We just returned from a three day trip to Branson and Silver Dollar City. Our group had a total of eleven ranging from the ages of 70+ to 4. We all had a great time - despite the near 100 degree temps!
7/25/2015
We arrived a SDC at 3:00pm so that our friends could make use of our $20 Guest Vouchers and still take advantage of the "After 3 Next Day Free" offer. This ended up being an exceptionally good deal for our friends since the park was open until midnight! Crowd levels were fairly high, but that was expected. We really appreciated that at all food stands employees were more than happy to fill our mugs with ice water for free. Even though they had bottles of water for sale, they filled our mugs with a smile each time. I honestly believe you will not find more courteous employees at a theme park than you do at SDC.
The kids had a great time at Fireman's Landing. They spent most of their time in the "Splash Yard". Isn't it funny that with rides all around them... you still can't beat just playing in the water! I rode Firefall for the first time. My feelings on Firefall... well, after The Giant Swing it just didn't seem too "thrilling". But it is a good "step-up" ride for those not yet ready for a more intense ride. I wish Firefall would last a little longer, maybe just one or two more times to the top.
We really loved being at the City for Mooonlight Madness. This was a first for our family. The park takes on a different feel after dark... plus after a super-hot day, it was nice to have a little break from the heat. Thunderation was awesome in the dark! We also got to ride Wildfire at night. The lines were LONG so we didn't get to do much else. Loved the fireworks. SDC definitely did not skimp on them. It was very impressive!
A few things I did not like about Mooonlight Madness. Why try to turn the entire park into a giant "party"? For example, there was some fairly hard rock music being played throughout most of the park. Why? It really serves no purpose. It just takes away some of the specialness of being at SDC at night. Even my girls (12 and 9) thought it was weird. The Street Dance Party was fun for the girls... but why not have some "SDC themed" dance moves? Instead of "Pee-Wee Herman, Pee-Wee Herman... Go Shopping, Go Shopping" do something like ride a pony and twirling a lasso, churning butter (hey, it could work as a dance move!), chop wood, etc.
I really hated hearing the band "Retro" playing on the Square. I'll admit... I was hot, drenched in sweat, tired, and a little bit grumpy. But, really? "Sweet Emotion" playing on the Square at 11:30pm!! Come on, seriously?!? Retro was extremely loud, they had feedback and other technical issues, and to me it just ended the day in a totally wrong way. I can see Retro playing at Six Flags or Worlds of Fun, but not at SDC!! To me, this is just wrong on so many different levels! Please SDC... don't ruin Moonlight Madness next year by having Retro play again! No night time entertainment would be much better than hearing 70s and 80s music blaring! Let's stay true to what SDC is all about... having fun rooted in 1880s.. not the 1980s!!
7/26/2015
After leaving the park so late.. we ended up getting a late start this morning. We arrived about noon. Crowds were light. We basically had no wait for any ride. We saw the Saloon show and it was top-notch - one of the best shows at the Saloon that I've seen in years. We at at Crossroads Pizza for the first time and was impressed. By 9:00pm were were all sweated out and ready to hit the pool. Another great day at SDC!
7/27/2015
We did some shopping at Tanger and then ate a Dana's BBQ for the first time. All I can say is... go there! It was amazing! The ribs were some of the best I have ever had. Also, the catfish was fantastic! After Dana's we went to the Dewey Short Visitor Center. This was another first for us and enjoyed it. I do wish they would have some aquariums. It just seems to me that a a nature center, next to a lake and a fish hatchery would have at least one aquarium. But still, we really did have a good time there. Loved the observation deck.
All in all... this was one of our best family vacations ever. Can't wait to return in the Fall!
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