2010 Trip Reviews

[Junior]

Postings about graffitti really upset me. I guess times have changed...I don't remember there EVER being a problem with graffitti or "tags" when I worked there. (Only a handful of employees "tagged" their workplace somewhere in those days. Unless somebody has painted the interior of the float trip mill...the mill at AP...I know there is still a tag in there that reads in pencil "River Ratt Mark, 1879.") The employee tags on the beam above where the float trip dispatch stand was painted over in 1981 when the float trip dock became an overflow area for AP. Graffitti needs to be painted over IMMEDIATELY, that same day. I can hardly believe the area at Wildfire is tagged. Folks caught doing it need to be escorted to the parking lot, immedately.  OK, I've vented. 

[Ozark Outlaw]

Perhaps if they switched back to bluegrass, and country music instead of that out of theme modern pop music then that would scare the juvenile bandits away?

Nothing bums a teenager out more than a string pickin' banjo! I am speaking in general terms of course since I am a young guy, and I love bluegrass!

Then again I don't see how scribbling on a wall, or box really makes you that "cool?" 

[Joy]

From the tags at Wildfire that have more specific dates than the year, it seems most of them popped up over Young Christians' Weekend.... There is, however, one rather inspired tag done in marker that goes something like this (I probably have it wrong, but I plan to take a pic next time I'm there, as long as it's still there):

Don't be skeered!
H. Finn

I ain't skeered!
T. Sawyer

There was plenty of bluegrass to go around at American Plunge and RiverBlast, but that didn't scare anyone away!

[Ozark Outlaw]

There is, however, one rather inspired tag done in marker that goes something like this (I probably have it wrong, but I plan to take a pic next time I'm there, as long as it's still there):

Don't be skeered!
H. Finn

I ain't skeered!
T. Sawyer

I am not fan of graffiti, but that's pretty funny! Those were imaginative, and creative vandals.

[Harp]

Been to KidsFest one time and have not been back.  The hype makes it look good and I thought the kids would enjoy something different.  I was wrong, we always end up doing the very same things and have a wonderful time.  Factoring this in with the heat and crowds, I vote "no" for KidsFest, at least for our family. Spring, Fall, and Christmas are our planned trips and it never gets old.

My youngest, age 6, heads straight to the homestead and farm area.  Then to the Grand Expo, then to FITH, then to Thunderation, then we do it again.  How perfect is that.

Harp

[Junior]

Just got back from an unscheduled or planned trip to Branson! Here is a brief review:

Friday, Aug. 13:   Arrived late afternoon, checked into Best Western Music Capital Inn on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. Nice room, not so nice price...it was classic car show weekend
 and most of the hotels/motels were at peak pricing levels. Didn't to any good to
 complain...business was good, and if you wanted to move on, three people were
  behind you to take your place. Ate at Bob Evans, it was alright. Tour of Stone Hill
  Winery, very nice. Took a few bottles  home! Saw Presley's show. They did a good
  
Sat, Aug. 14:      Lunch at the Branson Cafe, good as always. Highly recommend it. Walked through Dick's 5&10, Victorian Shop, and one of the flea markets downtown. Everything nice.
Rode the Branson Scenic Railway, very nice, Stopped by Red Roof Mall to visit the
Quilt shop and have an Aunt Annie's Pretzel, always good. Scenic drive over Table
Rock Dam and around to College of the Ozarks. Nice.  Supper at a little family owned
Mexican Place on Downing Street, downtown Holliser. Highly Reccomend it. DQ for
ice cream and back to hotel to call it a night.

Sun, Aug. 15:     SILVER DOLLAR CITY TRIP:

Arrived 45 minutes prior to opening, no parking issues, parked right at Stop 4, and
a tram picked us up within 5 minutes. Walked right into the Mill for breakfast, good
food, quick and friendly service. Walked through General Store, saw the opening
 ceremony, it was nice. Overall the park looked very good. Walked on down to the
 leather shop, lye soap, down to the plunge. Walked over around Wildfire, and down
 to FITH. Rode FITH, it does look good in there. Walked down into the Riverfront area,
 RiverBlast looks really good. Walked on down to Lost River, then on up and around
 to the train and took a ride. STEAMFREAK was one of the robbers, did not have a
 chance to introduce myself...he was too busy robbing! Made a loop back up to Main
  Street, asked some of the street troupe members if Terry Sanders was around, and
  they told me he had Sunday off. Into Hospitality House, had a nice short visit with
  Uncle Gene at the pathfinder booth. Briefly met DOCSPELO, but he was busy and
  did not have time to visit...and COPPER has moved up to the cave, but he apparently
  had the day off and DOCSPELO told me he would tell him that ole JUNIOR stopped by.
 Ozark Marketplace looked good, walked right out to the trams, and caught one
  with no wait. We arrived on park about 8:45am-9am, and were in the car headed
 home by 12:30pm. Had to come home to get ready to go to work. Did pick up the
  Beverly Hillbillies DVD in the Hospitality House, and was glad to see the park did
 look very good, no negative encounters with any citizens at all, although two or
  three had obviously just gotten to work and were still a little blurry eyed, and not
too talkative. When I stopped by the Lost River I told the ride ops I was just
  walking through being sentimental...told 'em I was an old diving bell guy...they were
 cordial, but way too young to get too excited about an old Junior Dugan. All in all,
   a nice short walk through the park, glad to see the current citizens are doing a good
   job with things.

 OK...all that said: A cheap Wal-Mart fan sitting in the open in the dining area of the
 mill. I am not a fan of the refrigerated drink units sitting out along the streets at the
  various concessions...Some of the merchandise in some shops can be purchased
   anywhere...so I don't think it belongs at SDC. Marie Osmond brand clothing, Paula
 Deen salsa...sorry folks, don't sell it at SDC! No major gripes, overall, a good trip.

 A few vacation shots on Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan

[U Smell Smoke]

Glad you had the chance to get to Branson Junior and glad you had a nice time.  I am looking forward to more observations from your trip once you've had a chance to sit down and put some more thoughts together.

[Junior]

Crowds were not too bad...no long lines at any rides...Wildfire, Plunge, FITH, Train, Flooded Mine...walk right in folks! Branson was very crowded Fri and Sat with the Classic Car Show at Shep. Hills Farm and all the Classic Car Folks were out for a big cruise on Shep. Hills Expressway and Highway 76 last night. Poor Ole Celebration City looked a little lonely! Whitewater and Showboat Branson Belle had big crowds over the weekend, too.

[Junior]

I must mention two things that occurred on our weekend trip that were interesting...

       1) When my wife and I got off the tram we were immediately approached by an older
           couple who said they had extra admission tickets and offered them to us. They
           introduced themselves, and even walked us through the turnstyles to make sure
           we made it in OK. Apparently they ordered extra tickets through the season,and
           were afraid they would just go to waste. After we got through the turnstyles, the
           frendly couple wished us a good day and disappeared!

       2) When DOCSPELEO and I were talking at the line to go into the cave about noon
           today (Sun 8-15-10) When I mentioned my SDCFans.com name JUNIOR, a couple
           in line jumped, looked at DOC and me a couple of times, and excitedly chatted
           and looked at us again. I didn't know who they were, and they did not introduce
           themselves. So...if that was you...go ahead and identify yourselves here! Next time,
           interrupt the conversation...I'm glad to meet anyone from SDCFans! I'm sorry I didn't
           pause to ask who  you were!

[Ozark Outlaw]

Thanks for the thorough review Junior! I am glad you had a nice spontaneous trip. It sounds like Silver Dollar City is unwinding a little bit after a busy summer season.

I think it is awesome that you had the chance to run into a couple of members here even though they did not have long to talk. I am going to Silver Dollar City myself during the middle week of October, and I will definitely be wearing my custom made SDCFans.com shirt!

I completely feel your pain about the exposed Wal-Mart fan, and refrigerated drink units without any theme elements used to hide their presence. Unfortunately, Silver Dollar City doesn’t seem to think that adding theme to every item is worth the cost regardless of the eye sore.

I am surprised Silver Dollar City wasn’t still jammed packed, but perhaps the car show drew some of the crowd away. Which can often be a good thing!

All in all it sounds like you a had a great time. Thanks for sharing! 

[Joy]

I've been learning that Sundays are probably one of the least busy days of the week, even in summer.

Thanks for such a thorough review, Junior! I hope one of these days I get the chance to meet you!

[Junior]

OH! One other glaring thing that I did see that disturbed me...in my visit to the furniture factory/store, I was greeted by a big screen TV that was turned on which sat in a big TV/Shelf combo they built in the factory! This shocked me so much to see an operating TV inside the park...in the 1880s...that I could not even make a comment to the lady who was minding the store. I have no problem whatsoever with the TV in the hospitality house playing the Beverly Hillbillies DVD, but I do have a major issue with at TV inside the park...especially the "old" area of the park. I think I was so upset about this one issue I blocked it out of my head until I remembered it later. OK, off the soapbox!

[haytater]

My friends and I were at the City on Friday the 13th. We drove in from Shell Knob, MO which is an hour away. It was nothing but curvy roads through the Ozarks the whole way there. So beautiful. When we arrived, C lot was not even full. We got there 30 minutes before the park opened and headed to the Mill for breakfast. We got to sit at the trick table that rises slowly - so much fun! There was a family sitting at the spinning table right next to the entrance and they looked exhausted from their experience. It's so much fun to play that trick on people. My friends didn't even notice the table was up to their chins. Our waitress was very fun and offered to take many pictures of us. She then told us to have a great day at the City. I love citizens who say that!

After breakfast we rode Wildfire, The Giant Barn Swing and Fire in the Hole. The improvements were really obvious. I didn't know if I'd be able to tell but the ride did look great. The ride operators wrote on a chalkboard how many "volunteers" went in each train. I think that's a new thing but I may have not noticed it before. We all got a load of FitH water in our mouths. I am used to the little trickle of water during the Fall. We didn't ride any of the water rides because there was an hour wait for all of them. We opted for getting hit with the misters and waiting 15 minutes for all the coasters.

We saw the noon30 Saloon show which will never be a disappointment as long as Fabian is there. He is hilarious! We went to Powder Keg but the line was probably an hour wait so we decided to go back later. Got some beef jerky and headed to the cave. It felt soo good down there. We were behind this loony woman who recorded the entire tour of the cave. I hope she doesn't intend on watching it again because nothing showed up on her camera screen. The heat was intensified after our 60 degree experience in the cave.

We went to Brown's, Sullivan's for some cinnamon bread, and got some succotash. On our way to TNT I saw Terry Sanders as the Undertaker pick up some trash. What a great citizen. We rode TNT backwards then went to PK, the swing and Wildfire. On our way out I bought two rings from Gill Wire Jewelry and a flower lamp from the furniture store. We had a great time at the City. The crowds were all waiting in line for water rides and the heat was not too bad especially with all the trees. This was a great week to go.

My friend has a house on Table Rock. That lake is amazing! So beautiful and surrounded by the Ozarks. The water is perfect for skiing pretty much at all times. I'll be at the City again in October!

Here's a link to my trip pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/haterpotater/sets/72157624738868752/

[How-doFolks]

Great pics, Thanks for sharing. Love the one at breakfast at the rising table. LOL!

[Ozark Outlaw]

Awesome review! It sounds like you all had a great time. The self rising dinner table is definitely a classic Silver Dollar City gag! They need more of those throughout the park, and especially in the “newer” areas. Both the cave, and the Saloon Show are pure stables of every Silver Dollar City visit. I am glad both were very satisfying.

Oh, and I agree Terry Sanders is one the best citizens to ever call Silver Dollar City "home."

I cannot wait for my trip in October as well. Thanks for the review!