Messages

61

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Attendance numbers

« on: May 27, 2018, 09:55:36 AM »

We were there from 8:30 to 2:30 Friday, May 25 and I'd say 10,000+ was an accurate attendance estimate.

We finally got to see the new Saloon show that day. The older gentleman playing Koontz (Bill Townsend) was the Theatre/Stagecraft director for our hometown Nixa, MO high school for many years. Nixa is just 45 minutes north of SDC.  He's been involved in SDC during the summer for many years and after recently retiring from the high school is now performing in the saloon shows. He played Mean Murphy at a few of the shows we attended last year as well. He was named to the Missouri Thespian Hall of Fame in 2017. Looks like he's having a great time during his "retirement"!

http://ccheadliner.com/news/nixa-teacher-named-to-missouri-thespian-hall/article_41f6f3e4-e7dd-11e6-a5d8-a3c8753fc491.html

Thanks for that info..
Bill Townsend is the funniest and best actor ive ever seen in the saloon show. Love that guy and hope hes there when I visit next month. Hes perfect for SDC.

62

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Fire In the Hole/Flooded Mine

« on: May 27, 2018, 09:53:45 AM »

Don't get me wrong. I love roller coasters. You can add all the drops, loops, barrel rolls, etc., that you want, but in the end, a roller coaster is a roller coaster. You can ride a roller coaster at any park in the country, and the experience is fundamentally the same.

There is more to a theme park than a roller coaster.

While I like Flooded Mine and FITH also, they don’t draw new people to the park. What most people care about when traveling to a theme park is the roller coasters. Big, new coasters are about the only thing that bring new people to a park. While I would like to see the old rides being rebuilt/fixed, I don’t really see it happening if it wouldn’t bring in new people.

They bring people back.

63

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Fire In the Hole/Flooded Mine

« on: May 27, 2018, 09:52:19 AM »

While I like Flooded Mine and FITH also, they don’t draw new people to the park.

The problem with drawing new people to the park, is that attendance, parking, and traffic are at the edge of making SDC that place that is so popular that everyone hates going there.

Focusing on big new rides instead of theming and the classics, also runs the risk of losing the multi-generation visitors who have been loyal for decades, and replacing them with people who will skip the city entirely if they don't have a huge new record-breaking ride every other year.

Yes, this is very important and Ihave said many times, we drive by numerous coaster parks or close to them on the way to SDC/Branson every trip. I dont go to those parks beause I like the theme of SDC and my facorite rides are FM and FITH and thunderation...and used to be AP. Also my family has been multi generation (4) season pass holders/visitors for decades. We really dont care that SDC got time traveler...its fine and good for them and everything, but it isnt whats bringing us back and it wont bring the coaster chasers back.
But FM and FITH, and the themeing might. Youll have some families go for a new coaster and realize SDC is different and come back. If SDC becomes less and less unique, that wont happen.
PTB cannot take families like us for granted, however. If they get rid of old rides or go down a no theme trend, we wont come back. But as I said above I thought FM was good last two trips and hopefully the next five years are about revitalizing old rides like AP while still keeping classic theme.
And can we get back to ha d painted signs !

64

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: May 19, 2018, 09:27:40 AM »

Yeah hopefully they keep the sign and put it somewhere. Its a work of art.
Miss the old signs. Generic computer ones on all the new stuff is so cheap and putrid.

65

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Fire In the Hole/Flooded Mine

« on: May 19, 2018, 09:24:15 AM »

Hopefully the next trend will be to revitalize old rides. The current trend is big coasters. I think SDC needs a breather on big new coasters for a while. Hopefully over the next five years we see FITH fixed up and AP completely redone with an emphasis on theme. The PTB are making a huge mistake if they let classic theme go by the wayside and SDC is just another park.
however I must say that flooded mine looked great the last two seasons I went. Havent gone yet this year but seems like they did a lot to it last year. I was pleased and they deserve credit for it. Now if they would please advertise it a little.

66

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: March 03, 2018, 01:15:33 PM »

I'm kinda concerned about them reaching out for corporate sponsorship of rides. That's a very Six Flags style move. White River would have been a good fit if they were going to do it, but clearly someone didn't think it through all the way. I wonder what the next sponsor will be...

So we’re going to ignore the fact that Disney does this too?  Ok.  Cool.

The board jerk strikes again. Would have been just as easy to say Disney does it and in your opinion its okay.

Im with Shave that its not a good move, and its irrelevant to me what Disney does, I dont go to Disney or read their forums.

67

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: March 01, 2018, 02:01:56 PM »

Boy, I haven't checked in awhile and there have been a lot of updates.  My general feelings for all this are both good and bad.
As far as Time Traveler itself goes, it seems they've put a lot of work into this and it is a BIG deal and should be a great coaster.  I think the spinning will be fine.  The cars look to be very smooth and comfortable and the coaster thrilling.
However, the theme so far is not impressing me.  I wasn't all excited about the time traveler idea in the first place, and even the building, logo and signage they've posted so far just does not fit SDC in my opinion.  They are not finished however and I haven't seen it in person.

As far as the area goes, it's hard for me to picture exactly what I'm looking at in the pictures.  Part of me is very worried about the entire area.  Sorry to see Cowboy Jepps move but it's still around; greatest gift was a nice store and I made some purchases but it wasn't an SDC hallmark.  I always hated the baseball bats (and I'm a baseball fan). Good to get it off the street.
I'm glad they are naming the skillet buckshot annies.  Also glad they kept hatfield's as that's the best IMO.
The new restaurant chicken sandwich idea I really like.  A chicken sandwich and some tasty fries, or the grilled cheese options, is a great idea.  They'll need to really sell the theme however.  The best restaurants in SDC have great theme that's very intricate and OZARK themed.

I guess I'll find out more in June.

68

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2017 Trip Reports

« on: February 27, 2018, 07:43:05 PM »

Went 2nd weekend in December for annual Christmas trip.  Haven't had a chance to post about it until now.
What a great trip overall.  Lights were great, Dickens was awesome, Wassail was delicious, Flooded Mine was working fantastic just like it was this past summer, train was great.  Salloon was funny and PACKED.  Skillet was good from tater patch.
The new lights were very good and it will be nice because that will attract a lot of people while I go to my less visited haunts.
Trams were running very efficiently.  They weren't last year so that was great to see.

Only a few disappointments.
-Food at the Mine was really, really awful.  It's too bad, that's such a cool place and atmosphere.  It was the worst food I've ever had at SDC.
-Someone puked after getting off Outlaw Run.  The employees all stood there laughing at it as the lines got longer and longer.  No one wanted to work or do anything.  Finally one guy went about cleaning it up while all the others stood there laughing at him.  I saw the kit he used and there were plenty of latex gloves for more people to chip in.  They did not care and were extremely immature about the whole thing.  I was next in line so I stood and waited.  It took well over a half hour for a job that should have been done in a little more than five minutes.  I was very close to volunteering to do it myself, and I wasn't the only one angry about the situation.  It seems ride operators aren't what they used to be, there was only one quality one I saw on the whole trip, a young man on Powder Keg.

Other than that, great trip, love SDC, already thinking about our summer visit 

69

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 17, 2017, 10:54:38 PM »

Thanks all for posting updates. I personally have mixed feelings about this.
1. I thought I would be okay with the spinning, until i watched the pov video. Amyone saying it isnt a lot of spinning is fooling themselves. (10,000 is still a lot, even if it isnt 20,000.) I think i will be ok, but I totally agree with those concerned and dont blame anyone for being bummed they wont be able to ride. Going backward can be fun at times, though.
2. I am totaly unimpressed with this theme. I have no idea why steampunk is so big but it is repulsive to me. This theme is not 1880s Ozarks, late 1880s Chicago or new york maybe. As swoosh said everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if people like this theme im happy for them, but I do not feel like it is anything like SDC. Being set in history alone doesnt make it SDC. It is not appealing or enduring. Just throw a bunch of clocks together. Wildfire is steampunk enough for me...ugh.
3. Combine 2 with what others fear is a lack of themeing leads me to believe the PTB just dont care or dont get it. Seems haphazardly thrown together and unimpressive. I will wait for my final analysis on #3 until I see it, but I will never like time traveler as a concept or this steampunk route. Just like grand exposition,  not for me.

Because of the above I really dont think I will care much for this ride or become attached to it. I will spend most of my riding time on FITH, Flooded Mine, Thunderation, Powderkeg, Lost River, the Train, and OR to a lesser extent while wondering why they wont fix up or redo AP or fix up FItH or make Thunderation smoother.
I will spend more time in the shops or saloon show, grandfathers mansion or a theatre. If this ride takes up some crowd then great. If it makes the SP price go up ill probably scale back to one visit a year, if the route they wanna go is away from die hard loyalists like me and toward coaster chasers with no soul invovled that is entirely up to them and my visists will reflect that. (Not saying its what they are doing for sure, just speaking generally and in 'what ifs').
I will ride it next year and give it a chance, but aint gettin my hopes up. Im more excited that they fixed up FM.

1. Brad really hit the point of it being a controlled spinning Hard yesterday.  He even went as far as saying that the magnets would clamp hard if the sensors detect the carts spinning too much.  He personally thought the test car on Collossus was too much and that's why Mack developed this particular set up. 

2. Believe it or not, the theme is NOT steampunk.  The character is actually a clock connoisseur and has stumbled on a way to bend time.  I guess years of studying and measuring time came to this break through.  So basically he's a clock maker and historian. 

3.  The station is going to be very impressive.  BUT I'll let the park reveal those details as they're the ones paying for it - not my place.

While I am VERY glad to hear the things I read about Steampunk are false, Im still underwhelmed with the theme, but at least am willing to give it a chance. That building and overall entrance does look massive and could lead to some good themeing. Hope there is some unepected theming on the ride.
My spin comments were based on that video i watched. At times there was some serious spinning. Just a video I realize, but just because its less spin than others doesnt mean it wont still be too much for a lot of people.
I guess we will just have to wait til it opens. Will be here before we know it.

70

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 17, 2017, 09:03:27 PM »

Thanks all for posting updates. I personally have mixed feelings about this.
1. I thought I would be okay with the spinning, until i watched the pov video. Amyone saying it isnt a lot of spinning is fooling themselves. (10,000 is still a lot, even if it isnt 20,000.) I think i will be ok, but I totally agree with those concerned and dont blame anyone for being bummed they wont be able to ride. Going backward can be fun at times, though.
2. I am totaly unimpressed with this theme. I have no idea why steampunk is so big but it is repulsive to me. This theme is not 1880s Ozarks, late 1880s Chicago or new york maybe. As swoosh said everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if people like this theme im happy for them, but I do not feel like it is anything like SDC. Being set in history alone doesnt make it SDC. It is not appealing or enduring. Just throw a bunch of clocks together. Wildfire is steampunk enough for me...ugh.
3. Combine 2 with what others fear is a lack of themeing leads me to believe the PTB just dont care or dont get it. Seems haphazardly thrown together and unimpressive. I will wait for my final analysis on #3 until I see it, but I will never like time traveler as a concept or this steampunk route. Just like grand exposition,  not for me.

Because of the above I really dont think I will care much for this ride or become attached to it. I will spend most of my riding time on FITH, Flooded Mine, Thunderation, Powderkeg, Lost River, the Train, and OR to a lesser extent while wondering why they wont fix up or redo AP or fix up FItH or make Thunderation smoother.
I will spend more time in the shops or saloon show, grandfathers mansion or a theatre. If this ride takes up some crowd then great. If it makes the SP price go up ill probably scale back to one visit a year, if the route they wanna go is away from die hard loyalists like me and toward coaster chasers with no soul invovled that is entirely up to them and my visists will reflect that. (Not saying its what they are doing for sure, just speaking generally and in 'what ifs').
I will ride it next year and give it a chance, but aint gettin my hopes up. Im more excited that they fixed up FM.

71

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2018 Project(s) and Park Developments

« on: August 05, 2017, 12:56:38 PM »

Someone awhile ago said ot could have a spinning option...i believe this will have that. Riders decide if they can spin or not. Does this exist yet?
And could this be one big circle? That curved part of the track just seems unique for its degree and where its located. Doesnt look like a typical inversion. Does any of the track corkscrew like on OR?
I have a guess as to what this will look like but i cant explain it.
It has to be a launch...theres nothing big enough for a dive. I guess its still early. I hope its a launch I love PK.

72

Construction/Rumors / Re: Christmas at Silver Dollar City

« on: August 05, 2017, 10:03:40 AM »

it would be foolish to lose the old time christmas title. The trademarked names are very bland. My 27 year old wife (at the time) went ooooo when she heard "old time" bedore the first time she went. Its what made it easy for me to talk her into going.
Im going to make an assumption, and it could be totally false, but I know the powers that be read this board from time to time. Like I said might be false now and this whole trademark might have nothing to do with a re naming, probably doesnt. Also I could be false in what im about to assume about some of the current PTB.
But I believe there is someone on the higher up, or maybe a few, who would like to get away from the old time themeing or don't think its that important, or would rather go with a cookie cutter approach to it. I believe this is a mistake or would be for a few reasons. The classic themeing has two effects on people. Either they:
1. Love it. For people like me its part of why I choose sdc and pass numerous closer parks to get there. For a lot of SDC faithful, its part of what keeps us coming back.
2. Or they are indifferent. It doesnt matter to them, might find some elements cool, but they wanna ride the new coaster. They might come back they might not. As long as there is stuff to do.
NO ONE hates it. As long as there is ac in the summer, heat and lights in the winter, people do not hate the old themeing.
I think its foolish for one to assume that more people would come if you dropped the old time, or if you got away from classic theme of sdc, or that it doesnt matter. Quite the opposite actually. I also think its very foolish to think millenials or the next generation dont care about or dont like the old time 1880s theme of the park. I think a lot DO like it, especially millenials like me with kids. Just because we have iphones doesnt mean we dont like some good 1880s ozarks hillbilly theme. Its what sets sdc apart and gets people coming back.
Now i think sdc is doin a good job had a good trip this year. Im just throwing this out there in case these felings exist within the PTB now or do at any time in the future.

73

Construction/Rumors / Re: Your Attraction Ideas

« on: August 01, 2017, 04:12:58 PM »

Well here's my entire plan. 
American Plunge - removed
Falls at Lumber Camp - removed
Lumber Camp Lake - removed

The new show building will be built into the current hill at the back of the Lumber Camp Lake.  The building will more than likely stick above the current height.  The building will be disguised as a hill with faux rock work.  The ride entrance and queue building will be located pretty much where the Wildfire arch is located.  The splash down will be on the north side of the new Lake (I say new because the current one needs work as it is losing water).

-----

As far as what to do for a new log ride?  I have a few possible new locations. 
1. Where kiddie rides are in Grand Expo (that area could then be closed off in Winter)
2. Where Waterboggan was located - themed to Firemans Landing
3. Somewhere in the Homestead Region

So the log ride would be entirely different than the flume style ride? Would the flume ride be all indoors untill the final drop?
If they are different, couldnt you just do the log ride where AP now is?
Perhaps Im misunderstanding what youre getting at.
I do think that if they are to revamp a current area the place you are suggesting would be my choice if its within the park. Nothing in the area is iconic, especially with the waterfall being off limits. Would lose a tranquil lunch spot but oh well, burgers are better at wagonworks anyway.
My first choice would be doing things in Grand Expo, as it doesnt feel like SDC and something different could get more traffic there or help it out a little so to speak.
I think the Homestead region needs to be off limits to these types of things. Old waterboggin area jas to be used eventually for somethin.
Id be more interested in the theme.
 I also think AP is such a great theme if done right for a ride like that. Would it be impossible to redo the entire ride, keep the theme (but with different elements, etc of course) or do they feel like they have to re brand it?
Runners idea is great, but it cant be one ride. That would mean re doing the current FM, and thats a no no for me, and probably for the park logistics too as they need all indoor rides and whole family rides.
No reason you cant have two rides with central theme though.

74

Branson Talk / Re: Shepherd of the Hills. Not going to Open

« on: July 12, 2017, 06:28:33 AM »

Sorry, I'm serious old school...ok, revamp the tower, please keep tours and play...but I think it is such a historical property that as much of the old as can be saved should be saved. Apparently the old campground property across the highway is part of the homestead property, so if it is, revamp the campground and add a lodge and you got your resort, but don't put the resort on the homestead side please. Add some attractions if you need to, but be selective and make it quality, not some cheap stuff. I agree to put some money into the property to freshen it up, but manage wisely, so it will be there for future generations. This property is where tourism as we know it began in Branson.

Agreed. That cabin needs to stay where it is, where it belongs. National historic landmark.
And I agree with the other idea...you should be able to go in without having to do a tram tour.

75

Branson Talk / Re: Shepherd of the Hills. Not going to Open

« on: July 10, 2017, 01:33:24 PM »

Obviously they cant continue to operate it as is considering they werent making money before. But I hope they keep the cabin where it belongs and open for tours, as well as the drama in some form and then improve the area in other ways. Obviously insporation tower isnt going anywhere.