2011 Trip Reviews

sanddunerider · April 03, 2011, 09:30:07 PM

Quotecement in front of Browns sure does look strange, instead of the familiar blacktop that we all love. I am noticing more and more spots they are using cement, instead of asphalt.

I am sure the concrete i easier to maintian long term than the asphalt, And i am sure they will never replace all the asphalt.. After asphalt is part of SDC!!!! and always will be.

Coaster · April 03, 2011, 10:06:35 PM

I'd be so upset if all the asphalt is gone. It's just part of all the great memories.

SDC#1fan · April 03, 2011, 10:59:26 PM

I wouldn't say they never will. I would say that everytime they have to pull up asphalt it will be replaced with concrete because as stated before it lasts longer than and doesn't need to be sealed every year. as you walk around this year you will notice that there is a lot of concrete now. Also in the square it appears that they did some diamond grinding to try to smooth the asphalt and it looks really bad so i could see a lot of that being replaced soon.

Swoosh · April 03, 2011, 11:12:54 PM

Finally got my trip report from opening weekend up on MiG.
http://www.midwestinfoguide.com/migcrew/2011/SDCspring/

Andymeets1880s · April 04, 2011, 09:12:47 AM

Nice job, Swoosh! Great pics, especially of HH.

sanddunerider · April 04, 2011, 09:40:36 AM

Nice job swoosh~! great pics as always! Great report. You always do a good job on your reports wiht pictures and info. keep up the good work!

okiebluegrass · April 04, 2011, 10:55:17 AM

Friday April 1-

Arrived at 4:30 and it was a cold tram ride into the city. Walked over to GE at around 5. Area was pretty quiet. Decided to go ride FITH. got over there around 5:15. I went into FITH and there was not a soul waiting in line. I rode the ride all by myself. I then walked over to powderkeg and had to wait for one group to ride before I got on there too. So two rides, with around 5 minutes wait.

Sat April 2 -
Craziness prevails
There are teenagers everywhere.
Got there around 9 AM. Watched a show by a really good group called "Finding Bethel" under the gazebo. We went and got a tintype made. At noon, we ate at the big skillet place over by Echo Hollow. After that we went back and got our picture and some kettle corn and head back to the line for the 3 o'clock worship service. Waited for about 30 minutes before they let us in. I fell on the steps and re-injured by bad ankle and dropped my tintype with it's $50 frame in the process. Didn't hurt me too bad but messed up the corner of the frame.
Went to the worship service and just got straight up baked by the sun. Ugh, it was so hot I started falling asleep during the message. Got to see Sanctus Real and it was awesome

Sunday, April 3,

Went to church at the Wilderness Church at 10AM. Good message by Parson Lee. My fiance and I are still wanting to get married there. After church bought some taffy and souvenirs and left.

A good trip and I can't wait to go back.

coalesce99 · April 04, 2011, 10:56:19 AM

Had a great time yesterday and Saturday.

I was a little worried about it being Young Christians' weekend, but it was just fine. Of course, I have a 2 & 5 year old so we weren't doing the same things.

Things I took note of:

The weather was awesome.

My son who is 35 or 35.5 inches (the 2 year old) wasn't let on the elephant ride. He was okay though, and I told the guy running it he was only doing his job.

The folks they got policing the Half Dollar Holler are kind of nazis...they wanted no part of kids going up the "exit" stairs to get to the slide quicker. It forces them to go through the netting area first -- which isn't the easiest for the little guys. The end of the slide...it appears to be shredded tires (a cool idea and cool substance) but they're going to have to have someone over there w/ a broom at all times to keep that stuff in order. Not to mention kids are going to grab it and toss it in each other's faces. It's cool stuff, but I think they should (and probably eventually will) switch to a fixed rubbery substance instead.

Is the hanging scene in the Fire in the Hole different? Something seemed different about it to me. It certainly is better than the old hanging baldknobber.

I had long wanted to try a "Family Feud" and I finally did. I shall be purchasing one on every visit henceforth.

I liked that the Flooded Mine had the water spray at the end that magically shuts off again. We just happened to be in the front boat on our first trip through, which was nice.

Also SDC need to bring this place back!

http://yfrog.com/h88ntjwj

Mrheha · April 04, 2011, 12:16:57 PM

Dear Mark,
It's me, Terry Wayne Sanders & I had to tell how wonderful it was to see you at SDC for the 2011 season! I saw Bill 'Moose' Hensley a couple of days ago & I mentioned your visit & he said to tell you "Howdy!" Yes, the park I(SDC) really looks great this year with the new 'Half Dollar Holler' which is GREAT by the way. Then a lot of little things to have enhanced the 'City'. I'm thrilled to be back for the beginning of my 32nd season & to work with the 'Image Characters' all over the 56 acre park. I hope to sit & visit more the next time you are at SDC! Always, Terry

sanddunerider · April 04, 2011, 12:38:11 PM

TERRY< welcome! so glad you joined us. We have never met, But i fully intend to remedy that situation the next time i am there!

I have read/heard so much about you and your time spent at the city, i feel like i almost know u already.

Until then. Thanks in advance for your hard work and contribution to kepping SDC what it is.!

saloongal · April 04, 2011, 01:26:49 PM

Quote from: coalesce99 on April 04, 2011, 10:56:19 AM
.

My son who is 35 or 35.5 inches (the 2 year old) wasn't let on the elephant ride. He was okay though, and I told the guy running it he was only doing his job.

The folks they got policing the Half Dollar Holler are kind of nazis...they wanted no part of kids going up the "exit" stairs to get to the slide quicker. It forces them to go through the netting area first -- which isn't the easiest for the little guys. The end of the slide...it appears to be shredded tires (a cool idea and cool substance) but they're going to have to have someone over there w/ a broom at all times to keep that stuff in order. Not to mention kids are going to grab it and toss it in each other's faces. It's cool stuff, but I think they should (and probably eventually will) switch to a fixed rubbery substance instead.

IF you hit the measuring station first thing it can relieve a lot of headaches about what they can/can't ride. Also I thought the slide landing was pea gravel, the day we were in HDH they swept it and the sand pit constantly. Also, you dont have to go through the nets to go to the slide, just go in the entrance and make a right instead ofgoing striaght to the nets. W
It didn't take long for me to relalize that we will be spending a lot of time in HDH

coalesce99 · April 04, 2011, 04:19:19 PM

Quote from: saloongal on April 04, 2011, 01:26:49 PM
IF you hit the measuring station first thing it can relieve a lot of headaches about what they can/can't ride. Also I thought the slide landing was pea gravel, the day we were in HDH they swept it and the sand pit constantly. Also, you dont have to go through the nets to go to the slide, just go in the entrance and make a right instead ofgoing striaght to the nets. W
It didn't take long for me to relalize that we will be spending a lot of time in HDH

RE: the slide - oh yeah. duh. I'll point the kids that way next time. It was kinda hectic...

And like I said, I wasn't mad at the guy for not letting the little guy on. Heck the way 2 year olds grow I suspect he'll be tall enough by the end of the summer, if not sooner.

Junior · April 04, 2011, 04:42:00 PM

Our friend "Mr. Heha" (Terry Wayne Sanders) was very kind to send me a private...well, not so private message here today...Terry, I thank you, buddy! Nice to have seen you on opening day at SDC as well. The fellow he mentioned in his post, "Moose" Hensley was lead man at the diving bell in 1978 & 1979, and I had the pleasure of working with him on many occassions. Glad to hear he is doing well. Moose was one of the leaders in the Young Life Christian Program at SDC at the time, and everyone who knew him was his friend. I had intended to send Terry a message on his Website since opening day, but neglected to do so. I know Terry cruises our Website here every once in a while, and on rare occasions will make a short posting. (Ya know, he's a pretty busy guy, so I think we are fortunate to hear from him here from time to time.) Anyway, Terry...if you are checking back, THANKS AGAIN! Nice to have seen you, and I hope I will get to see more of your performances this year on park as I have a season pass, and hope to make several visits in 2011.

okiebluegrass · April 06, 2011, 08:14:35 AM

I have pictures (ok, just a few for now)

SDC#1fan · April 09, 2011, 10:43:57 AM

Im headed to the city today for World Fest. Trip #3 for the year! More pics and comments to come.