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OK, so here's another question:  why doesn't Dolly ever make an appearance at Silver Dollar City?

It's jokes like that that confirm you worked for Silver Dollar City!

Wow!  This is all good information.  I haven't been to the Wiki yet, but will soon.  I had thought they sold the park to Dolly, but to hear that they still own it is quite interesting.  'Glad you could straighten it out.

I was surprised to hear when they bought the two aquariums.  To me, that would be a scary business to get into if you had no experience with the critters.  I suppose you're only as good as the people with whom you surround yourself, though.  As long as they employ people who know what they're doing at the aquariums and Wild Adventures, they should be fine.

None of these, however, have the infinite charm of Silver Dollar City.  The challenges of maintaining its singular theme are what keeps it fresh.  I know of no other attraction that does this (maybe SeaWorld, but that's a whole other ball game), and I pray they never lose sight of that theme.  Six Flags used to have a great theme, although in the form of six areas of the parks based on the countries represented by the flags.  Frontier City should be that way with an Oklahoma theme, but it never has been, instead choosing to cater to the teen and preteen crowd (both for employees and visitors).  Only with a major makeover could it ever be equal to SDC.  Opryland used to be a cool one.  Their whole music theme was unique in the business.  I'll get off the soap box now.

Anyway, thanks for the information, Copper!!!

More memories about Talking Rocks to come in another post.

Well maybe not.  I just looked at the Swinging Bridge picture and it just says 1881.  I must just be remembering the old sign.

Isn't that still what the sign says?  I'm thinking it's still there.

Yeah, but it also seems to mean they are partners in the ownership.  For example, the site mentions the Dollywood Corporation and the Dollywood Company.  Is this another corporation owned by HFE, or does Dolly have more to do with it?  Not that it really matters, but Dolly seems to claim ownership of the places with her name on them, but it she the owner or just the spokeperson or the figurehead?

A lot of people were really worried when Kenny Rogers came onto the SDC scene a few years ago.  They were worried that SDC would become something more like Dollywood (but I guess the name Kennywood was already taken), and that the Branson Belle would become a gambling vessel.  Though I've been to a couple of Kenny Rogers concerts myself, the partnership seemed a little forced.  I was just wondering if a partnership with Dolly Parton, for example, means that both parties own shares in the company. 

Anyway, I have ridden the Ducks (history tour), and thought it was well worth the price, and I have toured Talking Rocks, which I believe to be one of the most beautiful caves.

Can someone tell me exactly being a Herschend Brand means?  The HFE website (http://www.hfecorp.com/default.aspx) give a lot of information about the history of the company, including some history of Marvel Cave Park (aka SDC) and even some pictures.  Then it talks about the brands of the company - Talking Rocks Cavern, Ride-the-Ducks, etc.  Being a brand seems to mean that they own, "partner", or operate a business.

Anyone want to discuss any of the other attractions?

Every year (as I remember it) when I was a kid in the 70s, SDC would have an election for mayor.  Shad would "campaign" for the job.  I was too young to really get into it, but I seem to remember election posters and speeches were made.  Was this part of the street troupe shows?  I specifically remember this occuring around the American Plunge, like on the bridge that crosses the plunge to get to the other side.  It seems someone would use that bridge for a political speech.  It's just one of those "impromptu" shows that added to the appeal of the park.  You never knew where something was going to happen.

I have to agree that the older people are too rigorous with their duties in the Great Expedition.  Definately.

But it is nice that it's not just teenagers running the rides like at other parks, and it gives those folks something to do besides hassle the shoppers coming into WalMart.

The parking is often an issue, too.  I always want to park in the C lot (sort of a tradition with us), and I always want to ride on the long green tram (I hate the busses and "trolleys".), but there are times when we have to park across the street, and it's a major pain.  It takes 45 minutes just to get to the front gate on those days, and it always seems to happen when we've brought visitors with us.  It really sets the wrong tone for the start of the day.  I wonder how the new road, etc., will affect all of this.

How big is the culinary bldg.?  It doesn't look very big?

WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE IN ANOTHER STATE?

In Texas, they would have a drop tower that looks like an oil well.  Water "shoots" the platforms up and down when the workers "strike a gusher".  Name of the park:  Black Gold City.

In Arkansas, the park would focus on a popular comic strip.  Name of the park:  Dogpatch USA.  (Oops.  Done that.)  BTW, see http://undergroundozarks.com/gallery/dogpatch for shots of that defunct park (Kinda spooky.).

In Colorado, we would have to see John Stetson making his hats, and a feature ride would be the Pike's Peak Coaster.  Name of the park:  Freshly Minted Coins City (Only Denver-minted coins would be given in change.

In Tennessee, a popular country music icon could purchase the park and rename it Dollywood.

MORE IDEAS?

Great idea for a new thread!  Only the best of vacation destinations can have a fan site with "worst experiences".  Afterall, the worst day at Silver Dollar City is better than the best day of working!

My worst?  Hmm.  We've had lots of rain experiences.  Cancelled shows in the gazebo (which is why more indoor theaters would be nice), closed rides due to lightning, etc.  I don't think I've ever thought the trip wasn't worth it, but I do get upset when I have to sit through a bad, self-promoting local-talent show under the premise that it was something different than what I expected.

Looking back at the posts I see Copper already linked to this site.

I just love the old views.  We don't really get a good look at the entrance without all the acroutrements.  It looks so wild.

Hopefully I can get into the lantern tour next weekend.  I could really use the vacation.

I assume it's OK with the bosses that you're "leaking" these pics?

It's perfectly OK for those of us who are impatiently waiting for the season.

Copper needs to be the SDC blogger.  The new construction photos are terrific.