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We went last Sunday, got to park around 9:20 with a park opening time of 10:00. Traffic to the park was almost nonexistent and getting through the new parking booths went quick. We made a right in the parking lot and drove all the way up to almost where the sidewalk crosses the tram roadway. Our best parking spot, ever.


Went to guest relations to process our season passes - wrong move, need to just go through regular ticket line and they take your picture and create the new pass. Was relatively painless once we knew where to go. Found the booth where they are handing out the refillable mugs - and that went really fast too.

The day was a great day...was in the upper 60's so we rode about everything. Including Mystic River Falls and American Plunge (didn't do Riverblast). Notes on rides:

• Got the wettest I have ever been on a rapid ride on MRF. Water was flying into the boat with big waves - the drop at the end was fast and we flew off the splash down area into the river with a sudden stop and huge wave - seriously crazy moment.
• American Plunge effects were non-existent, but the ride is the same. If they just gave this a nice retheme, it would be a really good "log ride".
• Fire in the hole was moving! The powered part of the ride was extremely fast (which I assume they have done to help push capacity). Trains were leaving the station as one was arriving - reminded me of the old days.
• The FIH merchandise is going fast - a lot of sizes were out, but if you're a small or medium - no worries there.
• Food lines were short, so we tried a lot of items. Everything was good - but not sure if I'll venture past our usuals (tater twist, cinnamon bread, calico potatoes, etc.) - nothing was bad, just not "oh my gosh I have to eat that again".
• Of course Thunderation was a bit rough, but not unrideable. It would be nice for a rehab and not a replacement - learned the backward cars were turned around 13 years ago. Dang where has the time gone?

Had a very good day at the park, got completely worn-out walking all over the place. Looking forward to our next trip this year to see how all the construction is progressing. Exciting times ahead - I hope.

Jay

Yes, there's a lot of pictures and videos online. I attached one from the "You know you're from SDC if..." Facebook page.

Jay

Thank you!! Keep the stories coming - they're awesome.

Jay

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