Cutbacks keep coming

[History Buff]

My observation is that the parks that are getting new toys are the ones that likely appeal to a younger (Read teen.) base.  Kids may not tend to cut back in economic downturns as much as their parents and grandparents.  Since SDC has a broader appeal, cutting back may make more sense for them.

They may also be setting up for a big push after the others spend their wad.

[Swoosh]

I was comparing the 2008 operational calendar with the 2009 calendar and was surprised by the cutbacks. The Christmas festival this year has 41 operational days and in 2009 it is down to 29 days during this festival.

Old Time Christmas this year runs from November 1st to December 30th
Next year the festival runs from November 7th to December 30th.  Why are you complaining about 6 less days?

FYI the dates for next year's festivals are as follows
-Spring Break March 19-22, 26-27 and 29 (Young Christain Day is the 28th)
-World Fest April 3 - May 3
-Bluegrass and BBQ May 13 -31
-Kidsfest June 6 - August 9
-Southern Gospel Picnic August 27 - September 7
-National Harvest Festival September 11 - October 31
-Old Time Christmas November 7 - December 30

Park is open from March 19 to December 30

[themeparkguy]

Mr Swoosh- You need to look at the actual operation days and not calendar days- the difference is the park is open 11 days less during the two festivals, days during the week that are open now have been cut. Over a week and 1/2 lost is worth noting as a cutback in my humble opinion. The euro argument also confuses me as we told the project could be started back up if the money was stabilized.

[Swoosh]

I must be looking at a different calendar then.
Do you have a link to yours?

[shavethewhales]

The 2009 SDC calendar is here -> http://hfeimages.aristotle.net/General/SDC/SDC%2009%20cal.pdf

There are indeed a lot more days missing during the Christmas festival. A couple of days after Christmas have been cut as well, which isn't surprising. Those are usually the least crowded days of the year.

[sdcforever]

I'm just glad they didn't cut any festivals.  They're trying to save money any way they can without making any drastic changes to the park's operation.

[Swoosh]

To me it looks like they only cut 4 days off -- slow Wednesdays in November.
That is nothing to fret about imho.  Unless something has changed here recently the park is open the week after Christmas thro' the 30th.  It is advertised in all of their season pass renewal letters and similar.  I don't know about the week of Christmas, but as mentioned that has been a very slow period in the past and makes sense -- 'sides the rest of Branson is pretty much closed that week anyway, so it makes sense.  They have families too.