Silver Dollar City (SDC) Discussion Thread

[Shavethewhales]

Definitely a two day park if it's your first time, IMO. Weekdays you won't have any problem with lines. Most everything will be a walk-on. Time Traveler keeps a line, but on a weekday I doubt it's more than 45 minutes at the most. Basically just TT, the Lost River (river rapids), and American Plunge (arrow log flume), keep lines during the summer.

 

My suggestion is to take it easy and take in the non-ride things around the park. Lots of neat stores, authentic crafts, good food, and the saloon show is actually pretty good. Also can't forget the cave!

[LiftThrill]

Quick clarification: if I'm planning to take advantage of the After 3 deal, I buy the ticket for the first day (when I'm arriving after 3pm), correct?

[coasterbill]

In other news, Bigfoot on the Strip (a nearby FEC) is currently suing someone for leaving them a 3 star review on Tripadvisor. If anyone posts an SCD report on TPR, visits Bigfoot on the Strip and considers telling us that it was anything less than the single greatest FEC to ever grace the wonderful city of Branson, you better check yourself before you wreck yourself .

 

He left a three-star review on TripAdvisor. Now he's being sued by a Missouri attraction

[Canobie Coaster]

^ During my visit to Bigfoot, they made an announcement every 30-45 minutes reminding us to like the park on Facebook and post our experiences on Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc. I don't recall them warning us to only post good reviews though.

[thedlr]

I read about that this morning but didn't think to look up the review until I visited this thread.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g44160-d12502247-r566628570-Bigfoot_On_The_Strip-Branson_Missouri.html

 

The original review didn't seem that bad based on what is still there.

[thedlr]

Quick clarification: if I'm planning to take advantage of the After 3 deal, I buy the ticket for the first day (when I'm arriving after 3pm), correct?

 

ReserveBranson.com sells 2-day tickets for $70 and it seems like you can still do the after 3pm thing on your first day. I'd love to get verification that this works.

[cal1br3tto]

I'd say (as a non-local, two-time summertime visitor) that one full day at SDC is perfectly doable but should be your bare minimum. I've done one full day with a late closing, and one evening plus day with Trailblazer on the full day, and both were relaxing trips which included the cave tour and lots of rides and meandering around. I don't think it's quite at the level where a one-day trip would feel overwhelming or disappointing, but it's certainly worthy of more if desired!

[Canobie Coaster]

^ I had a rare 12.5 hour day at the park on Memorial Day (after a 2.5 hour preview the night before) and gladly would have spent more time. All their coasters are unique and reridable. Then they have some unique non-coasters, fantastic food, and the cave tour.

 

I've also heard their shows are outstanding too, but I was prioritizing the rides.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

SDC is having Season Passholder Appreciation Days this week, and we went on Sunday to enjoy somewhat shorter lines on Time Traveler and other rides.

 

My wife finally got to ride Time Traveler due to the shorter lines, as she wouldn't wait the hour and a half it's been on our previous trips. She thought it was ok but not as good as Wildfire, which is her favourite coaster. For those who haven't been on it, Wildfire is legit. The only coaster of that type that I've heard as much universal praise for is Kumba. Basically no one dislikes Wildfire.

 

Anyway, here is the evidence:

Evan hasn't noticed us standing at the exit yet.

Prepare for wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff!

This is a wibble. Or a wobble. I forget.

Just keep spinning...just keep spinning...

She's actually waving here.

 

Also, I didn't expect this, but I have some construction to report. Jack's Sandwich Board, an old restaurant that's been SBNO for years now, has been demolished! What could be in store for this area next year?

Oh?

What could be in here?

Construction porn!

 

And now for a rare bit of criticism. I know what you're thinking: "But I came here for a glowing review of the best park between the Mississippi and the Rockies!" And you would be right. Hold on to your butts, we're going negative here.

 

SDC's app had listed a Family Buffet in the Reunion Hall on the square. Four. Kinds. Of. Mac. And. Cheese. You would think they wouldn't promise something like that and then yell "Psych!" and actually provide not only zero kinds of mac and cheese but in fact zero kinds of anything at all, but that is precisely what was behind the locked door to Reunion Hall.

Well, it's June 3 at 11:30...

...and nothing going on here. At all.

 

Yeah, I've never seen this before. Don't know what was up. We just went to the Mine and had a great time with barbecue chicken with all the fixins, including one kind of mac and cheese. So it turned out all right in the end, and we'll be back soon. Hope they decide to put that buffet together by then.

 

Thanks for reading!

[Nrthwnd]

Prepare for wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff!

 

That's not fair. And where ARE all the Dr. Who Major-Awesome-OMG Attractions ETC in the World....?

 

 

[Canobie Coaster]

My wife finally got to ride Time Traveler due to the shorter lines, as she wouldn't wait the hour and a half it's been on our previous trips. She thought it was ok but not as good as Wildfire, which is her favourite coaster. For those who haven't been on it, Wildfire is legit. The only coaster of that type that I've heard as much universal praise for is Kumba. Basically no one dislikes Wildfire.

 

I was actually a little letdown by Wildfire based on all the positive reviews I had heard of it. The view and drop were excellent, but none of the inversions stood out to me. Again I still liked it, just not as much as I expected.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

^ You didn't dislike it, and that's the point. I'm sure you would agree it's the best floorless that has a floor.

 

Prepare for wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff!

 

That's not fair. And where ARE all the Dr. Who Major-Awesome-OMG Attractions ETC in the World....?

 

 

Somebody needs to get on that.

[Shavethewhales]

The construction is apparently just a new back-of-house building to replace an old building that was falling apart. There were some sudden water line issues as well. Or at least that is the current speculation/best guess.

 

As for Reunion Hall, sometimes they simply don't open if the park isn't crowded enough. They seem to be really short on staff as it is.

 

Great update as always. Do they still have that one back car roped off on Time Traveler? I'm wondering if they'll get that fixed this year.

[Canobie Coaster]

^ You didn't dislike it, and that's the point. I'm sure you would agree it's the best floorless that has a floor.

 

It's also the worst floorless with a floor.

 

But yeah it was definitely enjoyable. I was just expecting a more forceful ride based on all the praise it receives since that seems to be the only B&Ms people are high on (outside of their hypers).

[sdcfan88]

Wildfire is best ridden from the front center seats. Then the back. Still my top steel coaster at the park. Powderkeg is a close 2nd due to that awesome launch and airtime on the first two hills.

[cal1br3tto]

It's a solid B+ ride for me--not underwhelming, but not quite top-tier.

[CaptainUnknown]

Prepare for wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff!

 

That's not fair. And where ARE all the Dr. Who Major-Awesome-OMG Attractions ETC in the World....?

 

 

Somebody needs to get on that.

 

I think I remember hearing plans for something in some proposed park in England. But as popular as the show is this side of the pond, I wonder how well a Doctor Who themed attraction could work, or who could even get the licensing for it.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

The construction is apparently just a new back-of-house building to replace an old building that was falling apart. There were some sudden water line issues as well. Or at least that is the current speculation/best guess.

 

As for Reunion Hall, sometimes they simply don't open if the park isn't crowded enough. They seem to be really short on staff as it is.

 

Great update as always. Do they still have that one back car roped off on Time Traveler? I'm wondering if they'll get that fixed this year.

Interesting. Not surprised the building had damage. It really looked like it was falling apart. Granted, everything at SDC looks like it's falling apart, but in this case it wasn't intentional.

 

Didn't know that about Reunion Hall. The park certainly had good attendance. It wasn't packed, but seemed like normal summer Sunday attendance to me. Hmm.

 

TT was running two trains, and both had all 8 rows open.

[fiestatexasfan]

I have a few more questions regarding SDC and Branson. Are the SDC tickets online cheaper than tickets at the park, and is the after 3 deal good for tickets bought at the park? Also, which alpine coaster is better? I was also looking at the fountains at Branson landing and was wondering if anyone has been, and which show is the best. Any more Branson and SDC tips and suggestions would be awesome.

[Canobie Coaster]

I just posted a report on the alpine coasters if you want to learn more about the differences, but the Runaway Mountain coaster was much more enjoyable to me. It was a bit rougher, but it had some solid airtime and spent more time going downhill.

 

As for tickets, Lambert's had half off Silver Dollar City tickets, but I'm not sure if they included the After 3 promotion. I ended up purchasing mine online prior to my visit.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

^^ Both alpine coasters are good, but I agree with Michael that I like Runaway Mountain a bit more. Why not go for both? You're in Branson, SDC closes early in the evening, and it's $15 for each coaster. Go for it!

 

The fountains at Branson Lansing are really cool. They're programmed, so there's not a difference from one show to the next. Go sit on the patio at Big Whiskey's with a White River beer amd watch the fountains. You won't be disappointed.

Edited June 8, 2018 by ytterbiumanalyst

[Philrad71]

I can vouch for Big Whiskey's too!

 

Thanks for the update, Andrew...glad that your wife got on TT!

 

As far as Wildfire, that view going up the lift and the fact that it's got the rare straight-down drop for a B&M...loved it. But then again, I loved all of the coasters there - especially when most were walk-on's Hehe.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Believe it or not, the drop is only 65°. Certainly feels a lot steeper than that. It has mad airtime on that drop in the back.

[Philrad71]

^ Totally agree, Andrew.

 

To be honest, the first drop reminded me a little of Magnum's...

 

Great lift hill view, a nice whip over the hill in the back and just good fun after that.

[LiftThrill]

Seeing the surrounding area really increases the sensation of height. Wildfire is seriously of my favorite B&M loopers (#1 is still Raptor).

 

I'd probably rank my top 3 something like this

1. Raptor

2. Wildfire

3. Thunderbird