What do you best remember about visiting SDC at Christmas time? Back in 1997, my wife, daughter, and I came into the park on a moderately warm day, but there was a threat of rain. At that time, not as many things on park were open as they are now. We hit several shops, got to eat, saw a few shows...the Haygoods were on stage at the Riverfront Playhouse. Then, as it got dark...the rain came...not gently, but in buckets and barrels! Cold rain. We were drenched. We dashed from shop to shop, working our way to the front of the park. Then, the rain stopped. So instead of fleeing the park and going to the motel, we looked around some more. By the time we made it to the town square, the Vienna Boys Choir began performing in the Gazebo, and the festive singing, the pretty lights, and the smells of good eats really left an impression on me. Not long after the Vienna Boys were done...the sky opened up again. It was time to head to the car, but we all loved the experience.
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The last time I was on park was the very last day of the season in December 07. I went up to the park to specifically visit with an old friend there who now is in management. He took me on a park tour. The lights were ten times better than when my family visited ten years prior, and so much more of the park was open to visitors. I got to see the Grand Exposition for the first time, and the Wilson's Farm area. Christmas time at SDC is a special time.
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What memories of Christmas will you share with us here?
I love Christmastime at SDC.
Great memories--
My husband proposed to me while we were sitting on a bench gazing at the Christmas tree.
The first time I saw Dickens, I cried. I still tear up when the nephew sings to Scrooge "there's a place in my heart where you've always been for me. Welcome home, Uncle Scrooge, welcome home to family." Then, it's the finale and the snow falls. Wouldn't be Christmas at SDC without Dickens for me!
My husband and I once walked around a near-empty park from 11:00 p.m. until closing sipping hot chocolate.
The past three years we've stayed at Deer Run in a two bedroom suite. We go back and forth to SDC without traffic hassles.
One more...
Last year, we brought our youngest who was about 4 months old. It was unseasonably warm, and the baby got her first photo with Santa.
The early years of the festival still had their perks. The park was quaint, old-timey even. We watched kids sled down a snow-covered (manufactured snow) hill, and it was probably much more romantic and personal than it is now.
Of course we love the way it is now, too, but we long for the best of both worlds. Coming to SDC after a soft blanket of snow has fallen makes for an even better experience.
Memories? I remember when they passed out candles around the tree and the place lit up with little flames. I got to meet Bob Hope for the second time. They brought him in on a golf cart to light the tree, and then he signed autographs. I was happy to purchase his book and thank him for his service.
I loved taking my daughter for her first experience. All of the parade characters gravitated to her and shook her hand or acknowledged her for the first couple of years of her life. In the last couple of years, she has taken enormously to the giant tree, and is not shy about dancing to the whole show. Now that she is a big sister, she will get to share the experience, and Santa, with the little one.
Every year when I go to an Old Time Christmas at SDC it is like I am 5 again... The lighting of the tree brings me to tears. I really love the Nativity. Other parks would not have the Birth of Christ as a center piece. Thank you SDC for all that you do.
I want to 2nd oklaSDCfan's comment about thanking Silver Dollar City for what they do to remind us of our savior's birth. I also have a hard time keeping back the tears during "A Dicken's Christmas Carol". I am a great fan of the story, having 4 versions of it on DVD. But I wish I could have a copy of it from SDC because a year does not go by that I go down, see it, come home and a week later, want to see it again. It is a great story of redemption, of God getting our attention again to remind us that we are to live like Him in this world. Loving people more than ourselves and leading them to do the same.
Last year when I went to SDC for Thanksgiving, I was eating one of those awesome smores and it started to snow. Living in Texas, usually were lucky if we get snow even once a year.
When I was in 2nd grade, my parents told me the Santa Claus at Silver Dollar City was the REAL Santa. They said he sends his elves to the malls but he, himself comes to SDC. Of course I believe them and I was so nervous to meet him. I knew it was the truth when I saw his beard because it was unlike any other Santa beard I'd ever seen. He was the nicest Santa but I was too afraid to tell him I wanted. We have an ornament with a picture of me sitting on his lap. When I got back to school I told my friends about the real Santa and this boy screamed at me that Santa wasn't real. I screamed back, "YES HE IS AND I SAW THE REAL SANTA AT SILVER DOLLAR CITY!!" and shoved the ornament in his face.
^However, when we went in '09, the Santa was different. I wonder which is the real one.
My Girls know that the Santa at SDC is the real santa. They know this because I play the Santa in our home town and they know I have to sdo this because the real santa is busy at SDC...