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Silver Dollar City & Celebration City Discussion => General Silver Dollar City Talk => Topic started by: mhguy77 on September 04, 2020, 11:06:05 AM

Title: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: mhguy77 on September 04, 2020, 11:06:05 AM
I have seen very little on line from SDC this year.   I was wondering about Pumpkin nights and Christmas.  Have they made any information available or hinted at what the offerings will be?  Are the shows gone ? I assume they will try to provide some consolation for what will not be possible do to current c-19 precautions / fears. Has information been released and I have not seen it?
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: biscuitcreek on September 04, 2020, 06:33:26 PM
What I read on the website made it seem as though there would not be any indoor shows this fall or for Christmas.
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: mhguy77 on September 05, 2020, 12:47:19 PM
I suspect they will try to make up for this great loss by offering something new.  I am not sure what that could be with the following the shows at Christmas had.  Maybe the street dance at PN will keep them coming in.  I am interested in what the offerings for Christmas will be. If we have a cold winter the loss of the shows will be a killer.  Might be a good time to do a food festival. Winter is a good time to eat!
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: pintrader on September 05, 2020, 03:12:46 PM
I would say they are pretty limited at this point on ways to recoup for this year.  Their best festivals are coming up but with no shows and possibly no Christmas parade, and I presume a limit on how many they will allow into the park....just doesn't look too good.   I thought possibly they would be open more days between now and the end of the year but their schedule doesn't show that at this time.
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: mhguy77 on September 08, 2020, 08:43:36 AM
I was on FB this morning and a employee stated they would be holding a new show in the
"plaza" old employee parking lot they are using for Pumpkin nights.  She had mentioned there would be a stage and seating I assume they will be installing a tree there in that area that looked suspiciously like it was fashioned for that last season.  Possibly the old tree?  It almost seemed like the new tree was overwhelming on the square, I wonder if they would move it down there and create more of a "show".  It seems like less obstacles to creating a light show down there as opposed to the square with trees and unmovable structures in the way.  Interesting to ponder
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: shavethewhales on September 14, 2020, 01:49:51 PM
Pumpkin Nights is coming back bigger and better than ever according to the park's social media. We know that the square area that was built last year was just the beginning, and there were obvious signs that they would continue adding onto this festival. As of this weekend, many pumpkins are already in place throughout the park and along the trail.

As for Christmas, I've heard that the usual big shows are cancelled. I'm sure there will be some stuff going on in the open air theaters. Will be a zoo trying to figure out the reservation system... can you even imagine? They should announce that Christmas will go through January this year so everyone gets a chance to see the lights at least.
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: pintrader on September 15, 2020, 08:31:37 AM
Pumpkin Nights has great potential and I would expect them to expand some, but this year looks like they will be hampered in that expansion (attendance).   It would be counterproductive to expand too much with limited guests allowed in.

The Christmas reservation system is going to be interesting to say the least.  I would think they would try to snub the season pass holder since they already have received that money.  Let's face it season pass holder is old money and wouldn't be like the vacationers and people that just come to the park once a year for this event.   It's also possible attendance is knocked down enough this year with everything going on that it won't be a big problem and few would be turned away.

Taking it into January might work but not sure how many people will have the Christmas spirit in the middle of January.
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: mhguy77 on September 18, 2020, 02:20:44 PM
Quote
The Christmas reservation system is going to be interesting to say the least.

I am not placing my money on crowds this year.  Not because of Cvd but the lack of shows and inside activities.  If weather is cross the rides will not operate and without the shows there is not a whole lot left.  They have reduced the shopping in the city over the past years.  The other parks are having issues with sparse crowds.  It seems that even if people are willing to wear a mask to be safe they are not willing to do this as often.  In other words the number of trips has reduced.  I will be watching for the craft offerings during PN, on one hand booths outside can be something that is safe but with the lack of crowds is it profitable for the crafters?  It will be an interesting fall/winter season.  I really don't envy SDC challenges this season.
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: cowboy on September 30, 2020, 01:38:45 PM
Went this last weekend on Sunday, crowds were a little bigger than I experienced in August but still not very large. I didn't go last year but I was a little underwhelmed by the pumpkin path, however the GE and pathway was done very nicely. I absolutely loved the chicken cashew waffle. They need to add this as a staple in the park.

The plaza area was filled with many people and dancers - but not packed. It was about to rain, so I think a lot of people were headed out to avoid the rain.

Overall, had a great time and we're looking forward to going back at Christmas.

Jay

Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: DeweyBald on October 12, 2020, 11:30:26 AM
Are they still limiting attendance numbers each day?
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: mhguy77 on October 12, 2020, 05:06:43 PM
I know I did get a message saying this weekend "come after 5"  On Screamscape they reported Dollywood hit max two times both Thursday and Friday, I assume Saturday as well but no reports yet.  On a side note Disney just greatly increased the hours for the upcoming months after  dialing them way back just recently.  Maybe people are getting tired of C-19 and the fear being petaled.  ( Dont wish to start a convo about C-19)  but at some point people will begin to venture out and we may be seeing that time at the parks
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: Jemmicat on October 12, 2020, 06:19:10 PM
I think this weekend as SDC was less about people getting tired of it as it was the temperatures were mid to high 80's all weekend. In October. And a weekend. So everyone decided to go rather than like this coming weekend where it is supposed to to be high 60's and windy
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: mhguy77 on October 13, 2020, 01:15:57 PM
You may be on to something but was the weather like this in Pigeon Forge as well?  Time will tell.  We may be seeing the public become restless enough ( softening or whatever reason) that they are starting to get out more.  After a spring and summer that slipped by maybe folks are trying to take advantage of some nice weather before winter sets in.  I will be watching the crowd levels at SDC and the other parks to see if this is a trend.
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: chittlins on October 13, 2020, 01:47:33 PM
I know I did get a message saying this weekend "come after 5"  On Screamscape they reported Dollywood hit max two times both Thursday and Friday, I assume Saturday as well but no reports yet.  On a side note Disney just greatly increased the hours for the upcoming months after  dialing them way back just recently.  Maybe people are getting tired of C-19 and the fear being petaled.  ( Dont wish to start a convo about C-19)  but at some point people will begin to venture out and we may be seeing that time at the parks

I just returned from Yellowstone, comment overheard by a store clerk, "It's as busy as July." So much for shoulder season,lol. Still had a blast.

We should have Swedened it from the get go but that is where we are headed
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: ThemeParkFan on October 13, 2020, 07:36:05 PM
It was also Columbus Day weekend, which certainly wouldn't have helped the crowd levels.
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: pintrader on October 13, 2020, 08:27:34 PM
I am a little surprised that SDC is closed every Monday and Tuesday until Dec 21.  This seems like a golden opportunity to make up for some of the  revenue from missed days this year.  Of course they know a lot more than I do about the attendance and employee situation for adding extra days.
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: Lampie on October 21, 2020, 09:47:11 PM
I am a little surprised that SDC is closed every Monday and Tuesday until Dec 21.  This seems like a golden opportunity to make up for some of the  revenue from missed days this year.  Of course they know a lot more than I do about the attendance and employee situation for adding extra days.

Wednesday and Thursday are pretty slow all fall-Christmas, adding 2 more days would mean staffing issues. Right now all staff can work all 5 days they are open for 8 hours and not hit overtime, if they are open 7 days a week then you have to stagger days off for everyone. They seem to already be having an issue with staffing, that would just make it worse.
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: pintrader on October 22, 2020, 09:29:57 AM
I am a little surprised that SDC is closed every Monday and Tuesday until Dec 21.  This seems like a golden opportunity to make up for some of the  revenue from missed days this year.  Of course they know a lot more than I do about the attendance and employee situation for adding extra days.

Wednesday and Thursday are pretty slow all fall-Christmas, adding 2 more days would mean staffing issues. Right now all staff can work all 5 days they are open for 8 hours and not hit overtime, if they are open 7 days a week then you have to stagger days off for everyone. They seem to already be having an issue with staffing, that would just make it worse.
   

Your right they are fairly slow on weekdays during a NORMAL year because they can pack 20,000 to 25,000 on any given day, especially weekends.   They still have in place max attendance of around 10,000 last I heard. 

Could be a staffing problem but without indoor shows it should open up extra staff especially around the Christmas festival.  These are different festivals but they just came off Moonlight Madness where they were running 7 days a week, so not like it is a whole new situation for them.

No one has posted about attendance on here lately, so not sure what numbers they are hitting.  I am sure they are down quite a bit so maybe everyone is pretty much getting into the park that wants to without adding extra days.
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: Duelist on October 23, 2020, 06:47:01 PM
According to the SDC twitter feed they've been extremely busy the last 2 Saturdays. Last Saturday they posted they were at capacity and that was 20 minutes after opening!  With cool dry weather predicted for this weekend I'm sure tomorrow will be very busy as well.
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: sdcfan88 on November 19, 2020, 04:45:00 PM
So apparently from last weekends storms Wildfire received quite a bit of damage to the station, the water tower, and to the observation platform as well, according to a ride op its been caution-taped off. Repairs should be done by this weekend or next week.
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: Fergy328 on November 23, 2020, 09:08:44 AM
Was there on Saturday the 21st, and Wildfire was running fine. Didn't notice any damage but then again I wasn't looking for it haha
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: JustGoHogs on November 23, 2020, 06:36:09 PM
we were there yesterday and last night (Sunday) and didn't notice any Wildfire damage but I wasn't looking for any.  What I did notice was a handful of people who don't know that the nose is a part of the respiratory system and people who couldn't figure out Silver Dollar City's well-thought out social distancing set-up for viewing the parade.  Even without Covid, I appreciate and observe a phenomena known as 'personal space'.  Evidently, I'm in the minority.
Title: Re: Any Pumpkin Nights / Christmas News?
Post by: Okiebenz on November 23, 2020, 09:03:25 PM
we were there yesterday and last night (Sunday) and didn't notice any Wildfire damage but I wasn't looking for any.  What I did notice was a handful of people who don't know that the nose is a part of the respiratory system and people who couldn't figure out Silver Dollar City's well-thought out social distancing set-up for viewing the parade.  Even without Covid, I appreciate and observe a phenomena known as 'personal space'.  Evidently, I'm in the minority.

The ONLY thing I like about all this is the distancing.  When we were there the opening day of OTC I noticed the blocked off spots along the parade route.  The wife and I were looking at these and laughing about how nobody will follow them.  Right about then a worker was walking by and commented all they can do is mark the spots and hope people follow them.  That night when we were watching the parade right by the train depot area, we were in our spot and toward the end of course a big group of people walked up and thought the needed to stand right on top of us in the spot next to ours that was x'ed off.  Whatever.