Topics

241

Construction/Rumors / SDC's 2008 Project

« on: August 22, 2007, 07:13:08 PM »

Hints will start dropping about whatever is happening in 2008 very soon. Watch the blog and for random things to start popping up in the park.

My guess is still that we'll see the Landing revised, as they are finally getting around to fixing up the Mansion and other things this off-season, among other things.

Whatever happens, we know that it will be pretty large, as the capital investment for this year is reported to be at the very least in the $5 million range, and it could be as high as $8 million. We also know that 2008's improvements will not include a new coaster, as that was said early on by park officials. (2009 is a whole different story though).

242

General Silver Dollar City Talk / SDC Ranks #6 National Attraction

« on: August 20, 2007, 08:14:50 PM »

   
SDC Ranks #6 In Top 10 National Attractions
   Branson Ranks #3 In Top Destination Cities
   According to <a href="http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/branson/news/branson-and-silver-dollar-city-ranked-in-national-top-ten-for-tour-and-travel.htm">This Industry Survey</a>, Silver Dollar City is the nation's 6th most popular destination, just after Graceland and the Statue of Liberty. Dollywood placed just below at #7. Branson itself was ranked as the #3 best destination city, just after Washington D.C. and Pigeon Forge.<br /><br />
   This shows absolutely tremendous things about the Herschends. After all, how many theme parks even ranked on this list? Walt Disney World and Universal Studios were the only other parks mentioned, and Universal came 3 places under Dollywood. This says not only that SDC and DW rank up there with the nation's mega-attractions, but also that both parks are so much more than just typical theme parks. How many Cedar Fair, Six Flags, PARC, or Busch theme parks made it to the list? None, and plenty of those parks are far
   larger and have much more expensive attractions than SDC or DW.
   <br />Indeed, the years upon years of unheard of personal attention to guests, detail, and the overall park experience are paying off in bigger ways than ever before, and the Herschends plan to keep running ahead. We can only imagine what they plan to do next to further their fame.

Yup, SDC is looking better all the time, the wave of rapid attendance increases and expansion isn't over yet.

243

SDC Memories/ Park History / Lost Concepts Round-Up

« on: August 19, 2007, 09:42:48 PM »

Since I'm doing a page on the Lost Improvement Concepts at SDC, I need to list all the concepts that have been submitted over the years but have never been acted on.

Here's what I know of so far:

• The Frissbee
• The Topple Tower
• The Ice House Coaster
• The New Mine Train Coaster
• The Doppelmayr suspended coaster
• The Shot Tower
• The Great Barn Play Area

Anyone know of any more?

244

Announcements / New Pages Coming Soon.

« on: August 19, 2007, 08:39:05 PM »

I'll be adding a few new content pages this week.

First off, I'm finally almost finished with the 'Other SDC Attractions' page, which covers info on things like the Homestead and the cave. Next, I've been inspired by Joy to make a page covering the dropped ride concepts of SDC like the shot tower, Frisbee, and topple tower. Finally, I'll try to get that page on SDC's history done, though that one will be a toughy.

If anyone feels the need to add anything, or has any ideas for future content, just let me know.

245

White Water Discussion / Kalani Towers Reviews?

« on: August 19, 2007, 01:30:31 PM »

So has anyone braved the new Kalani Towers yet? They look nice, though I miss the old thing that was there before.

Personally, I hate speed slides, they give you extreme wedgies and are overall uncomfortable and unsatisfying, but the racing slide looks great, other than the fact that it looks like you'd spend a lot of time being sprayed in the face. Still, it looks like some people can really get some air on that last hump, I've seen some people almost fly off.

246

SDC Memories/ Park History / SDC's Ferris Wheel

« on: August 17, 2007, 06:16:46 PM »

SDC once had a ferris wheel in the Landing. It was introduced in 1989, but has since then vanished. Anyone know what happened to it or why it was taken out? Pictures would be good to.

247

Construction/Rumors / Grandfather's Mansion Re-hab?

« on: August 16, 2007, 12:17:35 AM »

Anyone been in Grandfather's (also commonly called Grandpa's) Mansion lately? It's not exactly a pretty sight. I'm not saying the place is totally run down or anything, but has gotten to the point to where it is only a mere shadow of it's former self. It's got an old creaky feel to it, which actually is great and fits the theming well, but there's also something about it that screams for a re-furb, at least a little bit of one. Besides, the place just needs more. After the tilting hall and the small room with the small assortment of tricks (most of which don't work anymore or really need to be fixed up), all that's left is the tilted room, which is what everyone heads for now without even looking at everything else.

I love the old mansion, but it really needs some TLC. I don't want them to totally re-do the place, as I have so many memories there, but they need to at least fix up the old effects so that they at least work, and some new wall paper and paint couldn't hurt. A few small additions would be nice too.

Really though, I could see them doing a major overhaul on the thing as early as this off-season. If they do plan on a mid-town re-vamp like I think they are, this would be a prime thing to fix up. I just hope they don't totally strip out all the things I have such fond memories of. I'm sure the tilted room will stay no matter what, but some of those old tricks are just too cool to lose (especially the tap thing, which was mimicked at the new Wilson's Farm area).

Oh... I hope this isn't where they plan on holding those cooking seminars...

248

SDC Memories/ Park History / Sam's Mining Shack

« on: August 16, 2007, 12:09:11 AM »

Does anyone know more about this attraction?

All I know is that it opened with the park in 1960 as some type of fun house. It was upgraded into what is now Grandfather's Mansion. Other than the tilted room which lives on in the mansion, I don't have a clue as to what the Shack held.

249

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Coaster Christmas 2007

« on: August 13, 2007, 11:31:10 PM »

Coaster Christmas is an ACE-sponsored event at SDC involving the usual treats such as ERT and question and answer sessions with SDC staff. I believe this year's event will take place the weekend after Thanksgiving week, though it's probably different this year, and it could change. This is the event that I would re-join ACE for, but I doubt I'll be able to make it.

It would be great if someone on here could go though, as it is not only a fantastic event, but there's so much info shared there that we would all love to hear.

250

SDC Memories/ Park History / FITH Turns 35

« on: August 13, 2007, 11:25:27 PM »

Fire In The Hole turns 35 this year. As SDC's first coaster (or is it?), this was the one that started it all.

I remember the first time I rode this thing, I was just a kid, and it scared me out of my wits. I came back a couple of years later and my parents had to pull me off of it.

Anyone have any special memories of it? Or better yet, info of how the ride has changed over the years?

251

Construction/Rumors / New Parking Lot/Road Plans

« on: August 13, 2007, 09:50:14 PM »

This is very old, but it certainly is pretty major. Back in February SDC formally submitted a proposal for a $5 million TIF project to decrease traffic issues around SDC; the project would also involve some expansion of SDC's parking lot. Here an article on it ->http://bransonmissouri.blogspot.com/2007/02/silver-dollar-city-expansion-involves-5.html

The thing is, I haven't heard any more on it since February, what happened? I expect that if it did indeed pass, we'll be seeing it take place this off season, if the funds are raised early enough.

I know that I personally can't wait for them to do anything to ease congestion. Last Christmas, I had to wait in a car queue for miles.

Btw, it's worth noting that the Herschends specifically designed this TIF proposal so that it wouldn't take away from possible education funds. Hooray for smart businesses.

Anyone hear more?

252

Construction/Rumors / Anyone been getting any surveys lately?

« on: August 12, 2007, 05:04:33 PM »

I know SDC tries to keep these things kinda hushed, so I hope I don't step on any toes here.

SDC always centre's it's improvement efforts off of what guests tell them they want; it's been that way for as long as Ma Herschend has been involved with the park. Already this year we've seen one survey out polling different ideas for adult entertainment (heh, but not that kind), but I have a feeling that there will be more out soon, if they're not out already to poll other concepts.
So, anyone get anything yet?

253

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Anyone been to the park lately?

« on: August 09, 2007, 10:45:30 PM »

So, being that I live so far away and have to work, I haven't been to the park now for 2 months, and it will be another 3 before I can go again. Thus, does anyone care to bring us up to date on the happenings of the park?

Are the crowds still strong, is Giant Swing still a hit, anything new?

254

Construction/Rumors / 2008 survey out

« on: August 01, 2007, 05:48:30 PM »

Well, it looks like SDC is going for something different this year. The yearly survey is reportedly out according to posts on 1Branson, and instead of polling different thrill ride possibilities, the concepts are: A new wedding chapel, a craft house, and a cooking seminar attraction.

Meh, none of those strike my fancy, and it's not because they don't involve rides. I'd rather they just put in a few new shops before anything else, but there are plenty of others who are excited about these possibilities.

I don't think this is all SDC has in store for 2008 though. It was said that they would be spending several million on park improvements, so I expect to see more. Anyone else get this survey, or any thing else like it?

255

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Big Christmas Announcement Coming

« on: July 31, 2007, 01:34:43 PM »

Go here for the article -> http://www.sdcfans.com/sdcnews.php

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the new 7-story Christmas tree is what they are talking about... but this is the Herschends we are talking about, so it could be any number of things.