Messages

1876

SDC Memories/ Park History / Re: Where In The City? (2011 Season)

« on: December 04, 2011, 01:33:24 PM »

Blacksmith shop?

1877

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Grandfathers Mansion CLOSURE?

« on: December 03, 2011, 10:37:44 PM »

 Instead of looking at what you cant do, look at what you can do.

Please do not give advice to the handicapped.  Unless you have walked in their shoes, it's best not to make such broad statements. Their struggles are far greater than you can imagine.

There is so much open to those who are in predicaments beyond control. SDC has done great finding a way to open so many of their rides to everyone. Lets say your in a wheel chair and want to ride FITH. Find an attendent let them know whats up enter thru the exit with a friend to help you get on ride. It is that easy.

I beg to differ with you.  It's not that easy.  Don't assume that it is.  There are obstacles that you are unaware of.  SDC does an "okay" job outfitting their park for the disabled, but they have a long way to go in my opinion.  They need to start by educating their employees, and then move on to physical changes.  I have been called a "wheelchair" on numerous occasions within the park, and to me than is UNACCEPTABLE.  I will say with 100% certainty that the last time I looked in the mirror I was a person, not a wheelchair. 

Please do not shut down GM. There is no reason for it.

On this point, I must agree!  LEAVE GRANDFATHER'S MANSION ALONE!  It holds historical significance.  And, I have stated before - if you can't enter it, you can't enter it.  Find something else to do.  There are many other choices. 

ADA guidelines do need to be revamped!  I know that it will cause hardship to some businesses, schools, etc, and it would certainly be nice if the government would kick in and help them a bit. I teach in a school that is not accessible.  Without the use of a power chair, I would have to leave my position.  Very few accommodations have been made to help me get around.  The few that I have had to request when my power chair was delivered were rejected due to cost.  The costs to the district to honor my requests would have been less than $2,000.  Because of the clause within the ADA Guidelines - reasonable accommodations - I can't force the district to make physical changes.

I don't intend to continue on and bore you with details, but I would like to reiterate my point:  SDC can easily make changes to better accommodate their guests.  My suggestions for improvement are simple:  1)  Educate their employees  2)  Send out surveys and ask their disabled guests what would improve their day in the park  3)  Hire me as a consultant! 

                         LEAVE GRANDFATHER'S MANSION ALONE!

1878

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2011 Trip Reviews

« on: November 27, 2011, 10:19:54 PM »

Here's my take:  Arrived at the park about 3:00 Thanksgiving afternoon prepared to enjoy the Thanksgiving buffet at Mollys.  There was absolutely no line at all for the prime rib/turkey buffet so we skipped over there instead.  It was just a few dollars more.  The buffet was great (the prime rib was a bit overdone), but that isn't what I really wanted so I didn't care too much.  The park was not crowded at all, and the weather was beautiful.  We had about a 15 min. wait in line to see the Christmas Carol - it was good as always.  We did have a slight glitch here - I was told that if I wanted to sit w/my husband I had to leave my wheelchair.  Otherwise, I could sit in front, and he could sit behind me.  So weird!!  I elected to walk to a seat, and as I did so, husband took my wheelchair out and parked it where he was directed.  After the show, he left to get my chair and it was missing.  It took him awhile to find it as it had been moved and was buried in amongst the strollers.  In the meantime, I was told that I must leave so they could start letting in guests for the next show.  I explained that I was waiting for my wheelchair.   Husband couldn't get back in because the doors were locked.  They let guests in and he was finally able to get back to me.  Then, the employees were not happy because they had to let us out.  It was CRAZY!!  In spite of all that, the weather was beautiful and it was not crowded at all.  Perfect night for walking around and enjoying the park.  It was so perfect, we skipped rides and shows.  We were going to ride the train, but it happened to be the only ride that had quite a wait so we skipped it.  We hated leaving since it was such a nice night.

We returned the next morning for Black Friday shopping expecting a crowd.  Very few people were there at 7:30 a.m.  We had E&D's bakery to ourselves.  After rolls and coffee, we started shopping to avoid the crowd that we expected any moment.  Still, no crowd!  We bought a few gifts and walked around the park feeling like we owned the place.  Real bargains were few and far between, but we did purchase a good supply of taffy to last thru the winter!   We left by 10:30.  It's amazing what you notice when it isn't crowded.  It was a fun morning!!  I have no complaints whatsoever, but I heard some families grumbling about having to walk all the back to Main Street to purchase refreshments.  I think it would have been a good idea to have a food vendor or two open near the back of the park.  I think the only restaurants opened were E&D and Molly's.  Sullivans was selling bread.  Wagon Works was firing up their grill as we left.  All in all, I wouldn't return for the sale, but I would go back just to walk thru the park with very few people around. 

Oh, and Sasparilla is $2.50 in some areas of the park, but it's $2.60 at Hospitality House.

1879

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Black Friday at SDC

« on: November 19, 2011, 12:53:12 PM »

Yep, I think I'm definitely going.  I'll be able to put away my supply of taffy for the winter.  Now to talk the husband into it!   Any ideas on how to do that???

1880

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: everything I learned I learned from SDC

« on: November 19, 2011, 12:49:48 PM »

Ozark BBQ, is their another way to eat them that I am unaware of?

1881

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Now on ebay!!

« on: November 18, 2011, 10:12:26 PM »

That is seriously crazy! 

1882

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Black Friday at SDC

« on: November 18, 2011, 10:10:04 PM »

It's been so crowded in the past, that we were stuck on Main Street with nowhere to go.  We finally inched our way to HH to escape the park.  It was a crazy day.  I don't really think they will attract anyone other than those who have already planned to spend the day there, but who knows?  They do have some decent sales going.  With that said  - don't buy my green bowl!

1883

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: OTC 2011 When are you going?

« on: November 18, 2011, 10:05:23 PM »

Leaving Wed. as soon as school lets out.  Planning to be at the park Thanksgiving Day, which is not soon enough!!

1884

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Black Friday at SDC

« on: November 18, 2011, 10:00:10 PM »

Sounds enticing!  Trying to decide if saving $10 on a purchase at the glass shop is worth fighting traffic and crowds.  I've been eyeing this green bowl all season.  Hmm......

1885

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: everything I learned I learned from SDC

« on: November 17, 2011, 05:12:08 PM »

FUNNEL CAKES ARE A FOOD GROUP???  Man, that's the best news I've heard all day!  Yee!  Haw!

1886

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: New SDC Logo For 2012

« on: November 17, 2011, 05:05:36 PM »

I like the old one better, also.  I don't like the one with the flags at the gate either.  I assumed that was only for the 50th anniversary, but I assumed wrong.  Give back the log and axe - that's good enough for me.

1887

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: 2011 Trip Reviews

« on: November 16, 2011, 05:36:42 PM »

Yep, the works is the way to go!  It's takes yummy to a whole new level!

1888

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Anyone agree to the spiel over in the new season pass room?

« on: November 15, 2011, 09:11:24 PM »

My all time favorite time share story was one I read on another forum.  This fellow got tired of saying, "No", they pretty much had him hijacked in a small room, and he had had enough, so he pulled out his phone and reported to 911 that he was being held hostage.  Apparently, that did the trick, and they let him leave - quickly!

1889

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Will YOU buy the Parking Pass for $18.00?

« on: November 15, 2011, 08:05:03 PM »

Nope, I won't be buying a parking pass either!  Parking is usually not an issue since I have handicap plates, but in "pre-wheelchair days", I use to love to ride the green trams.  My husband was not happy riding the tram Friday.  All handicap lots were full, so we were told to pay $25 valet parking, or "find a spot in a parking lot."  He was allowed to drop me off at the gate, but it took him at least 45 min. to park and ride the tram back to the gate.  I don't ask for special favors, so it wasn't a big deal until after the 5k marathon Fri.  He had to push me 2/3 mile back to the truck after pushing me most of the 5k route.  That was one tired, sore husband the next day!  I asked him if he wished we would have paid the $25, and his response was "@#$* No!"  I do think that when the park is that busy, handicap parking should take precedence over valet parking.  As I waited for him, I saw quite a few elderly couples leave the park because they couldn't find handicap parking.   

1890

Random Talk / Re: EARTHQUAKE!!!

« on: November 06, 2011, 06:25:54 PM »

rubedegans - there are over 400 earthquakes per year in AK; heard it on the Discovery Channel.