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Went to the park on Dec. 22nd. weather was perfect - and crowd was insane to match the beautiful weather. The park was packed even before rope drop. We did some shopping on the square and found some cool items, we knew what to expect so we had a great day. I can't say that for everyone though - some people needed some additional Christmas spirit to get them through the day. All citizens I encountered though were very pleasant but looked extremely worn. Kudos to them for keeping moving as well as they did.

I'm not a theme park manager and could only imagine the stress they have to be under when the park is as crowded as it is. I'm not going to criticize anything because we adjusted and skipped a few things but wondered if there could be a few changes that might make it better?

1. Update the SCD mobile app so that the latest changes are reflected in the app. We were looking for some food items that were no longer available during the Christmas season because the menus change...but the apps still had them listed.
2. Have the cool Christmas food available when the food stands open. Several stands opened but the festive food wouldn't be ready until an hour later.
3. The lines were crazy (we didn't come to ride so that didn't matter to us) - but no way would I wait 210 minutes for anything in the park. Could they do as some places do where you get a time to come back and enter the line? - same for the train. That train line was so long - we didn't even try.
4. Ice - not sure how SDC runs out of ice, but it happened? Not sure what they could have done here but summer seems to go just fine.
5. Employees looks beat. The poor lady in the walking taco stand was trying to throw those out as fast as possible - but she deserved some help. Same with the potato bowl guy. I figure it's just like everywhere else with lack of available staff but hopefully these employees are getting something for their efforts.

Anyway, we had a great time like always - we got there early, grandkids rode some rides early then we did the other stuff (face paint, candles, permanent jewelry, etc.), watched the parade, looked at lights...Left the park around 7:45.

Jay

Looking at the google map the clearing around Outlaw Run and the backstage areas is much more impressive. Any thoughts about this area?

I guess I let my pessimism control my excitement for announcements that only have a day or two notice. Usually when it's a big announcement they hype it up for a bit leading up to the announcement day. I wouldn't be surprised if the final announcement isn't something similar to what was generated, but hoping for nothing themed to a meadow, or holler, or discovery, or...

Jay

The plaza looks so temporary and just thrown together. Hopefully this is phase 1 and things get better.

Jay

Swoosh, why so many trees cleared out from around Outlaw run? Is this project that massive or that part of a different maintenance project?

Jay

I might be clowning here a bit, but I'm thinking we might see something really big to make people want to stay at the resort and spend extra money for exclusive ride time? Or just a really big attraction to help advertise SDC, the resort, and the coaster beyond our local area? SFOT is opening a 300+ foot coaster in 2026 - so could SDC do something just as big?

Jay

Oh my, Swoosh, send me all the hints, laugh at my posts, I don't care. The board at least is having some movement now. We all know Swoosh has some inside information - but I know working for parks and others - that information can change at a moment's notice. Heck Taylor Swift drops hints in posts, pictures, etc. all the time without saying anything...that's one of the reasons my daughter is obsessed because she's always trying to figure out something before the announcement. So, Swoosh drop all the hints you can, dangle those carrots, let's have fun with this...

Jay

There's a lot of little things adding up that I'd like for them to "fix"...Thunderation being a big one; open the closed restaurants, shops, etc.; and make sure everything is "working" properly. Give the park a good "clean" of things not used, broken, etc.

They could replace or add some family rides in the Grand Expo that would give it some new life (in addition to a refresh). A Nebulaz (https://www.zamperla.com/product/nebulaz) and/or Octopus (https://www.zamperla.com/type/octopus) could fit and be themed for the area. Definitely not on their 2025 list, but maybe an update they could do on another "down year".

In years when SDC doesn't add a big new ride, it's always fun to go just to see what all they have accomplished. Looking forward to 2025.

Jay

I think this first announcement was to highlight what was going to change in the park for next year so they can begin the season pass sales. Seems like a typical year after a big ride introduction "FITH" with the new festivals, food, etc.

I'm thinking the announcement on the 17th will let us know what's coming in a few years in the future...so probably more like 2026 and beyond. We have to give them a little time to get something built.

Swoosh probably knows best (I think he's a musical director at a high school) but regarding the copywrite or performance of songs, basically you just have to contact the rights holder for the work and make arrangements for the use, sometimes it's a one-time fee, or a usage fee, or just permission...and trying and failing to contact the rights holder is not a substitution for permission. So stay with songs in the public domain or be prepared to pay something...especially if you are profiting from the performance.

Jay

ugh...I was so all over the internet yesterday trying to find the announcement! I searched all over Facebook, the park site, the Herschend Site, etc. Then I realized I was a month early. 

I'm looking forward to the next chapter and hope it is successful. I do get worried about the big investments though because they have done it before at Branson with the Grand Theater, Celebration City, etc. - hopefully this one will be the right fit for the area, economy, etc.

- Jay

I think we may hear of big expansion plans that may span over a few years...kind of like what was done at Dollywood. Earlier this year when the Fire In The Hole announcements were made they said big news was coming and talked about all the land SDC owns. So maybe something like that, but I'd expect some big teasers would need to happen before they just throw that out there.

Jay

I think the award is also for Theme Park - which Silver Dollar City does extremely well. Yes, they could use a nice long ride (hyper or giga) but the ones they have were top of their game when installed. But the main reason my family loves going to SDC over anywhere else is because there is something for everyone: Shows, Rides, Shopping, and Food. Also, the cave is pretty cool too.

Same reason my family loves to go to Busch Gardens, Sea World Orlando, Disneyland, etc. There is more to do than just rides, carnival games, and bad food.

I'm not 100% sure how SDC beats out Universal, or some Disney parks - but SDC does an excellent job campaigning for their park.

Jay

I'd like just few things to help crowd control. Maybe some queue lines for food items so people are not lining up across walkways, etc. - they've done a little better job the last few times I've gone, but still there's congestion that could easily be fixed with some direction on where to stand.

Another area that could use some attention is the waiting area around rides especially the Thunderation/Time Traveler exits - that area gets so crowded with people just waiting on others to exit the rides. Not sure how to fix that without building a big observation deck area between the two rides?

Jay.

I'd hope for it to be ripped out, but I wouldn't count on it either. There are a lot of old elements of past rides still in the park. The treehouse sat abandoned for years. If they are ready to start construction on the future development - then yes, it will probably be ripped out. If they are not ready yet for the future Constuction I'd expect it to be there with the front door closed.

Jay

I honestly do not get the whole Chick Fil A deal.  I have eaten there a few times and it is OK but not something I would flock to like it seems people do.

Haha.."flock to"...

I'm not a big fan of their food, but I don't hate it either. It's fairly expensive - but I've never had a bad experience there, the drive thru (even with long lines) moves fast and efficient. So, I think most people are there because of that? My preference on fast food chicken is KFC or Popeye's because I can get potatoes and gravy...I love dipping my chicken into gravy...my kids however hate Popeye's so I have to eat that alone.