Messages

1

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC’s 2024 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: March 14, 2024, 08:13:54 AM »

Thanks for the Midwest Info Guide park update pictures. The City looks great, but my kids aren't going to be happy about the removal of the elevated platform at River Blast. That was their "secret" hideaway where they would go and eat a funnel cake. 

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Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC’s 2024 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: March 13, 2024, 12:15:04 PM »

I don't want to be a party pooper, but should that link be allowed in these forums? We all know that it's out there. Heck, I've watched it myself. However, in years past this forum wouldn't allow things like that to be posted because taking the video was a violation of park safety rules.

I know this site isn't sanctioned or affiliated with SDC, but I believe we have always tried to do things to maintain good relations with the folks at the City.

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SDC Memories/ Park History / Old park souvenir program on Ebay

« on: January 05, 2024, 09:04:41 AM »

There is a nice, early souvenir program for sale on Ebay. It's too rich for my blood, but the map inside is something I have never seen before.

It looks like there used to be a parking lot about where Christmas Hollow is located now, and the current train station may have been a drop off near the parking lot? I didn't realize there used to be two train stations in the City. I have seen pictures of the town square as a parking lot, but have never seen reference to a parking lot in this location.

4

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2023 Crowds / Trip Reports

« on: November 27, 2023, 09:32:42 AM »

I visited the city on Saturday, and was pleasantly surprised with the crowd size. Several citizens told me there were 22,000 through the park. I've been there when 29,000 came through on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. While I'm sure the PTB likes the big numbers, the smaller crowd made the visit much more pleasurable. We were able to ride a few rides, get food without waiting an excessive amount of time, and actually walk on the streets and in the stores!

I'm sure it must be a total crap shoot for the PTB to estimate crowd sizes, and make a determination about inventory needs, staffing, etc. The weather was great on Saturday, and I would have bet anything that it would have been terribly crowded. But, when compared to prior years on the same weekend, it was not.

5

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC’s 2024 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: November 17, 2023, 08:42:55 AM »

Maybe if they connect the new FITH to GE they will do away with those awful dance parties. One can hope!

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Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2023 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: November 01, 2023, 07:59:52 AM »

Nice!

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General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2023 Crowds / Trip Reports

« on: October 30, 2023, 10:09:33 AM »

Had a great trip to the city this weekend. The weather on Saturday was a bit rough, but it kept the crowds down. Every ride we wanted to ride was operating, and the lines were all walk-ons. I've gotten to the point where I'd rather visit the city on bad weather days because of the diminished crowds. Plus, the rain just adds another dimension to the park, particularly in the fall.

I felt like the city was firing on all cylinders this weekend. All of the crafters we expected to see were there, plus a few more. The old carousel barn, i.e. Cowboy Emporium, was full, whereas last year it felt empty. Our family loves this festival, and look forward to visiting with the craft vendors every year. We appreciate the fact that the PTB recognize that this is still important to some visitors to the park, and would love to see it expanded back to what it once was. We visited with 3 generations of family, and the park really offers something for every generation particularly during the craft festival.

As far as rides, ride operations seemed to be going very well. There was a 35 minute wait for FITH, and at one point they had to stop and add a 4th train. Lots of love is being shown to the ride in it's final days. Flooded Mine has had some updates including new uniforms for the inmates. The only ride ops issue I had was on our train ride. We were in car 1, and you could not hear Alfie and Ralphie at all in our car. Also, I did not ride TNT, but others in my group did, and they said it was REALLY rough.

We watched the saloon show, and it was great as always. We also watched Emily Flatness, and she's just a jewel. She will be a great addition to the Homestead Pickers. We got to visit a bit with Terry Sanders and some of his multiple personalities.

All in all, it was a great trip, and another weekend of family memories made in the city!

8

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Danny Eakin retiring

« on: October 24, 2023, 08:30:07 AM »

Today is Danny Eakin's last day. End of an era at SDC. Some of my best memories are watching him and the Homestead Pickers.

Best of luck to you, Danny!

9

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC Resort Survey

« on: October 16, 2023, 08:36:41 AM »

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.

I find it odd that I have been a season pass holder at SDC for 15+ years, and I get a lot more emails and marketing materials from Dollywood than I do SDC. Anyone else notice that?

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SDC Memories/ Park History / Re: I finally figured out why I dislike a lot of the upgrades and changes

« on: August 25, 2023, 08:55:53 AM »

I agree with you. I describe it as "hillbilly chic". The old buildings look and feel like they've grown out of the earth, while the new one's look like an HGTV version of SDC.

The new FITH gives me a glimmer of hope for the future, but another part of me fears that SDC will be unrecognizable in ten years.

11

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC’s 2024 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 23, 2023, 08:59:31 AM »

When I rode FM on Sunday almost nothing worked. The guns turned off through the first half of the ride, then randomly came back on, but without sound effects. Very few of the props responded to being shot.

Maybe you are just a bad shot, pardner. Ha ha. 

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Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC’s 2024 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 22, 2023, 03:10:44 PM »

Some of my favorite SDC memories as a kid was when we would visit on a summer weekday, and I would ride FM over and over and over and over without having to get off of the ride.

13

SDC Memories/ Park History / Great Marvel Cave collectible on Ebay

« on: August 21, 2023, 10:05:13 AM »

Here's a great opportunity for a collector. I've already got one, or wouldn't share it. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/305080163421?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=FrS4fg5FRp-&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=oK_dwhamSt6&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

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Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC’s 2024 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 21, 2023, 08:48:06 AM »

The care and thought that the PTB took in the new FITH gives me a glimmer of hope that *maybe* the Flooded Mine could get the same kind of love in the future.

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Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC’s 2024 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 17, 2023, 08:10:01 AM »

This time last week, I would have said that "updating" the song would be blasphemous. This new version just knocks it out of the park. I love it. I never, ever thought I would say that. The PTB really did a bang-up job with this entire "replacement" process. I can't wait to ride the new ride!