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Hope you've been enjoying the weekly videos.  This week is a SDC special one that I've been asked about. Ever wonder what a day is like for one of the robbers?  What do they do each day and what happens?  What it's like to be out there?  Where do they go and what do they do in between trains? Here's a look at what a typical day was for me each day I got to be a train robber at Silver Dollar City.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bVcXSRQu8U&feature=youtu.be

Somebodys been into the wildfire. That stuffs not for drinking!

That, or riding the train and stopping at the still....

Moonshine stump.  I'm stumped why they call it that.

That's the engineer's favorite part of the ride.  My grandpappy used to call that stuff frog water.  One sip your face will turn green, two sips you start hoppin' aroun'.  Three sips, you croak.  *ribbet*

Silver Dollar City is in a tougher spot with regards to parking prices because the culture of the area is against it. They've had free parking for over 50 years so it would be bad publicity to simply throw down a big parking fee these days, even if they could lower their gate price. Most people going to SDC are pass holders who stay in the area for long periods at time shares and such, or live in the surrounding states and visit multiple times. This forces them to make their money through pass sales, food and drinks, and shop sales.

Over time you will see SDC slowly incorporate the things you see at "bigger" parks as people get used to them or accept them. I expected a huge pushback to the fast pass system, but they have slowly wedged it into the culture of the park one step at a time. The same is happening with the slowly increasing paid parking lot.

You touched on a couple of things. The paid "valet" parking has been a huge hit for them, and brings in a good amount of money.  They've gradually been expanding that each year, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it eventually lead to a lot more paid parking options. It would be tough to make all of the parking paid though the way they have so many different lots spread out all over.  But I'd be surprised to not see the paid parking keep growing and expanding.

The Trailblazer pass I think SDC has done right (unlike some of the others) along with the show pass in that they limit how many of them they sell,and how many uses each has, so that they don't impact the lines in any significant way.  For those that really want them, they are available (at a fairly hefty price I might add) but it wont' affect most of the rest of the guests in the park.

Thanks SirWilliow for your response.
How did you all handle the guests who complained about the people skipping lines due to them having special passes?

We didn't have to many of them on the train, but when we did we preboarded them at the back of the train, or near the back half of the third car.  It usually wasn't worth it to use it on the train, and if our lines showed that it wasn't, we let them know.

Since they boarded with the wheelchairs and other special boards, most people didn't notice or say anything.  If they did, we'd gently tell them that they were welcome to head up front and buy a Trailblazer pass as well if they wanted special access.    It was rarely a problem though.

You dont know what you've got till its gone............

The new signs along 76 were the first nail.  Departure from the rustic SDC feel.  You dont have to have stupid Hillbillies to have a 1800 theme.  Look at Knotts berry farm, the money they invested in their older origional rides, there was a reason. 
SDC is slowly making a big mistake.  They are becoming Six Flags and Worlds of Fun. Replacing wood with tan stucco.   You must set your selves apart but they are homogenizing their theme.  Look at the Firemans landing, we got the baloons back, a fair ride from Celebration city and a reduced tree house playground.  The direction the park is taking is a mistep, its common, nothing special.  Trash the Flooded Mine and FITH and its pretty much gone. The treehouse finally hit the ground this winter.  Rides are important but the park contains so much more, theme, setting, atmosphere.  And the more is being chipped away at rather quickly.  I have been to DW.  Nice place and I enjoyed myself but I could tell where SDC existed within the park and I felt like I was looking at our future.  It was the only part of the park that had real flavor.  I enjoyed my time but was it worth repeting?  Not like SDC, I havent been back in 5 years and dont see it on my radar.

I have seen SDC 2.0 its called DW.  Its a bigger market, close to the coast and larger pool of patrons.  SDC is a different market more regional.  I am concerned about what the future holds, simply for selfish reasons.  Are my fears out of line? are they unwarented or have any of you noticed?

I'll disagree with Swoosh (and leave it at that) and say that I think you're dead on right.  We noticed it and talked about it frequently when I was working at the park, and the ones that have been there for years said that it's been going on for a while, but has certainly sped up in the last handful of years.  They have actively been downplaying the "hillbilly" part, even asking their employees at times to tone it down or stop.  The "themes" are becoming more generic and they are having to stretch to make it fit.  And it's becoming more white washed and static.  There have been fears within the park for several years that Flooded Mine is on the chopping block, and while it's still there, there's not a lot of confidence in it's long term future.  I know on the train we talked about the concerns of the rides stretching out and encroaching on the woods and the future of the robbery- something that 10 years ago wouldn't have been a worry, but is now, with the PTB not being very reassuring on it.

While I don't think it will ever go so far in ditching the theme as, say, California's Great America did over the years in transition from Marriott's, I think that DW is a great picture of SDC's future, but on a smaller scale.

[they do offer cheap refills throughout the year with the purchase of a souvenier cup. Buy the cup at the beginning of the season and it's just over a $1 for soda refills the rest of the year. The dining pass would probably not be a good sell for the park though, with the variety of foods it has. There's a chance they could actually lose money instead of gain because people would be sampling so many different items, depending on how they packaged it.But drinks are the biggest profit makers for the park, and food close behind it. It's something they are going to want to work the most profits out of as that's what really makes the money for the park.]

Why doesn't SDC have a "dining pass" offer or offer a sports bottle that you can have free refills?
they do offer cheap refills throughout the year with the purchase of a souvenier cup.  Buy the cup at the beginning of the season and it's just over a $1 for soda refills the rest of the year.  The dining pass would probably not be a good sell for the park though, with the variety of foods it has.  There's a chance they could actually lose money instead of gain because people would be sampling so many different items, depending on how they packaged it.

But drinks are the biggest profit makers for the park, and food close behind it.  It's something they are going to want to work the most profits out of as that's what really makes the money for the park.

Why do some theme parks charge for parking? I know Six Flags St Louis is $20.00 a car. Just doesn't make sense to charge for parking and then you still have to pay the admission price to get in.
Because they can, and people will pay it.  and this is true at most tourist stops now it seems (stadiums, sports events, etc) and only a handful of theme parks don't charge anymore.  Easy money.

Why cant more parks do what Holiday World does and offer free parking, free drinks?
Because they would lose the opportunity for easy money, and easy profits.  I'm honestly still surprised that HW does it, especially with their low gate price (about $15 less than SDC before discounts) but it has turned into a very effective marketing tool and now something they are known for, which has helped draw people in.  Other parks don't see the need to do it.

Why the huge up-charge on bottle water and other food items?
again, money.  They are a business, and that's where most of the profits are made.

I understand they need to make money but wouldn't they gain more attendance if the prices were all reasonable.
Here's where it gets funny.  Yes, they want more attendance, but not at the expense of profits.  The park's attendance number are actually very good and have been on a steady increase over the years.  They don't need to cut prices or give things away to get people to come, so why do it?  That's like asking why Disney World keeps increasing prices.  Because they can without it affecting their attendance numbers.  As long as attendance is good and increasing, there's absolutely no reason for them to cut prices other than some people don't want to spend so much.  In which case SDC allows you to bring in your own food and drink if that's what you want.

How do some of you feel about people who purchase and or have these flash pass/ trailblazers passes and are able to skip the lines? I admit that I purchased the SDC season trailblazer pass last year and loved it. However, some of the looks I got from people when I skipped the line was nerve racking. Just curious to hear some others thoughts on that.
You spent the money, enjoy the pass.  They're good on a busy day, but most days not worth the money.  As an employee we didn't care much one way or the other.  The looks are just people showing they are jealous, but oh well. *shrug*

sir Willow why are you noy working there any more

I also work as a pastor and a substitute teacher in my local school.  Long story short- when I asked to change my contract from a full time spot to a part time spot for Christmas and the next year they weren't willing/ able to accommodate that.  So I had to quit.  I could reapply and I'm sure they would hire me back, but I don't know how well that would work with my videos.  Could be a conflict of interest.

I hope someone from the site is going to the job fair so they can get some park update pics for midtown.

The job fair probably isn't going to give them a look at mid town.  They'll only get to see the parking lot and Red Gold Hall, not the rest of the park.  they won't be letting people just wander around without a good reason.

Something I wasnt allowing for.... 
Since it will be an enclosed building 
they probably will be able to shut off the lights in the afternoon and have a show... 
I was thinking 1 show, after dark, low seating count.... 
But IF they have the ability to have multiple shows a day,  that could make the people count higher,
And properly promoted, it would make an interesting place for parties, birthday, receptions, whatever....

Exactly.  Every single showing would be a drive in/ dining movie experience, all day long.  So they could do several movies a day.  Then when if you figure in a lunch, mid afternoon, a couple of dinner movies, and a late night- all in a drive in under the stars setting, you can be talking about some pretty good crowds.  I think it would be a lot of fun- especially if you'd like that atmosphere at a time of year or in weather that normally wouldn't allow it.

If done right, I can see it being a big hit.  We really liked the "drive in" diner, but the prices for the food (which was generally ok, but nothing great) were high.  Charge a decent admission fee per person for the movie, show a decent movie at that, and have reasonably priced food and I think it can be a huge hit.

Not a Brady or Pats fan, but that was a heck of a comeback.  It's awfully hard to argue against Brady being the GOAT at quarterback after that performance.  Not the outcome I would have necessarily preferred (I didn't have a team in the game) but a great game.

We're looking at booking 2 or 3 nights at World's of Fun Village (one of the cabins) probably at the end of June.  I was wondering if anyone has stayed at them?  What did you think? And does anyone know of any discounts that are available with booking them?

it will be me, my wife, our 2 college age kids, and our 12 year old niece.  We're looking at the cabin that has the loft, thinking that will be the most comfortable for us.

Thanks in advance.

Depends on what day you go as well.  While it might be a little bit busy with spring breakers, the weekdays are usually pretty nice crowd wise.  The first couple of weeks of April often tend to get more Spring Breakers than the last couple of March. 

Oklahoma, which is often the biggest Spring Break crowds, is actually on their breaks opening week or the week before (checked Norman Tulsa, OK city and a few others).  So they won't impact SDC's calendar in March at all this year.  Most of the Arkansas Schools seem to be on break the week of the 20-24, but they don't seem to bring as huge an influx of attendance as OK does. 

The biggest things you'll find is a few of the restaurants and several of the stores (especially the leased ones) that won't be open in March and April.  And the entertainment choices are pretty light until the festivals kick off.

You may also find some slow operations/ services, especially the first week, as employees are learning their jobs and getting back into the swing of things.  Opening weekend is a weekend to avoid for that reason, as well as it typically getting swamped with crowds excited to go again.

But I always enjoyed working with the lighter crowds during the week for the first 2-3 weeks.  Allowed you a nice easy way to work back into things and get to know a lot of the guests that are visiting.

I still have yet to try crosscrads pizza, why? because they dont do it for one, reasonably.  Missing the boat here.  1 large pizza 8 slices 16.00,  cut that pizza into 6 slices and charge 4.50 a slice = 27.00.  Under this plan I would have tried Crossroads the day it opened and SDC would almost dbl the income per pizza if sold by the slice.

Crossroads is actually a pretty good deal when you have 2-3 other people with you to split a pizza.  And it is all fresh made on the spot.  Nothing frozen or preprepped/ prefabbed.  They make most of them fresh to order, though they will make a few up in advance for orders coming in. It's one reason the lines are a little slow there, but it's worth it.  The pizzas in general there are excellent, and we always enjoyed when we got calzones delivered to the train.

I do agree with you on selling by the slice though.  Still not really sure why they don't, but as busy as it is, it's not hurting them much not to do it.

Actually miss when my son worked at Crossroads as we'd get "leftovers" sometimes. Very nice at the end of a long day. 

It would be an even better place for a Mexican Subway (like Chipotle).  Don't be shocked if that's what they put there

Oh, I hope not.  That is one type of food that SDC does NOT do a good job at.  Their attempt at Mexican food during World Fest was really sad.  I love Mexican food, but would rather they stayed away from it.  Especially since they do so well at so many other foods.

Do you honestly think it's fair to compare a small kitchen's output vs a dedicated kitchen's output?  Asking for a friend.

yes, I do.  SDC is known for it's excellent food, and in general that is true.  But there are exceptions. Most of the food sold at the Frisco Barn during World Fest was at least pretty good.  The attempt at Mexican certainly was not.  It wasn't just how it was cooked (btw- it was cooked in the kitchens then moved in the heating trays, not cooked in crock pots), it was also the seasonings and flavorings.

It was true also when they tried similar dishes in the employee cafe, where the food was also usually very good.  (which according to your definition I guess would be a regular kitchen)

It's been very rare for me to find something to eat at SDC that I haven't liked, as the food is almost always excellent. But in various locations and times, they've struck out every time on their attempts at Mexican.  Which is all the worse seeing as I love Mexican food.