Messages

331

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2015 Project

« on: August 03, 2014, 09:40:49 PM »

Swoosh, now that you know the ride list for the area....are you more excited for the announcement, or has your concern for the new area grown?

Jay

332

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2014 Projects and Changes

« on: July 28, 2014, 03:54:28 PM »

The face is gone. They have taken the face out and replaced it with a line of lights. It has to be the stupidest, cheapest replacement ever.

When I was there last week, the mirror didn't even work at all. I felt pretty dumb when I told people to look in the mirror.....they did and nothing happened 

AP, is a good flume, if that's all you are expecting (but the earlier versions of this ride have spoiled us). The tunnel now has lanterns in it, so it's not completely dark, but it just has vertical walls so no place for any theme elements at all. If they were going to do anything like they used to have, they would have to completely tear down and start over. Besides the tunnel, the whirlpool is in a sad state of repair and none of the other props are there anymore. This ride could really use some attention. The splash down is still great and gets you good and wet...something that's pretty rare on any other flume I've ridden.

I've said it several times on here, but if SDC would just rehab the AP, Flooded Mine, Fire In the Hole and the tunnel on Lost River, they would really have an incredible solid line up of rides. Maybe they could do this in 2016 after Fireman's Landing in 2015 and before the next big rollercoaster.

Jay

333

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Marvel Cave Group Pictures

« on: July 24, 2014, 04:41:18 PM »

Everybody go check your old group pictures right now.  When my wife and I were engaged, we discovered that we were on the same Marvel Cave tour some 15 years before we ever met!  Well, not really - that's another lie.  But wouldn't it be a cool story!

We have a picture of my wife and her dad riding the mine train at SFOT and my Mom and two sisters sitting behind them in the same mine car (this was back when they would put 3 people in a seat). I think the picture was taken in 77 or 78, I was 6 or 7 at the time. It was a really cool find when we were going though old pictures one day.

Jay

334

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Attendence 2014..

« on: July 21, 2014, 01:11:26 PM »

Does anybody have the attendance estimates from this weekend (July 19th and 20th)?

We went on the 16th and it was fairly crowded, I think I heard a citizen say they were around 12,000 at 2:00...Thunderation had a 30 minute wait on Wednesday.

We also went on Saturday. At 2:00 the place was packed. Since we went earlier in the week we just picked up the stuff we missed and headed out early to get home, It was just before 3:00 and there were tons of people just getting to the park. From the looks of things Saturday had to be a really big day for them.

Jay

335

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2015 Project

« on: July 20, 2014, 04:21:19 PM »

My guess on that foundation. It looks exactly like the old kiddie swing foundation in a new location so I am guessing the Kiddie Swing ride will be going there.

That makes a lot of sense. It just looks like a foundation that something is going to sit on, there isn't any anchor bolts coming up through the foundation for anything big to attach to it.

Jay

336

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2015 Project

« on: July 20, 2014, 10:31:26 AM »

Great shots, cowboy.  Now, what exactly are we looking at?

Good question....There are several foundations poured, one big circle foundation, and then several of the others look like they are about to go more vertical.

If they are going to reuse the balloons.....do you think they might go on the circle foundation?

Also, I didn't go into half dollar holler, but I noticed not one kid was using the ropes portion of that attraction. Either it was closed, or no one is interested. That is one area of the park I wouldn't mind them removing and letting it go back to a natural setting.

Jay

337

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2015 Project

« on: July 19, 2014, 09:30:11 PM »

Was in Branson this week for a softball tournament and spent a few days at the City. Today was packed and floods of people were coming in at 3:00 as we were leaving. Lots of great deals after 7:00...but we had to get back home.

Anyway, took some photos of the project site.....and video from the train too (http://youtu.be/LPK_c20gKg4). Here are the pictures:





















Jay

338

Other Parks / Re: Bell's Developments

« on: July 09, 2014, 04:11:21 PM »

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339

Other Parks / Re: Six Flags Over Texas Survey

« on: July 08, 2014, 02:16:02 PM »

You are right that the survey was poor.

Which describes your interest in this attraction (Phone charging stations)?
1. We would make a special, previously unscheduled trip to the park to experience this attraction
2. If we were thinking about a trip to the park, this would make us definitely go
3. Next time we visit the park, we will definitely visit this attraction
4. If we happen to be in the area of the attraction we might check it out
5. No interest, and wouldn’t make any effort to experience
6. We would make every effort to avoid this attraction

It really was hard to answer the questions. Would I drive out of my way for a phone charging station?.....um, maybe, but not to a six flags...I'd just find a Target and buy one.

And the description of the simulator ride was very vague.....what I read, I didn't find exciting at all. You can do so much with simulators, but what they described was "hey sit down in this coaster car, and watch this film of a coaster".

So you were right - just a very poor survey.

Jay

340

Other Parks / Six Flags Over Texas Survey

« on: July 08, 2014, 11:17:15 AM »

I got the most awful "future" attractions survey from Six Flags. The three new attractions they promoted were:

1. Cell Phone Charging Stations/Social Media update stations. This would be kiosks placed around the park where you can update your Facebook, etc. and charge your phone. - My thoughts: Why isn't there just cell phone charging stations placed around the park as a service to your park guests? We update our social status by phone anyway so no need for computer stations. And why would this be considered as an attraction - this is a service in my mind, and something they should have already been providing.

2. Coaster Theater. You are strapped into a coaster car but experience the coaster without ever leaving the ground. - My thoughts: this just sounds like one of those "coaster simulators" that you can find at pizza buffets. I really didn't find this interesting......but if they constructed something like Spiderman, now that would be cool, but from the description - it was just going to be watching a coaster on a screen which I think is very blah.

3. Private Suites. Suites you can rent that are air-conditioned, have TV's, etc. - My thoughts: I do not want little suites to pop up all over the park, if you put these in the group picnic area it may work, but I really do not like this idea for just a select number of people and as an upcharge. Just provide some more relaxing areas of the park for your guest to enjoy. Enclose some of the restaurant areas and provide air conditioning, or construct a large pavilion that can be used by everyone. Frontier City has something like this that blends really well with the park.

Anyway, I am just concerned that Six Flags thinks these are attractions. I get the Coaster Theater as being billed as such......but a phone charging station and Private Suites? Those last two items should just be amenities that are provided to guests to better their experience at the park.

Jay

341

Other Parks / Re: Bell's Developments

« on: July 02, 2014, 10:13:27 PM »

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342

Other Parks / Re: Bell's Developments

« on: July 02, 2014, 08:08:42 PM »

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343

Branson Talk / Re: Branson Debates Diversification

« on: June 15, 2014, 10:15:37 PM »

There is a plan, or at least some ideas being kicked around for 76.

http://bransonspiritof76.com/

I would highly suggest bleacher seating at roundabout intersections, 1 buck per hr. watching bluehairs lose it. I've seen this first hand when Fayetteville put one in by the hospital. I love them and understand them but it's completely foreign to folks over 50. Some hate them so much that they avoid them. I know the one down by the landing is nice but that's not bluehair way.

I think roundabout intersections work pretty good if you have one major roadway, with a minor roadway intersection. So basically your movements continue to flow properly. If you have a turning movement that is extremely heavy in one direction (like an on-ramp for a highway) the roundabouts can actually cause a bigger backup than the traffic light. So I think these would work okay for the minor intersections along 76 but would be nightmares at 76 and Indian Point Road, or 76 and Ozark Mountain High Road.

One other issue would be the size of the land it would take to make a roundabout work properly, so along the developed areas of 76, some businesses might have to be purchased for right-of-way purposes.

But if done properly and in the right locations, these definitely help with traffic flow and can serve as traffic calming measures too (plus if videoed they could provide some free entertainment).

Jay

344

Branson Talk / Re: Branson Debates Diversification

« on: June 10, 2014, 11:16:28 AM »

Branson is going to have to do something to survive, and to make people keep wanting to come back,

My biggest issue with Branson, isn't it's variety of attractions, it's that it's loosing it's charm. You have way too many abandoned attractions (Grand Palace, Celebration City, Outlet mall) and other attractions that look like they need to be abandoned. These items just give Branson a "dirty" or "going out of business" feel....also, a lot of "clearing" for roads, developments, and such that are yet to be complete.

It's too bad that the city of Branson didn't make covenants that would have required better building practices. It seems that metal buildings with false fronts were perfectly fine......I know Tanger was constructed in their standard format, but what if Branson just required them to do a little more to improve the aesthetics of the development...(more trees, a wooded or natural theme with the area).

I just think it's time for a big clean and re-landscape.

Jay

345

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2015 Project

« on: June 05, 2014, 10:30:34 AM »

Any chance SDC will purchase another S&S tower to pair with the used one from Celebration City? I'm just thinking the capacity of only one tower might be a little bit of a problem for SDC. Most large parks that have these rides, have multiple towers...but then again, with all the other rides going into the area the single tower ride capacity might not be an issue.

Jay