2011 Trip Reviews

sanddunerider · June 25, 2011, 04:45:34 PM

I imagine he will do demos throughout the day, as the knifemaker, glassblower and other craftsman do. Had I mentioned how glad I am they brought in another craft.. Makes me think there may be some hope for our city yet!

OR maybe they will have him build cabins to sell, you know something to put the home made furniture in.. LOL.. ok, jst kdn ya now!

thelarsonsix · June 25, 2011, 08:59:22 PM

Quote from: spgoad on June 24, 2011, 08:34:57 PM
Quote from: cheesehead57 on June 24, 2011, 02:15:24 PM
To those who listen to the same shows in the park....stop and hear the Homestead Pickers.....their performances are never the same unless they have song requests.
I love the Homestead Pickers. They are such fun to just sit back, relax, and enjoy listening to and interacting with. They are very informal, which is great, I think it makes them seem more genuine. Plus their music is very, very good.

Are these the folks on the front porch by the school and Wilderness Church?

Junior · June 25, 2011, 09:43:44 PM

Yes!

saloongal · June 30, 2011, 07:12:11 PM

Haven't made it to SDC yet but already having a great trip. Arrived at Eagles Lodge about 2. Went swimming, did go karts, mini golf, arcade games, dinner at Charlies and now back in the hotel snuggling down.

Highly recommend Charlies. Good meal good value.

sanddunerider · June 30, 2011, 07:55:45 PM

Charlies? not familar with that place. details please. where? what?

Junior · June 30, 2011, 09:37:11 PM

Charlies is across the street from Presley's Theater just off the strip wedged next to a motel. Great steaks and BBQ. I highly reccomend it.

Ozark Outlaw · July 01, 2011, 12:53:43 PM

Did someone say BBQ?

sanddunerider · July 01, 2011, 04:44:47 PM

I will for sure look for them next trip! sounds yummy...

saloongal · July 05, 2011, 12:26:06 PM

It seems as though fireworks and a massive mountain of laundry has delayed my full trip report. This may get long...

As I mentioned before we stayed at the Eagles Lodge and arrived on Thursday afternoon. We spent our time Thursday doing little things around Branson and trying to do new things with the kids.
Friday morning we arrived in the SDC lot (we do preferred parking) and were one of only a handful of cars there at 8:30. We pretty much walked right in and found that the square was fairly quiet. Daughter and my dad played checkers while we wandered in and out of shops and read the did you know signs (which I love). After opening ceremonies, which brought a tear to my eye (a veteran my age was carrying his little girl with him as they presented the flag) [insert reminder that I love this part of SDC, we can all use the reminder to be thankful for what we have and for the servicemen and women who secure that], we headed straight to the measuring station. With one at 44 and one at 38 we had plan of action. First ride was the little coaster, then we split and daughter went with dad and granddad to Thunderation, while son was ready for HDH. After we all regrouped we did LROTO, and American Plunge. We had a light snack [Another huge THANK YOU for allowing food and drinks to be brought into the park] and daughter decided she was ready for her first ever ride on PK! She did it a few times while son went back to HDH. All of the lines in the park were short and moved quickly except AP. After that we headed back to the hotel for nap time. While the kids and I napped everyone else shopped. Went for dinner to Mr Gs. We almost always go there for at least one meal while in town, however the service was so incredibly BAD I don't think we will go back. Back to the hotel for a swim and to rest up for the next day.
Saturday we arrived early again, had another great opening ceremony (and round of checkers). First stop was FITH, did that twice with both kids. PK was closed, FM was closed. So daughter hit TNT and son HDH. A few rounds of each there and we went to the Saloon show. It was fantastic. Then PK was rolling so we did that while son did train and FM. Then TNT, again! I did my little bit of shopping on site grabbed a loaf of cinnamon bread, went to Browns, and moved on up and out of the park. The lines were all very fast moving! Kids and dad took naps while I shopped. Then we all got ready for dinner. Went to the Landing for Texas Land and Cattle. Our server was wonderful, kind, attentive and he brought the kids meals first! We took a stroll down the Landing for a bit before heading back to the hotel for more swimming and fireworks (I have no idea where they came from).

Sunday we hit IHOP and headed out of town!

A great trip all the way around.

sanddunerider · July 05, 2011, 02:22:47 PM

WOW!! full trip. good for you.. Sounded like no problems and lots of naps!!LOL.

Sounds like motel worked out good for you. If you get the chance make sure to leave Paige a review on tripadvisor.com. we are trting to get her into the top ten. I think she and her staff deserve it..

Ozark Outlaw · July 06, 2011, 12:05:39 AM

Great trip review saloonogal!

It sounds like you, and your family had a wonderful trip. I am surprised with it being a holiday weekend that the park wasn't packed like sardines, and with long lines as far as the eyes could see. I am glad to hear that the crowds were not an issue, and that you were able to enjoy what you wanted without much fuss.

You mentioned that a round of checkers was played each morning. You might have a new family tradition there! Nothing like a relaxing game of checkers before beginning a fun filled day. The opening ceremonies are definitely on my don't miss list! I just can't start my day there without it.

What did the kids think about Half Dollar Holler? Was it a hit, or miss?

It is nice to know that the hotel accommodations worked well for you, and that everyone was so welcoming at the local restaurants.

Thanks sharing your trip with us!

saloongal · July 06, 2011, 07:51:21 AM

Ozark-
HDH is an absolute hit with my youngest. He will be three in a few days and is over 36" but he can easily spend a couple hours at a time in there. My mom took him over to that while we rode bigger rides with daughter and mom sat at the entrance while he ran and ran through the nets, then he would occasionally walk over and grab her hand for the carousel. He doesnt really care for the swings or the sand play area and there wasnt a storytelling going on while he was there. Daughter is almost 5, and she will go through it a couple times with him but isnt entertained for long periods of time.

Another thing I wanted to mention about the rides. Some of the ride ops spend more time chatting with each other than engaging guests or moving things along. Just throwing that out there for the PTB.

sanddunerider · July 06, 2011, 08:02:49 AM

you know saloon, I have been there (HDH) a couple of times and that appeared to be true to me too. (talking). I dont have little ones anymore, so i thought maybe i was being critical (not in marys time), But you verified what i have been seeing.. too much talking, not enough (kids) time.

saloongal · July 06, 2011, 08:27:18 AM

Sand-
I wish that the citizens in HDH were more engaged and a little "characterish", but I was actually meaning at PK.
FITH employess are wonderful and seem to know that they are part of the experience, TNT was fine the employees moved everyone quickly and efficiently they smiled and seemed to enjoy it. PK was just different, they were very much absorbed in talking and joking with each other and not engaging to the riders at all.

pintrader · July 06, 2011, 09:14:03 AM

We went to SDC yesterday the 5th figuring crowds would be light. They projected 9,000 which I don't think was hit. Small crowd with small lines at all rides. I talked to a couple of citizens who told me that they keep missing their projection numbers day after day (under). I guess the economy has a pretty good hold on the old city this year.

2011 Trip Reviews

pintrader