Now that DW is taking out the Dreamland Forest treehouses, do you think that SDC should take out Geyser Gulch? DW is simply getting some smaller playgrounds like a pig pen water play area, and a Bi-Plane play area to go with the Swing. I imagine it would be located next to the entrance of Mountain SLidewinder. So what do you think?
My take is that it probably will not go anywhere; immediately at least. Geyser Gulch is basically the last large scale play area in the park. Sure they could always replace it, but I just don't foresee that happening in the near future.
I personally do not have any children yet, so whether Geyer Gulch stays, or goes really has no impact on me. However, as much as Silver Dollar City, and Dollywood are similar, they always seem to take two different paths to get to the same destination. Just because Dollywood does something, doesn't always mean that Silver Dollar City will follow.
In my opinion only, Geyser Gulch works for what it is, and I have no overwhelming complaints about it. :)
It sure seems there are always a lot of kids at GG. They really seem to enjoy it a lot and talk about a place to burn off a lot of energy. It's also a pretty good babysitter when your watching a show at the boatworks theatre. It also seems very structurally sound with not a lot of upkeep. Throw in a few gallons of paint every year, buy some foam balls for the guns and its ready to go. I know there would be more upkeep than that but it should be minimal. I would hate to see it go but if something could go in that was more fun for everyone and the space was needed, then removing it could be a possibility.
QuoteHowever, as much as Silver Dollar City, and Dollywood are similar, they always seem to take two different paths to get to the same destination. Just because Dollywood does something, doesn’t always mean that Silver Dollar City will follow.
Amen! I highly doubt Geyser Gulch will be effected because the Dreamland Forest treehouses were removed from Dollywood. Kids love to play on Geyser Gulch and it's always done really well. On a different note, with the new attraction coming anything could happen.
The circumstances between the two parks are different in this case. GG is much larger and plays a more central role in kid's entertainment at SDC than DF did at DW. (Side Note: The acronyms are getting out of control around here ;))
While the removal of DF creates a precedent that GG may be removed in the next decade, I'd say it's safe for now. With the loss of the Landing, it will remain a pretty important asset in the park's line up until they can build more attractions aimed at youngin's. It does need TLC though. The changes that have been made since it was built have only taken away from it, such as the loss of the slide. A new paint scheme would be good too.
As I mentioned in my trip report and other threads this last week, when I visited the park Aug. 15, things really looked good...well, except for GG! It was terribly in need of a paint job. Here is is the end of August, and I guess having those structures over the lake and being wet all the time from the water from the lake and the kids squirt guns take their toll on it. I'm sorry to say this, but it was the only place on the park that looked shabby and run down. However, the question really was should it be removed. Well, I hope not. It is the last big play area for kids, and unless they come up with something else, I think they should keep it. My daughter loved the place when she was a kid, I'm glad she could experience it as she did (1990's). We have not had a chance to get the grandkids to SDC, although some of them did get to go to CC, and really did enjoy that.
Keep GG!! I've never been so wet in my entire Life. Except when ya go tubin' down a river or somethin'. I love it when kids attack a adult with water guns. :D
QuoteIt was terribly in need of a paint job. Here is is the end of August, and I guess having those structures over the lake and being wet all the time from the water from the lake and the kids squirt guns take their toll on it.
I was there today 8/22/10 and the structure itself is in real need of some cosmetic TLC.
I was sitting on a bench directly to the side looking at the kids thinking the beams on the thing are rusting.
Ans this is in the dry area.
Its great for the kids but they really need to do something about the color and the paint.
Quote from: shavethewhales on August 22, 2010, 03:50:45 PM
A new paint scheme would be good too.
I agree! I have never been a fan of the pastel pink, and blue, and other colors they used on Geyser Gulch. In addition to fresh paint, I think it deserves a fresh new paint scheme. After that, it will be good to go for another decade, or so. :)
TLC once a year for the last 30 years (for part of that structure) just hasn't been enough for the wear and tear GG takes each year. The pastels have never fit at SDC.
Half Dollar Holler may have a hand in replacing the needs that are currently satisfied by GG (if HDH ever becomes a reality). And with the new squirt guns at the RB, there may less need for the SGs at GG. KWIM?
I was never a fan of the "Ripley's" type of crumbling architecture that the area has.
Is it always necessary to tear something down to build something new? Anyone that thnks RB takes the place of GG has obviously never spent time watching the kids have the time fo their lives playing at GG. What fun...lets wait in line for 15-20 minutes for a five minute ride and walk off with your arm feeling like it wants to fall off....loads of fun. Just spent the last 3 days are SDC with my 9 and 12 year old nephews and RB was a "been there, done that" kinda ride for them. Lost River, American Plunge, and Gyser Gluch...couldn't get enough.
Was there pretty much the entire day on Saturday and RB was down twice and once on Sunday when we WALKED by. In my opinion this ride definitely was not worth the wait and expense.
GG does seem to have a magical effect on kids. They seem to look at it like a giant tree house without the tree. I have seen kids playing for a long time just running through the little squirt of water that comes up from the ground. It's strange how something so simple as that can keep them so interested.
QuoteRB was a "been there, done that" kinda ride for them.
My 6-year-old has outgrown GG after shooting at the same waterworn targets, but she loves RB (much to my chagrin; at least we could get in and out of GG pretty quickly). She likes being able to shoot at other people. The part of GG she liked was the fountains (when she was smaller), but the same thing could be incorporated into a new, better-themed area. I'm sorry, but I want a new skyline on that side of the lake - something that will look great in photos.
I have to say as a father of a two year old that is his favorite place to fun around at. He is able to do all the stuff that GG has. I honestly think he would stay over there all day long if he could. Dad likes to see some of the other parts of the park also. I do believ that does need a little touch up here and there and with so many working parts I understand that it is probably hard to keep up with it with so many kids in there all day and every day. Alright with that being said I think it should be kept.
"I'm sorry, but I want a new skyline on that side of the lake - something that will look great in photos". ?????
Now thats a great reason to tear down something so popular with young and old alike. Really? Good pictures? Lets not worry about if it will be an asset to the park....it's got to look good in pictures. I dont mean to be rude, but I expect more from someone who has been here as long as you.
I don't think remove, I just think a neew paint scheme possibly...
Quote from: Pintrader on August 23, 2010, 08:30:56 PM
GG does seem to have a magical effect on kids. They seem to look at it like a giant tree house without the tree. I have seen kids playing for a long time just running through the little squirt of water that comes up from the ground. It's strange how something so simple as that can keep them so interested.
OMG, when we took my then 1 1/2-year-old niece to Geyser Gulch last year, she LOVED the squirts of water near the entrance. She played in them for several minutes. When we finally decided to move on, she threw a fit when we took her away from it. :)
The surprise squirts of water are always a child favorite! I remember when I was a kid I used to get a kick out of them at any theme park that had them. ;D
GG is certainly far from my favorite attraction in park, but it fills it's role of offering quite a bit of capacity and taking a big load off the rest of the park. Plus, it puts lots of smiles on lots of young'uns.
Yeah, it hasn't worn well. Yeah, it's not that attractive. But it fills a big need. And it's probably more theme-friendly than plenty of other things they could put in its place.
The Water fountains that kids jump in at DW is the family favorite. Water guns are already up at RB at DW, and they have Adventure Mountain, so they decided to let it go. Dreamland Forest has alot of wear and tear. It has to have alot of upkeep. So they are putting in a Pig Pen themed water fountain area, and a barnyard themed playground, so it will be good enough. I mean there's plenty of things for kids to do. There's Country Fair, Blazing Fury, Mountain SLidewinder, Adventure Mountain, Smoky MOuntain RIver Rampage, Daredevil Falls, River Battle and the new barnyard playgrounds coming in 2011 so it will all work out, and I personally can't wait for DW to open in 2011. SO EXCITED. Also, i'm excited to see what SDC will add in 2011! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Please as much as I hate those dirty pourous foam balls dont get rid of GG! It actually allows me to sit and watch my kid play and I dont have to interact unless he up and decides to go to the blasted guns then well break times over! But for the most part it is something a 4 year old can do, and do by themselves for the most part. Its alot of running and crawling and touching where as other parts of the park he cant do that. Its nice to have. Plus I indulge in the spraying water that shoots from the ground. Just call me beached whale and put up a sign saying the beach is closed!
Geyser Gulch came along at a point in my life when I was too old to appreciate it. I have been there before, but until I have children, I probably won't use it. However, the notion of taking it out would be as destructive to the children of today as closing the Treehouse or the playground at Tom Sawyer's landing would have been to me when I was young.
I was sad to see that Treehouse & playground go, so I know how the kids of today would feel about GG closing. I might not use it and I think it is "too wet" for SDC, but I think it would be a mistake to close it.
Agreed, it is the last "classic" kids play area.. Leave it be.
I wish they would invest in more of an old fashioned playground. I guess there is just too much potential for lawsuit happy parents so it probably won't happen.
QuoteI wish they would invest in more of an old fashioned playground.
Part of your wish might come true!
do tell more copper!!!
Hey, I'm ready for the big 2011 announcement! To anyone who is around when that announcement is made: PLEASE POST PICTURES! Thanks!
If you go to the 2011 thread you'll see that some visible progress has been made already
I was very disappointed that they took most of the things out of the area for small children. My three year old twins are very hesitant to go and play with the big kids. They get run over and that area allowed them to play but not have to worry about the big kids. However, the older they get, the more we will visit.
Quote from: Swoosh on October 20, 2010, 10:00:50 PM
If you go to the 2011 thread you'll see that some visible progress has been made already
So, I take it THIS is the area that is being reconstructed?! ???
Um. No. Go read the 2011 thread and then click on the link to see the pictures.
Quote from: Swoosh on October 20, 2010, 10:07:14 PM
Um. No. Go read the 2011 thread and then click on the link to see the pictures.
I saw that after I posted here.
QuoteI was very disappointed that they took most of the things out of the area for small children.
Then I think you and your children might be in for a treat!
Okay, so ever since Geyer Gulch first opened years ago, I had never once actually entered the structure, and I had no idea what it was really about. As far as I was concerned, it was just a generic play area for children. However, this past week, my family, and I actually went inside of it for the first time, and I must say, I definitely have a new appreciation for it!
I am a full grown adult, and I still had fun shooting the foam balls, and climbing the different levels, and shooting the water cannons. It's not perfect, but it's actually not a bad time killer, and energy burner for children. I am always open for improvements, but I say keep Geyser Gulch! :)
hey ozark.. got pics? want to see you climbing treehouse and using the guns!
Working on it! I took over 300 pics on my trip to Branson last week. ;D I uploaded most of them onto my Facebook page, but I have thought about creating a Flickr account to share my pics with the world. :)
^ you're not on my facebook yet. Send me a link!
Ha ha Copper! ;D I saw that! ;)
wow 300 pics!!?? i am going to get some pics this time, but not that many!!! lol
LOL Makayna! It's hard to read this forum and not give the game away.
:-X
Quote from: Copper on October 20, 2010, 11:24:27 PM
QuoteI was very disappointed that they took most of the things out of the area for small children.
Then I think you and your children might be in for a treat!
Copper, you just made my day! Since we have to buy them passes next year, we considered not doing it since there is nothing for them to do.
I am not sure of the age ranges of your children, but don't forget about The Grand Exposition, and all of the countless activities during Kids Fest that they could participate in as well. Silver Dollar City is truly diversified for every generation.
As far as Geyser Gulch, I never saw a frowning face inside of there during my visit. :)
My 2-year old niece's favorite ride was "The Fire Ride! The Fire Ride!" (FITH) I swear we must have taken her on that 50 times! Since it only has a 32" height requirement, she and her brother both met the requirement at age 2. Her twin brother, on the other hand, cried the entire time. :'( So, my sister had to stay with him while I rode FITH OVER and OVER and OVER again!!!
Even the "big rides" can sometimes be teeny little ones' favorites! :)
Nothing wrong with FiTH over and over and over. My sister and I did that as kids, when it was the only coaster at SDC (course we did the same with AP and LROTO ;D
It's one thing when you're a kid to do that. It's entirely another thing when you're in your late 20's riding FITH OVER AND OVER AND OVER again with a 2 year old who keeps saying "THE FIRE RIDE! THE FIRE RIDE!"
However, despite my slight annoyance at the time, it's now a fond memory that I have of the park, the ride and my niece. ;)
When we did, however, finally quit riding that ride, you can imagine the screaming and crying that ensued!!! >:(
memories with nieces and nephew!! hard to beat that!
Yea, I can see that.