Silver Dollar City (SDC) Discussion Thread

[ZambeziZinger]

Very interesting! I'm excited to start seeing some substantial construction on this coaster. I'm hoping they might have some more footers poured when I visit! I haven't been following construction too closely lately; where were those pics taken approximately?

 

Well the captions under the photos [ https://midwestinfoguide.blogspot.com/2016/10/project-2018-sdc.html ] say that this is behind the restrooms in Echo Hollow.

[DoinItForTheFame]

With the success RMC has had with Outlaw Run at SDC, I wouldn't put the possibility of it being a T-Rex coaster...Okay more like I want it to be but we can all dream

 

Well, now that you mention it, rumor on the street/backstage has been pretty quiet lately. . . So who knows, maybe it's not going to be that 547ft tall, 1,500 mph, 700 inversion, launched B&M wing-flying-inverted-sitdown-standup-backwards-coaster after all.

 

That being said, I highly doubt it's going to be an RMC T-Rex coaster. I know we would all LOVE for it to be a T-Rex coaster, but my money is that it's going to a Mack Rides spinning coaster ie: Cobras Curse. That most closely matches the survey they sent out a while back.

[sdcfan88]

Honestly, I am highly skeptical on the spinning concept being for this immediate project. I am also not too sure how appealing this will be to their demographic as it has been rumored to be a launched Mack free spin WITH inversions. An extreme type spinner here could have major flop potential and a lot of reactions from random people I have chatted with and on various boards where I have read about this possibility have been pretty negative. And then there are issues with these often being low capacity which the park has done fairly well on avoiding with their coaster installations. Keep the spinning gimmick on the flat rides.

 

Now while the Coaster being built by Mack is all but confirmed by the park I would love to seem them do one of their mega/hyper coasters.

Edited October 17, 2016 by sdcfan88

[ytterbiumanalyst]

I disagree. A spinning coaster with inversions would be right in their wheelhouse. This is a park that has had two prototype coasters, including the first Premier water coaster and the first RMC with inversions, and also has an S&S launch coaster that is unique in the US. People who come to Branson are looking for experiences they don't have at home, and the Blue Fire type spinning coaster would certainly fit that bill.

 

Additionally, in the decade since Giant Barn Swing was built, only one year, 2013, offered a thrill ride. Every other year was spent beefing up their offerings for families, kids, and non-riders. Yes, it's true that SDC is not a thrill park, but they do understand that there will be some members of each family who want to go on thrill rides. If you look at their history of coasters especially, it becomes clear that each of their coasters is on the high end of intensity for that coaster type. Even Thunderation is one of the most intense mine trains there is. So for SDC to build a coaster type that has never been done before in the US, and that offers a higher than average thrill level, would be completely normal for them, and even expected.

[ZambeziZinger]

Yes, at the time that it was built, Wild Fire was one of the larger B&M sit-down coasters out there. It still produces a pretty intense ride.

[Shavethewhales]

^^It really is interesting how they approach coasters. I've always said that whoever pulls the strings on these things at SDC must be a coaster enthusiast because each one of them is a winner worthy of marathoning.

 

I'm still really uncertain about the concept that seems to have been presented, but they've got such a track record it's hard to be negative about anything yet. They obviously know what they're doing. It's just hard to fundamentally picture doing anything too intense on the type of spinning coasters I've been on. Tony Hawk's is crazy enough for me with the spinning. That's why I've been wondering if the spinning will be more controlled than on other coasters.

 

Then again, the concept could be a complete false flag. That would be a first for them, but it's totally possible.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Yeah, the free spinning a la Pandemonium and Spinning Dragons has only been done on smaller coasters. I'm not a huge fan of that coaster type, but I also don't like tilt-a-whirls, scramblers, or tea cups, so that sort just isn't for me.

 

There's a lot of uncertainty about this new coaster. We're not even sure it will be the Blue Fire type. All we have officially is a survey on themes that could be used, and the descriptions provided all mentioned spinning. The Blue Fire thing is a guess based on the immense size of the land being cleared, much bigger than usual for a spinning coaster, and HFE's MO of being either the first or at least the first in the US.

 

Cobra's Curse is an interesting coaster. It has 3 sections: one where the trains are turned normally, then they turn backwards and lock there for the second section, and finally are allowed to free spin once the coaster is on the last and slowest section. If we are getting a large Mack spinner, I think that's the design this will take.

[ZambeziZinger]

I think a looping Cobra's Curse would be pretty awesome

[Nrthwnd]

I think a looping Cobra's Curse would be pretty awesome

 

 

(And make it a Diamond Back Rattlesnake!)

[ElvisLuv]

I think a looping Cobra's Curse would be pretty awesome

 

 

(And make it a Diamond Back Rattlesnake!)

 

While there's a few rattlesnakes in the Ozarks, Copperheads are much more common.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

And cottonmouths. Don't jump in a muddy swimmin' hole round here.

[prozach626]

Cobra's Curse is an interesting coaster.

Totally agree with it being an interesting coaster. However, my interest didn't extend to wanting to ride it more than once, which is always the case for spinning coasters with me.

[chadster]

Silver Dollar City has sent us a Press Release about their upcoming Christmas event.

 

 

 

(Branson, Mo. 10/2016) Silver Dollar City presents one of the nation's most acclaimed holiday and lighting festivals, An Old Time Christmas, featuring a spectacular Light Parade, a 5-story Christmas tree with a light and sound show, two Broadway-style musical productions, holiday foods and five million lights. The festival runs November 5 - December 30 at the Branson, Missouri theme park.

 

One of the festival's most popular features is Rudolph's Holly Jolly™ Christmas Light Parade, led by the most famous reindeer of all. As Grand Marshal, Rudolph leads the evening parade of nine musical, lighted floats, illuminated with 200,000 ultra-bright LED lights. The floats are accompanied by 33 colorful costumed characters, including Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, 14-foot moose characters, 12-foot tall elves and 10-foot candy canes, plus penguins, elves and a troupe of marching wooden soldiers.

 

The parade follows the lighting of the 5-Story Special Effects Christmas Tree on the Square, a towering icon with over 350,000 colorful LED lights that is the centerpiece of the Christmas on Main Street light and sound shows beginning at dusk each evening. The tree blazes to the movements of Christmas songs -- up to 100 light changes per second -- while lights around the Square flash along, accompanied by surround-sound.

 

The festival also features two popular musical productions, It's a Wonderful Life and A Dickens' Christmas Carol. It's a Wonderful Life presents a musical interpretation of the classic film and features unique special effects and a talented cast of 14 singers/actors. A Dickens' Christmas Carol, also an original musical adaptation of a famous classic story, includes elaborate sets, flying spirits, pyrotechnic special effects and a cast of 15, accompanied by a live band.

 

New this year, the show Tinker Junior's Toy Shop stars a 12-foot tall talking Christmas tree that talks, sings and interacts with kids, accompanied by huge toy characters.

 

Since its debut more than two decades ago, Silver Dollar City's An Old Time Christmas has become one of the country's most recognized events for spectacular lighting and entertainment, and has been profiled as one of the top holiday celebrations by USA Today, CNN Travel, The Travel Channel and Good Morning America.

 

Fine craftsmanship is also showcased, as the park's 100 demonstrating craftsmen create one-of-a-kind handmade holiday items. The tastes of the season are in abundance throughout the park, including a prime rib buffet and traditional favorites.

 

During An Old Time Christmas, Silver Dollar City is open Thursdays through Sundays November 5 - 27, plus Wednesday, November 23; open Wednesdays - Sundays in December, closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and open daily December 26-30. Hours are 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. most days, with extended hours on Saturdays and Thanksgiving weekend - check the website for exact schedules.

Edited October 19, 2016 by chadster

[chadster]

Silver Dollar City is also introducing a new Santa Cruise

 

 

New Santa's Pancakes & PJs Cruises

Join Showboat Branson Belle's

Christmas Season Cruise Lineup

Special Cruises Offered Saturdays & Sundays Dec. 3-18

 

(Branson, Mo. 10/2016) The Showboat Branson Belle presents a new Christmas adventure for kids with Santa's Pancakes & PJs cruises, featured on Saturday and Sunday mornings December 3-18. The new breakfast cruises, with Santa and helpers, Rudolph, the North Pole Toy Soldier and Sugar Plum Fairies, join the Christmas Celebrate! show presenting holiday music, and Carols on the Belle cruises, featuring top Southern Gospel artists, as the ship cruises Table Rock Lake.

 

Santa's Pancakes & PJs cruises , with kids invited to wear their holiday PJs, begin with a treasure-map-themed romp throughout the huge paddle-wheeler's four decks, as kids search for Sugar Plum Fairy Sweet Stops, take a photo with Rudolph, visit the ship's captain, visit face-painting stations and write letters to Santa. As the ship sets sail, all gather in the dining theater for breakfast - pancakes and more - as a cast of holiday characters presents story time and sing-alongs.

 

Celebrate! Christmas cruises begin November 1, featuring talented singers/dancers The ShowMen and Cassandré Faimon-Haygood performing Christmas favorites, the four-man dance troupe Rhythm presenting lightning-fast contemporary dance, and comedian emcee Christopher James - all accompanied by the live band, The Rockin' Dockers. Noon and Sunday cruises through November 20 feature Janice Martin, the world's only aerial violinist, presenting an original performance of The Nutcracker Suite, plus vocalist Jason Yeager, comedian Phil Hughes, and emcee and magician Aaron Radatz. The Showboat departs from White River Landing decorated with Christmas lights, and guests can view holiday lights along the shore during the cruise.

 

Special Sunday Carols on the Belle cruises feature performances from award-winning Southern Gospel artists including Mark Trammell Quartet with The Whisnants, Brian Free & Assurance, The Hoppers and The Bowling Family, plus traditional Christmas music sing-alongs. Carols on the Belle cruises are at 4 p.m. November 27 and December 4, 11 & 18.

 

Each afternoon and evening cruise features a three-course meal from the Showboat's Chef Larry, including slow-simmered Beef Pot Roast and Honey-Dijon Glazed Chicken, with the chef's own Apple Cinnamon Ice Cream Pie, made at the Silver Dollar City bakery. Specialty dining options feature menu selections including Rib Eye Steak, Chicken Beurre Blanc and Pecan-Encrusted Trout.

 

Christmas cruises run November 1 through December 31, with a special New Year's Eve cruise at 8 p.m. on December 31. For cruise times, details and ticket information: http://www.showboatbransonbelle.com or 800-775-BOAT(2628).

[sdcfan88]

Work on the coaster is starting to go vertical. Construction on footers and a likely station platform has begun.

 

Video:

 

These can be clearly seen from the current Echo Hollow restrooms.

 

 

There was a lot of chatter down there from the GP with some of the park employees about it as people have been noticing the stakes and asking about the new coaster. One denied it's construction completely while another said it would indeed be a steel coaster larger than Wildfire. We shall see...

Edited October 21, 2016 by sdcfan88

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Thanks for posting the photos! I totally believe with the area that's been cleared this will be larger than Wildfire. It took a very long time to prepare the ground, but they've been working steadily. I fully expect we'll have an announcement within the next couple of weeks.

[Jaykethekid]

It's definitely going to be a huge project. If the coaster itself is larger than wildfire and has the theming that everyone says it will, it will probably be very expensive. The hype behind this project is already unreal!

 

On another note, are Wednesday usually so dead to where you can have outlaw run completely to yourself even with one train ops? The park was so dead and quiet this Wednesday, it felt like it was completely abandoned. Even powder keg was a front row walk on with one train operations. I still find it unique that even with such a low amount of people in the park, the ride ops still send the trains out as fast as they can.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

^ Yeah, between Labour Day and Thanksgiving, Branson doesn't get a lot of out of town guests, so it's just locals. Thus weekdays are very slow and weekends are busy. And yes, SDC ride ops go full speed regardless of queue length. Their perspective is not "how do we clear this line?" but "how do we make these guests' ride as good as it can be?" Just one of the many ways SDC is awesome.

[Shavethewhales]

I think it will be a large attraction, but not necessarily bigger than Wildfire by any metrics. The clearing being down in a valley makes the area seem both larger and smaller than it actually is depending on where you are standing. Some of it is probably for Echo Hollow upgrades as well. Plus I'm still assuming there will be some sort of element(s) to shield the hollow from at least some of the coaster noise.

 

So all of this foundation work has sprung up over the course of a week pretty much... Are they just going to have long pauses between various phases of construction? Obviously they could get this thing open next summer if they wanted to, but unless there's going to be a surprise November announcement it looks like they are really going to unnecessarily drag this out.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

With large construction projects, there are some parts that are more visible than others. My town is building a new overpass right now, and there were several weeks between when they graded the ramps and when they laid the gravel, then several more before they started paving. They weren't just sitting doing nothing during that time, but it was all smaller stuff, less noticeable than a new 1/4 mile of concrete.

 

It doesn't make sense to drag a construction project longer than it has to be. Variable expenses go up, and you delay getting any return. Every construction project everywhere is completed as fast as possible. There are always delays and unexpected difficulties, but planned delays just aren't a thing.

[Jaykethekid]

I have a feeling that they are starting construction for 2018 early because they don't want a repeat of Lightning Rod considering this could possibly be a highly innovative prototype ride. They probably want the time to be very detailed and have some backup time in case the ride has lots of problems during testing.

[sdcfan88]

Here are additional photos shot from my DSLR with my Telephoto Lens, the first set here is taken all the way from the Culinary School porch. Again the area they have cleared is massive.

 

 

The crews have finally moved in and setup around ThuNderaTion:

 

Access Road and retaining walls for EH & the new coaster:

 

The likely station platform and footers can be clearly seen from the porch:

 

Seen thru the trees there is the bottom loop around on ThuNderaTion for reference to the rest of the area:

 

New Echo Hollow Restrooms going vertical as the plumbing appears to be completed minus the sinks and toilets:

 

Not entirely sure what this is gonna be:

 

The view from the Echo Hollow restroom facility:

 

ThuNeraTion once again:

 

To get a sense of scale of all this, the stakes go all the way out to Indian Point Road which is also clearly visible now:

 

It would be interesting if they got one of these from Mack:

Edited October 23, 2016 by sdcfan88

[Nrthwnd]

^ Very nice video. How to sell a coaster. Congrats Mack!

[A.T.I]

It would be interesting if they got one of these from Mack:

 

What makes you think it will be a Mack? If it is a Mack, I think it would be a Big Dipper Dive coaster...

[Vonni]

It would be interesting if they got one of these from Mack: