Messages

1246

Construction/Rumors / Re: Your Attraction Ideas

« on: October 20, 2008, 02:51:19 PM »

I'd think it'd be pretty easy to theme it to the park, along the lines of crazy inventions like Wildfire and PowderKeg.

For the record, PK's theme is not a crazy invention; it is based around the mining of bat guano from Marvel Cave for the purpose of manufacturing explosives for the mines.

19th Century science seems pretty "crazy" to people born after the debut of MTv. Have you ever watched a pre-teen kid stare with amazement at the flyball governor on a steam engine?

The recent surge of steampunk fantasy art is perfect evidence of why the 1880s theme, whether "mad scientist" or accurate portrayal of the actual technology of that period, is fascinating for visitors and a huge drawing point for potential new guests.

1247

Construction/Rumors / Re: Your Attraction Ideas

« on: October 18, 2008, 11:36:20 PM »

I really like the Sky Roller, and it could definitely be outfitted for the late 19th Century mad scientist theme. I don't know how PpH works out, with 16 passengers for a 4 minute ride (going by the video). It's a very small footprint, so PpH might not count as much as PpAcre.

I gotta say, this has to appeal to every "kid" (current or former) who has ever "flown" his hand out the car window.

  

1248

Random Talk / Re: The SDCFans Lounge

« on: October 18, 2008, 11:21:02 PM »

Don't be embarrassed, Mizzou fans. Any time you score 31 points in Austin, you've had a heckuva day, no matter how many points UT scores.

Meanwhile, us Hawg fans are hanging our heads. Yeah, it's a rebuilding season, yeah, we're not supposed to win squat this year, but any time you lead Kentucky, at Kentucky, 14-0 at the half, 17-0 in the 3rd, and 20-7 in the 4th with less than 5 minutes to play, and still lose... well, that really sucks. 

Heckuva game by RB Michael Smith, though. After playing third fiddle behind D-Mac and Felix Jones, he's finally getting to shine. 35 carries for 192 yards rushing, plus 3 receptions for 33 yards.

SEC football rocks. Even when you lose.

1249

Random Talk / Re: The Duggers

« on: October 18, 2008, 11:06:38 PM »

The actual name of the series is "17 Kids and Counting". The episode is called "When Big Families Collide", with an original air date of October 13. I've set my DirecTiVo to catch an upcoming rebroadcast.

Thanks for the heads up. 

1250

Random Talk / Re: User Names

« on: October 18, 2008, 10:30:55 PM »

I first got online in 1995 (and that "free" month of AOL cost us about $65 when my then-wife discovered chat rooms!)

This was the early days of internet access outside of universities and DoD facilities, but I'd kept up with technology news, so I knew the folly of trying to stay anonymous, plus the general nature of online behavior when people think they can hide. I decided that I would never mask my identity, and would also use my real name and speak as if everything I did or said online, would one day be read by my mother and children.

Thus, my first initials and last name.

The "B" stands for "Ben", by the way, in case anyone cares.

Kevin

1251

SDC Memories/ Park History / Re: fire in the hole question

« on: October 18, 2008, 10:18:22 PM »

...dated 1971. The name at that time for FITH was the Devil’s Den. Funny; I never knew that that was going to be the name of the ride. That is Marvel Cave’s original cave.

It's also the name of a popular state park in nearby Washington County, Arkansas.

Old Guy and Baldknobber were right after the first dip you would turn right past a mini volcano and then your train traveled through a cave with Baldknobbers hiding out in it. After leaving the cave your train would turn right, you were then looking over the edge of a cliff above the burning cabin the tracks ahead looked like they were broken and that you were going to fall, just then the train would take a sharp right and then turn left into the train tunnel.

What about the darkened scene where nothing was happening, except you could look across the chasm and see the mangled tracks and burning bridge? This was a preview to what was coming up, setting up the "OMG, WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!" theme of almost plunging into the abyss, except the train veered onto a side track at the last moment.

As a kid, I never caught the incongruity of the volcano, but I certainly remember it being there 30 years ago, complete with the sound of bubbling lava on the audio.

Kevin

1252

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: Christmas Lights

« on: October 18, 2008, 09:58:35 PM »

I've never visited SDC outside of late Spring, Summer, or early Autumn, so I have to ask: how does all this lighting fit with the theme? I know the obvious answer, which is that it doesn't fit with 1880 at all, but does anyone care?

1253

Announcements / Re: New Round Of Upgrades Coming Soon

« on: October 05, 2008, 12:42:08 AM »

^I logged in to the forums then clicked on "Main Site" and it didn't recognize me as logged in.  I then clicked to go to the forums and it showed me as a guest, but at the bottom of the page it showed me as one of the users that is logged in.  So I clicked on my name and it took me to my profile.  Then from my profile I clicked on "Home" and only then did it recognize me as logged in.  Sorry this is such a pain, Steve!

Exact same thing I observed. Clicking "main site" from my profile still didn't show me as logged in. (Firefox 3.0.3, MacOS X 10.4.9)

I haven't followed this thread closely, so I'm curious... what is the purpose of being logged in from the front page or main site? I agree that it's valuable as the "face" of the site for new visitors, but I only come to the forums. The only time I visit the main site is if someone points out a new article to read. Otherwise, I enter here (with "forever" as my logged-in option):

http://sdcfans.com/forums/index.php?action=unread

1254

Random Talk / Re: The SDCFans Lounge

« on: October 05, 2008, 12:33:57 AM »

Well, the Cubs are out. Brewers hang on to play another day.

Go Dodgers!

1255

Random Talk / Re: The SDCFans Lounge

« on: October 04, 2008, 07:04:56 PM »

As for the playoffs, I'm rooting for the Dodgers and Phillies in the NL and the Angels and Rays in the AL.

I thought a cross-town Series in Chicago would be great, but it doesn't look like either team is going to make it. I really hate the CWS, but it would make for a great Series. I'm a Cards fan, but just for the sake of baseball history, I'd like to see the Cubs win it all. Once every hundred years is just about right for them. 

My second choice would be the Dodgers, just to show the Steinbrenners that Joe Torre is better at baseball than they are.

1256

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2009/10 Project

« on: October 02, 2008, 09:32:53 PM »

Or Mike Rowe.

Hey, are there any notable "dirty jobs" at SDC?

1257

Construction/Rumors / Re: SDC's 2009/10 Project

« on: September 30, 2008, 08:14:29 PM »

Genesis (that's the cow's name) is having routine maintenance performed on her.

Where I come from, servicing a milk cow usually involves a bull. 

1258

General Silver Dollar City Talk / Re: SDC and WWB

« on: September 25, 2008, 03:38:34 AM »

If WWB was right next door to SDC, so that we could park once and visit both, I would probably give in if the kids wanted to get wet. But as it is, no, sorry, we're not driving down to the strip and fighting traffic.

1259

Branson Talk / Re: Ride The Ducks

« on: September 04, 2008, 10:39:27 PM »

I just saw their printed catalog, and they have an authentic DUKW, unaltered from original military configuration, in their upcoming (and final) auction.

I wanted to link to that, but they didn't have it on their site.

1260

Random Talk / Re: The SDCFans Lounge

« on: September 04, 2008, 10:34:55 PM »

I'm also glad the Yankees will miss the playoffs.

This is why I live for baseball.