Shavethewhales Posted November 26, 2007 Posted November 26, 2007 Sadly, this was the only time I could visit the park this christmas season. Even though it was extremely cold and pretty packed though, I had an amazing time. As we drove in, I saw them clearing land for the new road re-direct, and I finally got to see for the first time the cleared-out gully where the new parking lot will be. I never thought it was that huge, but it sure is needed - we had to park way back down the road in JD lot, which is a gravel lot past Deer Run. Being Black Friday, the park was pretty packed, but I still managed to have a great time. As usual, crowd levels started to drop after the first parade, but it was just too cold for it to be really worth it. In fact, it was cold enough to shut down even Wildfire; I believe it got to around the mid-twenties. I got one ride in on PK and Electro Spin, several on TGS and FiTH, and quite a few on both Wildfire and ThuNderaTion - and everything was running fantastically. The coasters were rattling just a little due to the cold, but they were still all very smooth. I would have ridden PK more, but the line was 30+ mins long, and I was sure it was going to shut down any minute. The lights were better than ever, especially on the main square. The new tree complete with the new light syncs was awesome, though there wasn't as much light syncing on the rest of the square as I thought there would be. Still, the new tree was extremely bright and very cool looking. I got tired of riding marathon riding Wildfire, so I started marathon riding ThuNderaTion Sat. night while the temps were at about 33 degrees. It was... cold, but definitely worth-while. Yeah, I can't really think of much else to report on, but here's a short list of things I noticed: the train added an emergency-stop cord sometime since my last visit this summer (did something cause this?); Grandpa's Mansion had it's effects tuned up and fixed; the tree house looked the same as ever; and they weren't saying anything about either the parking lot or the new craft house. Oh yeah, I looked at their back lot (from atop TGS), but I didn't see anything. And here it is at night. Still fun to shoot foam balls at random snotty kids. They had fixed up some parts of Grandpa's mansion, but I'm still holding out for them to do some major work on it this off-season. This guy was pretty funny, and he made some pretty great glassworks. The craftsmen are really awesome, this was one of the first times that I really actually payed them a whole lot of attention. Can't pass this up on any SDC trip. Yeah, I pretty much got to stay in my seat until it was just too cold to bear. It may be short, but the powerful forces and classic family appeal make up for track length. This is one of the rare times you can actually see the thing. With the advents of Wildfire, PK, TGS, and all the other new goodies that have come to the park lately, I had almost forgotten how much I really love ThuNderaTion. Wildfire might be more visible now, but it's still perched in a scenic spot. Mmmm, I like the sunset shots. They're about the only shots my camera does half-way decent with. After a couple hundred rides, Wildfire has kinda lost it's sparkle to me, but it's still pretty fun. mhhmmm, and that's all cooked in front of you. Ohhh yeah - best place to eat in the park, though debatable. Just so you know where this report is coming from.
Shavethewhales Posted November 26, 2007 Author Posted November 26, 2007 Some more photos... ( I have around 100, I'm trying to choose the best) This photo doesn't do it justice, but it did look alot brighter than the old tree. Oh yeah, almost forgot about the tree. Still closed... This may be the last time we'll see this thing. The Shoot-out was also tuned up a little. I noticed they replaced the graveyard with a more friendly canary. The plunge - through the trees. Yup, PK is quite the crowd pleaser. Why doesn't DW have one yet? I appreciate how they're trying to warn people, but the siren they sound off before the launch always makes everyone think the ride is malfunctioning. Still probably the best ride in the park - as the 40 min. wait showed. This nativity show has been around for awhile, but it seemed like they were stepping up the Christian influence all around the park this year. My camera just can't show you how awesome all those lights were. You know, most of us were worried about the Grand Expo turning SDC into more of an amusement park, but I love how they found the perfect way to keep it away from the city atmosphere while still keeping it a major part of the city. Tch, it was closed everytime I came over here. Sorry my camera is so bad at night, but this is one scarry-ass float. This place still has the most awesome Cinnamon bread ever. It does look different now... Some say this ride is only worth riding once in a while, but I still think Disk-O's are really awesome - definately worth hitting up every trip.
Shavethewhales Posted November 26, 2007 Author Posted November 26, 2007 Here's a few more. I found this awesome bit of theming on the other side of Wildfire's observation deck. You can't really see it from the path. One of the best shops here at SDC. I ended up riding TGS quite a few times. It's still such a mediocre ride, but at least it's really nice looking. A bit of SDC awesome SDC theming. For some reason, this wax place was really popular. Can't pass these things up. A wood craftsman.
ebl Posted November 26, 2007 Posted November 26, 2007 Very nice Photo TR. For whatever reason, I've never had a yearning desire to go to Silver Dollar City, but the more I see and hear about it, the more I'd like to visit the park someday. Thanks for sharing. Eric
TheRapidsNerd Posted November 26, 2007 Posted November 26, 2007 Lost River of the Ozarks looks like a great ride. Oh, there are coasters at SDC? Yep, I'm gonna get a slap for that. Great TR and really pretty during Christmas time.
Holtskee Posted November 27, 2007 Posted November 27, 2007 Wonderful photos. You got some shots that we don't see often.
Cameron Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 Great photos! I was there in June 2007 and had a fabulous time, I really want to go back. Seeing the park all decked out with lights was really cool, thanks. Cameron.
Team Thriller Posted November 28, 2007 Posted November 28, 2007 I really do need to get up there. We've driven through Branson so many times and all. Never got to get there. I've also seen Celebration City, also looks really cool! I need to get there! Great pictures by the way!
Shavethewhales Posted November 29, 2007 Author Posted November 29, 2007 Oh yeah, I forgot to add my eatery experience. I stopped at what once was my favorite place to eat in the world, the Riverside Rib House over by TGS and Lost River, and got my usual pulled pork brisket sandwich. This time, however, it was not only at least $2 more (with a season pass discount even), but it also tasted pretty bad. It wasn't as bad as park food anywhere else, but it wasn't nearly as good as what SDC food used to be. What gives?
Holtskee Posted November 29, 2007 Posted November 29, 2007 ^Perhaps Silver Dollar City is leasing out the restaurants to outside operators? That's what Dollywood has done with a few of their smaller eateries.
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