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Well, we decided not to go to Holiday World.  In the end, we chose to go to Mall of America and then hang out on the Mississippi River at Dubuque, Iowa.  Of course, we had to check out Nickelodeon Universe inside the mall.

I have to say this--the log ride is probably my favorite log ride ever, not counting Splash Mountain at WDW.  The theming is so cute.  I wish SDC would do something with American Plunge.  This ride had two drops, though not incredibly large.  The last one was large enough really.  The boats snake through caverns and inside you get to meet a huge animatronic Paul Bunyan and Babe.  Very cool!

One great coaster is the Spongebob Rock Bottom Plunge.  It is much like Mystery Mine without theming.  They have a spinning coaster, the Fairly Odd Coaster, that was pretty good.  The Pepsi coaster was neat in that it went through the same caverns as the log ride.

We did the Ghost Blasters, which is pretty fun in a silly way.  My youngest did the carousel, Blues Clues, and a little train.  There was more she could ride, but she was a little shy this trip.  She could have done the log ride and the Pepsi coaster if she had wanted to, along with several other kiddie rides.  We all rode the big Ferris Wheel with gondolas together.

We had a great time.  It is all indoors, and it's great to just see how they put everything together inside.  Since it's inside, the weather is always beautiful.  The temperature was great, although while we were in Minneapolis the high was never above 79.  We went on a Tuesday morning, so there were no lines for anything!  Of course, maybe there are never lines.  Who knows?  We bought our "points" to use to ride at a kiosk.  We went during Toddler Time, so the youngest had a nice discount.  We also met characters such as Dora and the Wonderpets without a line.

This was not a bad place to visit for a couple of days.  It's not SDC or WDW, but the coasters are fun and you can't beat the temperature and the low crowds.  While visiting the mall, we also ate at Rainforest Cafe and did the SeaLife Aquarium.  Both of these are great.  My oldest did plenty of shopping, and we checked out the Disney store and American Doll store with the youngest.  There is also an awesome Lego store, and had some great cookies at the Nestle Toll House place.  Great fun!

My husband and I are in the beginning stages of planning a tip to Holiday World in early June for our family vacation.  I haven't been since I was a little girl, maybe about six years old.  Back then, it was Santa Claus Land.

We are thinking about staying in a cabin at Camp Ruldolf.  We are thinking about staying three nights there while doing two days in the parks.  With a three-year-old, we would probably take a break in the afternoon, even thought the park doesn't seem to stay open late.  We also thought we would do the Lincoln stuff around there and see what there is in Santa Claus, Indiana.  We'd probably check into a motel for those days, though.  After a trip to Disney last summer, we are keeping things cheaper.

If anyone has any advice or reviews to share, we'd love your input!  Thanks! 

My family leaves for Florida and Walt Disney World in five days, and I think my husband is finally convinced to stop at Stone Mountain on the way.  Honestly, I think it's the laser show that finally did it.  He says it will remind him of Celebration City.  Anyway, I haven't been this way in 20 years, so I know things have really changed since then, especially with the Herchends adding attractions.  I will report back!   

I just thought I would pop in here for a moment.  I am in Lake Ozark for an annual conference I attend most years.  Anyway, we drove around, and we stopped at the Dogpatch Arcade and Store last night.  Fun times!  There were a few people wandering around, but it's not very busy here this time of year.  Even the outlet stores are pretty slow for a Friday night.  Mini-golf and go-karts were going in the area, but they were also not too busy.  Still, I enjoy the fun vibe here at the lake!

So I know this is blasphemous on this board, but I am just not excited about going to SDC this year.  My husband says it's because our last trip was rainy and cold, but the idea of going doesn't really appeal to me at all.  Maybe I have officially burned myself out.  We always go at least five times a year to get the ornament.  Maybe in the past that was too much?

We talked about going to World Fest Saturday, but I was secretly glad when my daughter was invited to a birthday party instead.  Maybe I'm just bogged down with school and tired in general.  The only World Fest things that sound appealing are the Moscow show and Ecuador Manta, DH's favorite.

Maybe my DH and I just need a "grown-up" trip?   

Since I guess I still get a spring break, my husband has suggested that we go to Branson/SDC for the end of that week.  Who am I to deny the man?  So, I guess we'll go.   

It's been fun today just thinking about our options and what we want to do.  We've never been on the Ducks, so we're considering that.  We may even take in a show!  We haven't been to a show in Branson in four years, and that was a Christmas show.  We just have to remember how to travel with an 18-month old.  She does pretty well, but I am not sitting through Dixie Stampede with a toddler, for example.

It looks like we are postponing our trip to Disney one more year, so we plan on extra Branson trips and other getaways instead of a big family vacation.  Just thinking about the Branson possibilities this year...

So, I called Casa Bonita in Tulsa today because a Facebook friend said it was closed.  Sure enough, a lady answered the phone and confirmed they were closed.  Dang!  Another piece of my childhood gone (unless someone opens it again). The food wasn't that great, but oh, the fun!

We actually visited the one in Denver last summer, and my family had a great time.  I bought a tee shirt and a magnet.  I guess that will have to hold me over until I can go to Denver again.   

So, I'm a Frontierville addict on Facebook.  Anyone else?

I'm starting to hum the background music to myself and think about how to collect the items when I'm away from the computer.  Good thing I'm being productive during the summer vacation.

The only thing better would be SDCville...

I caught a little of Dolly on Letterman last night.  I didn't catch much (such is life when trying to get a baby to sleep), but she discussed Dollywood's 25th Anniversary a little.  She described the park to Letterman.  It's always interesting how Dollywood is often described like it's the only park of its kind, or something. 

I do love Dolly, though, and I enjoyed my trip to Dollywood three years ago.  Also, Dolly sang 9 to 5.  She's a great performer.

I know several of us are teachers.  I went into my classroom today to get started since I never seem to have enough time during inservice.  I plan to go back tomorrow, and then I hope I'll be able to stay away until next week.  Our inservice is Aug. 13-14.  School starts for the kids on Aug. 17.

I can't believe it's time already!  I'm excited as a teacher can only be at the beginning of the school year.  Everything is so full of hope and promise.

This year, I will only teach two weeks or so, and then I'll go on maternity leave. 

This may sound crazy, but we hope to take a day trip to SDC before my maternity leave is up in Oct.  Then, we've booked our Nov. weekend trip already for Christmas.   Time seems to be flying by.

So, teachers, I hope you have an awesome year!

We recently returned from a trip that included passing through Hannibal.  After we rode the riverboat in town, I was reading information online later that night.  I read about an entertainer named L.A. Suess who lists SDC as a previous engagement.  Earlier that afternoon, we saw him holding his banjo on Main Street, but at the time we didn't realize his history, so we didn't stop to talk to him (we were in our car at the time).  What exactly did he do at the city?  Just curious. . .

Hi,

I don't post often, but I am an avid lurker.  I love Silver Dollar City, and I've been going my whole life.   I loved the 50s show in Echo Hollow.  I really liked how they incorporated a song from Hairspray into the show.  I love Dickens at Christmastime, and I like the saloon show.  I really like the show with more of a story instead of just watching a band or a group of performers do unrelated songs.  I just wanted to speak up for those who like shows with a little bit of Broadway flair. . .

Also, I love thrill rides.  Yes, I enjoy the atmosphere and theme of SDC, but I like to get the blood flowing, too!  We went to Dollywood last summer, and we had a good time on the Mystery Mine (although I would say that Wildfire and PowderKeg are more "thrilling;"  Mystery Mine is more of a total experience).  I would love to see something like that at SDC.  I do like my rides to be smooth, and I've yet to meet a smooth woodie.  The woodie at Dollywood is NOT smooth. 

I just wanted to toss my two cents in.  I also hope that CC keeps the 50s theme.  I just wish it was open until midnight so we have something to do at night.  We seldom see a Branson show for the reasons stated above, and after 10:00, there's little to do anyway for night owls.

Hi,
Since I am home for Easter, I had the opportunity to look through some old pictures and I thought I would share some.  This is my first attempt to post pictures.  This is my baby sister and I, around 1985, giving the Gandy Dancer a try. . .



Here I am at around three years old (around 1978) exploring a "cave"



This is the same trip.  My cousin and I get a ride in SDC rental strollers



And this last one is an earlier picture, taken before I was born in the late 1960s or early 1970s



Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share.  Happy Easter!