Messages

46

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2019 Trip Reports

« on: September 01, 2019, 05:29:12 PM »

This might be sexist of me, sorry in advance, but it really bums me out to see a girl playing Ralpie/Alphie. I mean, its fine, but I dont care for it. Its weird for me I guess.

Nope.  I agree.  At least to a point.  Some of the jokes are gender-specific and don’t exactly work as well with a female in the cast.  Same thing with some of the spiel by the conductor while you’re in motion.  They just don’t work as well when Kathy is the conductor. 

Now I’m not saying that women shouldn’t be allowed to be in those roles, I just think the scripts need to be updated to allow for that versatility

I agree with you Swoosh

There actually are updates and changes to the scripts for when one of the robbers is a lady.  Even different names for the robber.  And adjustments for what is said and who says it.

But they don't do them.  :-(

And I'll just leave it at that.

47

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2020 Project (Thread #2)

« on: September 01, 2019, 05:22:04 PM »

My point was--and remains--that not everyone goes for the rides.  There are people who don't want the rides, and we are a population who also spend $$$ at SDC.  Make enough changes, and you will alienate us.  The city *may* bring in enough new blood to compensate, but it might not, either.  Besides, we don't need another 6F or WoF in the area. 

And SDC obviously hasn't forgotten your group.  This is, after all, the year of shows and festivals, which is completely aimed at your demographic.  I don't think that when they do a new ride every other year, and then feature new shows and festivals the others is forgetting.  It's building for both.

Just because you don't like something because it doesn't apply to you specifically doesn't mean they are ignoring or rejecting you.  Not everyone is going to like every single thing.  But as long as they are adding some things you like.  And still keeping others that you do, then it seems they are still covering you pretty well.

48

Other Parks / Re: Frontier City Developments

« on: September 01, 2019, 05:17:34 PM »

It's great that WWB is getting some attention and investment. Hopefully it's more than just this new slide a few sign changes. Just like FC, WWB has been ignored for far too long and is way below it's potential.

I am disappointed that FC gets nothing once again though. A cheap flat would have gone a long way here.

Outside of a couple of exceptions, most of the Six Flags additions this year and very unimpressive.  St. Louis is essentially getting an larger version of an upcharage attraction, and they haven't had anything new of note in a long time.  There are a few parks that really aren't getting anything.  So FC isn't alone in that.

49

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2020 Project (Thread #2)

« on: August 29, 2019, 02:14:41 PM »

wow such vitriol on this...  Calm boys, calm.
It doesn't have to be an either/ or, it can be an and/ both.  And personally that's what I think it should be.

Personally, I agree with Chittlins that it would have been nice to have another attraction in the area.  Normally that's a ride.  But not always.  But something else to draw people in and give them something to do.  It didn't have to be a major ticket, a flat ride would fit the bill, but there could be other options as well.

At the same time I agree that they also should keep the other focus on the entertainment, shows, etc.  SDC's big bill is that it is a family park- a place where families can do things together.  And that's what they need to do- keep things that families can do together.  Add in some thrills for the dare devils, and add things that young children and grandparents can join in on as well.

That's a hard balance to find sometimes. And in a smaller park, it's not unusual for people to need a year or two off.  Also nothing wrong with that.  I'm really perturbed that some took that as a excuse to take personal shots, simply because someone has a different opinion.

Or the idea that thinking a park needs flats means it's turning into Six Flags.  Disney also does flats, and they are a good way to balance out a park so that it appeals to everyone.

One last bit- SDC really does need things that increase their capacity.  I don't mean how many people the park can hold, I mean some things that can actually get high numbers of people on the rides at time.  The largest capacity rides at SDC can push through on their best days around 700-1000 people an hour.  Maybe.  That's not high capacity.  Not when you compare it to coasters like SFMM or CP have that will push through 1500+/ hour.  Or you start looking at rides at Disney that can easily push through over 2000 an hour with around the 3000 mark.

SDC has a pretty good mix of rides.  But they are NOT a high capacity park.  Not when their largest days are low to medium level attendance days at many parks, or when they see more people each day at the Apple Butter Making festival.  Yes, I'd like to see the park get expanded along those lines like Dollywood has- which also has several high capacity rides to help absorb those larger crowds.

50

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2020 Project (Thread #2)

« on: August 23, 2019, 07:48:09 PM »

So last week I took a vacation down to Orlando for a few days and got to ride Infinity Falls. I will say that the build up to the drop can be pretty intimidating. The drop really wasn't much, but the whole elevator thing was pretty crazy. As I said previously, I think once people get over themselves and see it in person, most will have no problem with it. It is certainly going to be different than Lost River, but LR wasn't that mild of a ride either.

That's pretty much how we felt about it as well.  It was a really neat ride, but really not that scary or intimidating.  We all thought the elevator was pretty neat, but if you've been on any of the rapids with a drop, they're not anywhere near as exciting or intense as you might think (like the ones on the Disney rapids rides).  I expect this to be about the same- it will be neat, fun, and something different, but I don't see it scaring people away.  It will be a much more fun and exciting draw to it.

51

Construction/Rumors / Re: Future SDC Development Speculation (Long-term)

« on: August 21, 2019, 07:48:22 PM »

Revisiting my post above and to combine some thoughts I posted from the 2020 thread:

IF SDC were to invest in a Mack or B&M Hyper/Giga terrain coaster on their next big project, this coaster is a good example on how they could thoughtfully lay it out using the trees and terrain they have past WF/PK along the railway and/or towards the parking lot.

After finally getting out east to experience Fury 325 a couple months ago at Carowinds I would love to see SDC get one at some point.

I've always thought it could be so cool if they added something like this that went along the train tracks or just in that general area! And imagine that night ride!!!

If they ever did that, though, kiss the train robbery goodbye.  As it is now the noise from Outlaw Run and Powder Keg can overwhelm it a little, and the Christmas Tree would over power grandpa sometimes.  If they put a coaster that actually really went out that way, then it would completely drown out the robbery, making it kind of pointless.

But then I have a feeling at some point in the next several to 10 to 15 years that the robbery will be going away anyways.  Just a hunch on my part

52

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Thunderation Bump

« on: August 21, 2019, 08:36:49 AM »

I call BS.  That section of track has settled.  My guess is they do not want to spend the money fixing it.  It would probably be about like putting piers in a house foundation.

Well you’d be incorrect because they’re literally having discussions right now on how and when to repair the ride (and not just this bump).  Sliding piers is not a new phenomenon.  Powder Keg has had several piers repaired and/or replaced over the years as have a few other rides.  The issue is that when you build a ride on fill dirt, over time it will settle and adjust.  It’s just what happens.  So back to TNT, they’re discussing the fix and hopefully it can be done before next season.

I wish he had just been honest then and told me that instead of the BS about accelerometers.

Because he isn't in admin or PR, he very likely doesn't have clearance to say anything.  And by doing so, it could easily put his job in jeopardy since he would be "speaking for the company" when he's not authorized.  And he very likely was being honest.  Accelerometers will show changes in g-forces, but they often won't show "bumps" so it's quite possible that it's not registering what we're feeling.

53

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2020 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 14, 2019, 10:04:13 AM »

Watching the initial reactions from the public roll in... Very reminiscent of the Time Traveler announcement in some ways. Lots of people freaking out about the drop, saying it makes it too scary to be a family ride. SDC stepping in and downplaying it so people aren't worried...

Well, with Time Traveler we know how that went. People got over their fears pretty darn quick and it's been incredibly popular. I predict the same will happen here. Only difference is that this is a replacement of a previous ride, so I can understand the people who are scared of heights being upset about it.

I just think it's hilarious how SDC will try to push the envelope a little, then have to down play it every time when people freak out, lol.

This ride is very similar to Infinity Falls at Seaworld Orlando, including a similar (but not quite as high) lift and drop. I haven't ridden on it, but the POV videos I've seen seem to make the drop not nearly as bad as what some naysayers think. I don't even think it will be that bad for most people who don't like heights (I don't, although I do still ride all the coasters).

Got to ride Infinity Falls a couple of weeks ago.  We had a kid of about 7 and a grandma in our boat, along with my wife who has neck problems that keeps her from riding coasters and many "thrill" rides.  None of them had an issue on the ride, the drop is smooth and gentle- it's neat to do but really not scary or intimidating at all.  A logflume drop has more "oomph" to it than the drop in Infinity Falls did.

The ride overall didn't get us that wet, with a single waterfall doing most of the damage.  I'm hoping that SDC does better on that end as one thing I like about their water rides is that you actually get really wet on them, which is kind of the point. 

I am really looking forward to this.  I've noticed that the concept art is also showing 8 person boats instead of the 6 that they had before.  I hope that's the case as it will help with capacity.  As popular as it was, Lost River was fairly low capacity for a rapids ride.  The theming looks incredible.

I do get a bit of a chuckle over them calling it a new "land".  One ride and one restaurant, without even really having a walkway isn't a new area for me. Unless they are changing the name of the whole Riverfront area.

54

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Thunderation Bump

« on: August 09, 2019, 07:03:31 PM »

It seems like something happened when they were building Time Traveler that caused that one section of ride to get really bad.  It's definitely a jarring bump/ jolt, and it doesn't feel good.  Not sure what needs to be done to fix it exactly, but it does need something done.

No need to replace the whole coaster though- just fix the one section and give it a nice refurbishment as a whole. It's a good mine train coaster.  There are a few I like better, but if you're in middle America then it stands out above almost everything similar within a 10-12 hour drive.

55

Random Talk / Re: Your Travels Thread (2019)

« on: August 09, 2019, 06:53:52 PM »

Just got back from the 2.5 week Florida trip, right on the tails of a week in KC, including a day at Worlds of Fun.

The Worlds of Fun vlog was posted a couple of weeks back.  That park has some serious issues they need to work on with air conditioning, shade, etc.  Just as bad as it was 2 weeks ago, and a lot of building A/C wasn't working right.  Not good, and not something I've seen at any other park like that.

The vlogs from Busch Gardens, Sea World, Disney, and Six Flags over Georgia will all be posting over the next 2-4 weeks.  Had a blast at every park, and was really impressed with the Six Flags park.  Great coasters and rides at each, but Sea World's Mako was easily the cream of the crop on this trip.  Wow, what a ride it was.

Less than 2 weeks until Frontier City where I'll be doing a telethon livestream raising money for Give Kids the World during the Coasting for Kids event.  Hope you'll join me there!

56

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Barbara Summers

« on: August 09, 2019, 06:48:38 PM »

Its too bad, yes..   Nobody should go that young.. 

Do you guys realize this happened a little over 2 years ago??.

Nope, missed that entirely.  Looks like a newbie resurrected the thread and I didn't see it.  :-)

no wonder it seemed like I had already heard that.

57

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: The Toby Show - absolutely amazing and SDC performers in it

« on: August 09, 2019, 06:47:21 PM »

Definitely something I'd like to do.  When and where are the shows?

58

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Remember when you were a kid and dreamed about living in SDC?

« on: July 18, 2019, 10:50:53 AM »

We didn't live in Celebration when we lived in the area and didn't know anyone who did.  So I can't comment one way or the other on the article.

But we did end up at the hospital there for a surgery my wife had (very nice hospital, very screwed up experience with their billing who, while I was outside in my car waiting for them to bring her out wheeled her over to billing and demanded full payment, even though we hadn't seen a bill and it hadn't been submitted to insurance yet.  I had to go in and forcefully wheel my wife out to the car)

We also went to one of their Christmas festivals, which was actually really nice, with the outdoor skating rink, music, horse carriage rides, "snow", and a number of other things.  We really did enjoy that.

59

Random Talk / Re: Your Travels Thread (2019)

« on: July 18, 2019, 10:41:16 AM »

@Chittlins  Nice photos!  Love the two arms on the Condor with the seats facing outwards like that.  That would be a fun way to ride it instead of the typical seating, like on the other 2.  They aren't the first place I've seen with the Condor on top of another attraction, but I wish more would do things like that.  Especially parks pressed for space.

60

Branson Talk / Re: Front Row: Wiping Out on the Branson Jet Boats! You Will Get Wet! Thrilling Ride

« on: July 18, 2019, 10:36:30 AM »

Hey John, just a gentle suggestion, but maybe just a description of the video and a link to it would be good, without all of the other channel and support stuff, at least for the posts on the board.  :-)  I like the video links but for the rest we can pick it up in the videos themselves.