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The general parking was still free to the silver and gold season pass holder but everyone else was $22.80.

At Dollywood, parking is free for Gold and Diamond. Silver season pass holders have to pay parking.

I just thought that might have been a typo left over from an earlier year. I saw where it said, gold and diamond, but I couldn't find on their website where you could purchase a diamond season pass. Was that a limited time thing?

Jay

We were waiting for a tram at the end of the day Thursday and a parking attendant got to chatting.  He said when it's all said and done (likely next year), people will NOT be directed to a specific lot and can park wherever they want.  He also said the shuttles/trams will run one continuous loop rather than going to one specific stop.  He did confirm that there will be two underpasses - one for pedestrians and one for trams. 

I know employees don't always have accurate info, but I thought I'd pass it along with a grain of salt.

I'm fully expecting that all parking will be paid parking once the lot is completed.  You have to pay at all of their other parks already.

I looked at Dollywood's parking prices and if SDC gets anywhere close to those - there will be major heartache. The general parking was still free to the silver and gold season pass holder but everyone else was $22.80. The Preferred lot was $41.

The SDC Season Passes are less expensive than Dollywood but all you heard earlier from SDC fans was how it was now too hard to take a family, etc. Just wait until they implement those more expensive passes with blackout dates, etc. and paid parking on top?

We'll still go and have a good time whatever they decide to do, but I can already hear the gnashing of teeth from a large demographic that visits.

Jay

I'm upset that I never experienced the "Float Trip" - we were there when it was in existence, but somehow my parents kept that hid from us.

American Plunge used to be a really great ride when the tunnel had all the effects within it. Now it's just concrete walls. I do wish they would do something, but replacing that concrete would be extremely expensive.

Jay

What kind of effects did it have in the tunnel of American Plunge?

There were different show scenes in the cave, but the one thing that stood out to me were the "3d face effects" .  I think they called it a haunted cave.

Jay

The park wouldn't survive like it was without change, I hate that things change, but that is what has to happen to survive. They tried the two-park thing and that didn't work - maybe they could have done something different at Celebration City, but ultimately the "ride" park failed.

Also, when I was at SDC last year, they were in search of a blacksmith and hoping one was coming in a couple weeks...craftsmen are hard to find and I guess part of the employment issue they whole park has been suffering from. Does SDC have an apprenticeship program to keep the art of craftsmanship alive?

But I don't know why all the disappointment in the park, it's one of the best in the world. Could they be even better, absolutely, but our family loves SDC and it is one of the only parks in the US that everyone in my family loves to go to. My wife and daughter don't like the rides or shows but they love to shop and eat. My two grown sons love the rides and go from one to the other. My grandkids love the kid and family sections of the park.

I love it all - I've even go sometimes without them just to watch people, visit craftsmen, shop, ride, take in the natural beauty, explore the cave, etc. - there is so much that is awesome at SDC and I love the park (even if it's going to crap :-) )

Jay

Thank you so much for the stories!!!

I remember one year, probably 81' or 82', waiting for the front of the train and two girls were in the front seat and the restraint wouldn't raise - so they just kept riding the ride. At the time they said they were on ride 54 (or something like that) and the train was sent without them getting off.

Were there times when the restraints wouldn't open, and you guys just sent the train out at the rider's request?

Jay

I'm upset that I never experienced the "Float Trip" - we were there when it was in existence, but somehow my parents kept that hid from us.

American Plunge used to be a really great ride when the tunnel had all the effects within it. Now it's just concrete walls. I do wish they would do something, but replacing that concrete would be extremely expensive.

Jay

With everyone else's mine train coasters staying in their parks for years....why would SDC be thinking about replacing theirs so early? And it's a good ride, despite being a bit bumpy.

Jay

It might be really good for the park too, they don't have to worry about the expenses, employees, etc. - just provide a place for those food trucks to make a buck or two and SDC taking a cut off their profits.

Aren't some of the shops in SDC actually ran by business owners? They pay rent for the spaces? I thought the yarn shop was like that when they were there, and some of those other shops by Powder Keg? I might be completely wrong about that though...

Jay

A lot of good pictures of the parking lot construction on Facebook. "You know you're from Silver Dollar City If"

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=669515151638816&set=pcb.669516034972061

Jay

I would think if the water effect was that damaging, they wouldn't include it in FITH 2.0. And rumor and pictures of foundations seem to point to a water splash on the new coaster too.

Jay

Personally I'd be disappointed too...but you can't fault their media/advertising department if thousands show up for an announcement on tomatoes. Could be FITH, new resort, 10-year plan including Missouri's first Giga...or to let us know the Frisco is back.

Just a couple hours left to wait.

Jay

sdcattractions Instagram post just says:

2.13

So what do you think? Will this be when the tomatoes are revealed?

Jay

Probably a new food stand or re-opening Percy's with a new concept or something. I do like the label too. They are really good with the graphic designs these days when they take the time. They've come a long way since the days of "bleeding cowboys" fonts that crept in when they started switching over to digital printed signs.

Or take it back the Mary's Spring House days of the pasta, etc. - prior to the "Chipotle, Qdoba, etc.) style.

That was always our go to place to eat.

Jay

As you know, I live in Tulsa.

I can't tell you the last time I had been to "Big Splash/Safari Joes". I have kids, I might have taken them once? They don't ask to go. We would however go down to Muskogee to their little waterpark several times a year. It just seemed cleaner, more up to date and it was made up with just a couple slides, family play area, an activity pool, and lazy river.

Sounds like they might make this a place that kids and parents want to go.

Jay

It seems like if they really want to make a difference they need a flyover or an underpass at the light, but I figure we are a ways off from that yet.

I think a simple trumpet interchange could work there. Which wouldn't be all that bad cost wise. Get rid of that light.

Jay