Well I was at SDC during my trip to Table Rock last week and I'm finally getting a chance to post. Sorry if it's long and windy but I want to give a full account. I'll put things we did in Branson on the Branson scrolls.
First thing, I got engaged last Monday night on our boat at sunset on table rock lake. This is the first time my fiancee has been to SDC in a long time and her first time with my family.
I left Nebraska when the woman got off work at midnight and headed straight for Table Rock. Met my parents and sisters at the resort at 7:30 a.m. then headed to SDC. Megan and I decided to have breakfast since we just arrived and haven't ate yet. I haven't been in the mill restaurant for breakfast in years and I was just a kid last time and let me tell you, the selection was nothing huge but it didn't need to be...that food was GREAT. Real bacon, good sausage, good country style hash browns, excellent ham, but the biscuits and gravy topped them all. I could have lived off those. Worth the money, will do it every year now. Anyway...
SDC was near empty last monday, probably on account of the dreary weather forcast but as you all know those are some of th ebest days to go. Not too hot and it only rained a little. Rode FM, TNT, PK, WF, and then took the nieces and nephews for the American Plunge and the Lost River! It was fun and its great to see the kids having fun just like my sisters and I did at that age on those same water rides. It was nice riding them as I do not do it every year now that we are all older...but with the kids getting of age I'll be riding again. We didn't hit many shops but the financee and I hit the Saloon Show...And....
Best show I've seen in years. Excellent (and nice lookin) dancing girls, the piano player that's been there for years was in good spirits and was great as always, but the new show was something great. Mean Murphy was great and the guy playing him had a great baritone singing voice. Charlie was played by the taller, slightly older, short white-haired gentleman and that guy can act and he is funny and there is never a dull moment. Great, great show and the fiance didn't expect it to be that good.
Rode the train and we enjoyed it. My mom was "ma". Didn't claim them.
Walked around a little more and left at 3:00. Great day even though I had gone on no sleep. I have complaints that I'll address later but it was great being there with the kids.
Went back on Wednesday. Hotter weather. Had a pecan roll at the bakery. So good. Got to ride Outlaw Run and words really can't describe that ride and how excellent it really is. IF you are reading this and are wondering whether it is good or not, just know that it is and nothing can prepare you for what you will experience. WOW.
Rode FITH. Best roller coaster in the world. There, I said it. And I mean it. Never gets old. Then I walked around with the woman because she wasn't wanting to do rides. We watched Ray ( his knives are worth buying, btw...we love ours for hunting) then we caught only one song from homestead pickers (love those guys..sad I couldn't see more but you just never have time there's too much to do!)....went to Wilderness Church. The preacher in there is a gentleman. Found out we were engaged and gave us a very nice talk about marriage. Woman said she almost cried. He is a good man and loves his job, and we talked a little about how great it is SDC hasn't taken religion out of the city just because of the politically correct haters that seem to be everywhere in our country now.
Went in all the cabins, shops, glass blowers, etc. and it was nice to see the magic of the city was really getting to my finance. We had a great time together. We did Marvel Cave at 3 and it was great despite the punk kids that needed a good slappin'. We bought numerous jams (and they were good), taffy, and headed out until next year.
Time for my complaints. First of all, I realize that things happen and no operation that large could run perfect. Also, I don't go to SDC for rides...I love them but the themes and aura are what get me there. Nevertheless, I'm very disappointed in the handling of Outlaw Run. If you aren't going to be open, don't advertise. It was not open on Monday and the employees talking to people were less than sympathetic and were quite annoyed that people weren't happy about it. If it were my only day there I would have felt jipped. On Wednesday they did test runs for 45 minutes. As was stated before on this board....GET THERE EARLIER. People come to your park, eat breakfast, pay money, etc. and they don't want to go down a hill to see you just getting started. Especially if it has been acting up lately and was shut down for a whole day. Don't you think you'd get there sooner? No excuses for it, I'm sorry. And while I don't need rides to come back, many people are visiting the city for their first time because of the new ride and we need to keep them coming back with a good impression. Powder Keg had it's usual morning down time as well. The other thing was that FITH was closed for a long time both days. In all my years I have never seen that ride closed, ever. I'm not mad about that one, just something negative I noticed. It's not normal for that ride. Some places were closed Monday and weren't as many demonstrations. Why? Because people weren't there? Well I was and I paid money. I'm not a number, I'm a customer. And if we can't complain, things will deteriorate. (forgot to mention that Wednesday seemed quite full and cheery).
Having said that, I loved it and would have done it all again in a heart beat. Overall it was a great trip and memories were made again. You just can't beat SDC. The best thing was that my fiance started saying "next year" more and more throughout the trip...so it looks like she will accept this as an annual trip! Praise the Lord! I knew she was a good woman!
