So I've been reading reviews from this year from a host of sites and I'm seeing a common theme this year: crowds have been light almost every day excluding the few major weekends. Anyone else that's been several times this year experiencing this?
I heard that last year and the year before that the park did quite well, or at least did better than expected. This year suddenly it sounds like the park might be scrapping by.
The economy is of course the first thing to blame - a lot of people have mentioned they can't afford it this year, but I've also got to wonder how much is due to the lack of major new attractions (especially after the loss of several attractions in 2009) and a generational shift that expects different things from the park. I also still think the park is in a bit of a sore spot at the moment because of their increasing dependence on rides to get people into the park. A growing number of people treat the park like any other theme park with rides and consider the gate price too high for the number of rides in the park. Like we've discussed before, the park has to stretch itself to keep enticing new, younger guests with rides and satisfy the loyal customer base with high-quality shows, crafts and atmosphere, and right now is probably the height of that stretch.
It sure seems like a bad time for the park to be skimping on the new additions. 2011 is the tenth year in a row since we've seen a net increase in the number of coasters in the park (though the two new replacements are definitely huge improvements), and since 2007 it seems like more attractions have been taken out of the park than added. I don't necessarily want to see them add a bunch of rides, but I feel like at this point they've already got too many not to keep building up their collection in the face of growing expectations in that area from the younger generations of guests.
Don't get me wrong, the park had done a pretty darn good job of staying true to its self in light of all the modern challenges being thrown at it, but you've got to admit it seems like for all the "minor" improvements that have been made over the past several years, the park is kind of spinning its wheels in terms of adding new experiences, and I definitely feel like this might be an elephant in the room that people are starting to feel when they make a decision to visit or not. With 2008, 2009, 2011, and now 2012 appearing to be small capital investment years, it feels like the park is kind of in limbo even though we the fans have been observing various continued improvements all around. I just wish they'd make a major investment soon and really add to the park, whether it be with a new ride, theatre/show, or whatever.
What do you guys think?
""Like we've discussed before, the park has to stretch itself to keep enticing new, younger guests with rides and satisfy the loyal customer base with high-quality shows, crafts and atmosphere, and """
Your right on the "money" as usual Steve. The only thing I think that needs to be stressed or added is that in order for younger people to be drawn to the city, WE as adults need to bring the kids in and show the city as a whole. The city is NOT a theme park and that message is being lost to the general public. IMHO.
Went twice int he spring. On one of those visits (BG&BBQ), the crowds were moderate; during the other (WF), the park was pretty crowded (Line for the Russian circus stretched all the way up to the Baldknobber Bridge).
I can't really give an opion about new attractions becasue they generally don't attrract me--I'd be just as happy if there were NO coasters at SDC. BUT I know that it is a personal preference, and I can't afford to pay their bills by myself ;)
I do think that more evening/night time hours would be an attraction, but I have no idea how they would handle the necessary overhead on that one. They'd have to nearly doulbe their staff, I would think. I don't think it would pay.
The park seems to run in cycles. There are naturally going to be down years but there are also going to be up years. This just happens to look like a down year. I agree it looks like the economy is the biggest factor in this year's attendance numbers. I myself have been going to SDC since 1963. Why did I and thousands of other people keep coming back in the 70's, 80's, 90's and today? It's the great memories and fond experiences of past visits. I don't necessarily think SDC needs to add attractions and rides year after year to stay competitive. They would make a lot of people happy if they would just put money into taking care of the rides and attractions they now have. Don't get me wrong! I know things need to be added, but their choices over the last couple of years have left a lot of people scratching their heads. With that being said, I will still spend my hard earned money at SDC :).
Quote from: sanddunerider on July 07, 2011, 07:26:22 AMThe city is NOT a theme park and that message is being lost to the general public. IMHO.
In my opinion, Silver Dollar City is a theme park, but it is not an amusement park. However I totally get what you are saying. ;)
Quote from: Pintrader on July 07, 2011, 10:27:57 AMI know things need to be added, but their choices over the last couple of years have left a lot of people scratching their heads.
I agree with this for the most part. With the additions of the Culinary School, and Riverblast, and now Half Dollar Holler, every attraction that Silver Dollar City has put in has a very narrow interest margin. You either like the attraction, or you don't.
This thread is definitely opening a tasty can of worms! It also goes back to Business Management 101. Getting back to the park’s original roots, and sticking with them is what would really help the park. However, management is becoming way to concerned about staying cool, and hip, and current (Case Study number 1: The modern, and very out-of-theme music at Midnight Madness). For over five decades, the park has garnered the love from its guest of all generations. Why management feels that today’s generation is different is beyond me. Sure times are changing, and businesses must adapt. However, they should trust that the original recipe that worked so well for previous generations will work just as well now.
I am actually glad that the park numbers are down. It means fewer people that I bump shoulders with, and shorter wait times for the rides, and shows. ;D
Last year during OTC a park employee told me that ticket sales where up but merchandise sales were down by a profitable margin. However a person would have to take the average ticket sales-total ticket sales=ticket sales difference . Then u would have to add the difference of ticket sales to the total merchandise sales. Only after this is done can u tell if there is a large difference from the past years. Did this make since?
Quote from: cocodane3 on July 07, 2011, 11:29:10 AM
Last year during OTC a park employee told me that ticket sales where up but merchandise sales were down by a profitable margin.
Well, if they would put out merchandise, and souvenirs worth buying! Their apparel line was very lackluster during my last visit especially. I want something sharp looking, with less cheesiness about it.
Either way I digress as that is a whole different topic all together. :)
Quote from: Ozark BBQ
I agree with this for the most part. With the additions of the Culinary School, and Riverblast, and now Half Dollar Holler, every attraction that Silver Dollar City has put in has a very narrow interest margin. You either like the attraction, or you don't.
What's funny is that I think all of these are tremendous additions, but I feel like they've been added in such a way that they've almost detracted from the park as a whole during the past few years instead of uplifting it. RB looks great and water rides are welcome additions considering how crowded Lost River and AP get, but then they went and took out other two popular water attractions when they put it in! And on top of that, the loss of two family rides, a huge, classic play area, and a serene corner of the park put a dent into some of the park's old charm, I feel. HDH makes up a small fraction for this, but the fact that it's been designed around pre-schoolers instead of younger kids in general still leaves a huge void (plus it took out yet another serene corner of the park).
I guess I've said all this before though. It just seems like it's becoming more and more of a shared opinion from what I've read this year. I still hope that the park is simply using the economic downturn as a time to prepare for major expansions down the road. Even if we haven't gotten a net increase in attractions, we do have new parking lots, new pathways, improvements to rides, and other park improvements, and that's something at least. If we can get a couple new experiences of any kind I'm sure people will line up again.
They need a "PeopleMover" ride. Something like Disney's Haunted Mansion. Something with extreme atmosphere, but appeals to all ages and can be ridden by people of any physical condition; something that is constantly moving and keeps people coming back because the line moves all the time.
Flooded Mine's the closest thing SDC has to something like that, but even that is somewhat specific in appeal and the technology is admittedly dated.
I dunno if Herschend has the resources to invest in a single project that could be at least *near* Disney standard, but if they do, I'd certainly encourage them to try for it.
Quote from: tinaalsgirl on July 07, 2011, 03:03:15 PM
They need a "PeopleMover" ride. Something like Disney's Haunted Mansion. Something with extreme atmosphere, but appeals to all ages and can be ridden by people of any physical condition; something that is constantly moving and keeps people coming back because the line moves all the time.
I agree! Why keep pumping money into these smaller rides and attractions that don't seem to keep the majority interested. I feel they could have saved their money over the last few years and pumped something into the park that would really ignite a lot of interest for young and old alike. Like my father used to tell me " It only costs 10 cents more to go first class".
In this case it's more like 10 million instead of ten cents. If u catch my line of thinking.
Here's my thoughts, take them for what they are worth:
Give up on CC, sell the property, the rides, whatever else is left and reinvest whatever money is left in SDC.
Move management back to Branson, or at least have a mid or upper level manager (someone within 1 or 2 steps down the ladder from Mamby) on park all the time. HFE would be nothing without SDC and although I realize that the aquariums, ducks, etc. are fine it seems like they are forgetting where they came from.
Fix everything possible that's already on park.
Put the bridge back in FITH.
Cut the number of Chinese items being sold in the stores by 50% or more.
Take down the Water Boggan tower. It doesn't look like it's going to be used for anything in the near future and it looks ridiculous to have it standing there doing nothing. Or, put the WB back in.
Advertise. I don't think I have seen a tv commercial for SDC in 20 years. And not just the rides, the crafts, the festivals, etc.
The log hewing is a step in the right direction, IMO, would like to see more of this.
Personally the music at Moonlight Madness and having Sponge Bob at Kids Fest doesn't bother me. (ok, let the arrows fly) My kids like it and they also like going to all the other fests just as much, it's not all year and all the purists know when it is and when to avoid it.(pot officially stirred now :) )
I just got my email survey today, may have to edit this after I fill it out if I think of something else.
I also got an e-mail survey from SDC today and just took it. It asked about their website and the different ways I get info about SDC (of course in the comment section I put SDCfans.com!)
Any one of those 3 ride concepts they asked about in the May survey would, I think, generate bigger crowds at SDC, especially the woodie!
"""Cut the number of Chinese items being sold in the stores by 50% or more."""
LIKE THAT!!! ;D ;D
"""Cut the number of Chinese items being sold in the stores by 50% or more."""
Double like that!
Quote from: DeweyBald on July 07, 2011, 07:37:30 PM
"""Cut the number of Chinese items being sold in the stores by 50% or more."""
Double like that!
triple like that....
Something I've mentioned before as have others...it is so hard not to see anything major added at SDC (with the economy being the excuse) yet seeing millions of dollars pumped into Dollywood every year for a new major attraction...I still say HFE needs to show SDC some love...With that being said, however, I love SDC...I just wished the waterboggin would not have been taken out if nothing was immediately going to be put in its place...
^I still don't know all the details, but due to Dollywood's co-ownership with Dolly Parton and the Dollywood company, there are a lot of factors driving its development that don't effect SDC. Besides having an obviously growing market to cater to, Dolly's contributions must help a lot.
Quote from: joshblakebran on July 07, 2011, 08:26:15 PM
I still say HFE needs to show SDC some love...With that being said, however, I love SDC...I just wished the Waterboggin would not have been taken out if nothing was immediately going to be put in its place...
I agree completely! If something wasn't going in immediately in the old Waterboggin site, why get rid of it? After all those years it suddenly becomes that big a liability just like that. I don't know how many people on here remember the Waterboggin before they revamped it to get everyone wetter. It was a very smooth and fun ride that you really hardly got wet at all.
Quote from: thelarsonsix on July 07, 2011, 05:18:09 PMMove management back to Branson, or at least have a mid or upper level manager (someone within 1 or 2 steps down the ladder from Mamby) on park all the time. HFE would be nothing without SDC and although I realize that the aquariums, ducks, etc. are fine it seems like they are forgetting where they came from.
Agreed! The company definitely needs a resident board member on site at Silver Dollar City. Having the company ran from a different state really puts the "head cheeses" out of touch with the day to day needs of Silver Dollar City.
Quote from: thelarsonsix on July 07, 2011, 05:18:09 PMThe log hewing is a step in the right direction, IMO, would like to see more of this.
I also agree that they are making some initiative in that respect. In fact the most recent Times issue talks about bringing in the lumberjack show, chalk street artists, sand sculpting, pumpkin carving, and wood art this fall.
Now not trying to jump topics here, but I firmly believe something will be done at the old Waterboggan site soon, and that the existing water tower may possible be used for it. After all, it's made with steel beams that can support at least some weight. The only odd equation is why did they remove the slides so soon before installing something else in its place?
I would guess if they don't have to put money into the upkeep for the Waterboggan and Splash Harbor they can invest the money into something new. (Fingers crossed)
I agree that the hospitality house product selections needs reworked. Wish there was a steakhouse type of restuarant on site.
Needs a woody, the theming screams for a woody.
Needs a modern version of the diving bell. I would like to see it back with the technology out there now.
We had decided not to come during the summer this year and only during fall fest where some of the craftsmen having things that interest me more. That brings me to missing Wilson and Wilson Decoys. Blakely has a great folk art shop on Eureka where some of the hand carved decoys can be bought.
lets see, the last few responses..
yes,
yes,
hopefully
yes
absolutely
love fall fest
;D
Quote from: chittlins on July 11, 2011, 11:06:25 AM
I agree that the hospitality house product selections needs reworked. Wish there was a steakhouse type of restuarant on site.
Needs a woody, the theming screams for a woody.
Needs a modern version of the diving bell. I would like to see it back with the technology out there now.
We had decided not to come during the summer this year and only during fall fest where some of the craftsmen having things that interest me more. That brings me to missing Wilson and Wilson Decoys. Blakely has a great folk art shop on Eureka where some of the hand carved decoys can be bought.
Steakhouse would be a good fit, except they're usually not open late enough for a full dinner crowd.
Wow, Steve's first post in this thread sums up everything I've been feeling about SDC lately. There's nothing new for me to see. I experienced RiverBlast last year, and liked it a lot. But HDH just doesn't interest me or anyone in my family. Yes, I would like to see how it looks and incorporates with SDC, but that new addition alone is not worth the price of admission for us. In May, I just wasn't too upset about not getting to go to SDC. Yes, I would have loved to spend the day in the park, because I love it so much, but there wasn't anything new to be seen that we hadn't done and that is what kept us away.
I haven't been truly excited about any of SDC's additions since 2007 with TGS. Part of my excitement for that project was due to the new SDCFans and Conductor Sam's Official SDC Blog (SDC really needs to fix this issue. A Mom's Blog only interests a certain group of individuals, while the old blog was informative for everyone. I think this is another thing to be fixed).
And so, I completely agree with Tina. SDC needs something with real CHARM. Real ATMOSPHERE. Something exactly like Pirates of the Caribbean or The Haunted Mansion at Disney. After my trip to Magic Kingdom in Orlando, I was reminded of why Disney is so popular and well respected, and why every theme park in the world strives to be like them. It is because of their amazing charm. Every ride, shop, and tile on the ground there has it.
SDC needs an attraction like this again (what they had with the Diving Bell from what I've read). Something that incorporates today's excellent ride technology with some of that great old SDC charm I am missing so much.
That would get me excited again. If it comes in the form of a woodie, so be it. If it comes in some other form, that is fine too.
Off the soapbox now. ;D
I have thought abotu the rides myself. I dont really know about a big huge ride ala Disney. But I have said for awhile that I would like to see the Flooded Mine and FITH spruced up a good bit. With today's technology, the two rides could get a lot better looking mannequins and the scenery fixed up a might. I also thought the Beverly Hillbillies should have had something too. Maybe a "Granny's store" or something.
I think that's pretty neat that some of you would like to see a revamped diving bell with modern special effects come to SDC. I'd love to see that, too! I would like to see some of the guys (former Junior Dugans) from the old days at the grand opening of the attraction. It would be fun for some of us fellows to gather for a reunion and to have a few publicity photos snapped for publication...would a new diving bell fit in the area where the waterboggin used to be? What do you think?
A revamped diving bell with today's modern technology would be perfect. But also a lot of money, no doubt. And I don't see why it couldn't fit in the old Waterboggan area. They would just have to make it work with the train tracks right there and everything.
I know this conversation is getting off the original topic a bit, but anyway, I always figured they left the waterboggan tower there to be revamped and used as a queue line for something. Possibly the Moonshot they ran by us in the new ride survey?
Quote from: Duelist on July 12, 2011, 05:44:44 PM
I know this conversation is getting off the original topic a bit, but anyway, I always figured they left the waterboggan tower there to be revamped and used as a queue line for something. Possibly the Moonshot they ran by us in the new ride survey?
I've heard that before as well, but it doesn't seem anything is happening soon, and I don't see that it's
that big a piece of capital that it couldn't be rebuilt if needed. Certainly looks an eyesore now.
Back to the other thread...Crowds were very light this past week. Must be the post 4th of July lull, or the 100*+ temps that are keeping people at bay!
Well, the 100 degree temperature has definitely been slapping me back into the house each time I open the door! I have no doubt that this is affecting park numbers. It's just too hot to do anything. Hopefully, the weather will break by the end of the month.
I bet water rides around the area are getting wore out!
yep water rides and sun block sales!
I think I should just set up a lounge chair next River Blast, and taunt everyone to shoot me with the water cannons. ;D
I think we finally broke our consecutive 100+ streak in OKC yesterday. It was only 99, and then it rained, dropping the temp another 20 degrees.