Messages

16

Other Parks / Re: Six Flags St. Louis Holiday in the Park

« on: January 19, 2017, 03:43:37 AM »

Thanks!   Yeah the Big Spin was a great themed ride that would have fit in best in the parking lot, but thats just 6 Flags.  Like the Soaker.  They just buy rides and throw em up anywhere.  You're right though, you can be 99% certain they will never return to their original idea of being a historically themed park specifically tailored to each parks location.   What a crazy idea!  The name has so much cache now they'd never change it, even though it doesn't signify anything anymore.   I think it should be called 6 Logos.  DC, WB, and whatever other flavors of the season,  Papa Johns, McDonalds, Panda Express, Hanna Barbera, and going further back, Nestea.  Of course I could go on and on.  Or maybe 6 logos of former corporate owners of the various parks.  That would be fun. Its cool.  Its just didnt turn out like it was dreamed back in the 70s.

I'd heard they added some new haunted attractions since  I  was last there.  Back then they had the one in the old extra River King/Railblazer queue house.  Seems to me there was another,  but I can't remember where.

I'm glad they had good success.   I drove past just today on my way to Springfield, MO and it is an impressive skyline of rides.  It was always a good entrance,  the opposite of SDC's also good entrance; you can see most everything from the interstate clearly and the hills provide a nice backdrop.  Its a fantastic amusement park and a decent theme park if you squint real hard.   

17

Other Parks / Re: Six Flags St. Louis Holiday in the Park

« on: January 18, 2017, 01:24:23 AM »

I really love going to SFStL.  I hear the DC Plaza looks pretty good nowadays.  Boomerang was the latest thing last time I was there.  Pandemonium is pure 6 Flags nowadays.  I hoped they'd turned the corner with The Justice League and then they follow up with Fireball.  I can't deduce what the over arching idea is for the "Illinois" section.   My guess is there is none.  It's been a resilient company though, and they've presumably brought a fair amount of joy through the years close to people's homes across the globe. 

Their holiday event looked pretty cool from your report.   Is there (was there) anything in the old Chevy show building over by the Tsunami Soaker?  How successful was it have you heard?   I wonder if they plan on doing it again?   I have a lot of good memories of that place through the years.  Fright Night has long been the popular end to their season so I'm just curious how it went.  With such a heavy ride focus,  I'd think sub 40 temps would be much harder on SFStl than SDC. 

18

Other Parks / Re: Incredible Pizza Warr Acres Oklahoma City, OK

« on: January 17, 2017, 07:28:16 PM »

This brings to mind the time I met Kenny Price and saw Lulu Roman riding the go karts on the waterfront in Rockaway Beach. One is never to old (or plump) for go karts, I suppose, although the 30 plus year old memory clearly shows Lulus kart moving quite a bit slower than the others.

19

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2016 Trip Reviews

« on: January 16, 2017, 06:59:01 AM »

I would suggest kindly that Dewayne has a point.   Even those good folks that may not know the difference between a theme park and an amusement park see the park with two eyes connected to cerebral gray matter.  I think the theming works subconsciously no matter what to at least some varying degree on everyone.  I'm not so sure about getting lost without a thorough examination of all ride theming, though.   I think that would be more of a value judgement.  Some theming that I would deem quality, is borderline believably rational at best anyway.   

20

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2017 Project Part 2

« on: January 09, 2017, 11:42:01 PM »

Try the White Water near Atlanta.  They've got more shade than you'd believe.   Its been a quarter century since I visited and nearly as long since I've donned trunks,  but it looks about the same on satellite maps.  It's like the extreme opposite of Branson's in the shade department.   Ive heard the original Sclitterbahn is pretty shaded too.  I think Hurricane Harbor has a nice mix from what I remember.  I visited there with family and just lounged under a nice sunscreen they had up by the wave pool.  What Branson White needs is a mascot. I nominate. ..[/URL]

21

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Last Days of the season

« on: January 07, 2017, 05:41:30 AM »

Did the subject in question appear dastardly?  That's all I wanna know.

22

Branson Talk / Brief trip review

« on: January 05, 2017, 10:02:22 PM »

So I drove down the 7th of last month after having secured 2 nights at the Lodge at the Falls for a very low price.   I was a little worried at first,  but it turns out it was for naught,  as the property did a good job during my 2 nights.   Especially considering the rock bottom price I paid.  It was worth at least 20% more.  This place is right close to the new mountain coaster which was also to be closed for the exceedingly cold weather.   The Million Dollar Quartet at the Welk nearby sounded cool,  but there was no show that night.   I really figured I should go to Pressleys and Baldknobbers first since Ive never been to a show before on the strip, but it turns out I was just too tired from the drive and took a nap instead.    After waking, I settled on a late (8ish) dinner at Shorty Smalls.  Of course,  it was very slow,  but that just meant excellent service for me.   The catfish really is as good as they say and I ordered the special drink that was advertised on the table tent and let me tell you,  they made it great (meaning exceedingly stiff).

Afterwards, I decided to see if the wheel really was open.   It appeared so,  as it was turning,  and whaddya know,  it was.   They offered to send someone up with me, but the 2 guys minding the platform were already nearly frozen solid,  so I braved it myself.   I had the entire wheel to myself.   Awesome.  Thankfully the wind was not blowing.   I started getting queasy before even half way up although it settled by the time I got to the top.   I never moved one muscle of my bottom though.  Somewhat surprisingly,  the nighttime view from the top really didn't strike me as being all that different from the one I remember just up the street at the corner where there used to be a smoke tower during my youth that you could put a quarter in a slot to gain entry to.  Unfortunately,  inflation has made the cost of the view much more,  but I didn't feel fleeced.   Next time,... helicopter tour.  Roger that, Charlie Branson.

The next morning,  I opted for the free breakfast at the Lodge, which was a fine choice,  and the choice of many other guests.   It was actually a little better than any of the ones Ive paid more for.

Next stop: the 11am IMAX showing of Ozarks Legends and Legacy. Or is it the other way around.   Either way, if you, like myself previously,  have never seen this, now is the time,  as according to my usher,  they only just recently remodeled,  and it really showed.   I thought Id been to a couple of modern IMAXs (Regency St Louis Outlet Mall (fka Mills), Ronnies in SoCo St Louis), but this one blows those to hookah bits.  Now, I did spring for the 20$ premium ticket and will do so again and recommend you do the same,  as the electric plush recliners are fantastically swell.  The movie itself was very good,  but I wish during the big chase,  they'da used a right proper jug for the bass instead of the damned cannon they went for.  What in Sam's hill was that all about!?  I guess they wanted to show off their speakers,  but they nearly punctured my drums.  And it's bluegrass:  it's just supposed to be a jug,  or an upright even.   The film is not feature length either,  so there's that.  But all in all,  I loved it.  I'm going to visit again and see another IMAX feature there in the future I hope    The shopping at the facility was pretty darn good too.  I picked up a new wallet for myself,  which I'm using now, and a really cool framed 3d picture of running horses for my sister.   They're jumping right out of the frame! No glasses required!  Science.  The Little Opry live theater was doing a brisk business early I noticed when the movie let out.

Then I did a meandering detour to SDC, my time at which you can read about in the trip report thread if you wish and haven't already.   After leaving SDC at 9, I took a drive downtown to see what I could see and get ideas for my next visit, hopefully this summer or fall.   I plan to hit up Holiday World first thing this Spring though, as I've never been and it's much closer to my current location. I'll be sure and let you know what I think.   I've heard they have a nice trio of woodies.

Friday was spent in Springfield, on business,  the purpose of this trip.   I did manage to check out Fantastic Beasts in 3d at the nice College Station theater in downtown, and ate dinner at Zia's, which was merely OK itself,  but made great by being in the company of rarely seen family. I spent the night at the Greenstay which came highly recommended and with good reason.

In conclusion,  I had another great trip in SW MO and can't wait to return.  I'm already plotting ways to make the stay longer,  hopefully 3 full days.  Hopefully, I have a laptop by then,  because entering this on my phone, even the swell phone that it is,  is tiresome for someone as notoriously long winded as myself.   

23

Construction/Rumors / Re: to merge

« on: January 05, 2017, 07:53:30 PM »

Yeah I'd like the whirlpool scene fixed and the water gag kept too but just don't lose the part pictured.  That's my 2 cents on that.  Oh yeah,  I still call powderkeg Buzzsaw Falls.  Or sometimes Kegbuzz.

24

Construction/Rumors / to merge

« on: January 05, 2017, 07:39:31 PM »

This part should remain untouched.   The rest can be changed, imho.  I know it's off topic but it was brought up and someone has to stick up for this beautiful scene (and on ride drop!)

25

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2017 Project Part 2

« on: January 05, 2017, 07:29:55 PM »

WHATEVER happened to my cave anyway?   Or was it just a dream?

26

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2016 Trip Reviews

« on: December 24, 2016, 03:13:20 AM »

Injun Joe here making up for lost time with my first Christmas visit and second visit in the same year (a first for me), after a very long hiatus (see my last post, a trip review from June). So I arrived shortly after the 1pm open on Dec 8th, a frigid but dry day.   I believe it was well below freezing from open to close, the train was open but the tram from the lot was more than enough wind in the face for me.   That's ok,  I was here for the other stuff.

First stop: the leather goods store for the exact hat I was looking for, at a very reasonable price too!  Next off to the Dickens show. 

Wonderful!  A standing o from a very near full house.  Next, I headed towards the J-j-jimmy Stewart show.  But first I wondered into the Christmas tree ornament sales building.   This was awesome.   It was very crowded and I didn't have the time to peruse all the trees carefully,  but I found some cool ornaments for my Texan sister from a western tree, and an exquisite nativity carving in a branch.   Plus some Santa earrings for my niece.  I downed a tasty hot dog and quickly chilled fries outside the Hall and then headed inside.

I'd never been in the Heritage Hall.  It appears to be a little more flexible than the more luxurious opera house.   Once again, another nearly full house.  This production was also well received.  I enjoyed the slightly abstract set and the moving ending,  but liked the Christmas Carol just a bit more,  this time anyway.  I'd gladly watch both again. 

Afterwards,  I wandered a bit heading to the square looking at the now lit lights, which were amazing.   I missed the tree lighting,  but got some pictures and headed down to the Outfitters for a knife for my nephew.   Time was flying by and I decided to forego the saloon show for another time and instead catch the last nativity show (I don't recall the proper name). I tried a cookie s'more from across the way while waiting for the parade. The roasted marshmallows frankly, would have been better alone on this cold eve.   But the parade coming down heart attack hill was cool enough to warm even a penguin's spirits.  I absolutely loved it.   It moved a little briskly but on this night,  no one was complaining.  I just wish I had more time!  I could have went inside somewhere and ate something good!   Most people started heading for the exit around this time it seemed (oh 630ish I'd venture).

As I headed to the Riverfront Playhouse, I saw the show at the Dockside was going on despite the sub freezing temperatures.   Understandably, the crowd was nearly bigger on stage.   I felt really bad for the performers.   Strangely, I didn't feel such for the outside shopkeepers,  although in retrospect,  I really think they should have just closed and cancelled the stuff outside.  Earlier I noticed the children's show at the Boatworks going on and thinking those must be some snotty nosed brats by now.   I guess I'm just a pansy nowadays,  but seriously,  it was collllllld.

I stopped in the White River Mercantile and the two nice ladies helped me pick out a nice gift for my niece.   At the Huss Gallery, I found a nice print to have personalized for my folks for a very nice price.   I was sorry to hear the artist,  Mr. Ron Huss, had passed away last year.   Hopefully,  they find someone to carry on the trade,  as a painter at work would be cool to witness. I had it sent to the front and headed to the porch at the Playhouse where a meager crowd was waiting.   

After being let in,  we waited in relative (to the opera house and heritage hall) cold as an intimate crowd of about 50 trickled in for the last performance of the day.  I thought the show and performance,  though awfully short,  was great.  There was quite a bit of good stuff going on here,  but 15 more minutes of material wouldn't have killed anyone. The theatre itself,  which I had also never entered was pretty awesome too.   The pews were nice and comfy.

Quick stop for some apple butter and t.o.e. jam (tangerine, orange, elderberry) for mom.  LOL.  And another quick stop for some genuine SDC taffy for the office. (They scarfed it down). A bit of perusing at the HH waiting for my print and then thankfully,  a bus this time back to the lot.

I always wanted to do a shopping spree at SDC and I left with many of those brown bags I love.  Overall,  just a great time for about 7 brrrrrrriliant hours of SDC.

Thanks for another great day (and night!),  HFE.  I'll post more later about the rest of my trip to Branson in that thread,  including the breathtaking newly remodeled IMAX theater and the film I saw there,  Ozarks Legends and Legacy plus my trip to the top of the wheel!

27

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Where in the City? (2016)

« on: June 10, 2016, 01:46:06 PM »

Mountain Outfitters

28

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2016 Trip Reviews

« on: June 06, 2016, 10:16:34 PM »

Thanks for the post! I really enjoyed reading it from your perspective since you haven't been there in awhile. I agree with you that taking a break from something after a long absence does change your perspective and criticisms. All in all, I still feel SDC does a great job of holding onto their roots and past.

Absolutely!  My pleasure!   Been doing this from my phone so you know how excited I've been about my visit.  I think I got most of the worst typos cleaned up from last night. My battery died on me as I was finishing. 

29

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2016 Trip Reviews

« on: June 05, 2016, 11:34:37 PM »

So my chance to return to SDC finally came this past Friday and despite travelling alone, I was determined to make the most of it. I woke up from an excited light sleep at the crack of dawn to an awful weather report that prolmised a potential for rain all day.  So the first order of business was procuring some rain gear at the old Walmart.  It was still early but I wanted to eat breakfast at the park so I took a little side jaunt through the light showers and early morning mist out over the dam and back.   I arrived at my preferred parking spot at about 8:30.  I purchased my entrance ticket from an automated kiosk located at the park exit. This worked flawlessly. I enjoyed an original cinnamon roll and cold milk breakfast at Delilah's. The rain was coming down steadily but rather lightly so hope was winning out at this point because the entrance was just as I remembered. In a word, beautiful.  By the time, I got to the plaza, there was a children's choir performing in the gazebo and the rain was letting up.   No one was guarding the ropes which were hanging tantalizingly low,  but I headed to the general store and picked up a sheriff's badge.   I chose to be sheriff Dan for the day, prompted by the angelic voices of the children. Soon they were finished and it was time for the opening ceremonies.   The emcee and square dancers motioned for us on the more eastern part of the square to come closer and so we did as the Grand Ol Flag was sang. The emcee actually put the mic up to me and so I got to sing a few bars for the crowd.  Well, things were heating up now.

After the drop I decided to very casually peruse the midtown and more upper areas at a very leisurely pace while everyone else was racing to the back.  This turned out to work just fine for me.  I spent the first 45 minutes or so just looking for the where in sdc sign from the other thread.  I found George I think, but not his sign. But I got sot some nice pictures and went through Grandfathers Mansion. Thankfully, it's still just as I remembered.   Everything was up and running, but somehow I missed the pipeless faucet.  I was basically estatic at this point and remained so for the remainder of the day.  The showers were intermittent and very light and only served to keep the temperatures and quite possibly the crowds down.  It was basically perfection with puddles.

I had a great conversation with a shopkeeper at the knife store and got some great advice and left with a needed, sweet Smith & Wesson blade with a lifetime warranty.  Later, I saw a great demonstration of the making of a railroad spike knife. Typical SDC stuff you know, but after 15 years of a lean diet of Six Flags St. Louis (which is great fun), I felt like I was eating steak or lobster, or maybe drinking some fine aged wine or something.   

The ride on the Plunge did not disappoint.  It was basically a walk on.  Then on to my first ride on Wildfire....ever.  Ive watched the YouTubes and read accounts countless time over the years and it lived up to every one of them.  I barely managed to get the restraint buckled on my own but I did and it was just awe inspiring. 

I next headed to PK which was the last ride I rode the last time I had came.  Back then it was Buzzsaw Falls, though.   This one seemed to have a longer line though, as did Fire In the Hole.  So I continued on towards Outlaw Run.  Along the way I was stopping and lingering to enjoy the sights and sounds and smells,  and I've now come to believe that the death of Mary has been greatly exaggerated.   I was just floored by how great everything was and still is.  Yeah, I can't walk behind the waterfall anymore, but did I really miss it?  No.  There was too much beauty and attention to detail that remained that the few negatives that I saw could really only be categorized as nitpicks.  I'll personally be giving HFE a wide berth when it comes to SDC.

Outlaw Run had a very short wait and absolutely blew my mind.   The videos and words that I read about the ride prior, which were all quite flattering, failed to express to me just how wild this ride is.   Nowhere did I see anything informing me that I would be out of my seat more than in it.  This is the most fantastic roller coaster I've ever contemplated.

I skipped the swing and headed instead for the Lost River.   It delivered as it always has,  although I remained pretty dry, which was alright with me.   Over at  the landing, I decided to try Firefall and just loved it.   It was more than super enough for my chicken wings.

A nice jaunt through the exposition (which was under construction during my last visit, if I remember correctly) capped by a dizzying electro spin ride was next on the agenda.   The flooded mine was brilliant. Nearly everything was in tip top shape and working order and the operators were taking care of us like royalty.  I took a second ride without getting off and frankly could have just rode  all day. But lunch at the Wagon Works awaited.   A very tasty kebab and fries with beans.  Everything a-ok.  This is theme park food?   Really?

I then took my turn on PK which was a definite improvement over the Falls that I remember. Then another ride on Outlaw Run, a great,  stomach-churning turn on the swing, and a thoroughly drenching turn on the timeless masterpiece,  FitH (Woohoo!), and I was ready for the 3:30 Sons show at the Dockside. But first I picked up a sweet handcrafted necklace from The Bent Spoon.  The sons did not disappoint.  Lee Greenwood never gets old. I can't wait to see them again. Two more turns on the American Plunge and one corn dog and funnel cake later and I was wore out and headed for the exit.  Time: 520pm.

So if you are wondering if traveling alone to the city will be fun, my answer to you would be a very emphatic YES.  Go.  And if something about the city today gets you down,  like a changed vista, or tired mannequin,  or missing tree, then I say step away for about a score and then come back and see what you think.   This wasn't my reason for being away for so long, but over the years, I had gotten the impression that maybe things weren't so great anymore and that the magic or some special ingredient was missing.  This was oh so wrong and couldn't be further from the truth.   I am overjoyed to report that SDC is bigger and better than ever and I can't wait to return.

30

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2017 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: June 03, 2016, 03:25:06 PM »

They need to crank that whirlpool up on the plunge.   Or at least tell old yeller ( I mean Skeeter) his masters done drowndid.