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$25 million expansion is announced for HFE's Kentucky kingdom.

What improvements or changes do you want to see at SDC in 2025?

Here's 2 that are at the top of my mind:
1. Fireman's play house needs a refurb. It has a lot less balls and bags than it did when it opened, the floor has some spots that are decaying, and the whole building needs a deep clean.

2. A better "all season cup", I liked the all season cup idea but the cup they used is annoying. Please use the same style as the regular refill mug.
2b. I'd really like to see a system where you don't have to get a new cup(or vip tumbler) every year but can instead just reactivate them. Either a chip in the cup or scanning your season pass seem like possible solutions.

Help an old guy out and let me know if I'm losing my mind. They used to have Nathan's hotdogs for the hotdogs, pretzel dogs and tater twists, right?

I remember in years past at the hot dog places them having signage proclaiming that they used Nathan's hotdogs, I didn't see that this year and the pretzel dog I had was definitely not a Nathan's dog. It wasn't bad but just didn't have the flavor of Nathan's.

Got a survey today with 2 festival options they are looking at to replace street fest.
Most of the questions I got focused on the flower and food fest, then they showed the great America exhibition and asked which one I preferred.


I'm a huge fan of street fest so it going away is rough. I was hoping with it going away they'd bring back world fest. Out of these two I'd prefer the flower and food, but I'd really like something more like street fest or world fest.

I've found myself wondering if tied to the parking renovations the park is doing, if they will at the end of it make any changes to the trams/buses. It seems like they have added a lot of handicap parking spots in the lots they have redone(maybe it's the same amount but it feels like they added more). The trams and buses aren't very easy for many handicapped people to get on. So I've been wondering if they would be making any changes to the trams to be more handicap accessible. It seems like a ramp and a strap system for wheelchairs would be an easy thing to add to the trams. And maybe a portable or retractable step to help people that can't step up as easily onto the tram.



I also wish they would only use the trams and would not use buses. I think they could add some type of wind/rain screen that's removable to the trams.


I'm curious to hear other thoughts on this.

Any tips on seeing the Branson landing fireworks? Best places to watch from, places to park?

SDC posted in the pass holders group on Facebook that there is a new Cheesesteak stand. It's in the former frybread building. I'm assuming this means the new Flossie's fried fancies is opening this week.

The cheesesteak stand has beef and chicken cheesesteaks,  beef and chicken cheesesteak fries, and loaded fries.

I will miss the frybread though...

Universal Studios announced the closure of Posidens Fury at Islands of Adventure.

https://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20230415/32266/poseidons-fury-close-permanently-universals-islands-adventure-will-you-be-sad

It's sad to see this go. It has always felt fairly unique to me(I'm sure there probably are some other parks out there with a walk-through show but not many) and been a very enjoyable attraction. it is something fun for everyone to participate in. I'm honestly surprised it lasted this long, with Hogsmeade next door it has seemed like only a matter of time before the whole lost continent is re-themed.

I was looking through SDC's website today, they have info on spring break and street fest on the site.

I noticed that for spring break they are going to have food trucks on the (pumpkin) plaza.

here's what they said on the site:
"Food Trucks & Fun At The Plaza
Open From 11am to 5pm Each Day During Spring Break

Join us on the Plaza, located just past the Grand Exposition, for delicious food & family fun each day as Silver Dollar City hosts some of the Ozarks best food trucks with offerings including British cuisine and pasties from London Calling, southern-style catfish and more from Flat Creek, Pizza & Calzones from Fat Tony's, southwest flavors from Not'cho Ordinary Taco as well as delectable desserts from Sno Nut Mini Donuts and Swirly's Ice Cream & Waffles. Plus, challenge your family and friends to a friendly game of cornhole or checkers"


I'm curious to hear what y'all think about this. It's interesting to me because it seems like lost(or at least reduced revenue) if people are buying food from 3rd party vendors instead of the park. I'm sure SDC will take a cut but still, It seems unlikely that they would get as much income from having the trucks as they would if people ate from the SDC food options. I like the idea of having lawn games out there(It would be nice to do that during summer too, if they can get some shade and fans).

Universal Announced a new park in Frisco Texas. It's supposed to be smaller than their main parks and focused on kids/families.  I'm pretty excited about that being a half day drive away. Not much substance yet on what it will contain.

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/universal-theme-park-resort-hotel-coming-to-frisco/3167638/

I purchased 2023 passes last night, and uploaded a photo of myself behind a microphone expecting that I'd get an error because not enough of my face was visible. As far as I can tell from the website the only requirement is that the photo be less than 5mb and be a jpg or one other format. One of my kids photos the system automatically cropped and zoomed to their face. So it seems like they do want just a face shot, but they provided no instructions on what they wanted in the photo. I'm curious if anyone knows if they have actual requirements for the photos?

With kings dominion and carrowinds announcing year round operations do you think SDC will add year round operations?


I don't think it would happen in the next few years, but could see it in the future especially after adding a resort.

I got a season pass benefit survey today.

Questions included:
How many visits this year?
What pass level do you have?(check all that apply)
Why did you get different levels of passes?(we did one gold and the rest of the family silver)
Asked about each benefit and weather you are aware of it but have t used it,  unaware of it,use occasionally, use frequently. Included in the benefits asked about were: unlimited visits, food discounts, merch discount, ticket discounts, Branson belle discount, refill mug, vip events, bring a friend, and other herschland properties discount.
Asked about the importance of each of those benefits

Asked about if benefits would convince you to upgrade to gold for $60(Yes, maybe, no) This included:  souvenir mug with discounted refills, private entrance for gold and diamond pass holders, moonlight madness being a friend ticket, exclusive preview days for festivals, BAF valid on Saturdays, one hour trailblazer early ride access everyday, vip events and access, reserved seating for echo hollow and other live entertainment, 20% off food and beverage.

Asked about if benefits would convince you to upgrade to diamond for $50. This included: free preferred parking, unlimited access to white water, extra BAF valid any day, 25% off premium on park experiences.

Asked zip code and ages of family members.



The private entrance question stands out to me, I'm very curious how they would do that. If it would just be a dedicated lane at the turnstiles or if it would be an actual separate entrance(maybe the overflow entrance by first aid and brown's candy)

Not much information at all but a citizen was injured yesterday at SDC.

Spokesperson said no guests were involved in the accident.

https://www.ky3.com/2022/07/21/silver-dollar-city-employee-injured-during-incident-wednesday/

Hopefully they are doing okay and will recover soon.

Does SDC do anything special on the 4th? How are crowds?

I find myself with no plans this year for the 4th and am contemplating going to SDC.

As I'm still standing in line to pick up my season passes at the park(over an hour so far, will probably be about 90 minutes total). I find my self staring at signs touting how the app has mobile tickets for one day tickets and I'm pondering why they haven't added digital season passes to the app. Does anyone have insight as to why not? Is there anything we can do to encourage a faster adoption of digital passes, it would seem they have most of the tech in place since they already have one day passes in the app.

What's the best restaurant that's open for dine in for families in Branson?