I thought I might try something new on here. Once a week, I'll post a new thread where we can have detailed discussion of a specific aspect of SDC where we can give compliments, air concerns, and do comparisons to SDC's sister park Dollywood.
So, for the first "A Detailed Discussion," I'd like to discuss KidsFest. Now that it is over for the year, I thought we could talk in-depth about all aspects of KidsFest: shows, "characters," theming, etc.
I just finished reading this Dollywood KidsFest picture review: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=774260#p774260
And I've gotta say.... DW's KidsFest looks SO much nicer than what SDC has. It's a lot less invasive (the flowerpot sculptures are adorable!), and it looks like there are a lot of cooler things to see and do: giant sand sculpture, a prospector & costumed dog that are not some random Nickelodeon cartoon characters, and, especially, Kamp Kidsfest.
I could go into all the other non-Kidsfest stuff in that review that look amazing, but that's for another week.
To give a bit of a format to these Detailed Discussion threads, here's a list of questions to get things started:
What is your favorite fest-related show during KidsFest? Least favorite?
What is your favorite fest-related activity during KidsFest? Least favorite?
What is your favorite fest-related shop during KidsFest? Least favorite?
What would you omit if you were in charge of KidsFest?
What would you add if you were in charge of KidsFest?
Would you be interested in being quoted in a "Fandom Entreaty" to be compiled and sent to SDC (this "Fandom Entreaty," when finished, would first be posted in full to SDCFans)?
So.... let the Detailed Discussion begin!
Joy
PS: Note, too, that there is a Rainmaker at Dollywood! I've been to SDC 7 times now this year, and while the wagon is there in Main Street, I haven't seen hide nor hair of any Rainmaker. >:(
We have attended Kidsfest in the past at both Dollywood and SDC. No contest in my book, Dollywood's festival is much better. The decorations, the attention to detail, the shows and the overall atmosphere seem so much better at DW. I get the impression SDC is going through the motions with Kidsfest and it seems to decline every year. It's as if they feel obligated to do it but their heart isn't in it. Part of me wishes they would do away with it and just make the park the best it can be for the summer. The decorations this year at SDC were paltry (in past years they have had some really cute stuff). Once past the square you really couldn't tell a festival was going on. The show offerings were not very good either, nothing that you just had to see. A woman behind me at the magic show fell asleep and was actually snoring....loudly. I looked around and her husband was asleep too. I don't have a favorite show during Kidsfest, none excite me. They need a serious revamp. No favorite activities really, the sand on the square seems a bit tired. Why not let kids whitewash a fence down by Riverbattle? Least favorite shop has to be the Frisco Barn where they sell all the cheap stuff that has nothing to do with SDC. I would get rid of the cartoon characters. I hate to be so negative, but if they want to continue this festival they need to throw it all out, start over and come up with some fresh ideas. All hope is not lost as better things are on the horizon. SDC does a nice job with Southern Gospel Picnic, the Fall Harvest Festival and Christmas...so good times are on the way.
I was in Dollywood this year and I do agree, there is more money and more care.
I agree that maybe instead of sinking money into coloredsand and throwing a cheap sprinkler out on the pavement they should invest in more play area, or upgrades.
It is a waist of capitol.
I was a friend of an entertainment director that left a few years back, for another venue, he left on good terms. I know what he was involved in and his absence shows. Not every thigk he spearheaded was a hit but at least they tried new things.
QuoteWhat would you omit if you were in charge of KidsFest?
I think your punctuation is in the wrong place: it should read, "What would you omit if you were in charge? KidsFest!"
Very funny....but true!
Quote from: History Buff on August 09, 2010, 08:42:15 PM
"What would you omit if you were in charge? KidsFest!"
+1000!
It's pointless. The kids of "Nickelodeon" age don't know and don't care and don't have much input on where the family goes for vacation. The whole world is new and exciting to them.
Quote from: KBCraig on August 09, 2010, 09:30:12 PM
+1000!
It's pointless. The kids of "Nickelodeon" age don't know and don't care and don't have much input on where the family goes for vacation. The whole world is new and exciting to them.
Hm, you actually bring up a very intriguing point! Children spend all summer long in front of the television watching Sponge Bob, and Nickelodeon. Why must Silver Dollar City bend over backwards to showcase more of the same thing?
The whole world is new, and exciting to them. Silver Dollar City could be the perfect springboard to allow these children to explore, and embrace the rich summertime Ozark culture, and lifestyle. Such as shame this golden opportunity is washed away, and smudged over by Kids (T.V. Character) Fest. :-\
When we brought my four and six year old nephews to SDC in July, we didn't participate in any KidsFest related activities and we got along just fine. Heck, we didn't even go to Geyser Gulch. The Grand Exposition was enough in itself to keep us busy for a good deal of the day; that and Fire in the Hole (which the 4-yr-old rode four times in a row, he loved it so much!).
What is your favorite fest-related show during KidsFest? Peter Gossamer - Good comedy
Least favorite? Stunt Dog Show - Good show but not quite as good as magic show
What is your favorite fest-related activity during KidsFest? Cake eating contest
Least favorite? Sand on the square
What is your favorite fest-related shop during KidsFest? Kid concoctions
Least favorite? Frisco barn
What would you omit if you were in charge of KidsFest? Breakfast with cartoon characters
What would you add if you were in charge of KidsFest? I would add a kids related show to the Riverfront Playhouse/Why this was closed during this year's fest is a mystery to me.
Pintrader said "I would add a kids related show to the Riverfront Playhouse/Why this was closed during this year's fest is a mystery to me."
I can only guess the Smurfs, the Powerpuff Girls, the Rugrats and Veggietales were already booked somewhere else.
Quote from: pintrader on August 10, 2010, 08:26:54 PM
What would you add if you were in charge of KidsFest? I would add a kids related show to the Riverfront Playhouse/Why this was closed during this year's fest is a mystery to me.
Someone on here (Zephon?) said they were refurbishing the sound/lights.
why is kidsfest just about young kids? I would like to see an area or maybe a themed frisco barn for teens. a place for them to go to hang out and watch a show thats non nickelodeon. or maybe a ho'down. I dunno. and if you are going to cater stricktly to the younger crowed, do something outstanding! have obstacle course races with a prize for the winner. or maybe play amazing games like find the plastic pizza in the swimmin pool of whip cream! (okay so maybe somethin not so messy) Or GIANT TWISTER at the giant swing somethin more than a balloon toss and cake eating. you could have egg races at the wilsons farm.
What do dragons and knights/ feudal estates have to do with SDC at all? Leave that for the castle being built in Arkansas, put something else in there that works. I am not saying sell cowboys and indians, but something can be offered that is period correct.
Rube,
Castle in Arkansas?!?! What's that about? I think I've missed something here. :o
There is a project in Arkansas where they are building a medieval fortress from the bottom up, using only the tools, materials, and methods used in medieval times. So the whole project will not be finished until 2030, because 20-ish years is approximately how long it took to build such a place.
As for the castle stuff at KidsFest... I, too, don't understand the necessity of the Schleich stuff in the Frisco Barn. They already have a perfectly nice set-up in the toy store, plus, the Schleich "toys" are really a bit more for the older set who like to make dioramas. Kids aren't really all that into it.
And actually, I found myself quite disappointed last year when we went into the Frisco Barn and learned that the whole castle thing was just a display to sell toys. I somehow got the impression that the entire barn was going to be set up like an actual castle with slides and tunnels and stuff for the kids to play in.
Quote from: Andymeets1880s on August 11, 2010, 12:32:16 PM
Rube,
Castle in Arkansas?!?! What's that about? I think I've missed something here. :o
Here is a direct website to the castle for additional information.
http://ozarkmedievalfortress.com/ (http://ozarkmedievalfortress.com/)
Quote from: rubedugans on August 11, 2010, 11:58:29 AM
What do dragons and knights/ feudal estates have to do with SDC at all? Leave that for the castle being built in Arkansas, put something else in there that works. I am not saying sell cowboys and indians, but something can be offered that is period correct.
I can
maybe see a castle theme at Silver Dollar City during World Fest, but it has no place whatsoever in Kids Fest.
Wow, that's quite a project! Thanks tina, for filling me in!
Here is the info....
http://ozarkmedievalfortress.com/ (http://ozarkmedievalfortress.com/)
Also you can stop by the old theater/ structure next to the Slides on the Branson Strip (across form Jubilee/ The Ducks) and get info about the place. I am gogin to be volunteering there in the fall for a weekend, should be fun!
A castle would be awesome as long as it was not seen from the outside. What I mean is this - let's go into the mind of Mark Twain in an awesome dark ride based on the fam-friendly writings of Mark Twain, including A Kid in King Arthur's Court. Perhaps this begins as a storytelling and slowly takes the form of the stories being told. This, again, could be a ride that changes out every three to five years or so, and focuses on a different story each time. Of course, Huck and Tom already have a ride. The Mysterious Mind of Mark Twain would be a ride based on stories being read and told during the 1880s.
I told my friend that if SDC ever finally tips over the edge to become just another Six Flags-ish or Cedar Fair-ish park, then the theme devotees should start their own theme park and make it a Twain park. LOL
When our daughter was growing up we went to kids fest in the summer and it seems to me that SDC had a great many things for kids to do including a nick show with a slim maker included. It seemed to be a great deal of fun. The last time we all went for kids fest it seemed kind of a dumb thing. Not much for kids. If you are going to do something go big or don't go.
Well, it's about time I answered my own questions, eh? LOL
What is your favorite fest-related show during KidsFest? Least favorite?
I didn't go to any of the shows this year. Previously, I went to the Purina Dog Challenge and that was quite fun. I also recall a group of child performers a few years ago that were there during Spring Break Days that would be a great addition to KidsFest.
While I hate the breaking of theme for KidsFest, I kinda wish they'd had the VeggieTales show again. Though I never went, I would love to have the chance to take my niece. If there's going to be any breaking from the 1880's theme, I'd much rather it be with Bob and Larry than Spongebob and Patrick. Maybe they could do a new VeggieTales show that's set in the wild west? "The Ballad of Little Joe" was a great episode that set the story of Joseph in the wild west.
Oh, and what happened with Doc Gizmo? The show wasn't listed in the Pathfinder the last couple times I was there. I actually have a picture of myself at 10-years-old on stage for the Doc Gizmo show (or something similar). That was a fun, educational show.
As for least favorite... well, I can't really say since I've not been to many KidsFest shows.
What is your favorite fest-related activity during KidsFest? Least favorite?
To be honest? There's really not much to do. There's all those bright colorful tents on Main Street, but each time I was there this summer, there were very few kids there.
Not KidsFest-specific, but I hate basketballs. I really, really do.
What is your favorite fest-related shop during KidsFest? Least favorite?
It's a permanent shop, but I really like the toy store. It rather brings out the kid in me and my friends.
On the other hand, I'm not impressed at all by the "BUY THIS" layout of the Frisco Barn. If you're going to sell stuff, how about having more demonstrations more frequently?
What would you omit if you were in charge of KidsFest?
All those tents on Main Street. They just get in the way.
And get rid of all the character stuff except VeggieTales. When I was there with my 4 and 6-year-old nephews this year, it was on a Wednesday. So there were no characters and they were not missed. The boys, in fact, were quite content with SDC's own characters of the Colonel and, especially, Whoops E. Daisy!
How about SDC work to come up with more original characters? Maybe mine the old 70s children's books for ideas? What about Rocky Raccoon? Maybe the old wooden man from "The Day Toys Came to Silver Dollar City"? Maybe get face characters in Tom Sawyer's Landing of Tom, Huck, and Becky.
We don't need the Jetsons and Flintstones and Spongebob.
What would you add if you were in charge of KidsFest?
Kinda already going there with the above. I'd also add more 1880s themed activities--frog racing and white-washing and hoop games and other pioneer games. You'd be amazed at how easily entertained kids can be--they don't NEED modern TV cartoons to keep them busy. What d'you think they did before TV? Hmmm... they used their IMAGINATIONS!
Would you be interested in being quoted in a "Fandom Entreaty" to be compiled and sent to SDC (this "Fandom Entreaty," when finished, would first be posted in full to SDCFans)?
Of course! Seeing as how I'm the one planning it... LOL
I think Doc Gizmo is at SDC during family Spring Break Days.
Yeah, I remember running into Doc Gizmo earlier this year but was surprised he wasn't around for KidsFest. That seems like the perfect time to have a show like that.
Doc does seem to be perfect for Kidsfest. I think they have him there during Spring Break Days because so many of the regular shows--Saloon, Cajun Connection, etc.--have not opened for the season yet. Other than the rides, it's fairly slim pickens for shows and shops during Spring Break time.
I am basically going to echo the sentiments that have already been made, but I too agree that Silver Dollar City should invest more in the 1880's themed street characters such as Doc Gizmo for Kids Fest. I understand that it is much easier to slap an unsuspecting employee into a thirty dollar Sponge Bob, or Dora the Explorer costume. However, like most pop culture characters, these are nothing more than a current fad. I think children will appreciate, and dare I say it, enjoy Silver Dollar City much more when there are themed characters that bring the city to life.
I totally agree, and really, the characters don't have to be just for KidsFest. Disney has, for example, Alice and Mad Hatter all year 'round, no matter the season. SDC, too, could have a Doc Gizmo and Rainmaker and the like all year round (that is, if they'd actually HAVE the Rainmaker and not just his wagon! And maybe during Christmas Fest the Rainmaker could expand his business into being a Snowmaker?).
Back in my early days of coming to the City, I remember there being kids activity of trying to lite a match with a hatchet or driving nails in one strike being done on the main square. Those things along with the suggestion of frog racing and whitewashing would be fun for the whole family along with the old fashion watermelon eating and egg toss.
And yes, the inclusion of more street characters throughout the City to entertain and interacte with visitors like it was in the early days of the City.
I may be caring on here but Junior you may need to go back and reminde the people in the entertainment department what it like to actually entertain the visitors on a personal level ( AKA Diving Bell Juniors)
Wheres's Shad when you really need him?
QuoteBack in my early days of coming to the City, I remember there being kids activity of trying to lite a match with a hatchet or driving nails in one strike being done on the main square
I dont know if you have been to MM but I wouldnt go near that place if you armed those kids with hatchets and hammers....
OK, I'll play.
What is your favorite fest-related show during KidsFest? Least favorite?
Peter Gossamer, even though it was reminiscent of a Vegas off-strip production, and the pews in the Opera House needs to be reupholstered badly. He and his staff are very good entertainers.
My kids liked the stunt dogs; I enjoyed the air conditioning.
What is your favorite fest-related activity during KidsFest? Least favorite?
Conceptually, I love the idea of Character Breakfasts. It puts a focus on the dining experience. It's the execution I don't care for. My kids, ten and six, would love to have breakfast with Doc Harris or Whoops E., or so they just told me.
My least favorite activity was dodging kids dribbling basketballs up steep hills. ;D
What is your favorite fest-related shop during KidsFest? Least favorite?
I suppose if I must pick, my favorite fest-related shop was the one selling the yarn marionettes in that I could see those products being sold in the 1880's.
My wife asked me what I thought of the castle toys. I said, "American kids play cowboys and Indians; European kids must play knights and castles." The castle stuff just didn't connect with me and seemed a continent out of place.
What would you omit if you were in charge of KidsFest?
I would omit the connection with Nickelodeon. The whole thing reminds me of when Batman and Robin showed up at Dogpatch USA. Even as a young kid, I was upset by the sheer audacity of it; it's just doesn't go.
I'd really like to see the stats of the effect of licensed characters on ticket sales. I'm hard pressed to think that Dora the Explorer will cause a family three states away to decide on Silver Dollar City over other potential destinations.
This whole character thing smells of "Disney-envy." At least Silver Dollar City is not alone in this as just about every park wants recognizable characters.
What would you add if you were in charge of KidsFest?
First, I would add enhanced kids menus to a few restaurants. A "buffet" of three types of mediocre pizzas doesn't cut it. SDC should once again be renowned for dining. And if I can't be in charge all the time, I'll use my influence during KidsFest to ramp the quality of dining back up where it needs to be.
SDC is a theme park. Somewhere, someone should have a "storyline" for any normal day. This was probably produced back in the early '70's and sits in a file cabinet somewhere. It was probably something simple like "A town hidden in the Ozark woods gets separated from the rest of society for close to 100 years. When it's rediscovered, the citizens invite folks from the outside to experience their world with them."
KidsFest requires its own story; it's obvious that the current story is "park officials want lots of parents to bring their kids and spend a lot of money." All it takes is a simple premise like "a small Ozarks town in 1880 has special activities planned to celebrate children today. The events go smoothly except that a few mischievous miners are sneaking around trying to wreak havoc at the festivities."
This opens up the possibility for more image characters; which KidsFest, and Silver Dollar City, needs. Guests don't need to know the story, they will subconsciously pick it up as it goes along. This will deeply add to the suspension of belief. Of course, it helps to be conscientious to not have 1989 Mercury Cougars parked in front of the train barn in plain site from the train.
I would also add more focus on involving the kids into the traditional crafts at the park. I can turn on my TV just about any time around the clock and the kids can see SpongeBob. Seeing a blacksmith or glassblower is not an everyday occurrence and should be treated as it is...special.
One concept from Disney parks that could be well adapted and modified is that of the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party. It's a bit like a mini-parade that goes around the central spoke of the Magic Kingdom a few times a day. Upbeat music and dancing that takes up little real estate, costs little to implement, lasts for 15 minutes, and provides a nice, pleasant diversion for those who are in the area; it's a nice "stumble-upon" surprise. It would also get rid of the tents on the square :)
Oh, I LOVE those character/story ideas!
And yeah, ironically I was just watching an HD full-length video of the Disney Street Party parade the other day and thinking how cool it'd be if we could have some kind of parade for KidsFest, but one where kids were involved (in fact, didn't they actually DO that a few years back?).
I actually took the survey a couple years ago when they were asking about character breakfasts. They didn't specify what characters, so I assumed they meant Terry's characters and Alfie & Ralphie and the like.... If I'd known they meant the Jetsons or Spongebob, I would have given an emphatic NO.
I think having more period characters is needed in the park year round. It seems as a kid, everytime you turned around, you would see some characters/street troupe entertaining and mingling among the visitors. Tom and Huck characters would be great!
The idea of period games is right on. Not sure what all type it would be, but anything besides sand!
I enjoyed the dog show, but never got the chance to see the magician.
Let me start off by saying I whole-heartedly agree that the theme of Kids Fest should be 1880s. I asked my 6-year-old daughter if she would like to do things like whitewash a fence at River Blast and meet people like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn and she said that sounded fun (after I explained what those things meant). Having said that, she and my wife stood in line to see SpongeBob and Patrick the last Saturday of July. At 10:50am my wife said we better get in line for the noon show-maybe we'll be the first ones. They went to get in line and it was almost back to the cut-off point an hour and 10 minutes before showtime. They cut the line off after so many people waiting because the people in the character's suits get so hot they are limited to how long they can stand out in the sun for the "meet and greet". So, unfortunately for us, this did look like a success. But like I said, characters themed for the 1880s could be just as successful. And I agree that having Nickleodeon characters at the park won't bring people in from hundreds of miles away just on it's own.