Silver Dollar City (SDC) Discussion Thread

[ytterbiumanalyst]

.....and oh yeah, and lets hear it for Silver Dollar City, and Outlaw Run & its SINGLE RIDER LINE!!!!!

Where? I only saw the main queue and the Trailblazer Pass line.

[MisterP]

.....and oh yeah, and lets hear it for Silver Dollar City, and Outlaw Run & its SINGLE RIDER LINE!!!!!

Where? I only saw the main queue and the Trailblazer Pass line.

 

I'm not sure how much they are going to be doing so, but on the second day (Saturday) they were directing single riders first thing in the morning to the Trailblazer Pass line.

 

Only about 8 people or so got in line. I was about to get on the next train when the ride broke down after like the first three trains of the day. So I waited there for about 45 minutes. Amazingly, almost no one else got in the line.

 

Then when the ride opened, I rode it, got in back in the single riders' line and rode again after about a 7-8 minute wait, and then rode it a third time after about a 10 minute wait.

 

It was awesome.

 

But I'm not sure if that was just a temporary way of handling the heavy crowds of opening weekend or whether it will be a semi-permament thing. My guess if that it won't last because the signage for that line seemed to be marked for the Trailblazer line only, and I don't see how the logistics would work using one queue for both Trailblazer Passholders AND single riders...

[ytterbiumanalyst]

.....and oh yeah, and lets hear it for Silver Dollar City, and Outlaw Run & its SINGLE RIDER LINE!!!!!

Where? I only saw the main queue and the Trailblazer Pass line.

 

I'm not sure how much they are going to be doing so, but on the second day (Saturday) they were directing single riders first thing in the morning to the Trailblazer Pass line.

 

Only about 8 people or so got in line. I was about to get on the next train when the ride broke down after like the first three trains of the day. So I waited there for about 45 minutes. Amazingly, almost no one else got in the line.

 

Then when the ride opened, I rode it, got in back in the single riders' line and rode again after about a 7-8 minute wait, and then rode it a third time after about a 10 minute wait.

 

It was awesome.

 

But I'm not sure if that was just a temporary way of handling the heavy crowds of opening weekend or whether it will be a semi-permament thing. My guess if that it won't last because the signage for that line seemed to be marked for the Trailblazer line only, and I don't see how the logistics would work using one queue for both Trailblazer Passholders AND single riders...

Wow, I wish I had known they were doing that. I waited about an hour and a half (I didn't really mind, I expected longer opening weekend, but still...). If that is a permanent thing, then I could see it diminishing the value of the Trailblazer Pass somewhat, although passholders would still get to choose their seats and single riders would have to take whatever seats are open. On the positive side, having a dedicated single rider queue would ensure a full train every time, and since OR's capacity is 24 each train, and only runs two trains, that's very important.

 

One other indication that the single rider line may be permanent is that the last ride they built, 2010's River Blast, does have separate lines for 1-2 riders and 3-8 riders. SDC may be going that route with the newer attractions. Sure beats yelling "Any groups of 2?" as they've done for years on Lost River and other capacity-challenged yet popular rides.

 

We'll next be there around the start of World-Fest, so I'll have to see if I can get in the Trailblazer Pass line as just a single rider.

[TXman308]

New mounted HD POV of Outlaw Run.

 

[chadster]

I spy me in that there video.

[Daytona'95]

Over spring break I got to visit SDC for the first time ever. I was eager to visit her after my trip to Dollywood on the Intimidatour, plus I really couldn't wait to get on Outlaw Run, and having a three day weekend, it just seemed like a perfect time to go. However, Mother Nature didn't cooperate all that well, and decided the start of spring is a great time for a winter storm. Never the less, I made my way there and made the best of it. Due to the 2-4 inches of snow Branson got on Thursday, the park had to delay opening. But once the paths were clear at around 1130, we were let loose in the park, probably all 200 of us crazies there lol. Not much was operating at the time, only the train at first, which was delayed because there were obstructions on the track, (the hoses used to clear the paths in Geyser Gulch), followed by the Flooded Mine and Fire in the Hole shortly after that. I was on the first train out and that was a lot of fun. The cast had to do a bit of Improv as they were caught off guard by a response from a woman on board. Made for a unique ride that's for sure. Immediately following I rode the Flooded Mine, which was a fun ride, and trying to fire two guns at the same time isn't easy with frozen hands. Then I walked over to Outlaw Run, took some pictures, and decided to warm up on Fire in the Hole. Afterwards, I walked around and caught some of the craftsmen doing their things. The glassblowers were quite popular as it was a great way to warm up. Then I walked around and just enjoyed the scenery. I left around 330 or so since the temperatures were clearly not going to break the magic numbers to open other rides. I don't think it ever got warmer then 32 or 33 degrees that day. Now on to the Pictures! I apologize in advance if some aren't the best of quality, I only had my cell phone this day.

SDC in the Snow!

Tom Sawyer from the train

Around Tom Sawyer

Coming on Wilsons Farm

Look at all the snow and trees. But whats that in the background????

OUTLAW RUN IN THE SNOW!!!!!!!

Yea...Snow, Wood, Outside crazy bank thingy, how could it get better?

Yeahhhhhh

From the TRAIN! Through the TREES! In the SNOW!

The Lift to Nowhere

Whats that we're looking at again? Oh Yea. Outlaw Run in the SNOW!(Tired of that yet?)

Its so White, and Red, and Awesome.

Yup.

The Ride Ops actually had this sign displaying a 999 min wait time, which is a 16.65 hr wait. Too bad my camera only picked up one 9.

Just because you haven't seen enough of this

Another of a near identical shot? You got it

And to finish off Day 1, A shot of skillet food steaming up the place.

[jfruge]

I'm going to the park on Thursday with Outlaw Run, Powder Keg and Wildfire being my Targets...any advice???

[ernierocker]

^I would ride all of them.

[zunkified]

I'll be at the park on Thursday as well. Really hoping the weather holds up, considering this past weekend it was snowing and in the low 20's.

[Daytona'95]

^ and ^^^ The magic temperature for most big rides, i.e. Wildfire, Powder Keg, OR., is 40*F, which so far the forecast seems to be holding up on that so have fun.

 

DAY TWO

 

Day two started out with high hopes and lots of excitement again. Weather was predicted to break into the low 40's around noon so that meant with any luck the major rides would get to operating. Entered the park around 930-10am and noticed it was noticeably busier today already, so it bolstered the hopes of an amazing day. However, with the weather still being overcast and around 30, only the train, Fire in the Hole and the flooded mine were operating at opening. Confident that it would warm up as predicted I headed over to OR, and waited with the gathering crowd in the hopes of it operating. After two hours, I finally decided to leave as I overheard from the Ride Ops that the temperature was holding steady at 35. I then took this time to eat at Jack's Sandwich Board, where I had a hot French Dip that was amazing. They also had a great potato soup, and awesome looking strawberry pie that I would've had to if not for the fact I was so cold. After this, I walked over by Thunderation to see if by chance it was open and it wasn't. At this point, I decided to back track and explore a little where I stumbled upon Grandfather's Mansion.

 

Grandfather's Mansion

What a different experience. Really fun, a little disorienting with its sloped paths and mirrored hallway, and tilted room. Easy to get that drunk walk with having to walk perpendicular to the slope of the floor with the visual perspective tricking you into thinking you're in a level room. The best part was the "bedroom". The entire room sloped down to the left, and it was easy to stand at seemingly impossible angles to the floor and they had a bed to try and get out of without the use of hand or feet. Good luck unless you happen to have great abs. This is either a really new attraction or just is not well known, as my girlfriend who has been going here for the last thirteen years had no idea it existed. Look for it on the path that runs between the general store and the ice cream shoppe at the top of the stairs.

Marvel Cave

After Grandfather's Mansion, I decided to do the cave tour in hopes of surfacing with warmer temperatures. I've read previous trip reports and most say if you have time to to take the tour, do it as you won't regret it. I'll echo that and say if you can, you should. Definitely can say that Marvel Cave is by far one of the coolest caves I've seen. Our guide was very easy going, knew his stuff and was happy to answer any questions anyone had. Watch your head though if you are a taller individual as there are a lot of low clearances.

Also for the fun of it, I tried to count the number of stairs there were, and I lost count after about 500 or so. Fun times, and next time I plan to do the Lantern Tour. Its $10 per person, and it's an hour and half long, and you get to go places off of the normal tour.

 

Thunderation

After the trip through the cave, first it felt a little warmer to me and then I heard that Thunderation was now in operation so I headed over there to check it out, and by golly sure enough, it warmed up enough to get it running. To me, it was a great family friendly ride. It had just enough punch to it to make it enjoyable to the thrill seekers, whilst being tame enough for the those who are just warming up to riding roller coasters. Sadly, we had a group of high schoolers who thought being loud, obnoxious, and plain rude was a great idea. One decided that the floor of the station was the perfect place to spit. One ride op noticed it, and had him clean it up, and then keep the paper towel as free souvenir. Then they disregarded the no loose article policy, by having his cell phone out. Upon returning to the station, the ride ops pulled him and his friend aside and told them not to return. He had the audacity to ask why. Some people. But other then him, it was good ride and I eventually rode it again before leaving the park in the front, which had a nice bit of a little floater air.

 

Following an enjoyable coaster ride, again I headed to the back of the park, where on my way I noticed that the water rides were operating. The craziest part, was at least on Lost River of the Ozarks, there were people actually on it. Talk about brave souls. Upon arrival to Outlaw Run, there was a posted wait time of 37 and no large crowd as there had been earlier, and I got excited. However, it was just a way to signify that the temperatures needed to reach 37 before the ride would operate, and at the time, it was holding at a constant 36. So close yet so far. At the time, the ride ops were predicting that they would not open as it was already 330, and even if they hit the magic number, maintainance would need at least an hour to get the ride operating, and with the park closing at 630, it just wasn't looking hopeful. I then took this time to snap some pictures from the exit ramp. I then went to Fire in the Hole, which is practically identical to Blazing Fury at Dollywood, though to me, Fire in The Hole's sets were better maintained. I'm still not sure exactly what a Baldknobber is, but there sure are quite a few references to them throughout the ride. After this, we took a trip on the train for more backwoods snowy Outlaw Run pics, and had the standard train robbing. Getting tired of the cold, I watched the glassblowers again, they made a two-tone glass plate and an angel. After one last round on Thunderation, I asked what was operating, and was told, Thunderation,Fire in the Hole, Flooded Mine, Frisco Train, Half Dollar Holler and all but the kid coaster in The Grand Exposition.

All in all, I had a great time exploring the shops, sights and smells of Silver Dollar City, and while mother nature kept me from riding most rides, all that does is give me another reason to go back later this summer.

Starting of with none other, Outlaw Run

Inside the bedroom of Grandfather's Mansion

You can get an idea of how much you can lean in here

The Entrance

Close-up

The Information Sign, Since we like those kinds of things here

Inside the Cathedral Room of Marvel Cave

Empty Station

Barrel Roll through the station

Dag'um snow, melt would you!

Definitely a photogenic ride, doubley so with the snow

Chugga Chugga....

....Choo! Choo!

I blame the bolts being to close for keeping all the snow and ice on the track

Powder Keg gets a little love too

Curvy

Had enough Outlaw yet?

No? Good, Theres only a few more

Probably my favorite picture of them all.

Last One!

And as Bonus, Lambert's! As no trip to Branson is complete without a stop here

The XXL Center Cut Ham with fried apples and baked beans, there would be a roll with this if I didn't eat them so fast.

And I'll end this report with a picture of my girlfriend's vegetable platter of green beans, mashed taters, fried potatoes and corn.

Hope you all enjoyed!

[Randomman295]

^Thanks for the update. I really like how good that entire park looks in the snow, but were any of the coasters actually running? I didn't see a single train in there.

[Wes]

^ Maybe read what he wrote before the photos????

[IrishBuckeye]

You all said wood. *butthead style snort*

 

Anyway.... I totally need to plan a trip to Mizzou now. This looks insanely awesome. Thanks for the updates all.

[Chittlins]

Grandfather's Mansion is one of the oldest attractions in the park.

[cal1br3tto]

Grandfather's Mansion is way too easy to overlook (maybe that's inadvertently a good crowd control measure), but it's awesome. It's kinda surprising to see a funhouse in a larger park.

 

Everyone who can should definitely do Marvel Cave. I remember people in my group trying to count the steps, too.

[cfc]

I like it when parks have cool little places, like Grandfather's Mansion, for guests to "discover."

[ernierocker]

Grandfather's Mansion sounds similar to what The Inventor's Mansion was at Dollywood. I guess that is no accident since the Herschend Bros. shared a lot of the same attractions with both parks.

[jray21]

I like it when parks have cool little places, like Grandfather's Mansion, for guests to "discover."

 

Same. SDC is such a great park because of things like that, and their amazing food!

[jfruge]

I got to go to the park today after only a couple of weeks of waiting and I really must say that SDC has got it together. I was amazed at the totality of its cleanliness and adherence to the "Ozark" theme. The staff at the gate today were a little on the slow side when I had an issue with my ticket, but were wonderfully kind regardless.

My first ride was Wildfire. I have ridden several B&M's but very few that I found as intriguing and thoroughly engaging. The theming was great, but the ride itself was a dream. I loved all the forcefulness during the Immelmann. I ended up riding Wildfire 3 times today, as it was a walk-on.

Second Ride was Powder Keg...and I can, with out a doubt say, I was not prepared for that launch! I was also impressed with the g-forces on this attraction. I am certain S&S and SDC were conspiring to have Ozark Mountain cosmonauts when they constructed it. Powder Keg did have a pretty substantial queue, but the operators were just great and turned a "30 Minute from this point" wait into just under 20. I will say that the transition to the old "Buzzsaw Falls" track was a bit rough, but not too bad.

OUTLAW RUN: The ride was off and on all day...I believe with blocking problems. One word for the ride...AMAZADICULACULAR!!!!

[Chittlins]

Just a couple more major rides and SDC is an elite park. The park has really been putting in the work to be a complete park. I don't think folks outside the region that visit often realize the amount of live entertainment this park put on. 10 years ago the rides were just scarce. So sad to see OzCat continue to languish at Celebration City just down the road from bad timing to start a park at the start of a major recession.

[jfruge]

^ I know...I pass by it frequently, now that I live in Branson. I really think SDC could pick it up and move it to their park and really benefit from the ride. It is a beautiful coaster! It would be awesome for Missouri to have 3 operating GCI Coasters!

[Tmcdllr]

This pic is cool...

 

 

So on a cold day with the train passing by as you go up the lift you could be going through a cloud of steam.

[coasterfreak101]

^I would think they might actually wait to dispatch an Outlaw Run train if that train is passing underneath.

[Aceattack52]

^^ That seems like it could be annoying. If you can see the stem, that means it's a cold day. If the steam condenses on you, that may lead to a miserable ride and rest of the day even.

 

^ They probably will wait, but I'm sure someone will forget and it will happen eventually. Unless there's a proximity sensor on the locomotive track that will tell the Outlaw Run operator if there's a train coming.

[zunkified]

^I would think they might actually wait to dispatch an Outlaw Run train if that train is passing underneath.

 

I was actually on it yesterday and we were dispatched right as the train went under us. It wasn't as bad as you'd think, just got a nice whiff of...train for a second. The lift is fast enough to where it wasn't a huge deal. Of course, it was also in the upper 50's and not nearly freezing. I'll have some pics and a review up tomorrow!

Edited March 31, 2013 by zunkified