Topics

196

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Six Flags CEO Spotted At SDC

« on: June 16, 2008, 05:57:19 PM »

http://messages.finance.yahoo.com/Stocks_%28A_to_Z%29/Stocks_S/threadview?m=tm&bn=14252&tid=27358&mid=27358&tof=4&frt=2

It sounds like Mark Shapiro may have paid a visit to SDC lately, though who really knows the validity of the story. I wouldn't be surprised if it were true however, as SDC is not only an outstanding park but also a major competitor to SFStL and a growing regional player overall. I really hope the visit rubs off on him the value of true overall quality, atmosphere, and abundant good-hearted fun vs. rides being the only offering at a park.

197

Dollywood Discussion / DollyWood's Old Log Flume

« on: June 09, 2008, 10:05:47 PM »

I know there are some DW fans on here, so I hope one of you has a photo of DW's old County Fair Falls log flume that was torn down several years ago. I'm interested in the ride due to the fact that it was a sister of the flume at Bell's Amusement park, both flumes having operated together side by side during a worlds fair in I think 1980 or 1984... too lazy to look it up.

Did anyone here ride on it? What was it like and how as it themed?

198

Announcements / Help SDCFans Out

« on: June 04, 2008, 02:51:58 PM »

I really need some SDC photos to use in various site graphics, but I have a limited collection. If you guys have any random SDC photos that I could use, I would really appreciate it.

Specifically, I need some photos that show off SDC festivals - KidsFest photos would be really good right now. I could use other photos too, though I'm pretty much covered as far as rides are concerned.

199

SDC Memories/ Park History / ThuNderaTion's 15th

« on: June 04, 2008, 10:52:37 AM »

ThuNderaTion has now been apart of SDC history for 15 solid years. Over time, much of it's original meaning has been lost, but the ride itself is still very popular. The theme is that a group called the Gumbo Gang is trying to start up the old J&P (Jack and Peter) Mine again, but as with all SDC characters, their eccentricity and clumsiness leads them to build a massive mine train roller coaster. Or something like that...

Anyway, anyone have and good memories about it? It's been mentioned before that there may have been a 3rd helix originally planned just before the brakes - and clarification on this?

200

Discounts and Cost-Saving Tips / Discount gas, lodging, and other things

« on: June 02, 2008, 11:43:11 AM »

In case you haven't seen the branson tourism site yet, here it is -> http://www.bransontourismcenter.com/

It's full of great deals like 20 cents of gas at a certain station, cheap lodging deals, show packages and more.

201

Discounts and Cost-Saving Tips / 2 day SDC tickets for the price of 1

« on: June 02, 2008, 11:41:10 AM »

http://www.reservebranson.com/attractions/silver_dollar_city_branson_missouri.asp?utm_source=attractions&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=SDC

A pretty sweet deal.

202

Other Parks / CP Trip Report

« on: May 30, 2008, 04:19:19 PM »

So I just got back from spending a couple of days with a group of friends at Cedar Point. It was pretty amazing - cold, but amazing. I got on everything plenty of times until I felt that I had throughly 'done' the park. CP's operations are pretty amazing, lines were eaten as fast as they could form and it wasn't even very crowded that day.

Maverick was beyond my expectations. It has everything I could want in a coaster: surprises, airtime, awesome theming, inversions that actually fit into the ride, and much more. It's probably my favorite ride right now; I really hope more parks pick these up - one would fit in perfectly at SDC.

All the other rides were great as well, particularly Magnum and Blue Streak which were full of air.

My only complaint was the phenomenal price of food and drink. I expect higher prices in parks, but CF is getting nearly criminal in their prices. It was absolute ripping off everywhere you looked.

203

Discounts and Cost-Saving Tips / Dierbergs Season Pass Discounts

« on: May 24, 2008, 05:40:19 PM »

Dierbergs is offering about $11 off SDC season passes, if you live in an area that has one.

Check it out here -> http://www.dierbergs.com/dierbergs.com/whatsnew/silver+dollar+city.htm

204

Other Parks / WA's Water Park To Get Kalani Towers

« on: May 20, 2008, 10:39:34 AM »

The practice of copying ideas from park to park is living on in the Herschend chain. Splash Island, WA's adjoining water park, is getting the same slide tower set up that WWB did last year.

Check it out -> http://www.screamscape.com/html/wild_adventures_2009_0.htm

Hmm, whatever works I guess...

205

SDC Memories/ Park History / Run-Away-Ore-Cart Memories

« on: May 19, 2008, 05:19:35 PM »

I'm sure everyone here remembers the Run-Away-Ore-Carts fondly. This little Molina and Sons standard kiddie model sat in the Landing for 15 years before being taken out due to roughness and scarcity of new parts. Even in it's last days, a torrent of kids could be seen marathoning it every single day.

But did the ore carts have more history than they appeared to? For only lasting 15 years, I would guess that the park might have bought it used from somewhere else. Also, what were the real terms of its departure? I've heard the park say that it was just too old and was due to be replaced by the Grand Expo Coaster, while others have said that it needed to be taken out to construct a final attempt at bracing the tree house. Is there any closure on that?

Oh yeah, does anyone know what happened to it? I've been assuming that it was scrapped, but you never really know - if they had tried to auction it off I sure would have bet on it, but I didn't hear about it if that happened.

206

Discounts and Cost-Saving Tips / When times are tight...

« on: May 13, 2008, 09:13:57 PM »

I figured some of us could use a place to share cost-saving tips, considering how many people have confessed skipping out on Branson trips this year due to high costs of travel. Use this board to post and sweet deals you've come across for Branson attractions, or any good ways to save money on trips - it'll help someone and their family be able to make it down to Branson easier.

207

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Q-Bots?

« on: May 02, 2008, 07:17:59 PM »

As you all probably know, Dollywood has been utilizing a Q-bot system for several years now, and apparently considers the system a success. That can only mean that as SDC gets more major attractions, such a system is headed toward us. In fact, I'm pretty sure we'll be getting our own Q-bots in 2009.

The thing is, I abhor Q-bots and most all such systems. I know most enthusiasts and park goers enjoy them, but after paying something like $40 to get in the park, $12-15 for a meal, and all the other expenses that come up, I don't want to throw another $10 or so to be able to easily ride rides. The Q-bot system not only makes useless the normal line, but it also takes up certain (usually the best) seats on most attractions. I understand that those who pay more should get more, but I just don't like having to go through multiple fees to be able to enjoy myself at a park.

That's not to say I don't like the idea though, and DW's system isn't all bad: $10 for the first bot and $5 for each person in your family afterwards is a pretty good deal - not like the $40+ you'd have to pay at other parks.

Thoughts?

208

General Silver Dollar City Talk / How Will Gas Prices Affect SDC?

« on: April 23, 2008, 10:57:48 PM »

SDC has been sending out more surveys lately to select season pass holders, asking how rising gas prices will affect travel plans. I'll bet the reality of $4+ gas is really hurting SDC. Quite a few SDC patrons come from several states away, but many of them won't be coming until gas goes down or they get a better transport solution. Surely SDC's attendance will have a constant dampener on it from now until gas drops again, but how long will that be? If it takes too long, will SDC scale back expansion plans?

I kinda doubt they'll do anything too drastic, but I'm sure we'll see all sorts of evidence of them trying to cut corners - not in a bad way though. Then again, the season seems to be off to an amazing start already, so how much will gas have to cost before people will stop hitting up SDC?

As for myself, I'm cutting back on my driving, but SDC will always be pretty high up on my priorities. I really just want to get an Aptera so I won't have to worry about filling up again.

209

General Silver Dollar City Talk / CC/Roaring Falls Opening

« on: April 17, 2008, 10:50:00 PM »

So the big opening day for Roaring Falls and CC's 6th season is tomorrow. Who's going? I really, really want to know how Roaring Falls turned out; even though it's a comparatively small ride, it's the biggest thing Branson is getting this year thrill-wise, as well as the biggest thing CC has gotten yet.

210

SDC Memories/ Park History / Old Construction Photos

« on: April 04, 2008, 06:17:10 PM »

Does anyone have any old construction photos from SDC, or at least know where some are? Surely there are some shots of Wildfire going up out there, as well as Buzzsaw falls, but what about older rides such as the American Plunge, Wilderness Waterboggin, and others?

I've gotta start a construction photos area on the site to hold stuff like this, these types of photos just get better with time.