Sooooooo....What do you think about the sale of beer at SDC? Can guests knock back a cold one in the saloon or maybe another location or two on the park? How would you feel if they allowed this in the future? Busch Gardens does this, so do some of the Disney locations in Florida. Could beer sales help SDC or hurt? Do you think Jack and Pete would go for something like this? Would it be any worse to serve beer at SDC than at a ballpark? Chime in...
Oooooooooooooooooh Junior! You opened a can of worms here. I won't say too much at this point, but will be interested to watch the fireworks (and I don't mean the 4th of July variety!)
I guess my only point is, I don't think any increased revenues from beer sales would begin to offset the harm caused by ticking off those thousands of loyal fans who appreciate the park's ban on alcohol.
I would think that alcohol would not go over well at SDC. I am picturing people walking around with stacks of cups like at the ball game, or citizens wearing those "WE I.D." buttons . The demographics is very widespread for SDC, but I think that this would alienate some of the more conservative guests to the park. Could you imagine the effects of roller coasters on a guest that has indulged in alcohol recently?
I am not opposed to alcohol in general and I am not throwing stones at places that do in fact serve alcohol, I have had my blurry stumbling times thanks to my good friend "Al Cohal" and I would be the first in line to support local microbreweries, and I do enjoy the occasional adult beverage, but Not at SDC.
Now a still that makes moonshine is more like it.......(I am only kidding on this one!)
I had this topic in my mind just recently. I enjoy throw'n afew back myself, but leave that stuff for afterwords. So, NO!! I have seen alcohol ruin too many places, not nesseceraly amusement parks tho'. I dont wanna run into some1 that has had too many & is just a dumb-dumb, & gets sick, or is a fool around every1 else. I was a alcoholic for 5+ years & dont wanna be around people like that anymore, cuz ya know some people WILL get out'a hand. I've see it at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City.
You cant control every1, but if its NOT there, it's a settle'n state of mind. I have never ran into some1 at SDC that has too many. Dont burn bread on us....
One of my worst hangovers i had to go back to SDC to pick up some stuff that we had bought, & get back home, i was in the back seat crash'd all the way home, I'LL NEVER DO IT AGAIN!!!! :-[
We don't see tailgating at the park, nor do we see too many poeple heading out to their cars for a quick drink like several theme parks I have been to. Things would change, thats all...and not for the better.
Drinking is expected at ballparks, and bars. There are reasons that tour busses, field trips, groups of Missionary Kids, Menonites, Amish, Baptist Conventions, Youth Gatherings etc DO NOT GO THERE! (the list goes on and on I just picked a few that stuck out in my head as groups that might not believe booze has a place there)
IN 1997 leaders of the Southern Baptists, the nation's largest Protestant denomination, voted to boycott Walt Disney Co. and its subsidiaries for what it called the company's "anti-Christian and anti-family direction." This was due to several instances, and I think a similar backlash, not necessarily as large, would happen st HFEC parks with this type of change.
WOuld I stop attending, No, but it would make me feels violated in some odd way. Much like if Gambling for $ where roulette wheels, or slot machines and cards made their was into the park. SImilar problems in society with excess and vices for people, and these and family wholesome fun don't mix in my book.
Definitely it would be a bad idea. SDC has done so well and created so many memories without resorting to this. I have seen enough of people abusing alcohol in other places. I don't imbibe myself-never developed a taste for it and too many in my immediate family have over-indulged at times.
I think it is a mistake for amusement parks to have beer. With this in the mix you are more likely to have problems with people acting badly. I work for the county jail in OK and public intox is the #1 reason we have people in jail... People just do not know when to stop when they are out in public with their friends. I think if they did it that it would hurt the bottom line because of the extra officers they would have to employ as well as the yearly license fees and training to employees.
Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, Nokeedokee! A little train action skit which seems to fit here. I say positively No. I also think it would be over Jack & Pete's dead bodies.
Really, I just threw this topic out there to see what kind of reaction it would get. I'm not for it myself. Jack and Pete would not go for it anyway, in my opinion. Now after they are gone, well, it will depend on who's left in charge...
After going to SDC for over 35 years now, it wasn't until a few years ago that I even thought of an amusement park serving alcohol. I just assumed it was a no-no. Then a friend and I went to an amusement park (can't even remember which one now) several years ago and she had a beer, I just couldn't believe it. Its not that I'm a non-drinker, I have one once in a while, but it amazes me how people behave at things like concerts, motorsports events etc. Another eye opener a while back was reading about a Chuckie Cheese pizza place that was going to stop serving beer cause of the trouble it caused, it blew me away they even served it. Funny though, Silver Dollar City has the Saloon but you never think of anything stronger then Root Beer being served lol
Thank you to all who have said NO. May it be resounding! I can say my family would not patronize the park as much - maybe not at all - if this decision occurred.
Jack and Pete have indulged in adult beverages for a special occasion, wine and Champagne at least. I know this as have seen it with my own eyes. Not that big of a deal but SDC is a different kind of special occation.
Booze is a liability and sets up areas with " NO " written all over them. Alcohol is not a family friendly beverage.
If you need it that bad head back to the car.
I myself am a raging boozehound (alkihawlick) and in my former days would head back to the lot to pound a few. It isn't that tough to do but certainly inconvinient, if they want and need it that bad they can work for it.
SDC does not need the liability or the problems.
The #1 issue with selling beer is that SDC is a family theme park. The last thing that SDC needs is to loose visitors because they don't want their kids to see drunk guys running around and getting kicked out. SDC should stay as clean as possible. :)
Quote from: maddilives4him on July 04, 2010, 02:46:20 PM
The #1 issue with selling beer is that SDC is a family theme park. The last thing that SDC needs is to loose visitors because they don't want their kids to see drunk guys running around and getting kicked out. SDC should stay as clean as possible. :)
Close: SDC would lose visitors because people would
assume people would be running around drunk.
I don't think there would be any issue with people getting drunk at SDC. I
do think a lot of visitors would stop going simply because of their prejudice against alcohol, and would blame any bad experience on the availability of alcohol, even if it wasn't involved. Alcohol makes people lose their judgment and act stupid; and sometimes people even drink it. ;)
I would like a cold beer on a hot day while in the park, but I believe it would be a bad business decision. Not because of liability or the effects of alcohol, but the loss of customer base.
The issue may not be getting drunk but kids seeing the drinking. Some don't like to be around it, nor do they want their children to see it as acceptable.
I disagree, it is getting drunk. That's The last thing people want to see when there going to SDC, DW or any herschend property. I mean who wants there kid standing in line with a drunk person trying to ride a roller coaster. NOONE! Although this will never happen, because Herschend is a christian family so, theres nothing to worry about. I mean in DW's 25 years or SDC's 50 years it has not happened so far, so this really isn't an issue.
As I understand it, SDC did have beer sales in an early stage. Isn't that correct, Zephon, or have I misremembered?
Plus, they DO serve beer and harder liquor at the Adventure and Newport Aquariums. Each serves cocktails in its Currents Ballroom - http://www.adventureaquarium.com/pdf/AdventureAquariumMenu.pdf (http://www.adventureaquarium.com/pdf/AdventureAquariumMenu.pdf) - not in the aquarium itself, but it shows that HFE is not beyond maintaining a liquor license in some of its properties. That's not to say it would happen at one of the parks, but it does call things into question.
A resounding no on the beer sales. Family time at SDC is cherished by my family, it is difficult to even find places that still have a no alcohol policy. The alcohol element would definitely slow our visits down and could stop them completely.
Disappointed that the Herschend's even have a liquor license with them taking such a strong Christian stand.
Harp
Sooooo....I suppose I should weight in? NO! NEVER! NUNCA!
I can't even believe people would think they would need this to have a good time. Sheesh!
To my knowledge, the park has never offered alcoholic beverages on park. I know it hasn't in the 35 years I've been there, but as for the very early days, I can't be positive but I don't think so.
There was a time when alcohol was allowed on park for after-hours employee events, but even that is a no-no now.
Can you image someone who has had just enough to reach that "feel good" state getting on Wildfire or one of the other roller coasters? Not good.
Or being out of control in the Cave? Speaking of which...because the cave is technically a state park entity, does that have an effect on this whole subject of alcohol or not?
we get plenty of people in the cave who have consumed some alcohol. I have turned in my fair share of guests of whom I've suspected.
As for the cave being a state park - we are privately owned.
and as for the comment about being Christian and not drinking? didn't Jesus serve wine at the Last Supper?
just saying drinking isn't bad, drinking to excess is. it can be done right
There is some debate as to the definition of "wine" in ancient times (much of the debate being about what the Bible means by good wine). I stand with Harp on this one.
Marvel is recognized as a National Historic Site, but is not a state park.
NO! would be my first and best answer.
The only way I could even remotely see this working is if they were able to legally set up a still (It can be done with the proper licensing) and then sold samples at a high price (so people couldn't afford to get smashed).
But ultimately I think keeping alcohol out of the park is the best answer.
Also, let's stay away from the "Good Christians shouldn't drink" debate. Prior to the Temperance movement of the 19th century, alcohol was not considered taboo for "Christians." Luther drank, the Puritans had beer on the Mayflower, and a Baptist preacher invented Burbon Whiskey. Jesus, Paul and the early disciples drank wine (The debate about the alcohol content of wine in Biblical days is also irrelevant, since you could still get drunk if you drank too much). And evidently, even the Lord enjoyed a drink every once in a while (Numbers 28:7).
I realize that I'm a "Newby", but I have to throw in my two cents worth on this one. As much as I enjoy a periodic, fine, imported German, English or Irish fermented beverage, I must say NO to alcohol on premises. We are there to forget our lives for a day or two and let go of the stressess of daily life. What better way, than to be a kid again. When I come home from SDC, not only do I not care if I have a beer for a very long time, I couldn't care less about tv or most anything else, for that matter. I'm busy reliving the memories we just made. (and whistling the flooded mine theme song). No to alcohol at Silver Dollar City. There. I said it. :)
Quote from: History Buff on July 05, 2010, 11:18:16 AM
There is some debate as to the definition of "wine" in ancient times...
Not much serious debate. Mostly, it's a stretch by people who believe that alcohol is wrong, therefore Jesus and the disciples couldn't possibly have consumed any. The argument is undone by the parable of the wine skins: old skins would only burst and spill the wine if it
fermented.
I would be very disappointed if they started serving beer on site.
I think as a family oriented place it should be a place that we can bring our children and know they are safe to enjoy themselves and not have to worry about encountering people that had one too much. I have found some people to have they personalty changed due to alcohol. Happy drunk or a fighter.
I know we have a festival every year and I do not attend anymore. You have people who are walking around drunk and you have alot of people who think they can hold their liquor and makes the festival less family oriented.
Well I have seen better ideas posted on this site. We love to drink beer and BBQ but there is no way in devils den that beer belongs at SDC. The strongest thing sold at the park should be a nice cold sarsaparilla
I am against beer on the park but if they decide to sell it and you get drunk. I think the SDC sherriff should be able to arrest you and put you in the flooded mine
Weeeeee ddonned no ber sol on ths paerrrrrrk. ar jobb sis harrrrhd enoooof.
Hard day at the office, Z?
At SDC there are enough dizzy spinning queasy feelings during visits without any alcoholic beverages!
Again, I started this topic just to see how stirred up folks would get. I don't really want to see beer sales at the park. It's obvious we all love "our" park, and have strong feelings about what we do, and don't want to see there. ;)
Thanks a lot, Junior. :(
What's your next topic? Prostitution?
There goes Junior, stirrin' the pot! Ain't you got nuthin' better ta do, boy? Baldnobbers will be comin fer ya if'n you keep that up!
PROSTITUTION? Nah, crack sales on Main Street! ;)
Hey, that's a good idea! Let's sell those cracks. We've been filling them with concrete patch and cosmocoat for years, and they keep coming back. Maybe if we sold them, we could get rid of them for good.
Don't sell em' we wouldn't have the wonderful smell of blacktop on a hot day!
We have to sell them, or do something. If they get much bigger, people will start falling into the cave.
I also agree with no alcohol in SDC! How many people with "party" attitudes would be knocking them back and definitely ruining the ambiance and "aura" at the park. Like there's not any other place they could get it if they wanted it that bad?!?! This is a reason I dont like going to Royals games anymore! WAAAAYYYY too many drunks two hours before the first pitch is even thrown! I know there are drunks at the Chiefs too, but Arrowhead doesnt have a "Party Porch."
I am not at all against alcohol, but I believe it has it's places and SDC is NOT one of those places!
Do I drink? yes
to excess? not anymore. I left the Army in 2003.
Do I think it is wise to sell beer in SDC? No
In the bar scene, where I play I have seen too many belligerent ... uh, people (sorry, I was thinking of a different word) hitting each other with bottles, fighting, etc.
I don't want anyone getting drunk, passing out, and rolling down cardiac hill taking out a mass of people.
High temp + beer = dehydration
dehydration + steep hill = a very bad combination.
"This is grain, which any fool can eat, but for which the Lord intended a more divine means of consumption. Let us give praise to our Maker and glory to His bounty by learning about... BEER."
Ok, now that I got to use one of my favorite movie quotes, on a serious note, beer sales at SDC would not fit the theme, nor adhere to the family/Christian values of the park. At a bar they can keep it under control. It would be a terrible situation at SDC