Messages

211

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Jack and Pete Tell It All

« on: November 27, 2018, 01:04:10 PM »

Thank you!  I'll be sure to look out for it next time I'm at the park

212

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: JoDee Herschend

« on: November 27, 2018, 12:56:43 PM »

Such sad news.  Got to meet her a couple of times while working at SDC, and she was very sweet, very nice.  Never heard a bad thing said about her, but lots and lots of good.  She was well loved by, I think, everyone who knew her or had a chance to meet her.

Her influence and impact goes well beyond SDC and outside of the park, into the communities around.  She did a lot for a lot of people.  She'll be greatly missed.

213

SDC Memories/ Park History / Re: Pictures from the Past!

« on: November 21, 2018, 03:36:53 PM »

Here is a slide/picture from 1977 of an old popcorn wagon on Main Street.  It looks like the Shot Tower is just to the left, and the Gazebo is just to the right in this picture.


https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4816/45252439104_f4fee4a6fd_o.jpg

I'm pretty sure they still use this cart? I noticed it on my last visit and wondered where it came from since it kind of looked custom made.

I think your right on this because there are still a few that I know of still in use at the city.  There are 2 on Main Street.  One faces Molly's Mill and the other faces the Gazebo.   Here is a picture of the one facing the Gazebo, which still looks pretty much like the one in 1977.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4897/31049750987_52b4750bf1_k.jpg

Hate to burst the bubble but I'm pretty sure that there is a company that makes them from outside.  Witness the following popcorn/ drink carts at

Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios: https://www.deviantart.com/wdwparksgal-stock/art/Popcorn-Cart-Disney-Studios-98973433

And part way down this page, one at California's Great America park:
http://cpfoodblog.com/2017-californias-great-america-winterfest-food-guide/

I also have distinct memories of these from Disneyland as well.

So I'm pretty sure some company has specialized in building them for various theme and amusement parks out there.

214

Random Talk / Re: Non-political politics: I won!

« on: November 16, 2018, 07:56:44 AM »

Co

No politics or partisanship involved in this announcement, just a personal brag:

On my first-ever attempt at public office, I won my race for state representative in New Hampshire. It was close: just four votes.

Congrats!!  And under those circumstances and stipulations, thank you for being willing to serve!  That's a sacrifice.

I wish more of our representative/ senate pay scales were closer to that than what they are.  I think that would help solve some of the issues there.  But that's a whole nother thing.

215

Construction/Rumors / Re: Fire in the Hole changes coming?

« on: November 13, 2018, 03:02:04 PM »

Thanks for the comments on your insights. It sounds like they ARE going to be doing something to FITH (and FM?) but removing them completely is not an option, right?

Just because we would like to see them do something does't mean that they are doing something.  Don't read to much in there.  :-)

Something is going to need to be done with them eventually.  But that doesn't mean it's next year, or 2 years, or even 5 years from now.  I would think that the overall condition of the buildings/ rides would mean they'd have to do something in the next 5 years, but that's only a guess based on outside observation.  Not from anything within the company itself.

As to what it would be- who knows?  It could be bare minimum to keep them as it is.  Maybe track work.  Maybe an overhaul.  Maybe a revamp. Maybe completely flattening- in which case who knows if htey would rebuild, replace or just forget it.  It could be anything anywhere along those lines.

Simple bottom line- no one here at this point knows.  And the couple that might have an actual inkling aren't going to comment because they aren't allowed to.  And even what might be in the possibilities now could easily change in the near- or far- future based on a variety of factors.

216

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2019 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: November 12, 2018, 07:02:03 AM »

The only issue I can think of with the current route is that they're limited to 2 trains at a time with the current route, and even then they have to stop when they're doing the Christmas show. If they're gonna have 5 trains in running order, why not expand it into the woods just enough that they could run 3 trains?

Why not?  ROI.  Return on investment.  They won't gain anything by spending the money to expand the line.  And to run extra engines/ trains increases the operations costs a lot (fuel, staffing, upkeep, etc.) without any increase in revenue.  As much of a fan of the train as I am, it's not a ride that will attract more people to the park or pay at the gates.

The only time it's busy enough to need to run 2 trains is during Christmas. Technically there are a few days during summer where they, if they wanted, could maybe justify running 2, but they won't do it because of those increased costs, and the lines even then aren't that huge.  There's no reason to run 3, expanded line or not, other than the coolness factor, which in this case isn't a good reason.  :-)

Oh, the Davenport will likely never run again.  While it looks pretty, it's not in running condition.  And if it was running, it could only manage to pull one of the new cars, as heavy as they are.  Not an ideal situation.  I like that they have it out where people can see it again, but that's about as good as she's going to get now.

217

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Hello! I need any pictures you have of Frisco Silver Dollar Line #43!

« on: November 09, 2018, 11:35:05 PM »

I have a few posted of 43 and 76 from last Christmas.  They might be helpful to you.  You can find them posted at https://sirwillow.smugmug.com/Amusement-Parks-Roller/Mid-USA-TX-MO-OK-etc/Silver-Dollar-City-Christmas-in-Mid-Town/i-rxjTfwK  Be sure to scroll through to the next page as well so you can see all of them.

218

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2019 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: November 07, 2018, 08:43:40 AM »

Here's a map.  You can see the Lost River at the top center, and the body of water next to it is Lake Silver.  Riverfront is the walkway alongside both, on the south end of them.  That is the one area that is agreed is going to undergo a major change.
The BBQ place is at the south corner of Lost River.  Dugan's Trading post is the one little complex of buildings by the "bridge" across the water (actually Lost River's queue).  Those are also strong contendors.
The three buildings on the other side of that walkway are the theaters that are being talked about.
Hope that helps.

219

SDC Memories/ Park History / Re: Pictures from the Past!

« on: November 06, 2018, 05:43:02 PM »

Here is a slide/picture from circa 1970 entering the Float Trip.  Your job was to help find Joe Clark and you would walk up thru the mill (still there) and down to the boats.  I remember the boats being fairly large and being able to hold several people.  The loading area today for American Plunge is in the same location as was the Float Trip.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1941/44811595034_71f1530621_o.jpg

boy, sure couldn't get away today with doing what he's doing in that photo.  my how times have changed

220

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Attendance numbers

« on: November 06, 2018, 01:36:29 PM »

I was planning on parking in Preferred.. Do you know how early that tends to fill up?

I'll keep an eye on the forecast for sure.. when I booked the flight it was showing high of 51, now it's showing 48. But yes, as a Floridian I will be in full arctic attire regardless! As long as Outlaw Run opens I'll be a happy camper.

You'll have plenty of room in Preferred parking, but personally, I'd save the money.  Preferred parking is in between the regular lots and the entrance, with wheel chair parking between Preferred and the entrance.  You get to pay more to park a little closer, then have to walk in and out to your car instead of riding the tram.  I'd rather take one of the regular lots, save my money, and ride the tram in and out.  But then I'm a cheap skate and lazy.  lol

You should be able to get Outlaw Run in.  It has to get to 37 for it to open, which it will do, probably around noonish I'd think, and at that point it will keep going, and should have relatively short wait times.  Really your iffy ones will be Powder Keg, Wildfire and Time Traveler.  It will get warm enough for them to open, but not by a whole lot, and possibly not for more than 3 or 4 hours.  But that should be enough time.

221

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2019 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: November 06, 2018, 01:31:02 PM »

If anyone is interested, the video that I shot on Saturday when I was there showing some of the rumored areas of construction is posted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiypyYVLwBc

Seems like the rumors are really all over the place, and about the only thing that seems to be agreed on is Lost River is gone, and probably the BBQ joint and Lake Silver is going to look quite a bit different.  Lots of variations on what else may or may not be changed, and I have some strong suspicions that some of those that people are confident of aren't going to pan out, and things that some think will change, won't, while others that may not be in the rumor mill now will change.

One thing I learned when I was there is that SDC is constantly refining, tinkering, and going over their plans.  There were several versions of Fireman's Landing's layout.  The area around Time Traveler was not the first plan (or the second, or the third...)  And while they may be talking about doing something now, that could easily change in a couple of weeks when they rethink it a bit more.

222

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Attendance numbers

« on: November 05, 2018, 07:01:13 PM »

I'll be flying in from Orlando  (a $92 roundtrip flight was the impetus for this very spur of the moment trip) and can't get on the road any sooner (already praying for no flight delays).

Regarding the weather, the forecasts that I'm seeing call for a high of 45-50, and according to SDC most rides operate in the 30s and all rides operate above 42, so except for the first couple hours of the day I think I'm pretty safe for most of the day if the forecast holds.

I should have figured Orlando based on your handle.  Duh!  LOL  Yeah, that kind of will affect what time you get on the road.

I haven't taken that particular route (I live to the west of SDC), but if Google has that right (and they usually do) then that sounds like a great option.  yes, the traffic back up on the Branson West side is MUCH shorter than the other direction, so that should work well.  You're actually coming in early enough that you should be ok on the parking as well.  At that point this last Saturday they were still parking in their regular lots and not using the satellites, so I think you'll be fine.

One thing with Missouri- the forecasts will change constantly, sometimes even within hours.  Unlike Florida where they go on for 15 minutes to tell you that every day is the same weather (that always amazed me watching the tv forecasts there), here's it's a constantly changing deal.  Two days ago they were talking about possible snow on Thursday, now it's looking warmer and little rain at all.  But that could change again by tomorrow.  lol  Hoping you get your warmer weather (though for Florida it'll feel like ice to you) and that everything gets open.  :-)

223

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Attendance numbers

« on: November 05, 2018, 12:01:04 PM »

1) We'll be driving in from St. Louis early Saturday morning with an expected arrival in the Branson area between 11-11:30. Google maps is showing that it takes about 10 minutes longer without traffic to come to the park via Branson West, so my question is, with the expected traffic getting to the parking lots coming from Branson, is this a better route to get into the park, or does it get equally jammed coming from both directions on 76?

2) With attendance of >20,000 expected, what impact does this have on wait times for the coasters? Will it be worth it for me to purchase a Trailblazer pass if I'm going mainly for the rides and I can only go on Saturday?

If you're coming in from St. Louis, then you're likely going to be coming down 65, in which case I would take the Mountain Highroad and go around Branson.  You can also bypass much of the wait coming that way.  If you wanted to come in through Branson West, then you're going to have to route through part of Springfield, Nixa and then Branson West and the extra miles could outweigh any time you'd save- more than likely they would.

I would suggest if at all possible hit the road an hour earlier if you can.  The time you save in the parking lot, getting into the park and much more will more than make up for that little bit of sleep lost.

I would also keep an eye on the temperatures.  There's a good chance that this weekend will be pretty cool, and if the temperature forecasts they are saying now hold up, many of the coasters may not be operating.  The highs have been estimated at 40-48 degrees, with lows from 25-20, depending on forecast, and at I'd hate to see you spend the money on a TrailBlazer only to not get much use out of it because the coasters are closed.  For example, it has to be over 40 degrees for Powder Keg and Wildfire to operate, and over 41 for Time Traveler, which may not give them much of a operating window to run.

A much better spending of money, in my opinion, would be on the show pass for Dickens and Wonderful Life.  It's $10/ person per show, but it will save you 30-50 minutes in line for each, and give you a much better seat for it.  As good as the coasters are, the shows are the highlights of Christmas at SDC.

224

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2019 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: November 05, 2018, 11:50:13 AM »

Coaster Christmas this weekend will be interesting. I expect a teaser, just like we got in 2016 when Brad told us to get start getting excited about what we would eventually find out was Time Traveler.

I'd be surprised if they don't give some sort of teaser at the meal.  Has the park actually said anything about Lost River yet, other than it being removed from the website?
Totally going to miss the joke from the train about it though.  "Over to your right is the Lost River.  I don't know why we call it the Lost River.  It's right there!"

Wonder how the coaster part of the ACE event will turn out.  Right now temps are looking to be cold enough that they might not be able to run the coasters.

225

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2019 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: November 05, 2018, 08:17:14 AM »

Outside of the REJOICE sign missing, there was absolutely nothing different looking about the Lost River or Lake Silver area today.  I was out for a while and shot some video footage, but at least at this point it looks like it does every year at this time.

Rib house was also open for business and looking completely normal for this time of year. 

I'd say if it's happening, then they aren't starting for a while yet, and may wait until after the Christmas season.

Maybe you have seen lake silver drained to its traditional level or you were there earlier than me.  They had a large aux pump out in the lake to draw it to inches.  It’s on its way.  Looked like they are going to start chewing at the back end and leave the rib house till after the season.  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155498898586652&set=a.10150599990141652&type=3.   They have also reduced the price or all lucky branded merch 50%. The dog didn’t cut the mustard. 

They've used that aux pump many times in the past to lower the lake water.  There was still a couple of feet of water in lake silver, and that, along with the pump, are completely normal for this time of year.  The pump will often be out there for the first weekend if they don't get it quite finished draining before the park opens, but then they'll remove it after that.  So really it's waiting to see if they move it today or tomorrow when the park is closed.

I didn't look much in the stores since I was only out there for about 4 hours (didn't want to deal with the crowds more than that, and work was calling), but that's interesting that Lucky stuff is on sale.  Might have to check that out for my nephew.  Still wish they would bring back a lot of the classic toys that were in that store.