This is a late review, but better late then never. I was at the park four different times from June 15th to the 20th.
Wednesday was a great day. It was hot weather that week and we had a baby along with us (more on that in the Random Talk thread) so we were a little worried but the weather there and being with a family really makes you appreciate little things more at SDC.
1) The trees/canopy. I've always liked the wilderness aspect of SDC for theme and "cosmetic" reasons...I really believe more than anything that this is what makes SDC the MOST different from other parks. But I never fully appreciated all the shade it provides...there are times when you really don't feel the heat and then go to an open area (like the exit tram line) and WOW you realize how much you love that shade. Hate areas of the park that don't have it.
2) Mother's nursing stations/family restrooms. These places are a life-saver. My wife would never have lasted had she not had an air-conditioned mother's station in which to do what she had to do. The family restrooms were also great for diaper changes.
3) Free water. I know this has been discussed before, but seriously folks what a deal.
4) The food places/restaurants. I honestly cannot fathom how anyone can complain about the food prices at SDC. They are beyond reasonable, especially if you have the season pass, but even without. The restaurants are also A/C and you can sit down and take a break without feeling rushed and have a god meal. Here are my dining reviews:
a) Mary's Springhouse. I've never eaten here before as we always thought it was Italian, but my guess is that when Aunt Molly's (or pollys?) chicken closed for that hideous pizza place they moved fried chicken as an option over at the Springhouse? Anyway, doesn't matter. I had the fried chicken dinner and the wife had the chicken strips, re-fills on the mugs and the price was less than $21. I got a large breast, a meaty thigh, mashed potatoes, beans, and a dinner roll (and drink) and the wife the same except with chicken strips and it was less than 21 bucks at a theme park?!?! It was delicious, too...great fried chicken very tender declicious and not a greasy mess. What a deal.
b) Molly's Mill Breakfast: With the 20 percent off it equaled about the same price--around 21 bucks and then a tip for the waitress--it really is a very good breakfast buffet. Excellent biscuits and gravy, real bacon, suprisingly good sausage---this is a great breakfast option.
c) The Mine. Again, a great place on a hot day. More pricey but it is a buffet. Chicken and beans were the main hit. Have eaten there plenty of times on hot days.
I don't know how people can complain about pricing, but maybe it is with food options such as 5 dollar funnel cakes or something? I guess we did have an orange roll at Eva and Delilahs...don't remember the price. Too tasty to care.
Anyway, these things make me realize how much of an excellent family place SDC is. It should be applauded. We were able to spend over 7 hours at the park on a 95 degree day with a 3 month old. Back to the review:
Salloon show was great Wednesday Morning. The Flooded Mine audio was not working and I was very disappointed with that, but to our relief it worked on Thursday and Friday. FITH was good. Outlaw Run should have had no wait on Wednesday but they were running one car and it took forever even though hardly anyone was in line. What a great ride, though. Same with Powderkeg--walk on wednesday.
Saw the Globetrotters and it was a pretty good little show. Watched the Magic Show and it was well done. Why on earth does the opera house sit empty in the summers again? Too pricey to run A/C?? Watched pickers--they are really good. Frisco Jack was good, too.
Now time for some complaints: While the free parking and transportation to and from your car is great, it is needlessly tedious, especially to exit the park and especially on a hot day. There's something wrong with waiting on a Friday when it's 95 degrees and seeing 3 or 4 trains go by without loading for people exiting. Seriously? Then when the car is loaded it seems forever for them to just LEAVE. The safety checks have always been done at SDC, but this year it just felt like too much. Just GO ALREADY, is what I kept thinking. I also didn't like it when the workers seemed more interested in talking to each other than getting stuff going. But, oh well. Tis a small thing.
The frozen lemonade stand by the saloon didn't open until 11 on a 90 degree day. Thought that was dumb. Didn't feel like walking around to find another one.
The rides on Monday morning were all closed. I've never seen anything like it. Was looking forward to riding with my father but Powder Keg was closed (of course) and we overheard someone say that Thunderation and Outlaw Run were closed, too. FITH was also down for a very short time. We rode wildfire and the line was long and there was only one train.
AP is still a shame.
Overall though it was a great trip.
