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[Joy]

LOL, yeah. Tinmann and I got there about 8:30am. Went to Powderkeg and it hadn't even opened yet, though it was supposed to be open at 8am. About 8:40-ish, it opened. We rode in the front, got off, and went around to ride again. We rode in the back. When we got to the lift hill, we were stopped halfway up it.

They had three trains running, and we were all stopped. One was at the launch and the third was just coming into the station.

We waited 20min in the sun for them to get us down. By the time we got out of PK, it was already 9:30 and the exclusive ride time was over.

The rest of the day was still great. There weren't a lot of people, so all the lines were great. Even Lost River wasn't too long.

All in all, a great day!

Oh, and River Blast was fairly busy. We got a really good soaking.

[History Buff]

We'll make our first trip for the year, tomorrow.  Too bad it's during my least favorite festival, but that's the way the cookies crumble.  We just need to get our SDC fix and finally use our Season Passes (Sorry to see the first Bring-a-Friends have expired already; we might have Brought-a-Friend.).  Lots of exciting things have been happening in our family to keep us away, so we have in no way been hindered by bad reasons, but we would like to get out of the house.

Anyone going to be walking around out there tomorrow?

[rubedugans]

Only in spirit this weekend HB...Have a great trip!

[PastorDon]

^^Don't suppose you'll be there beyond the weekend HB??  We'll arrive at the City on Monday.

[History Buff]

Just a day trip with our daughter (leaving the baby with grandparents).  I noticed you were coming and was disappointed we would miss each other.

[PastorDon]

Darn!  Like my grandfather said, looks like I'll be just camping on your trail.

[History Buff]

I must report that today was my best Kids Fest experience.  We easily avoided all contact with costumed characters (except Diggy the dog, in the Stunt Dog show).  I can't say I was all that offended by the Coke Coolers at the Frisco barn or the slushy machines that have popped up elsewhere - they were just as disguised as previous fountain drink machines, etc., and I can even live with Tony Orlando's big wet ball at the entrance to the GE (though they did cover the big date impression - I knew they couldn't live with such a hazard forever.).  I didn't even notice the massive concrete tunnel at American Plunge since it is mostly dark.  I was more upset by all the PVC connected around the flumes at the American Plunge (Someone needs to get in there and do some masking of the modern technology that makes the ride work.), but the biggest offenses were the modern water hose and sprinkler set up near the gazebo as a cooling/play area for the kids and the lady behind the register in one shop talking on her cell phone.

I can't say I like the shows they bring in for this festival, but we went to a couple and enjoyed them well enough.  I was impressed with the way  Paul Gossamer incorporated SDC's celebration into his magic show at the Opera House (though I still don't understand entering through the back door); he told about Firecracker, the dog who supposedly was trapped inside the car that slid into the incline railway tunnel as it was being excavated and subsequently flooded and experienced a mudslide.  It was nice tie in and conclusion to his show.  Unfortunately, all of his tricks were easily figured out by anyone with any knowledge about stage illusions, but it was good enough to impress a six-year-old.

I don't usually like dog shows where all they do is throw Frisbees, but again, the six-year-old was impressed, and since it is Kids Fest and she is a kid, I guess the target audience was served.

Now as for that multi-million dollar set of squirt guns they call the Riverblast - the theming is great.  I am pleased with the way it turned out, and I certainly hope the area can expand on its Tom and Huck theming.  I totally forgot to go into the souvenir shop connect with it however.  The gem panning move and expansion was also well-done.  I can't say the RB would be something to draw me in or bring me back, so I'm not sure about the overall investment, but TPTB must know something more about it than I do.  We didn't get as wet as I thought we would, and didn't even consider the dryer.  Some kids were getting soaked but that was because they invited it - much like they did at Splash Harbor.  I can tell there will be a lot of innocent name-calling in the area.  I called someone a turkey one time, and the 6-y-o embellished and started calling everyone despicable turkeys.  Mostly, though, we observed more older men - dads and granddads - having fun with this attraction than kids.  I guess Tom and Huck bring out the kid in grown men as they wax nostalgic.  I'm also glad to hear the ride has its own theme song.  The theming on the back wall is awesome, and I would love to have more time to look everything over.

Now there are no shops at all down the PK viewing area.  Another attraction would be necessary in that area to get people to walk that way (or perhaps a back door link with Wildfire?).

Crowds were decent for a Thursday, and when we visited Grandfather's Mansion, we could actually hear the voice at the pool table.  I guess I totally had forgotten there was a voice there, calling "8-ball in the corner pocket" and other things.  I still have no memory of an audio of that nature being in that location after all the decades I've been stumbling through the place.

As we drove by White Water, I still had to wonder why they don't keep it open any longer in the evening.  I would guess many teenagers would still be there while their parents attend shows.  The lifeguards looked to be doing some refresher training when we drove past.

The strip looks pretty good - with lots of changes and additions since we visited at Christmas.  What's with the Kung Fu show at the White House theater?  That one took me by surprise.

[PastorDon]

^ Thanks for the great review HB!  We'll be at the City off and on between Monday the 21st through Saturday the 26th, and we're soooooooooooo excited!    I've made a special shirt so that my SDC Fans Friends will know me.  Here's what it looks like:
<img src="http://imgur.com/O2mpR.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />

Hope to see you in the City!

[Twinsmom98]

Love the shirt!!!!  Just wished I was there too.  Have fun 

[Andymeets1880s]

Awww....     Wish I was going too! Take all of us with you in spirit when you go! And take a couple of shots for me in the Flooded Mine!

[saloongal]

Thanks for the review HB

Awesome shirt pastor don.  Might see you on the 26th! 

[Junior]

Love the t-shirt! 

[History Buff]

The Gossamer Magic show is being billed as the final year.  We could predict or suggest a replacement for that show in next year's Kids Fest.  What do you think?  I'd like to see a return visit from the old courthouse/playhouse comedies - something produced in house and not shipped in through someone's booking agent.

[PastorDon]

^ When we were at SDC in '04 we were introduced to the a cappella group Chapter 6 when the performed at the Opera House.  They are fantastic and I'd love to see them come back!!  Don't know exactly how to fit them into the whole 1880's theme, but with their family friendly and very entertaining show they certainly fit into Kids Fest!

[History Buff]

We saw Chapter 6 at Celebration City - I don't recall them at SDC, but I supposed they could have been there; I sometimes try to ignore the Kids Fest shows.  There are also a couple of vocal bands performing on the strip now - a group just called Six and a new one called The Cat's Pajamas.  I can't vouch for either, but I noticed Six was recognized at entertainer of the year or something like that.