Messages

721

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Season pass ordering problems

« on: February 03, 2015, 07:28:48 AM »

That fee is actually used for web site maintenence. Contrary to popular belief web sites are not free to make, update, or operate daily, and the fee you pay monthly for Internet goes to your service provider and not the sites you visit.

I am VERY familiar that websites aren't free to create or maintain due to the business that I am in.
 
I also don't think that is a "popular" belief.   Sheesh.  Is their really anyone out there that believes that "fee you pay monthly" goes to the websites and not the provider?   

I also stand by my "dinosaur" comment.  Imagine a "convenience" fee on Amazon, Netflix, or Joe "the plummer".  Websites are just a cost of doing business in the internet age.  Also, at $7.00 a pop, that must be some amazing website to maintain.  One that might even be able to complete an order....conveniently. 

 Just my observation on season pass ordering.

Dang that is about as bad as Ticketmaster fees. One thing HFEC is good at is looking how to increase revenue by charging for the small things that most people really do not notice.

722

Branson Talk / Re: Branson and Northwest Arkansas 2015

« on: February 01, 2015, 02:32:00 PM »

How will increasing variety of music help much. I ask that because as the cities in the region grows, so do the options. I've mentioned this before. NWA has an amp that's basically Walmart's baby. They will cover the cost of larger acts to play that venue and keep it very active. Here's some names announced so far for it this outdoor season

Kenny Chesney
Dave Matthews Band
Chicago
Steve Miller Band
Brantley Gilbert

Not to mention the second installment of Thunder on the Mountain down on the Pig Trail
That's got Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band headlining
http://thunderonthemountain.com/artist-lineup/

And... there's the surrounding casinos bringing in acts like Hard Rock in Tulsa from ZZ Top to Loretta Lynn

In duck hunting, we call that short stopping. Missouri is notorious of spreading out corn in their waterfowl rest areas to hold ducks in the area longer. That effects the need for them to Migrate further south or just to look around in the local area till froze out. You got lots of things now short stopping folks for music now. It's only going to get worse. The Quapaw have bought land along the Arkansas River in Little Rock, ancestral land, in the effort to build a casino. The recent ruling they got concerning the Kansas land that adjoins their casino outside Joplin bodes well for that endeavor. If Castle Rock gets their permit from Kansas, they are going to have an arena as part of theirs.   Again, this is not suggesting Branson needs casinos but that has been and is what's hurting Branson with
the older segment that really helped prop up the theater scene. That's not to say Branson can't still have music or a much wider variety of it. I'd love of SDC to bring in a B lister midweek outside of the bluegrass fest to prop up numbers as weekends need no help. It's value added.

To answer you question from my perspective as someone who is outside the area. I think the poster was talking about more permanent entertainment options. Let's face it Branson acts leave a lot to be desired for the younger set. Heck, they leave a lot to be desired for me in my 50's. I am not going to travel to NW Arkansas for a amphitheater show. It is just to far. Branson and SDC pull a lot of tourist from outside this area you have elaborated on. So, for those who come from SE Missouri , Kentucky, Tenn , Illinois and so on your NW Arkansas stuff is irrelevant to us. We can catch that kind of touring act closer to home. It is the nighttime local stuff that is short in the saddle. Now, if Branson were to have some 2 or 3 day music festivals covering all genres from Rap to Gospel  than that is a different story.

723

Branson Talk / Re: Baldknobbers: Reality TV??

« on: January 31, 2015, 05:41:09 PM »

[

Runner, you mentioned Barry Williams? R u talking about his new show with GAC, or did you have a previous example..?
[/quote
Runner?  
Wondering how you can "judge" the new Barry Williams show? Since it doesn't start until Feb 5th.?

Did not say I was judging the show , just saying how he sold out to reality TV to jumpstart his career. Sounds like you have some type of a intreast in it though.

724

Branson Talk / Re: Baldknobbers: Reality TV??

« on: January 31, 2015, 11:44:43 AM »

Runner, you mentioned Barry Williams? R u talking about his new show with GAC, or did you have a previous example..?

The new one. Unless you count the tell all book. I believe he is a Chameleon who will change to whatever puts the cash in his pocket.

725

Random Talk / Re: Superbowl 2015

« on: January 31, 2015, 07:40:44 AM »

A few adult beverages and some Chicken wings from Schnucks and Settle in for the evening.

726

Branson Talk / Re: Baldknobbers: Reality TV??

« on: January 31, 2015, 07:39:17 AM »

I am thinking if you want them to fail for selling thier soul then you want the following to failalso.

The bearded duck people sold out to reality TV.
The American Picker guys sold out.
Pawn stars sold out to TV.
Anyone who has ever been on a show like Dancing with the stars, Amazing Race , survivor. All sellouts
American idol contestants. I guess Carrie Underwood sold her soul also.
Old worn out Child TV stars like Barry Williams sold out their soul.
And the list goes on and on.

Have not been to the Baldknobbers in years , but I bet they are up to par with most of the same type show. They are just trying to survive in today's world and using the current way available to do it.

727

Branson Talk / Re: Branson and Northwest Arkansas 2015

« on: January 30, 2015, 01:31:12 PM »

Here is what I would do if I  was a developer and had the money.

1. Turn celebration city site into a mixed entertainment complex with a aquarium, vintage bowling alleys, and specialty restaurants. Also, a retro drive in movie theater on the site of the old laser show. I do not think Ozcat could be resurrected so on that end would be a new theater built specifically for a official Cirque permanent show. Not the cheap knockoff they have now.  Restaurants and a micro brewery and distillery would be intertwined. There would also be a area  devoted to seasonal fluctuation's like room for a ice skating rink in winter and maybe sand vollyball tournaments in the summer and fall.

2. The Grand Palace comes down and in its place a huge green space park would be built. Traveling artists and craft vendors could be rented spaces and street performers would be encouraged. This would also be able to be temporally fenced off for several major music festivals during the year. Rock, Alternative , bluegrass, gospel. A lollapolooza type event with multiple stages and vendor tents. Maybe a few permanent rides or one of the Huge Ferris wheels that are becoming so popular now. What a great view from this spot.

Of course the city cannot do these things but they could encourage the development. Being mixed use type developments it would attract all types of demographics so no one would be left out.

728

Branson Talk / Re: Branson and Northwest Arkansas 2015

« on: January 29, 2015, 02:14:19 PM »

I have never had an interest in Branson shows.  I would rather spend my vacation dollars doing other things and attending concerts at home.  Branson needs to spend money cleaning up and updating their look, (buildings, roads, power lines, etc.) if they want to grow.  It looks shabby.  And, I've commented before that there is more boat traffic in the last few years than I've ever seen before.  The Lake of the Ozarks crowd is moving to Branson and messing up the lake! (IMHO)

Agreed. The town is just plain ugly anymore. It would be nice to have a place close to go on short vacations and weekend getaways that have things we enjoy doing, but Branson entertainment is just not cutting it for us. I hate to be negative about it all ,but we just do not enjoy the town at all anymore. It seems to be stuck in time and have no vision for the future. Thats why we have not bought season passes to SDC for the last 3 years. Not enough to do to justify the trip and doing the same thing over and over again is just not fun.

729

Branson Talk / Re: Baldknobbers: Reality TV??

« on: January 29, 2015, 02:11:34 PM »

We had not been watching but had it on the DVR so last night we sat down and watched all the episodes in a binge.  Actually this is getting better as it progresses. The editing seems to have improved and the storyline is getting better. In no way do I see this as real. I would not even venture to guess how much is scripted, but it is entertaining. The Mabes are a talented family that just need to get on board in updating the show to what a audience  wants in 2015, but to me that is the problem with the entire Branson entertainment industry. If we go to Branson this summer which is doubtful ,I think The Baldknobbers might get a chance to earn my business. It is not really my cup of tea, but the curiosity thing has gotten to me. BTW , I have seen some post on Facebook that the Jan. shows are being very well attended. Maybe the reality thing is working.

730

Branson Talk / Re: Branson and Northwest Arkansas 2015

« on: January 29, 2015, 01:33:57 PM »

<Soapbox> NO ONE seems to care AT ALL about the older generations anymore, and I find that down right sickening. I deal with the same kind of stuff at church </soapbox>

Well Okie, I am part of the older generation now 55 plus, but I am one who tends to move forward and embrace change instead of fighting it. I find it keeps me more in touch with my kids and grand kids. And, I like not being stuck in time. A lot of my friends are still stuck in the 70's and 80's as far as there music and TV. I myself cannot stand classic rock and old TV. Love the new stuff though. Its not for everyone but it works for me. I can only hope for myself that Branson move ahead and does not die a slow death. I am finding less appealing shows and entertainment out there all the time. Bring in some rock festivals.

731

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Season pass ordering problems

« on: January 28, 2015, 08:09:56 AM »

SDC's ticketing system is antique. Just try to buy a 1 day ticket at the gate or do the $ 30.00 Thursday promotion. It takes forever and the operator needs to go through several screens just to sell a ticket, gathering all kinds of useless information. So I would bet that the website ordering is just as old and out of date. You should not have to call to purchase your pass either. If I would have had to go through your ordeal I would give it up and go elsewhere.

732

Branson Talk / Re: CDF fund? Is this still going on?

« on: January 27, 2015, 06:30:56 PM »

Not sure, but at one time SDC and a lot of area hotels charged a optional fee ( tax) that could be removed at the consumers request. This might be the same thing. I still look at all my receipts in Branson to make sure I am not paying into this Sham. Has anyone who purchased tickets to SDC notice if they are still charging it ? 

733

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: New Times in the mail today.! jan-2015

« on: January 25, 2015, 06:14:57 PM »

We got one. Same old same old. I really am surprised they still send these out. It would be a good way to cut cost.

734

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 5 improvements

« on: January 16, 2015, 12:53:58 PM »

I will go first.

1. Parking. Seems like SDC has never got parking right. The entire loading and unloading area is unorganized and has the potential for a accident. Overflow on busy days is also unorganized. They gave it a good try a few years back, but it still could use improvement.

2. Eliminate the bottle neck at the Hospitality house. Maybe a tear down and complete rebuild of the area. Peak days and around Christmas this is a terrible place to be.

3. Make sure you can provide the experience you advertise. Especially around christmas. Show capacity is so limited that only a small percentage of the park goers are able to enjoy them. Increase the capacity or add additional showtimes on peak days. This improvement area also includes ride reliability. Things have gotten better, but OR and PK still have major reliability issues.

4. Give me a nice Coffee shop in midtown somewhere. Maybe combine the mill breads with a good coffee area where Jacks used to be.

5. Get rid of the university logo, Nascar, Duck dynasty , Swamp people merchandise in some of the shops and give me some unique merchandise to look at.

6. How about a nice sit down restaurant with wait service.

Ok that was six so I violated my first point in the thread.

735

General Silver Dollar City Talk / 5 improvements

« on: January 16, 2015, 12:40:28 PM »

List 5 improvements you think the park could make over the winter to enhance guest experience. Here are the rules.

1. No new attractions. this has its own thread area.
2. No bashing of others ideas.