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Stoped by yesterday and confirmed David Owen had left as knife maker. He did excellent forging work and will be missed. Good thing is the Knifemaker wanted sign is gone and they told me the new guy has about 20 knives ready to display. Jeust waiting on his makers mark to be delivered before they put them out for sale.

Just got a survey from Herschend Marketing. The interesting thing is this did not concern anything about attractions or future developments. The entire survey was based on economic questions. How does the current economic situation affect my travel plans ? Have tariffs and inflation made me change plans or affect how much I am going to travel in the future.( specifically the next 6 months to 1 year )  Its was also centered on 3 markets . Pigeon Forge, Branson , and Orlando. Do I plan to visit more free attractions or museums , botanical gardens due to the uncertain economy. All in all a real downer survey.

We were at SDC a few weeks ago and hustled over to my favorite shop Mountain Outfitters. I noticed there were no knife making Demos listed in the daily schedule. Got the the shop and instead of a demo time being listed on the chalkboard there was a message saying " Knife Maker wanted. " I guess they have no one now since looking at the daily schedule online there are no demos listed. I sure hope this is not another craft that is going to disappear.

They have not had a nighttime show for several years now. It is mainly used for special event concert now.

I really do not want to see SDC become a coaster park. So,A giga or Hyper does not interest me at all. Time Traveler was supposed to be a game changer that would bring people from all over the world. And it did but the new wears off so its on to the next thing that is the worlds somethingist. Keep expanding in a controlled way and keep the charm of the park.

[Stagecoaster: A team of horses idle between two stagecoaches. Choose your mount and strap into the saddle. Your horse suddenly takes off and you are off at a furious pace, hunched close to the ground. Your pace seems even faster as the landscape whips past you at breakneck pace. As you ride the coaster, swerving left and right, you follow tight curves as canyon walls flash past you, closely hugging hills and gullies, bounding through gulches with the rest of your team. The coaster ride is fast & furious filled with hairpin turns and narrow escapes and despite the urgency of your ride, you find the experience surprisingly exhilarating!]

^ I don't want SDC to turn into Dollywood.  I fully agree SDC needs more indoor attractions but I don't think Bumper Cars should be one of them.  Below is a concept the park had considered doing from a survey done in 2011.  I think this would be a great indoor ride.

Stagecoaster: A team of horses idle between two stagecoaches. Choose your mount and strap into the saddle. Your horse suddenly takes off and you are off at a furious pace, hunched close to the ground. Your pace seems even faster as the landscape whips past you at breakneck pace. As you ride the coaster, swerving left and right, you follow tight curves as canyon walls flash past you, closely hugging hills and gullies, bounding through gulches with the rest of your team. The coaster ride is fast & furious filled with hairpin turns and narrow escapes and despite the urgency of your ride, you find the experience surprisingly exhilarating!

Reminds me of a Steeplecase ride like at Cedar Point.

Im thinking Duelist is thinking more in line of a coaster similar to Hagrads Motor Bikes at Universal. That's the way I took the survey when I took it.

^ I still disagree. We just had the Arkansas State Fair.  You can ride bumper cars there. I don't want them at Silver Dollar City. Just my opinion.

I agree too. The last thing SDC needs is more carnival type attractions. Leave out the midway games also. No need to six flags it up more than it is. As for the relocation of the pickers , the quaintness and interaction would be gone putting them in a large area. FITH hole building is shot and there is no saving that moldy thing. There is a reason it was shut down.

Bumper cars are not a "Carnival attraction" and they have them at many parks including Dollywood. It doesn't need to be the pickers at the theatre. I picture the theatre like sitting around a campfire. It would be a theatre in the round. As for the the old FITH if the building is not useable then you can tear it down and build a new one. A enlarged two-story saloon dinner show would be great. 

Every traveling carnival and six flags has bumper cars. As for Dollywood and other parks, I have no desire for SDC to remotely resemble them. I went into Pumpkin plaza last weekend and thought "I hope this is not the future !!!

^ I still disagree. We just had the Arkansas State Fair.  You can ride bumper cars there. I don't want them at Silver Dollar City. Just my opinion.

I agree too. The last thing SDC needs is more carnival type attractions. Leave out the midway games also. No need to six flags it up more than it is. As for the relocation of the pickers , the quaintness and interaction would be gone putting them in a large area. FITH hole building is shot and there is no saving that moldy thing. There is a reason it was shut down.

Here is the link to the 2025 season and festivals.

https://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/festivals?fbclid=IwY2xjawFzYI5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbvLRpD7vUbVjlgGH_FljoqhNQimwCv370bVzcyR8LM4Hk4gw0NpcU4AVQ_aem_SakplMkhepCMFQqD9qc3Bg

Just renewed my Diamond for 2025. Once you purchase it shows the BAF dates on your account.BAFs are pretty much the same as last year. It also states the $25 and $49 passes are not valid for Saturday's Sept-Dec.

We were out past the old Indian Ridge site the 4th weekend and looked like some work had been done far in the back.

I agree the old forum formats are outdated and need a jumpstart. Not sure what is best but I do not go back and read older threads. I would hope it does not evolve into a Facebook page that is nothing but an ask questions about my cup, or what kind of season pass did I buy.  Whatever you decide I appreciate the work that is put into it.

Most everything in Branson proper just looks run down with weed infested old concrete vacant lots. I agree that SDC probably is trying to get away from the Branson stigma. As for hotels and motels , I cannot think of 1 I would consider staying at. We never even look but go straight to Air BNB now. There are wonderful lodgings all along 265 now in new communities priced competitive .  More room to relax instead of a hard chair and old wooden table.

We seldom go into Branson anymore. The rundown strip and fleabag hotels/motels do not appeal to us at all. Lots of great dining options in Reeds Springs and west Branson. Usually do a AirBNB for lodging off of 265 . The only thing we might go in for is when my wife wants a new Michael Kors purse at Tanger.

I live in a city with CFA right across from Popeyes, I like Popeyes food better but with 3-4 cars in the Popeyes drive through it takes 45+ minutes to get through. at chickfila I think our location usually does 80+ vehicles in that same 45 minutes. So count me in the it's the service/speed not the food group. the KFC's in my city seem to be just clean enough to not be shutdown for health code violations.

I think the only thing keeping KFC afloat is the Chinese market, apparently its huge over there.

My Popeyes is very efficient. Never spent more than a few minutes in line and like yours is directly across the road from CFA. I never got the CFL thing either. Prefer me a spicy Popeyes any day if I'm in a hurry but their bone in spicy chicken is addictive. Glad I am 20 minutes away.