Messages

3391

Announcements / Re: Check Out The New Site

« on: May 08, 2008, 08:53:25 PM »

I really don't know. I've been hoping to at least get the user editorials feature going, since it's the most simple, but I haven't had time to figure out how to implement an interface on it so that an average user could use it easily enough. Maybe I'll get it done next week, but I've got some other personal projects to do first.

As for the other stuff I mentioned a long time ago, some of it will come out in a test version in a few weeks, and will be improved upon when I re-do the site one more time over the summer. I won't even be able to start on most of that until the start of June though, as I've got my next two weeks filled with work, and then a Cedar Point trip after that.

Tch, this is why I want to get this site to the point that it pretty much runs itself - I just can't be around to work on it all the time, and there are times when I can't work on it for long stretches at a time.

3392

Dollywood Discussion / Re: Dollywood's River Battle

« on: May 08, 2008, 08:47:09 PM »

^You ride around in a boat and shoot at targets and spectators, all the while getting hit with effects and water cannons manned by the spectators. It's basically the Flooded Mine, but with water, and effects that shoot back, and spectators with water cannons... or something like that. 

3393

Announcements / Re: Check Out The New Site

« on: May 08, 2008, 07:27:52 PM »

^Indeed, I still haven't worked out the many IE6 bugs, so anyone using IE6 or below will hardly be able to even use the site. I plan to eventually work those bugs out, but it's not really worth the time right now.

3394

Dollywood Discussion / Re: Dollywood's River Battle

« on: May 08, 2008, 06:58:00 PM »

Yeah, again - it's not that it looks bad, it just doesn't look real, and I prefer and value realisticness. It's apparently a big hit though, so I definitely see one coming to Brason soon. 

3395

Announcements / Re: Check Out The New Site

« on: May 07, 2008, 09:22:10 PM »

So I took care of a couple minor IE7 bugs that were annoying me, but I haven't had time to do anything else yet - and it looks like it will still be awhile before I can get back on it. I'm going to be hardcore busy for the next couple of weeks, so I may not be on here that much and there probably won't be any news stories for awhile unless there's something major that happens. Still though, there's always light at the end of the tunnel: by June I should have a lot more time to finish this site version - and more importantly, get started on the next. Yeah, I have some big plans for the next version, as always, but this time I want to go one step farther and actually bring some of Branson to the site. I'll be throwing some pretty crazy ideas at you guys later when I get more time to research their actual feasibility.

3396

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: SDC Food Prices Rise, While Quality Diminishes

« on: May 06, 2008, 09:16:06 PM »

I wouldn't say it was a secret, they actually tell people before hand now - or at least the people working there the last time I was there did. I didn't think it was worth holding back anyhow.

3397

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: SDC Food Prices Rise, While Quality Diminishes

« on: May 05, 2008, 10:01:40 PM »

Okay, maybe "Old Guy" doesn't want to know, but it's driving me crazy!  What is the special table?

It's a table near the cash register in the Mine restaurant that moves up and down. The thing is, the employees usually don't tell you that when they seat you. It's usually set to be so slow that you don't notice for awhile. It can get pretty hilarious when just the right type of people sit there.

3398

Construction/Rumors / Re: CC's 2008 Project

« on: May 05, 2008, 06:54:23 PM »

Hence the name "SuperSplash". I just wish they had sprung for the bridge.

I can sort of see why they went with the Amazon theme now, it does give them more opportunities for cool theming... but I still wonder what it means for future expansions.

3399

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: SDC Food Prices Rise, While Quality Diminishes

« on: May 05, 2008, 01:22:31 PM »

^As of last year it did, but it hardly ever runs anymore. I can see a lot of people getting ticked off about it nowadays.

3400

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Frisco Silver Dollar Line

« on: May 04, 2008, 07:02:20 PM »

I wouldn't expect it till 2012 or so, unless this is part of the next coaster project. This would be one of their "big" projects, which are usually more spaced out, though they have been expanding so rapidly lately.

I'm sure an area like this would cost a good $15 million plus. The area needs to be cleared out and leveled right (though I hope they don't go too far and build around the natural setting, like in other areas of the park, then the infrastructure has to be extended out there, new service roads and utilities set up, and it would probably warrant some type of large attraction or attractions.

3401

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Frisco Silver Dollar Line

« on: May 04, 2008, 05:43:10 PM »

^We'll have to see, if the rumors are true than this won't be happening until at least 2 years from now, and by then many things are prone to considerable change. I'm sure it will fit very well into the atmosphere of the park though. In fact, maybe this project was built off of that concept Old Guy put together so long ago...

3402

SDC Memories/ Park History / Re: Great photos on Flickr

« on: May 03, 2008, 06:18:17 PM »

Fantastic stuff.

This picture has me confused though -> http://flickr.com/photos/brianwhitmarsh/165096433/in/set-72157594162709671/

Where/what was this?

3403

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Q-Bots?

« on: May 03, 2008, 11:26:29 AM »

The thing is, if they do introduce Q-bots, the regular lines will get pretty bad, so you'll need one.

I have been thinking about it more, and I am beginning to see why these are so prized at some parks. If the park is crowded and everything has a 3+ hour wait, there's just no point in even being there, but with a Q-bot sort of system everyone could sort of set up a schedule for themselves. It's not as nice as being able to walk around and ride at will, but for the mega-parks on a crowded day it could be worth it.

Still, I think parks should really wait until lines get really bad before implementing these systems, and the $50+ variations are ridiculous.

3404

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Q-Bots?

« on: May 02, 2008, 07:17:59 PM »

As you all probably know, Dollywood has been utilizing a Q-bot system for several years now, and apparently considers the system a success. That can only mean that as SDC gets more major attractions, such a system is headed toward us. In fact, I'm pretty sure we'll be getting our own Q-bots in 2009.

The thing is, I abhor Q-bots and most all such systems. I know most enthusiasts and park goers enjoy them, but after paying something like $40 to get in the park, $12-15 for a meal, and all the other expenses that come up, I don't want to throw another $10 or so to be able to easily ride rides. The Q-bot system not only makes useless the normal line, but it also takes up certain (usually the best) seats on most attractions. I understand that those who pay more should get more, but I just don't like having to go through multiple fees to be able to enjoy myself at a park.

That's not to say I don't like the idea though, and DW's system isn't all bad: $10 for the first bot and $5 for each person in your family afterwards is a pretty good deal - not like the $40+ you'd have to pay at other parks.

Thoughts?

3405

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2009/10 Project

« on: May 02, 2008, 06:50:00 PM »

When I was there last weekend I asked about the new Coaster.  I was told it is a woodie and is going in the Grand Expo.  They are putting it between the ladybug and frog area and Echo Hollow.  I asked several people and they all said the same thing.  I also asked about Tom Sawyers landing and was told it will be revamped but will stay a kiddie area.  They said the developers have been in that area measuring a lot.

Mmmmm, I'm not so sure about this. Surely the employees aren't just telling everyone what's coming like this? It seemed to me that SDC always kept more of a tight lid on these things.

Anyway, assuming this is true, I hope it means that it will transform the Grand Expo into more of a fulfilling area. I'm sure the theme will be something really fun.

To be honest, I wasn't very impressed by Thunderation this week. It's definitely becoming very rickety; throws you around a good bit. So a nice, shiny new wooden coaster would definitely be cool to get.

~ "Becky" Joy ~

I noticed that in late November of last season.  TNT could use a little TLC. 

TNT has actually had quite a lot of TLC in the past couple of years. You'll notice that a lot of the track is fairly new, and much of the support system has been re-done in the last two years. The thing about rides like TNT, and with most coasters actually, is that the ride it gives is determinable on so  many factors. Where you sit, how you sit, the temperature, and especially the specific build of the person are all huge factors in the ride experience. Personally, as an enthusiast, I've learned to love rides even when they are rough - it's just another kind of experience.