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I guess I didn't realize there was a launched Mack Minetrain let alone one in the States. 

I stand corrected, I thought there were some launched minetrains in the US, but I was incorrect. As I dove into this the only mine train I am finding that has a launch is Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Train at Hong Kong Disneyland. Are there others I am not seeing or is that really the only one?

[launched]

*cough* *cough* *cough*

I have zero proof to back this up but honestly putting together the pieces I don't see this can anything other than a launched (because that's all they've built lately) Mack (because they seem to have fallen in love with that company) mine train (just going off the teaser image shared at FanFest and the loud rumor that TNT is being removed). 

I'm open to debate on why my guess is incorrect but honestly I don't see how it will be anything else. 

That certainly seems likely, but what of that would be first of it's kind in the US?

Got a survey today from SDC/Hershend. It was mostly focused on the economy and your travel planning. It asked a couple of questions about optimism vs pessimism for yourself, the US, and the world. Also asked for specifics on why you think the country will be better or worse in the next 6 months.

I'm pretty pessimistic about my personal financial situation as well as the US in general. I've been looking for a new job for over a year and only had a couple of interviews that didn't go past the first round.

That said, I am trying to be hopeful that SDC won't cut back on the resort and new ride but from this survey, they seem to be trying to gauge how concerned about the economy and how likely to cut back on spending their customers are.

One last thing that stood out was they asked specifically if you had been to SDC, Disney World, Disneyland, or Dollywood in the last few years or plan to go in the next year. It just struck me as odd that they only included those 4 parks and not any others(particularly Universal)

How's everyone feeling about fanfest?

What was your favorite announcement?





My overall thoughts: it was alright, the announcements were about what I expected(although I thought they might have a new show or two next season). It felt like they are trying really hard to be more like Disney.


My favorite announcement, probably goes to the pretzel cheese bread. Getting some interior renderings of the resort was a solid second place.


One big question I was left with was with the announcement about the showboat, they said the ramblers would be moving there, so will they not be in the city at all next year? What will they replace them with?

Other thoughts: I think a men's button down shirt in the merch bag pattern would be fun.

I'm curious how you all define the difference between a theme park and an amusement park?

What all would you consider theme parks in the US?

Obviously Disney, universal, SDC, and dolly wood are all theme parks.
I think holiday world is another clear theme park as well as Hershey park.

I don't think any six flags park(including cedar fair properties) would count as a theme park in my mind.

Maybe we will get some info on September 27.

https://www.silverdollarcity.com/fanfest/

I'm betting nothing or a vague more things coming soon for this project.

Probably will be mostly about the resort and season passes for next year, maybe a new show.

Six flags has passes out right now with access to most if not all of their parks, for $5.99 a month for 12 month's
https://www.al.com/news/2025/08/six-flags-announces-major-nationwide-offer.html

I'm curious to hear what y'all think about that and its effects on HFE. Will they have an all park pass this upcoming season? Will they hold off on price increases this upcoming year?

Big lawsuit now from one of the investors, alleging fraud and manipulation

https://www.koamnewsnow.com/news/money/gene-bicknell-files-lawsuit-related-to-oklahoma-theme-park/article_dcff3d8a-2824-4d11-afb4-af6e9d0c08dc.html

They re-did the ones near the entrance (behind taffy shop) this year. They redid the ones near Mystic a few years ago when that opened.

The one near TNT/TT are too small though and should have been rebuilt larger back when they were redoing that area. That's the only one I can think of that is kinda bad though. The one near Fireman's whatever is probably too small now too. They should probably add one near the new plaza area eventually.

They really need an additional family restroom in fireman's landing, and a separate nursing room.

Dynamic pricing is just another way for them to squeeze more out of you. All the days you want to go will now cost more, in exchange for the days you can't go being cheaper. I really hate how HFEC follows these greedy industry trends now. As if trailblazer wasn't bad enough.

It is a good way to discourage some people from visiting on the busiest times.

They didn't ask about restricted dates for passes, I think we have a few more years before that happens.

Just did a survery that was focused on likely hood to buy various tickets at various prices. They were including a description of 3 different types of days off-peak, standard, and peak. They also asked about various price points for the levels of season passes(all at or above the peak price they hit about this time of year). At the end they asked some specific questions about dynamic pricing.

I think it would be good for them to actually do it but I want to see the standard days be at about the current price, and slow days actually be discounted a little bit to help drive traffic to those days. I hope it's more of a set pricing for slow days versus peak instead of truly dynamic pricing where it is constantly changing based on demand.

There has definitely been a generational culture change regarding the aesthetics. Back in the 90's people would have screeched at the "clean" vintage aesthetic they have going now. Today if people saw the trees growing through buildings, the crooked roofs, the hillbilly decor, etc. - they'd say the place was "ghetto". Just give it another decade or two, and it'll swing around...

Can I have both?
Clean vintage areas like fireman's landing and rivertown, but also other areas that have trees growing through buildings, crooked roofs, etc.

Interesting. I've never seen the owner listed in GIS not be the actual owner of the property, but I do have minimal experience with GIS.  I learned something new today.

I'd be interested in learning more about the deal that brought that about if anyone knows. if anyone else is interested in this, the track is also leased from the city(and so is the imax theater)

SDC/HFE does not own the land that White Water currently sits on.  That land is owned by the City of Branson, and leased to them.  The City of Branson also owns the land that Ballparks sits on.

I'm curious why you say it is leased. The county GIS shows whitewater land as owned by whitewater and the ballpark land owned by the ballparks of America.

The Fireman's Landing play place now has a single entrance where you can go to either the ball play place or the other play place. The old entrance into the ball play place is closed off the area outside of it is now covered stroller parking.

Did they fix the floor in the ball area? Or add more balls? At the end of last season it was pretty rough in there.