AM »

When I fly on my dime....I've usually flew out of MCO or TUL for the best deals which are both pretty far from my home in Northwest Arkansas.  They both have Southwest and Frontier to go west and I've used them both before.  I also have family near MCO that have dropped kids off at to help us get away;)  I've flew out of Springfield before on Allegent to Orlando a few years ago too.

XNA (Bentonville/Fayetteville) is a great airport to get in and out of and growing airport and I use it all the time for work travel but it has some of the most expensive fares in the country (sometimes 2-3x more than TUL or MCO) since it's such a biz hub and doesn't have any very many discount airlines there (only has allegent that flys to Orlando and Vegas).  I know the airport has been begging for more airline to come in to help with the competition and increase the non-biz travel.  I know they have direct flights to LA but I'm not sure about San Francisco. 

I've notice billboards up advertising that American is flying out of Joplin with free parking....might check on that too.

289

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

« on: January 24, 2017, 01:06:08 PM »

Like I think I said before, it all comes down to implementation. It's a daring theme and whether or not it "works" with the rest of the park will come down to how the details are managed. This is a park that has a good history of theming and managing details well, so the odds are looking good for it to be pulled off well. I'm sure they won't build a collesium right at the entrance.

It IS something that belongs at SDC though. It fits right in with inventive themes like Dr. Horatio Harris' Wildfire, the American Daredevil Society (or whatever the exact name is), the flooded prison mine, etc... The best rides are the ones that can really sell a story to go along with it, IMO.

^^ Completely agree....if done correctly (which SDC seems to do 99% of the time)...this theme can comfortably fit into the corky Ozark inventor type of scenario that has already been done....and gives them a tons of flexibility to create a story and they could actually make the scenes/theming very campy/cheesy and get away with it because it will be part of the charm.   

290

Construction/Rumors / Re: to merge

« on: January 19, 2017, 03:24:48 PM »

Maybe not that theme but I think GE is a good spot for it. How about the kiddie rides get moved to HDH and then it could go in that culdusac.

I would think since the RR is just an ovel that you could break that form and run those boats through a longer track if they wanted putting the drop at the end.  Possibly theme the trip to something that would fit.  A Mine, Float Trip, Swamp Monster ext.  Why keep it short and boring.  Why not do what Six Flags and Cedar point dont do and put some extra time and effort into it.

Interesting idea.  They could do something like Escape From Pompeii. I'm all for ripping out American Plunge and all the leftovers from the Float Trip and doing it right with new animatronics and the such.  It could be the Inventors/Explorers league that Doc Harris is the president of.  A whole new "Inventors/Explorers" section could be made

That whole area of the park need some loving.  The Plunge lot and the walkways around it could really be opened up for better traffic flow to help relieve the main loop.  My dream solution would be a newly build and themed plunge ride behind the current lot (great spot for a drop tower too) and use the current space for a new plaza area for the ride and for WF....and extend the WF path back to PK as a secondary route.  Maybe that helps alleviate the congestion around the lumberjack camp/saloon and create some more spots for retail.....and a possible new link for any additional coasters between/around WF and PK.

291

Branson Talk / Re: Big expansion of Promise Land Zoo

« on: January 19, 2017, 03:00:38 PM »

Doesn't sound like this group realizes that the PLZ already has a 'main' location in Eagle Rock, Mo  (just north of Eureka Springs) with a full drive through experience (like Gentry).  I took my family there last year and it was a lot better than I expected with a wide and very good variety of animals.

I would assume (have no inside knowledge) that they are planning to move their main operations and/or share the animals with a new larger Branson site.  Makes me wonder about what the future of the Eagle Rock/Eureka Springs attraction will be?  Might be a good time to make a deal with the Turpentine creek refuge to see if they can show some of their tigers and bears too.

292

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

« on: January 19, 2017, 10:17:15 AM »

"Dragon Run"  Really....?  How does that fit into Ozark themes!!!!! just kidding

That was the one I was must excited about from the survey.  Has the most potential for some deep theming and story background.  Though I personal still like my idea of having a ride themed around a failed escape attempt gone wrong from the FM guys would be more fun.

293

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

« on: January 09, 2017, 09:54:43 AM »

Its telling that we aren't hearing more from the GP (General Public) asking about what is going on.  I think it speaks volumes to HFE that all of that construction was/is going on without any large outcry from the GP about what's going on.  Of course they maybe taking calls and complaints but it doesn't seem to be boiling up to a point where the GP seems to care that deeply.

I think most of the GP doesn't think about this stuff as deeply as we do.  Remember we are fans (short for fanatics)  They are just there to have fun.  They don't expect to spend the whole day feeling like it's really the past.  They aren't there to experience a history lesson....they just want to create memories with each other and enjoy the attractions.

On one of SDCs recent season pass facebook posts I committed a question on if I'd get a early ride on the new coaster if I get passes next year......no response....lol

294

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Season parking pass

« on: January 06, 2017, 12:37:34 PM »

I ended up with preferred parking season pass this year for the first time....it was gifted to me as I wouldn't have got it on my own.  It does have a few benefits like usually have a shorter wait to park on really busy mornings and not having to wait on trams to come in and out.  But it's still a good trek from that lot to the gate and I never really saw buses at the running to the station.  I got caught way down the hill right next to the free parking one busy day and almost walked down to the free parking station to catch a ride (since it was 1/2 the walking distance as the gate was from there).  You guys are right....if you get to the park early enough to get close to a station and don't mind the possible waits on the shuttles...it's not a huge upgrade.  The kids where a little bummed about not getting to ride the shuttles/tram/bus too.

295

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Ride Names

« on: January 03, 2017, 08:56:06 AM »

Our family often fumbles around what to call all the different swing rides.  I'll hear "I want the ride the big swing"...."you mean the barn swing?"....."no the one that goes in circles?"....."The balloons?"...."no by the frog ride"....."Ohhhh...."

296

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2016 Trip Reviews

« on: December 22, 2016, 04:25:06 PM »

My final trip review of 2016:

Hit the park on Wednesday 12/21 around it's 1pm opening.  Weather was brisk in the 50 to 40s but really perfect for this season.  We used our final 'bring a friend' passes and toured the park with another family with kids all around the same age.  So we had 4 adults and 10 kids ages 13 to 18 months.  Ended up being one of the better SDC experiences ever!!

Highlights:
Kids love TnT.....bigger kids rode it at least 6 times....once at first then 4-5x in the dark.  All but one adult and the littlest one ended out riding at least once.  It is such a great family ride and extra fun in the dark
I took a few of the braver kids (none of my own:() to do the giant swing, OR, and PK....it was fun to see them ride them for the first time
I got to ride PK right at sunset....Such a beautiful site to blast off toward a gorgeous sky and skyline....really an incredible experience.
FL, GE, and FM where big hits with the kids - those sections and ride are so important to families with little ones - kids loved getting to ride them with friends

Other Notes:
That clearing is huge!!!  Pics don't do it justice.  The ravine between TnT and EH has sooooo much potential.  Footers are all over the place.   It's pretty obvious that those green pinic table area will have to go.  I hope the park creates another place like it because it's one of only a couple spots in the whole park a family like ours can sit together to eat outside of a resturant.
Saw "Wonderful Life" - thought is good....cast was good....nothing negative to say except I just wasn't into the story or the music that much
Park was pretty busy but not too crowded....most rides where running well and the kid areas where not too overloaded - nothing more depressing for a coaster rider than to spend 30-45min waiting for your kid to ride the frogs before you get to go to the coasters...lol

Lowlights:
Missed the Saloon Show, FiTH, and Train   schedule just didn't work out
Wildfire was running only one train and operations was dragging....line as out the station and up the hill.  Timed it that only one train was leaving per 10 mins....had to abandon ship on it:(  First time I'd been where PK was running better than WF
No apple turnovers at the end of the day but the worst part of the whole trip.....I WITNESSED AN ELDERLY LADY PURCHASE THE LAST CINNAMON BREAD OF THE DAY RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!!!!  I thought of offer her $10 bucks for it.....guess I shouldn't wait till 8:30pm to get it.  Not sure if we'll be back next year so it might be a long wait till I get it again:(

297

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 12/16/16 -- No Dickens performance, few rides

« on: December 19, 2016, 11:51:03 AM »

No Dickens performances due to the large number of folks in the cast who were sick but you didn't learn this until you went to the Opera House and then went to a nearby food stand to get the scoop.

That's really bad business on SDC part.  That's like ordering a #5 at McDonalds and getting back to work with your sack to find no meat in your bun.  You should know that before you pay for the product.  I have found SDC not posting closed rides etc. in the past.  If you are going to omit a main part of your product you have to warn the customer before they give you their money.

It's a no win situation for the park....customers will be mad if they close....some will be mad if they open with no rides and still charge full price....if you lower the price others will be mad that it's 'unfair' because blah...blah...blah or they would have come if they'd known or that it then becomes an expectation that the price can change due to blah....blah....blah.  All of which are valid reasons to be upset with the park.

You're right that the best solution to it is to blow out communication about what will be open....but that is risky for the park too because it could cause a dramatic drop in turnout for both single paying customers and the  passholders who they need to come and spend money at the park.

298

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2 weeks left

« on: December 18, 2016, 10:19:12 PM »

Sundays high is going to be around 22.  So of course that's the day my wife planned to go with our friends who have 6 little ones (along with our 4)  Should be interesting.

That's a lot of cold kids!  Invest in heat packs and put them in every pocket, tuck them in boots, and the rim of stocking hats. Makes a huge difference!  Have fun!

Tonight was great!  We thought we were going to have to cancel our trip due to road conditions but modot did their job and got everything clear down here.  We walked on to all 7 things we rode.  We didn't get to see Santa.  The line was a bit crazy but we did see Rudolph.  Most roller coasters were shut down because the temp never made it to 40.  We were there about 4 hours.  The square for the parade and the mass exodus were nuts.  But they did a really good job with crowd control and I didn't hear anyone complain!

Happy you were able to make it.  We had no choice to cancel - we are iced in and still going strong.

With that many kids I expect to spend as much time at the bathroom as we do on rides :/  We rescheduled the fun for Wednesday.

299

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2 weeks left

« on: December 16, 2016, 11:40:28 PM »

Sundays high is going to be around 22.  So of course that's the day my wife planned to go with our friends who have 6 little ones (along with our 4)  Should be interesting.

300

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Do you prefer the new LED lights?

« on: December 13, 2016, 11:08:11 PM »

lol #firstworldprobs

This whole board is full of first world problems..lol