Silver Dollar City (SDC) Discussion Thread

[sdcfan88]

A before and after:

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

I also posted this in the Dollywood thread but I figured I'd ask here too:

 

On the SDC website it says SDC passholders get half-off Dollywood tickets. That was part of what led me to buy a SDC pass earlier this year. Well my pass was stolen a while back and I haven't had it replaced, but I have my passholder number on the SDC app. Do I need to get a replacement pass from SDC first or is the passholder number enough? How should I go about getting the half-off Dollywood tickets or is it a lost cause because I waited too long?

 

I don't even see anywhere on the ticket purchasing website that gives the opportunity to purchase half-off tickets for SDC passholders. Is this something that happens at the front gate?

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Half off tickets are in park only and you have to show your SDC season pass to get it. SDC can replace your pass at guest services, but obviously for you that's a bit far. I'd give SDC guest services a call; they may be able to mail you one. 1-800-888-7277

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

^Thank you for the phone number! I called both parks and it does look like it's Dollywood's call and they might want the physical pass. SDC did say that Dollywood might want to call them to verify the pass so I have to make sure and bring my photo ID even if I had the pass. The Dollywood rep said it's no guarantee but I should check at Guest Services because they have the phone they could use to call SDC. Sounds like it might be a no-go because I waited too long and won't have time to get a new pass sent but it's worth a shot I guess.

[TexasParkman]

not to quibble....Bill Crandall- the former GM of Astroworld hatched the idea for River Rapids rides- Astroworld opened theirs in 1980. I am not sure what SDC is talking about- it sounds good anyway and really does not matter much.

[Shavethewhales]

^Ah, thank you. I know there was some back and forth on whether or not it was a prototype of someone's. Everything I've seen points to it starting construction in 1984, so Astroworld would have it beat. I wonder if there's a list of the Intamin installations and their years? It might have been one of the first three, I would imagine. In any case, it was old... perhaps the oldest surviving installation?

[DavidB]

Six Flags did the Six Flags thing even 35 years ago and installed Thunder River at their other parks after the first one was a success.

[Shavethewhales]

wow, I didn't think the SFStL version was that old. Do/did they all have the funky loading station like Lost River had, where the boats were kind of wedged in place in the channel and people had to climb down into them?

 

I feel like I never notice rapids rides, but there are indeed still a lot of them left.

[bgtlover]

Rip Roarin' Rapids at Carowinds opened in 1982. It was built "in-house" however (Kings Entertainment Company). It was built before Kings Dominion's, Canada's Wonderland's and Kings Island's which are all Intamin).

[sdcfan88]

Thought I would share a little trip report, I went on Sunday (12/16) and to my surprise (and to the parks surprise) they were unexpectedly busy and staff were commenting that they have never have seen a Sunday (even at Christmas) this busy. It was like a Friday or Saturday night there. All the lots were near full and they rerouted the entrance to the back lot walkway (where the cave tour begins) and you enter the park by Browns Candy Factory. Got some rare views of Thunderation in operation seeing the trains run the lift hill and the final drop. Didn't get down to the construction/demo site by Lost River this trip though it was already dark when I arrived and couldn't see much down there anyways.

 

The Time Traveler & Thunderation area.

 

 

 

 

 

The "Alternate" entrance used by the park on Sunday night with Thunderation operating just to our right in the pitch blackness.

 

 

 

 

 

Flooded Mine as seen from the patio of the skillet restaurants.

 

 

Christmas in Midtown in its 2nd year.

 

 

 

 

And of course the Trains with engines #504 and #76 running rounds thru the night.

(1 hour wait time, so I skipped out this time)

 

 

 

Was short on time for this trip so I am gonna try to head back up again just before or just after Christmas to close out the season.

[Canobie Coaster]

Wow those lights look fantastic!

 

Does SDC run their coasters in the cold? I'd love to make a return visit in the next few years and it'd be cool to visit during Christmas provided I could get on the coasters.

[sdcfan88]

Most coasters are open if it stays above 42 degrees. Thunderation and Fire In The Hole will operate in temps as low as 32 degrees. (in dry weather)

[Canobie Coaster]

Thanks! Is 42 degrees the minimum starting temperature or a hard cutoff? Looking at Branson's typical forecast in December, it looks like temperatures aren't nearly as big of an issue there as they are at Dollywood.

[sdcfan88]

Time Traveler is the one that is the most sensitive and is the first to shut down as temps drop. IIRC 42 degrees is a rough approximation for operational temps for all the major coasters there.

 

EDIT: You can click on the individual rides for detailed operations and temps here: https://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/Attractions/Rides and a generalized list is here: https://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/Attractions/Rides/Ride-Temperature-Guidelines

Edited December 18, 2018 by sdcfan88

[Canobie Coaster]

Thanks! That's really cool that they publish that information.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Great photos! Pretty crazy how the train becomes the longest line at Christmas, but I get it. The lights they have back there are legit.

[CaptainUnknown]

Does anyone know if the season pass guest passes can be redeemed the same day as the season pass is processed?

[TEDodd]

Does anyone know if the season pass guest passes can be redeemed the same day as the season pass is processed?

Yes, they can be used immediately, as long as you are in the valid date window.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Typically SDC only issues guest passes if you purchase your season pass prior to the beginning of the season. They are not an integral part of the season pass like Six Flags does.

[TEDodd]

Typically SDC only issues guest passes if you purchase your season pass prior to the beginning of the season.

 

But if you buy a '19 pass now you get guest vouchers. When you activate the pass on first visit in '19 you can also use vouchers the same day if it's a valid date .

Edited December 24, 2018 by TEDodd

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Ah yes, I see what you mean. I have done that as well, bringing a guest with me on a voucher on opening day.

[theymitbgi]

Made a quick day trip to the park on Wednesday. It was my first time there in 20 years. Was so amazed and impressed after only going to SFSL in recent that I didn't keep too much track of stuff for a detailed trip report, but I will post some highlights and a few pictures.

 

Our family had purchased season passes this year planning on attending several times throughout the year, but my wife has had major back problems and wouldn't be able to go. So she finally convinced me and my oldest son (19yo) to make the trip down there. We brought along his girlfriend as I'm a non-rider. We were going to drive there and back in one day from Alton, IL(approximately 4 hours drive time).

 

Woke up at 6:30 AM hit the road, quick stop in St. James for some breakfast and arrived to the park just before 11. It had start drizzling the last 20-30 minutes of our drive in and we waited near Tram Stop #2 to be picked up. Seemed like they only had one tram and one small shuttle bus running at the time, so we decided to walk to the entrance.

 

As we hadn't used our season passes at all, I stopped by guest relations to see if we could switch my wife's pass over to my son's gf and save us $60 to get in. The lady at guest relations looked up the account, saw it hadn't been used and got it taken care of very easily. Score!

 

The drizzle begin to let off and my son wanted to head to Outlaw Run, one train wait for a front seat ride. Powder Keg and Wildfire were not open yet due to the rain so they re-rode OR and jumped on the Barn Swing. Also a quick ride on FITH. Just a few minutes Later Wildfire opened followed by Powder Keg. They got front seat rides on both then decided to head Time Traveler and Thunderation. Time Traveler had about 30-40 minute wait most the day when it was open. It closed intermittently due to weather. Thunderation seemed to be going down due to protein spills. We wanted to do the cave tour so they had to put those rides off for a bit.

 

The Marvel Cave Tour was nice and my son had never been in a cave before really liked it. It is not for the claustrophobic or those in poor shape. After cave tour the we headed to the far right corner of the park and rode the teacup ride. We spun the heck out of those things. We were approaching dark at this point and I wanted a train ride, so the kids went their own way and finally got a ride in on TT, they then headed to OR, PK, and WF for more rides. Caught back up with them at WF after I stumbled into the Flooded mine entrance, very interesting ride. We then all rode FITH together.

 

We watched the Christmas parade right near the main entrance and then headed back to Thunderation and TT. They finally got a ride on Thunderation and another ride on TT. Headed back to the tram around 8:30 as the rain had started up again. Arrive back home at 2:15 AM.

 

Rides:

Kids:

OR 4x

Barn Swing 1x

Powder Keg 2x

Wildfire 2x

FITH 2x

TT 2x

Thunderation 2x

Teacups 1x

 

Me:

Teacups 1x

Flooded Mine 1x

FITH 1x

 

Foods Purchased/Consumed

Sausage skillet 1x

Chicken skillet 1x

Southwest Chicken 1x

Pretzel Brat 1x

Cinnamon Bread 2x

Cinnamon Roll 1x

Giant Chocolate Chip cookie 1x

 

Now some pictures:

Kids!

Super clean restrooms that smell good, not used to this.

Front Seat Outlaw Run!

MMMMMM!!! Lunch!!

Christmas tree in cave!

I'll take two please!

Foggy Day, but we can see a coaster in the distance!

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Excellent report! Sorry to hear of your wife's health problems, but SDC guest services is fantastic, and your experience is absolutely normal.

 

Looks like you got all the relevant food credits. The pretzel brat is underrated, imo.

 

Cave tour, check. Cinnamon bread, check. You did it right.

[Canobie Coaster]

Nice report! Silver Dollar City is amazing.

[Chiselphane]

The bathroom comment made me chuckle because my eldest son had a similar reaction when we first visited. "It doesnt smell terrible in here, how do they do it?"