I was up at the city for a few hours on the 3rd of July and there were not many people there, understanding it was a day before a big weekend I am still concerned.
Enjoying the slower days (selfishly so) for the short lines I know this hurts the chances of expansion and added E ticket rides.
What do you think the city can do to draw in more customers and gain repeat visits?
WE all love the city but lets face it they need lots more visitors to warrant expansion.
I will get some argument out there from a few but the facts are if there were more visitors we would be looking at a new ride on lake Silver, not some cheaply planted trees.
What would you consider a solution to the attendance issue ?
I don't think there is an attendance issue. I was there just last weekend and the park was packed. It was as busy as I have seen it in a few years. I also went twice in March and the park was as busy as I'd ever seen it for Family Spring Break Days. I don't think SDC is hurting for attendance at all this season. From what I've seen at least....
After just coming back from Dolllywood and seeing a slower day for them I disagree, SDC is not running at 85%, this is where a business needs to be. This is why Dollywood has more rides and is larger.
What can SDC do to increase attendance?
I am interested in hearing from some citizens on their opinions of attendance.
SDC is far from the crowds of Disney World, walking down the street there can be a real problem.
I'm not sure that a July 3 visit is the right weekend to compare. Several people are about picnics and fireworks, this weekend, and may not be as apt to go to SDC. When we visited on a weekday a few weeks ago, the crowd was nice. There were more people than I expected, but it was the ideal amount of crowding in the streets. Those streets do get as crowded as Disney on a good weekend.
Enough about that; we all just making guesses based on our own experiences. SDC knows what their crowds are. That doesn't take away from your actual topic for this thread - asking for suggestions for increasing the crowd. Perhaps someone will have suggestions for increasing the crowd, and thus increase profit.
I like the free soda and sunscreen so many of the parks are going too, but I think that would really hit the bottom line.
The pay one price for food and drink all day "upcharge" is an idea as well.
I think they toyed with this idea at Celebration City. I've wondered why they haven't done any of it at SDC.
Some group deals include a lunch or drink package, don't they?
mhguy77-This is the exact time I love going to the city. Typically, this is the "slow" time because most people are doing the lake thing or reunion thing or whatever they do during the 4th of July. BUT this is the time I do the SDC thing! I was there Thursday and Friday and I think the attendance was about the same as I have experienced the past few years during this time of year. Branson itself was not too busy either. I had NO problem driving anywhere on the strip. Next to Christmas, this is my favorite time of year!
I think if they would change ou the Kids Fest shows more often they would have bigger crowds. I know they bring in a new show every year but the Magic show should have only been a 1 year thing. Some times I think they get stuck in a rut when it comes to shows.
How bout more food festivals?
I like that idea. If you've seen me you know I love food.
How bout more food festivals?
Dales \DaMan you are a smart dude, I like that idea..
Food Festivals would be a great idea.
Frankly they have all the booths they need.
In Epcot they have the food and wines festival, only half of that would work at SDC. During world fest they could do a option of a small taste of the country by using booths throughout the park and offering " tastes" of different dishes. The World Fest fails on this point because they don't change the menu and only serve large sizes. Think : Salads, entrees, side dishes, desserts, set up like the "Taste of Chicago" ( if you have been)
Its a great way to try dishes without committing to a full serving, think Wal Mart food tasters with double the serving size.
You could even charge individually or do a punch card package that will let you try all if not most of what they offer.
Included in the " Taste " plan would be a offer for a cookbook that details the recipes used at the event at a reduced price.
That actually sounds like a great idea, we all love food, kids and adults alike.
" Taste SDC"
" Taste around the World"
" The Kids Plate"
" Tastes of Christmas"
You could bend that event any way you wanted.
That's on Awesome idea.
So work it in with existing festivals, I think.
I've mentioned before - I think KidsFest should be FamFest. SDC, touting Christianity, could allow educational toys and homeschool vendors to be promoted in Red Gold. They could even get serious and offer workshops for parenting. A part of this festival could be "Salute to the American Teacher" with special exhibits and events, as they did "Salute to the American Farmer" and "Salute to the American Cowboy" (I want those minifestivals back, SDC.).
Of course, I enjoy SDC Unplugged. It's hard to do it, but I like visiting when there is not a festival. How about that, by the way: SDC Unplugged - no lights, no motorcars, not a single luxury - a time when the park reverts to the real old times.
Salute to the Teacher is a great idea and yes I think that maybe they can offer a little for adults as well as their kids by possibly changing to " FamFest" There are things that can be offered that will appeal to the entire family. They need something for the family as a whole.
Disney excels at selling to the entire family not just the kids.
In all honestly I think parentling classes although so needed in the world might be a little heavy.
Having the minifests within the actual fest, like HB metioned, would be good but adding a whole new fest dedicated to food is not nessesary. SDC probably gets more and more visitors each year whether there is a new attraction (or festivals etc. etc.) or not. I don't think park attendance is really something to worry about.
SDC probably gets more and more visitors each year whether there is a new attraction (or festivals etc. etc.) or not. I don't think park attendance is really something to worry about.
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I disagree, I don't see the crowds where 2 trains are needed on the coasters or 2 arms for the swing; at least not frequently. As a person with business experience attendance is not where the park wants it to be.
This is why the rides, upkeep and expansion have been pushed back again and again.
We havent seen an investment like Wildfire (14 mill) in a while.
I will step down from the ( yes this is an issue) soapbox and get on with ideas to improve the park so it will continue to grow and offer more and more to its visitors.
Your right about the Barn Swing but other than that, every time I go to SDC there is always two or more trains running on the coasters (especially on Powder Keg and Wildfire).
One thing I would do to increase attendance is to just keep the park open till 10 p.m. every night thru June, July, August. There has been a mention of this in other threads. Somebody must have liked this idea or they would not have had a record attendance during one week of last year's Moonlight Madness. This would also mean more concessions and extra meals served at the park, which in turn means more money. Not to mention it would give employees (deservedly so I might add) more hours on the old paycheck. Would people get tired of the extra hours and attendance stabilize or drop? Who knows, but it might just be worth a try. Also throw in a complete mail order system where people could order anything the Hospitality House or other shops in the city has to offer. It might just work!
Till 10 wouldn't be bad at all although I think we could skip the nightly dance party.
On a recent trip to Dollywood I took advantage of the after 3 next day free thing cause they were open till 8pm.
That staying open later might help them with repeat days therefore more cokes and food.
When the park is full it is not a good place. Unlike Disney and other parks much of SDC is not designed to handle over flowing crowds. What ride does SDC really need. What does the park really need to improve on EXCEPT parking?
I went to Silver Dollar City Memorial weekend. The food quality has gone way down hill. They need to lower the cost of food. Attendence is not that big of problem. They need to move more Merchandise. I thought of a way to move merchandise is the first 250 people through the gaite at Silver Dollar City should recieve a 20% off coupon. If you want to boost attendence maybe have a certain day kids get a free meal at one of the restuarants. Have a day to give away free t shirts to guest. 8) Have a survey taker ask people what they think could help sdc.
You can't judge attendance based on one or two days at the park. Attendance is up over last year and I am sure SDC will finish the year out strong.
Numbers are different: Dollywood's busy days are not necessarily SDC's busy days. SDC is slow on Mondays & Tuesdays and Dollywood is slow on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
I worked for Andy Williams for ten years and his Christmas show was always busy except for Thanksgiving week. That week could only warrant one show a day and they were walk-up ticket sales (not pre-ordered). The Moon River Theatre struggles Thanksgiving week while SDC's attendance can reach 20,000 each day.
Again you can't base attendance based on a few visits a year.
Interesting insight,
My question would be how important are the seasons pass holders to SDC.
What would the daily percentages run between passholders and pay per visit on a regular day.
50%50%?
The spending habits of each must be different as I would think the passholders would spend a little less on merchandise, but I could be wrong.
I would think passholders would spend *more* since they're not paying for admission and they'd be encouraged to buy more food and merchandise because of the discounts they get with their passes.
Busch Gardens Gived Free food Perk
http://mobile.orlandosentinel.com/inf/infomo?view=entertainment_item&feed:a=sentinel_5min&feed:c=entertainment&feed:i=54761515
THats a great deal......
Parking Cost
Busch Gardens
Nearly 5,000 spaces are available for vehicles.
$12 - General parking for cars and motorcycles
$14 - General parking for buses, trucks and recreation vehicles
$18 - Preferred parking ($9 for 2 Year & 1 Year Passport members; Free for Platinum members)
$24 - Valet Parking ($20 for Passport members)
Six Flags
One-Day Parking $15.00
One-Day Preferred Parking $20.00
Silver Dollar City
Parking FREE, but for your convenience we offer paid parking.
Preferred $12
Season Pass Preferred $6
Valet Parking is $25
WOW FREE Parking is an option at SDC and not these other parks.
And greatly appreciated it is. When paying for parking, I expect theft and ding protection.
Well its a perk that we don't pay for parking of coarse you do have to recognise that land in Branson is not the commodity it is in Tampa or in some of these other cities. SDC has had lots a b c for 30 years at least.
Also if you have used the preferred parking its not a good deal at all, the parking was really adjusted nicely for lot c as you don't have to walk up the hill anymore. Honestly it more convenient and less time consuming to park free than it is to stay in the line while they explain ( in detail) where they can park ext, been there and done that, thenyou walk.
Don't forget Dollywood in your parking "shake down". They have 5 booths stocked with someone to take 8.00 from each car, then when you drive into the lot there is no one to be found to tell you where to go. I used to have a problem with SDC parking but that is really inexcusable. I was in DOllywood 3 daysin a for this June and it was that way every day I was there.
I guess paying to park is just becoming fashionable, even though we are not in the city. Fair at SDC? No, unless its vallet, that's completely understandable, I have never seenthe new pay to park lot full, seems I am not the only one that has figured this out.
I can remember dad paying to park at Six Flags Over Mid-America (Six Flags St. Louis) as far back as 1972. Even as a kid, I thought that was a rip off. I feel the same way today, but, now just like then...you gotta pay if ya wanna play.
My family uses the "Pay to Park" at SDC and it is definitely worth it, if you want to pay. When you have strollers it saves a lot of hassle and time.
Quoteyou do have to [recognize] that land in Branson is not the commodity it is in Tampa or in some of these other cities.
That sounds like an executive quoting a line to guests at their theme park.
The preferred parking area was "sold out" each time we tried to use it May 23-25.
Guess I haven't been there at the right time.
I still think they have really improved C with the new multiple pickups they added in the last cpl years. I have actually always been behind a line of cars when utilizing the preferred section, a line of cars that needed in detail explanation of how to park. The multiple pickups in lot C coupled with the 4 min chat per car about how to do something they should already understand make my choice obvious;lot C. I travel with 1 other person so I don't have the strollers to deal with so that would make a difference.