Messages

3616

Construction/Rumors / Re: New Parking Lot/Road Plans

« on: November 25, 2007, 08:23:37 PM »

Geez, I had no idea how big the gully was until today, or how steep it was, or how now that the tree are gone, you can see Wildfire clearly from the road.

I'm now amazed more than ever that the Herschends went through with this, but it sure is needed, I had to park two miles away.

Btw, they've started work on the new road. Anyone going to be able to drive through some time and take some photos of the progress? It's not terribly interesting, but hey - it's something new.

3617

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Steve's Christmas 07 SDC Trip

« on: November 25, 2007, 08:14:07 PM »

I just got back from SDC, and I have about 120 photos to go through and get up on the site. That'll take awhile though, so I'll give you the story now.

As we drove in, I saw them clearing land for the new road re-direct, and I finally got to see for the first time the cleared-out gully where the new parking lot will be. I never thought it was that  huge, but it sure is needed - we had to park way back down the road in JD lot, which is a gravel lot past Deer Run.

Being Black Friday, the park was pretty packed, but I still managed to have a great time. As usual, crowd levels started to drop after the first parade, but it was just too cold for it to be really worth it. In fact, it was cold enough to shut down even Wildfire; I believe it got to around the mid-twenties.

I got one ride in on PK and Electro Spin, several on TGS and FiTH, and quite a few on both Wildfire and ThuNderaTion - and everything was running fantastically. The coasters were rattling just a little due to the cold, but they were still all very smooth. I would have ridden PK more, but the line was 30+ mins long, and I was sure it was going to shut down any minute.

The lights were better than ever, especially on the main square. The new tree complete with the new light syncs was awesome, though there wasn't as much light syncing on the rest of the square as I thought there would be. Still, the new tree was extremely bright and very cool looking.

I got tired of riding marathon riding Wildfire, so I started marathon riding ThuNderaTion Sat. night while the temps were at about 33 degrees. It was... cold, but definitely worth-while. 

Yeah, I can't really think of much else to report on, but here's a short list of things I noticed:
the train added an emergency-stop cord sometime since my last visit this summer (did something cause this?); Grandpa's Mansion had it's effects tuned up and fixed; the tree house looked the same as ever; and they weren't saying anything about either the parking lot or the new craft house. Oh yeah, I looked at their back lot (from atop TGS), but I didn't see anything.

3618

Construction/Rumors / Re: Did the Herschends Buy Sidewinder?

« on: November 20, 2007, 08:39:35 PM »

Well, it looks like WA will get the Sidewinder. That's OK though, they could use another good-quality thrill ride there.

3619

Construction/Rumors / Re: CC's 2008 Project

« on: November 18, 2007, 03:34:18 PM »

Hmmm, I hear S&S has announced that the first installation of their El Loco concept will be in America in 2008. With most parks already announcing their new stuff, and the Herschends having benefited well from the past 2 S&S projects (not to mention Accelerator), this could be a good possibility for CC. Then again, it doesn't quite seem like the type of ride they would go for, as they already have 2 smaller steel coasters. Besides, it has low capacity and is somewhat expensive. 

Still, it seems like it'll be either FC or CC that gets this.

3620

Announcements / Re: More major upgrades ahead

« on: November 16, 2007, 10:35:25 PM »

One more update before I bring out a test model to show you guys:

I've been going back and forth on several designs and color schemes, and I still haven't decided what to do yet. It's tough figuring out what will both look good, be the most functional, and provide the most flexibility for future add ons. As I've said before, I want this template to be good enough to last for some time.

Unfortunately, the new upgrade package won't be done in time for my big Christmas SDC update, but it shouldn't be too terribly long now.
Next time I bring up an update, it'll contain a link to a test template so you guys can make any suggestions or comments on it.

3621

Other Parks / Re: Six Flags St. Lous To Get A Woodie?

« on: November 16, 2007, 09:12:40 PM »

Sean Hannity's American Eagle

That would be enough to keep me from riding it. 

3622

White Water Discussion / Re: Future of White Water

« on: November 16, 2007, 09:11:03 PM »

^I'm actually quite surprised that they don't have one yet, as popular as they are. They never struck me well though, as I got badly injured on one before, just by falling through the hole the wrong way.

I'm really hoping more for one of the new-fangled water coasters also from Proslide like the Deluge. It might not seem like a good idea to the Herschends though, as it might cut into the coaster image of their theme parks.

3623

Construction/Rumors / Re: CC's 2008 Project

« on: November 16, 2007, 08:59:44 PM »

^I don't think even the most eccentric fans would hope for a hyper coaster with CC in its current position. However, the idea of a spinner is a good one. I know its a popular guess, but I mean, the Herschends have recently done well with Gerstauler, and we all know how one good job leads to another within the chain. I just hope we don't get a basic layout if one is indeed in store for us.

3624

Announcements / Re: A photo request

« on: November 14, 2007, 07:53:59 PM »

^That does help, thanks.

3625

Announcements / A photo request

« on: November 13, 2007, 11:02:32 PM »

In making an image for the site, I accidentally deleted one of my more widely-used photos of SDC's main signage out on Indian Point Road. I need a good photo of this sign for a logo thingamajig that will be used on a new site template.

So, if anyone has a good photo of the main SDC sign, or is planning on taking a trip to the park soon and can get one, then I'd be much appreciative if I could use it. 

Thanks.

3626

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: How's Celebration City Doing?

« on: November 13, 2007, 09:02:31 PM »

^With the Herschends rep, it wouldn't be hard to book a bunch of Christian-youth oriented bands. I mean, look at FC: they have a yearly concert series featuring such, and it's a huge hit for them. SDC already has one weekend out of the year where they bring in a bunch of Christian bands, and it's usually one of the most crowded weekends of the year.

The only thing is, would they have to build a new stage on the lawn, or is there already a set up for that? I haven't looked over there since the place opened.

3627

White Water Discussion / Re: Future of White Water

« on: November 12, 2007, 07:15:49 PM »

^We just found that out, read the posts above yours.

3628

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: How's Celebration City Doing?

« on: November 12, 2007, 07:10:22 PM »

^I've actually had really good times with the CC staff. I know several Wildcat ops who always go to the next level to make sure everyone is having a good time. However, they do select from a different crowd to staff the park, and a few aren't so great, but park-wise the place is run excellently.

Same shops as SDC? Meh, as of now there aren't exactly many shops to base that claim off of. Of the few they have though, Paper Moon and the Magic shop can't be found at SDC, and there was once a Beach-themed shop that comes and goes.

As far as food, you should look at the other parks: both CC and SDC kick some serious ass in that department. Though the prices are just a tad bit higher than any would like, they have a few more things to pay for than ordinary restaurants. Even with the prices being what they are though, they are MUCH lower than almost any other park's, and the portions are much larger. Look at FC: $8 for a crap burger with a small drink.

However, I do agree that more concerts and shows would do the park good, and they surely know that. I assume that we'll see more and more of those likes over the coming years.

3629

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2008 Project

« on: November 12, 2007, 11:20:42 AM »

^Not any money? They said they were investing between $6-8 million into the park this year, that's enough for the parking lots then some.

It still could be just a rumor that the mansion will be fixed, but it seems highly likely all around.

3630

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: New Craft Barn

« on: November 12, 2007, 11:10:40 AM »

^Not anymore, check the season pass newsletter.