2011 Trip Reviews

DollarCityBoy · March 28, 2011, 01:58:40 PM

My wife and I went to SDC on Friday March 25. We were un-prepared for the cold weather, as we were in jeans and t-shirts! The first stop we made (of course) was the Hospitality House, where we purchased SDC hoodies. I could not notice a change in the floors, they looked the same to me, but, nevertheless the mural looked amazing. They have also changed/upgraded the lighting in that building; everything shows up beautifully! They have changed and/or painted a lot of the cabinetry in there as well, looks very upgraded and fresh. The lady that checked us out was extreamly friendy, and visted with us for a while, as we were the only ones at her register. The hoodies worked out great for us the rest of the day, as it continued to be cold.
We past through the square, and headed to the swinging bridge. As we crossed over, it seemed very strange and i got the feeling of day-za-vo (spellcheck). I had seen so many of the pictures everyone elese has taken of HDH, i felt like i had already been there! The swinging bridge still bounces and sways like always, and we enjoyed seeing the kids running around HDH. As we walked past the Carousel, I noticed that it did not have any music playing, I thought this was very odd as I remember it always having the music playing. The entrance to HDH is tight, and can become congested. The treehouses looked great, and everyone there seemed to be enjoying themselves. The sand play area was getting NO use and was very small.
We then headed to The Flooded Mine; there was a small line, but we got on in no time. The ride was great as always; seemed basically the same, no improvements, but everything in working order.
After the Flooded Mine, we headed for lunch at The Rib House next to Lost River of the Ozarks. Along the way we looked for the new Dugan store that Junior had pointed out, along with some of the old Dugan signage that he had posted pictures of. Lunch was good, I got a pulled pork sandwich and slaw, and my wife got chicken fingers and frys; we shared a Mr. Pibb in our SDC mug. We were cold while we ate in the covered dining area next to LROTO, but the food was hot and tasted great.
After lunch, we saw Pure Heart perform in The Boatworks Theatre, great trio, we always enjoy their show.
Headed through what is left of Tom Sawyers Landing (its not even noted on the park map anymore) to FITH. The line was inside the building (thank goodness, because we were cold). Like Flooded Mine, the ride seemed the same, no new improvements. However, like noted on another thread, the "Fire in the Hole!" voice that yells at the end of the ride before the final drop was not working.
I went to ride PK, but it was down; then headed to Wildfire, but the line was too long.
We then headed to the Wilderness Church, were they had a sing-a-long. It was great fun, and we enjoyed the gospel music in the warm Church! We walked around the square and the Homestead area, taking in the sights and sounds of our favorite place.
We ended our day by taking the Cave tour of Marvel Cave. Normally, you go into the Cave to cool off, this time it was to warm up!
We smelled our way through the Bakery, as we made our way to Ozark Marketplace, where we purchased Sweet Potato Butter and Pineapple Spread.
We had a wonderful trip, and after a long winter it was great to be back at Silver Dollar City.

Junior · March 28, 2011, 02:40:03 PM

Great trip review, DollarCityBoy!

sanddunerider · March 28, 2011, 02:48:13 PM

Good for you! sounds like an excellent trip. Glad all went well. it will be warmer next time you go.

mhguy77 · March 28, 2011, 04:10:25 PM

DollarCityBoy I hadn't noticed that the carousel didn't have music but you are right. That is strange, you would think they would have something. I also agree about the congestion in HDH, its bad enough I didn't go in to check it out and it wasn't a busy day when I was there. Maybe they intend to expand and swallow up the entire valley there, there is a little left but not much. I also contend that the new chip stand is going to exacerbate an already congested area in from of the saloon. I think they could have done that differently, its going to be a mess at Christmas time.

History Buff · March 28, 2011, 09:02:29 PM

I commented about there not being music, but then again, I don't think traditional carousel music could get in the way of the area and overcome the ambiance of the area - with the railroad being right across the street.

As for the crowd, the attendant standing right at the exit allowed people to park strollers along the boundaries at the entrance, blocking traffic in a big way. The stroller parking had three strollers, while the entrance area had at least 15! This must be resolved. At the Magic Kingdom, there are stroller parking attendants who actually valet park the strollers in order to make the most of a small space.

sanddunerider · March 29, 2011, 09:27:35 AM

Something I also noticed and failed to mention, But somebody brought it up.

When we got off the trams from stop #5!!, Nobody was greeting us?>!

No HOWDY!! No Wazzup?? Nothing, that is a first for me. No greeting?

of course once we headed in, there was somebody wanting to take out picture and sell it to us..

mhguy77 · March 29, 2011, 10:05:27 AM

Quoteof course once we headed in, there was somebody wanting to take out picture and sell it to us..

Are most of them left overs from the World Fest cause they are not American.

Why do they have so many Europeans working there, do they get a tax break for that?

I dont see that many working in other area of Branson.

Joy · March 29, 2011, 10:38:48 AM

About the greeting of the tram: I imagine it only goes up until a certain time in the morning, because the people who greet the tram (Terry, et al) have to get into the park to play their various characters (Terry, his 5-odd charas!). Maybe they should hire someone to be an all-day greeter.

sanddunerider · March 29, 2011, 12:14:28 PM

tina! your right. All day greeter.? after all/..................

Even Wal-Mart has all day greeters.............LOL

Junior · March 29, 2011, 04:45:49 PM

Don't know what the policy is today...but in the old days, greeters would meet people on the ticket booth or town square side of the hospitality house in the early to mid morning hours from roughly 8:30am to about 10 or 10:30. Then the greeters, usually the street troupe and or some members of the bands that played on park, would go to their regular gigs. Us folks from the various attractions usually would be part of the group of greeters at the end of the day. Usually, the town marshall was on the town square side of things, deputizing kids ALL DAY LONG, and then about 3pm or 3:30pm, greeters would generally be on the ticket booth side of HH to say goodbye to folks. In the old days no characters or 1880's citizens would greet people at the area where the trams dropped you off or picked you up, as this was the "modern area of the park." In the early 80s, in order to draw people to the town square at the end of the day, we had a square dance, where many characters from around park would come and participate with guests. At the end of the dance, which lasted about 20 minutes, there would be a lowering of the flag and a cannon firing, and singing of America the Beautiful. While this went on, the shops and attractions would begin to close, forcing people at the end of the day to head to the parking lots.

DollarCityBoy · March 29, 2011, 05:07:36 PM

Quote from: Junior on March 29, 2011, 04:45:49 PM
Usually, the town marshall was on the town square side of things, deputizing kids ALL DAY LONG,

I can't tell you how many of those gold stars I have!

History Buff · March 29, 2011, 06:15:14 PM

I have never been offered a star - and neither have my children.

sanddunerider · March 29, 2011, 09:21:23 PM

I have a silver star!!......................................

But i had to but it on ebay..

SDC#1fan · March 30, 2011, 03:34:56 AM

mhguy as far as the europen people go i used to work in the hospitality business and i know in branson they bring in a lot of foreigners to work housekeeping. One of the big hotels would actually charter a flight to and from Jamaica to bring in workers and then let them stay in condos they own. I believe that due to some of the visa stuff they don't have to pay them as much as Americans.

sanddunerider · March 30, 2011, 08:15:28 AM

sounds right. no wait that doesnt sound right!

probably is accurate. Lets fly in strangers/foreigners to work, so we dont have to pay as much money. Do they think is Wal-mart?

Now my question is. Do they need the help? is their not enough locals to fill job demand? Or are they, whoever they are cheating local workers?

OK> deep breaths..

careful step off the soapbox.

Ok.. fine now.