Silver Dollar City (SDC) Discussion Thread

^Ouch, I hadn't heard that yet. I haven't been to his show myself, but I always considered him one of the major attractions of Branson. It feels like a lot of the major draws in that town are drying up one by one, which doesn't bode well for SDC. Honestly, without SDC I kind of wonder if Branson wouldn't have already dried up and blown away.

No one's really talked about these new latest and greatest trains from RMC that will apparently be debuting on this ride. I was looking over that old news article that outed this project a few months ago and it hit me again how much RMC was selling these trains. "Our particular track can turn and twist so extreme, it will take new cars to do that," was one of the quotes from them about it. Just another thing to think about. I wouldn't be surprised if this ride has some sort of insane hammerhead turn-around or something, and I expect a few 90+ degree turns at the very least. Perhaps this ride will ultimately be compared with The Voyage...

I have a strong gut feeling that their denial of the coaster's existence will play into the theme of the ride. In a way this is also a great Marketing strategy because 'everyone' is talking about the coaster and making guesses - whereas if they announced exactly what they were doing, people would not talk about it as much. Remember Hershey Park's April Fools gag a few years back? SDC is 'playing' with us to an extent and we are falling for it and given them all sorts of interest and thought with no expense on their part (for Marketing I mean - I mean they have to pay for the Drive-In Movie/Tornado Shelter construction).

^Ouch, I hadn't heard that yet. I haven't been to his show myself, but I always considered him one of the major attractions of Branson. It feels like a lot of the major draws in that town are drying up one by one, which doesn't bode well for SDC. Honestly, without SDC I kind of wonder if Branson wouldn't have already dried up and blown away.

I think Branson will always have some major attractions. I go there every year, but not to go see shows in Branson and not really for SDC either. Table Rock Lake is a pretty big draw to the area and SDC is on the far North side of everything, but I do think a new coaster could bring back crowds that haven't been in a while. There are always new attractions being built on the strip that bring in a fair amount of crowds - have you tried to drive down there on a weekend night in summer?

^Yeah, it seems like a lot of people mention Branson without even thinking of Silver Dollar City. I'm sure there are countless tourists who visit the town but not the park.

As for the lack of marketing, I do appreciate the mystery, but I still wonder if maybe it's just too early in the current season for it to make sense to share anything. Either way, I'm sure they have some clever plans.

This will be Yakovs' last year doing his show in Branson, he says he is going to retire at the end of the year.

You're kidding right? Man, I'm gonna miss seeing all those billboards down the highway entering Branson. That show always seemed funny.

Losing this will, indeed, be a great blow to our culture.

Is that the Russian dude with the furry hat that you see everywhere? Not my cup of tea at all!

Anyone seen Six or Jeerk? Now that was the stuff!

Just got Back from Branson & SDC late last night. 4am.

Can I just say, SDC is as awesome! What an awesome park with a 1st class selection of coasters. Not one of them was in the least bit dissapointing. I think my only complaint would be that we didn't have enought time in an 8 hour day to really enjoy the whole park. Even thought it was a very light day attendance wise, we still fealt rushed to get in as many rides and shows as we could. The cave tour is awesome and a great start to the day. The two shows we saw were top notch and very entertaining. I honestly think Thunderation is the the best standing Arrow mine train I have ever ridden. Fun, fast and forceful. And still rather smooth, all things considered for a mine train style coaster. Sad they don't run it backward anymore. Wildfire is a fantastic B&M multi looper with an unusual layout and maintains a fast pace throught the entire circuit. Even thought they seriously are hammering down on those trims entering the cobra roll. (There is a noticable drag and drop in speed going through them.) But still, a great ride none the less. Finally, Robb & Elissa, you had told me Powderkeg was a great ride, and I never try to take anyone's opinion to heart, even you two. I really like to pass judgement myself. With that said, WOW! It's a really great ride! It packs such a unexpected punch! Airtime! G's! Changes in direction! It's the real deal. How have no other parks jumped on this bandwagon? The whole family got off that thing with ear to ear smiles! Just awesome! You guys were spot on!

We had so much fun there and can't wait to go back. We definitely will spend two days there insted of just one. There is so much to do!

Oh, the not being built woodie/ tornado shelter/ drive in theater/ time machine/ whatever is now taller than the top hat on Powderkeg. It's getting tall.

Guy "Saw SIX the night before. It was OK. Not great, but entertaining. Probably should have left at intermission. The second act is only 25 minutes long and gets overly preachy and honestly slows the show down to a standstill. " Koepp

^I figured it'd be going about another 50 feet in the air, full of win so far.

Someone actually made and posted a topographic overlay of the site on SDCFans, and it looks like the elevation difference where the drop is going is going to be somewhere around 70 feet. So it's a pretty good bet at this point to speculate that this thing will have a 150ft drop, maybe even bigger. At one time someone working in the park mentioned something about the drop being a major talking point of the ride with a really sharp angle. I don't know if that was BS talking or not at the time, but it sure looks like it's coming true.

Here's hoping there's some new photos this weekend.

re: all the talk about what will happen to SDC if the shows dry up on the strip....

Wasn't SDC there a whole bunch of years before Branson was a thing? It's the only park for people in that area and I'm pretty sure it's been there a lot longer than the strip shows (awkward wording intentional).

I live in Fayetteville and we avoid the strip completely 9 out of 10 times on trips to Branson. Sometimes we never get past Silver Dollar City cause we will come in the back way from Berryville AR to Brandon West if it's going to be a high traffic day(weekends). Celebration City is gone so it's even less often. Only timewe go into town is a trip to one of The Tracks or Tangers. Downtown offers nothing we can't get here locally besides the mini Bass Pro that only exists, or at least it seems, is to hawk Big Cedar.

Branson has strip shows? Ned Flanders would be very upset by this.

You are correct about SDC predating the strip, SDC opened in 1960, according to wikipedia, the first show opened in 1967. Though despite it being first, if tourism to Branson drops the park will undoubtedly be affected. Fortunately I don't think this will happen anytime soon, the closing of one show does not a trend make.

I'd be more concerned if it was Shoji. If you want Downtown Branson to take off, it's called gaming these days and put it on a boat at the Landing.

Branson has strip shows? Ned Flanders would be very upset by this.

 

You are correct about SDC predating the strip, SDC opened in 1960, according to wikipedia, the first show opened in 1967. Though despite it being first, if tourism to Branson drops the park will undoubtedly be affected. Fortunately I don't think this will happen anytime soon, the closing of one show does not a trend make.

That's no worry at all. You should see the population of Branson while taking a summer trip. They're stocked up with visitors that love to see shows, museums, and theme & water parks.

Someone actually made and posted a topographic overlay of the site on SDCFans, and it looks like the elevation difference where the drop is going is going to be somewhere around 70 feet. So it's a pretty good bet at this point to speculate that this thing will have a 150ft drop, maybe even bigger. At one time someone working in the park mentioned something about the drop being a major talking point of the ride with a really sharp angle. I don't know if that was BS talking or not at the time, but it sure looks like it's coming true.

 

Here's hoping there's some new photos this weekend.

I think it's going to be like Hercules with a height not so amazing but a magnificient drop. The only problem I ever have with woodies with drops going down a hill is that the ending is usually weak, but I hope RMC will do a good job on making an epic coaster start to finish.

re: all the talk about what will happen to SDC if the shows dry up on the strip....

 

Wasn't SDC there a whole bunch of years before Branson was a thing? It's the only park for people in that area and I'm pretty sure it's been there a lot longer than the strip shows (awkward wording intentional).

SDC used to be pretty much nothing in terms of thrills. I think the area is still growing as a vacation spot that has a fairly large draw, and brings in some of the same groups that used to go to Lake of the Ozarks. Branson is not a very big town, and SDC is not and probably never was the main draw to the area. I remember when SDC added Thunderation in the 90's, and had no idea anything was there until you could see a coaster through the trees. I was just a kid when I first went, but there were not nearly as many rides as there are now. They have grown so much since then, and they have so much more potential still. This new project has gotten me very excited, but I still can't expect too much in terms of thrills from SDC - regardless, it's been a while since they added a coaster and I'm sure it will bring in some business.

The show scene pretty much started with SDC and one show drying up isn't going to hurt them in the least and that theatre isn't going to stay dark. I'd give it 6-9 months and they will announce a new headliner. When Andy Williams bites the bullet they may take a hit, but with all of the tourist trap stuff to do, I.E. Titanic, Go-Carts, etc etc, even that won't be much of an impact outside of maybe Christmas time visitors. No need to worry about it drying up, just need to worry about being able to get a reasonably priced room this summer with all of the inventory lost courtesy of Mr. Tornado.

re: all the talk about what will happen to SDC if the shows dry up on the strip....

 

Wasn't SDC there a whole bunch of years before Branson was a thing? It's the only park for people in that area and I'm pretty sure it's been there a lot longer than the strip shows (awkward wording intentional).

 

SDC used to be pretty much nothing in terms of thrills. I think the area is still growing as a vacation spot that has a fairly large draw, and brings in some of the same groups that used to go to Lake of the Ozarks. Branson is not a very big town, and SDC is not and probably never was the main draw to the area. I remember when SDC added Thunderation in the 90's, and had no idea anything was there until you could see a coaster through the trees. I was just a kid when I first went, but there were not nearly as many rides as there are now. They have grown so much since then, and they have so much more potential still. This new project has gotten me very excited, but I still can't expect too much in terms of thrills from SDC - regardless, it's been a while since they added a coaster and I'm sure it will bring in some business.

If Silver Dollar City just up and shut down, Branson as a tourist destination is over. It is it's anchor store so to speak. You can bet that. SDC makes Branson, period, end of story.

The show scene pretty much started with SDC and one show drying up isn't going to hurt them in the least and that theatre isn't going to stay dark. I'd give it 6-9 months and they will announce a new headliner. When Andy Williams bites the bullet they may take a hit, but with all of the tourist trap stuff to do, I.E. Titanic, Go-Carts, etc etc, even that won't be much of an impact outside of maybe Christmas time visitors. No need to worry about it drying up, just need to worry about being able to get a reasonably priced room this summer with all of the inventory lost courtesy of Mr. Tornado.

Explain to me the plight of the Grand Palace.

When Andy Williams bites the bullet they may take a hit, but with all of the tourist trap stuff to do, I.E. Titanic, Go-Carts, etc etc, even that won't be much of an impact outside of maybe Christmas time visitors.

Just experienced a flash back to that episode of the Simpsons where Bart and his buddies are on their way to Knoxville and Nelson insists on seeing Andy Williams. Bart explains Branson as being 'Las Vegas if it was designed by Ned Flanders' if I remember correctly!

Great review, Guy! I agree with pretty much all of it. Glad to hear ThuNderaTion is still a great ride forwards (I made a point of only riding it backwards in 2010).

...So it's a pretty good bet at this point to speculate that this thing will have a 150ft drop, maybe even bigger. At one time someone working in the park mentioned something about the drop being a major talking point of the ride with a really sharp angle. I don't know if that was BS talking or not at the time, but it sure looks like it's coming true...

I really, really like these rumors. Total flashback to that favorite of many, NTAG. I have faith in this company so far.

Explain to me the plight of the Grand Palace.

Kenny Rogers.

If Silver Dollar City just up and shut down, Branson as a tourist destination is over. It is it's anchor store so to speak. You can bet that. SDC makes Branson, period, end of story.

...the story continues...I go there every year as a tourist, but not to visit SDC. Closing SDC will not make Table Rock Lake go away, it will not make the go kart tracks, "fun spots", Ripleys, or mini golf course go away, and there are some resorts on the lake near Branson and in Branson that are tourist destinations in themselves. SDC may have helped establish Branson, but Branson has a great amount for families to do and SDC can be an expensive day for a family. I'm not trying to be rude, but for SDC to get shut down I feel that the town would have already died as a tourist destination. When this new coaster opens, I'd definitely expect the park to be more crowded, and the park will draw a lot of traffic to that side of Branson.

Just a tip to anyone planning a two day trip at the park. If you go to the park at 4 PM one day, I believe you get free admission the next day.

Explain to me the plight of the Grand Palace.

 

Kenny Rogers.

Anyways, it's a ghost town. Branson overbuilt theaters, some have been converted to churches.

If Silver Dollar City just up and shut down, Branson as a tourist destination is over. It is it's anchor store so to speak. You can bet that. SDC makes Branson, period, end of story.

 

...the story continues...I go there every year as a tourist, but not to visit SDC. Closing SDC will not make Table Rock Lake go away, it will not make the go kart tracks, "fun spots", Ripleys, or mini golf course go away, and there are some resorts on the lake near Branson and in Branson that are tourist destinations in themselves. SDC may have helped establish Branson, but Branson has a great amount for families to do and SDC can be an expensive day for a family. I'm not trying to be rude, but for SDC to get shut down I feel that the town would have already died as a tourist destination. When this new coaster opens, I'd definitely expect the park to be more crowded, and the park will draw a lot of traffic to that side of Branson.

 

Just a tip to anyone planning a two day trip at the park. If you go to the park at 4 PM one day, I believe you get free admission the next day.

Table Rock Lake will not support Branson alone. Nearly everyone that comes from the south to Branson pass lakes on the way. Table Rock isn't special, there's a half dozen more in Arkansas just as nice. I venture to guess that a whole bunch that venture to Branson do so because of SDC or because SDC introduced them to it. Why would I want to drive to just ride go carts or play mini golf? I've got that locally along with several very nice public golf courses. IF SDC wasn't there, those places would suffer tremendously. I bet they rely on folks with kids going to SDC and White Water much more than the gray and blue hairs hitting the shows. Casinos with their expanding performance venues for b, c and d list entertainers have made places like Branson less important for those artist to make a buck.