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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.

I need to go check my junk email....I couldn't tell you the last time I received any kind of survey in the email from Silver Dollar City.

Hopefully they have some cabin options - when we go to SDC we usually have a group of 8 or more, so hotel/resort rooms tend to be a bit expensive when you rent out three of them.

Jay

Maybe a Fire Chaser Express type - in pretty much the same layout. Do the first half of the layout just the same - then go up the lift - make a turn to the right to a "mine entrance" - get "blasted" through the second half of the layout backwards (big drop) - add a second swooping turn that would line you back up with the station so you can return facing the correct direction.

Keep the mine train "ThuNderaTion Theme".

Jay