Messages

16

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Train Crash?

« on: March 15, 2023, 08:59:28 AM »

I just noticed that the SDC app list the train’s operating season as March 16 - October 29.  Hopefully that’s a good sign that it’s returning this week.    🤞

17

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

« on: June 18, 2022, 08:05:10 AM »

There’s barely enough room for a queue let alone a gift shop and why would they take photos on a coaster that will be mainly in the dark.  Seriously?

Honest question - why the attitude, Swoosh?  Your information is entertaining and I appreciate your posts, but I just don’t see the need for foul language or belittling others.  This is a fan site.  We’re all here to share our love of SDC.  Cheers.   

18

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC’s 2022 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: June 10, 2022, 01:31:26 PM »

This feels a bit backwards… if I’m looking at it correctly, the load station and queue will be on the north / left side of the building, but the path opens from Fireman’s Landing on the south / right side.  Is that accurate?

19

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC’s 2022 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: June 10, 2022, 01:28:36 PM »

Thanks for the great pics, MG.  We made it down three times last year (summer, pumpkins, and Christmas) but probably won’t get there this year.  I enjoy watching the progress. 

20

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

« on: April 22, 2022, 10:52:13 AM »

Here's a quick picture of the FITH building from Hwy 76 on 4/21

21

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Frisco Silver Dollar Line 60th Birthday

« on: February 07, 2022, 08:57:07 PM »

The locomotives operating at Silver Dollar City are extremely rare industrial tank engines that originally worked for construction firms and quarries in Germany during the 1940s and 50s. They were all purchased and imported by Jim Valesh from Iowa who sold 4 locomotives to Silver Dollar City in the mid-late 60s. The locomotives purchased from Minnesota in 2016 also have ties to Valesh.

From the “it’s a small world” file, my mother-in-law worked for many years in the dental practice of Jim’s son, Keith.  Keith Valesh had a steam engine in his back yard that he ran for visitors on special occasions, including the local “Railroad Days” festival.


Oelwein made the news Thursday as television cameras recorded a special ride on the centennial railroad which will be a part of the celebration in June. The first load of passengers is shown in this picture as the engine and two cars move around the oval track. With a shrill blast from its steam whistle and a sound that told all people in Oelwein that it was ready to roll the Oelwein Centennial railroad made its first official journey around the railroad track that covers a half to threefourths of a mile in the area behind the residence of Dr Keith Valesh across from City Park. The journey was made slightly behind the announced schedule but everything went very nicely for a maiden voyage The two cars behind the puffing steamer were loaded with newsmen from area newspapers radio and television stations interspersed with some area residents who came by to recall earlier days when they were part of the for real railroad. Although there is still some work to be done on the laying of the track completion of a spur etc those on the train for the first time thoroughly enjoyed the ride as Dr Valesh dressed in the traditional garb of a steam locomotive engineer piloted the small tram around the oval. The event was part of a press day program sponsored by the REGISTER and radio station KOEL to publicize the Oelwein centennial in the area media. The industrial type steam locomotive built in Germany in 1935 burns coal to get 120 pounds per square inch of steam pressure. The unit is rated at about 40 horsepower according to Dr and the two cars are able to haul an estimated 30 persons each. Dr Valesh has been the owner of the engine for three years — Oelwein Daily Register, May 25, 1973

8 was built by Henschel & Son in 1935, #22631, as Grün & Bilfinger 8.  It was sold to James Valesh in 1963.

22

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Silver Dollar City Purchased Land

« on: February 04, 2022, 08:58:13 AM »

On another note, was it ever implied what would happen after the 99 year lease ends?

Why do you think they bought so much land?

Can you elaborate on this?  Are you implying that they would build a new park to insure against losing their lease on the current land? 

23

SDC Memories/ Park History / Re: Past rides at Silver Dollar City

« on: November 19, 2021, 02:46:11 PM »

I have vague memories of a kiddie attraction on Lake Silver, roughly around 1986.  I believe there were three small structures built over the lake, similar in nature to Tom Sawyer's landing.  You could access one of the structures by climbing up a rope bridge from land.  I *think* it was next to the Gandy Dancer along the waterfront between the Lost River entrance and the current toy shop (which in my earliest memory was a basket shop).  Can anyone confirm or shed light on this? 

EDIT: I found this (https://sdcfans.com/tag/throwback-thursday/) great description of what was apparently called Shanty Town.  I remember it fondly, along with the original iteration of Geyser Gulch. 

24

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Fire at the City

« on: November 18, 2021, 03:06:14 PM »

Posted on the official SDC Facebook page.

25

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Fire at the City

« on: November 18, 2021, 02:46:10 PM »

I know the reports are saying "wood carving shop" but do they mean the Valley Woodcarvers (which is across the street to the east of the pork rinds) or the Heartland Home Furnishings (directly to the south of the pork rinds)?  The cell phone picture posted above makes it looks like the furniture production/demonstration area is heavily damaged. 

26

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2021 Crowds/Trip Reports

« on: November 07, 2021, 07:03:11 AM »

The NEW Home For the Holidays show is really good.  No plot, just song after song.  Very tight group.  Voices of Liberty at Epcot quality.  Very enjoyable

I agree that the voices were excellent, but the show just didn’t do it for me.  As Swoosh says, there’s no plot.  For what is billed as a “Broadway style show”, replacing IAWL, I was disappointed.  I’ll see it again with adjusted expectations.  Similar to Swoosh, I’m a high school theatre director, so that was my bias going in.

Dickens was definitely odd hewing so close to the former score, but if someone were seeing it for the first time I’m certain they would really enjoy the show. 

Crowds were manageable, weather was great, and we had a fun day on park. 

27

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2021 Crowds/Trip Reports

« on: August 17, 2021, 07:10:37 AM »

I know this year has been atypical for crowds, but what might I expect on opening day/weekend of OTC (Nov. 6-7)?  We’ve been there many times on Thanksgiving weekend and one time the week between Christmas and New Year’s, but want to try going earlier this time. Thanks.

28

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2021 Crowds/Trip Reports

« on: May 16, 2021, 08:21:30 PM »

Saturday I would count on being very busy if the weather is good.  Sunday being a holiday would be the best of the two days, but it just depends on if people want to get out or stay close to home.  Could really go either way.

No the city doesn't usually do much for the 4th.  The most I really remember them doing is a fireworks show a while back and there is no announcement of that this year so far.

Thank you!

29

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2021 Crowds/Trip Reports

« on: May 14, 2021, 08:55:44 PM »

Not sure if this is the right place, so feel free to delete/move.  We will be going to SDC for our first visit since before COVID and our first summer visit in almost a decade.  It looks like we’ll be in town on the 4th of July weekend (both Saturday 7/3 and Sunday 7/4).  I know this is an unusual year, but what kind of crowds might we expect?  Are there any special events at the City for the holiday?  Thanks!

30

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Silver Dollar City | Opening Day 2020 | Full Park Tour!

« on: June 17, 2020, 11:24:05 AM »

Nice video - thank you! 

One question I’ve been wondering about: why do you say “on park” instead of “at/in the park”?  I’ve noticed others using that, too. Is it unique to SDC?