I was pondering today's announcement and there were several clues as to the direction of Silver Dollar City in today's announcement. Every corporation wants to expand and stay relevant, especially those in the entertainment business.
It got me wondering aloud to my wife. Is the "Time Traveler" now the prevalent answer as to why we are going back to the 1880's town?
I also wonder if this means...and I say this lightly lest the purists come and snatch me away like the flying monkeys did in the Wizard of Oz....if this becomes the quasi-theme for SDC...Time Traveler.
It sets up an answer to a mystery; on the one hand in which one can think "ahhh this is how we were able to visit an 1880's town". While at the same time opening up a MUCH broader theme to a company that may have designs on becoming the "Disney" of the midwest. In other words in say a few years if there is a resort and MANY expansions to this great park, is there a chance SDC becomes a park within a park. You are able to stay true to the original, yet able to incorporate what they were trying to do with Celebration City visa vis 1930's, 1950's and beyond? With the Time traveler in the theme one could go even further in the past, making their theme even more broad.
It would be sad on the one hand, but exciting on the other, as long as there was a distinct way of separating the different sections of the park. Many parks have lands, or sections with different themes, and maybe management is trying to broaden the appeal past the regional status. You could stay true to the 1880's heritage while moving into a broader future. It would sadden most purists like me, but insulate the company from a Dogpatch future.
Anyway, just throwing that out when listening to the announcement, I heard the future of SDC mentioned a lot juxtaposed with remembering it's heritage/past. I love the SDC of old, but on many trips I see less polyester pant suits and craft demonstrations, and more cell phone impaired attention spans. From a corporate point of view, maybe they are a little afraid of plowing millions into a theme park of the "past". Broader themes mean a broader audience. And if there are any plans of moving out of a niche then I am sure this has been discussed.