Gotta question for ya'll! Now that parking improvments are a year over, and Indian Point Road is repaired, in days of peak attendance does the park still have to park people west on Highway 76 going toward Branson West? They either owned or leased property that was used as parking during my time working there. We were directed to park in this large pasture, parking attendants were on hand to guide us, and then we rode a bus to the timeclocks. Guests were parked in the employee lots. That was for peak attendance days, or sometimes at festivals or special event days. But I seem to remember in recent years the park has parked guests in that pasture, and then brought them in on a bus. Anybody know anything about this parking situation?
Wait, parking lot expansion is over? When did they finish the lots at Stop 3? Last I heard they were still expanding that over that way (as you can still see from Wildfire and PowderKeg)
During Anniversary Weekend they parked in fields going toward Indian Point. Stayed at Deer Run and the shuttle left the motel and went to those lots last.
We parked in the lot past stop 3 on May 24. Looks like they've gone about as far back as they can for now.
Last I heard, they were still "chewing away" at that hill there in the back
the last few times that I stayed at the Notch Condos, they had overflow parking in the large open area in front of the motel
Quote from: oldsdcer on June 07, 2010, 12:45:18 PM
the last few times that I stayed at the Notch Condos, they had overflow parking in the large open area in front of the motel
I've seen people parking there as well, but didn't realize it was for SDC overflow.
"Chewing away" I agree
I thought they were leaving the terrain destruction to the lesser class establishments.
Now putting in all those stops in the new lot was wonderful but they really are getting carried away.
Every time I ride Wildfire/PowderKeg I think ' man, I don't remember seeing that used car lot when this ride opened.
My assumption was that the Hershings would fight to retain what was natural, not just follow along with the Condo developers scouring of the earth.
Well.................
Gotta have a place for all the visitors to park, though! I agree, I hate to see the natural landscape torn up, and really hate it now that there is a view from the window of the Wilderness Church of the condos on Indian Point. I guess they can't do too much about the view from the rollercoaster, it goes up well above the treeline! I really hate the fact that Grand Exposition is at the junction of Hwy 76 and Indian Point Road. I don't like it that the park attractions are viewable from the roadway, either. I guess I just want SDC to be hidden well in the woods, and don't want to be reminded of the "modern" world when I'm on park back in the 1880;s!
Are they using the parking that is off to the left of the entrance where the road splits?
There is a remnant of a parking lot there but I have never seen anyone parked there.
I do have one question.
On peek days where the people park in the fields and such do they allow them to fill the pay to park first as well?
Meaning do they keep that lot half empty?
I honestly haven't see that lot full since they finished it.
Granted I do all I can to avoid busy days at the park.
Quote from: mhguy77 on July 16, 2010, 08:01:28 PM
Are they using the parking that is off to the left of the entrance where the road splits?
There is a remnant of a parking lot there but I have never seen anyone parked there.
When we were there the week of June 20th the only day we saw cars parked there was Saturday. I had to park there myself as my group didn't get to the City until around noon.
By the way, since this was the first time I had been there in 3 years it sure was a shock to see the road split and a whole new road off to the left. It was a little disorienting at first, but after a couple of days I figured out what they had done. Quite an engineering feat!
Quote from: Junior on June 08, 2010, 10:32:14 AM
Gotta have a place for all the visitors to park, though! I agree, I hate to see the natural landscape torn up, and really hate it now that there is a view from the window of the Wilderness Church of the condos on Indian Point. I guess they can't do too much about the view from the rollercoaster, it goes up well above the treeline! I really hate the fact that Grand Exposition is at the junction of Hwy 76 and Indian Point Road. I don't like it that the park attractions are viewable from the roadway, either. I guess I just want SDC to be hidden well in the woods, and don't want to be reminded of the "modern" world when I'm on park back in the 1880;s!
That has always been a huge concern of mine. I understand the need for large parking lots, but I don't like the large slabs of unobstructed concrete. I wish they would put in some grass, and tree dividers. I also know Silver Dollar City's policy of cutting down one tree, and replacing it with another somewhere else. However, I wish they would cut down one tree, and replace it with a forest. Silver Dollar City deserves to be nestled in the woods.
On our visit yesterday, we were made to park in the "quarry" and walk to Stop 3. In all, it took an hour from the time we turned off of 76 to finally get to the front gate. I was not happy to have to wait so long for trams to clear the huge crowd that was waiting patiently to get a ride to the gate. There was a full seven minutes between trams. It was interesting to see that the little pavilion they have there was not even in use as part of the line - instead 200 people simply stood in the 90+ sunshine with cranky kids. At one point, I actually looked at the season pass to find the phone number to tell someone that we had been abandoned. Normally, I'm pretty patient, but this sort of service really ruins a trip.
You only get one chance to make a first impression and set the stage - especially in the tourism business.
QuoteThere was a full seven minutes between trams
The same thing happened to us 2 months ago, and it took a long time between trains.
I think is the morning they are working on the last lot that they are parking so all of the efforts can be concentrated. However I am not sure of what they were doing that trip.
I know a few weeks ago the line at 3 was wrapped all the way through the snake and out about 75 ft. And train after train they kept coming in rapid service. I honestly think it depends on the drivers that day, the sense of urgency or rather efficiency is lacking.
Its hot and there is no break in those parking lot lines.
I also do not like the way that they don't open one of those gates near where they drop you off so you don't have to walk bath through the " Q " they set up for the morning.
I parked near Stop 3 today. It was taking forever for trams when I wanted to leave, so I just walked. I'd wager I saved an hour by walking.
This parking issue is sounding very scary...I hope the people in charge at SDC are looking at this thread! You don't want to have a bunch of devoted fans of the park upset with you! I hope the parking folks can get the problems worked out...it does not bode well to have long waits and upset guests in the parking lot.
They should bring back the green trams on the extra busy days! Sorry, just wishful thinking. :D
It looks like I am not the only one with an issue here.
I am upset with the problem but feel better I am not the only one commenting.
The new parking lot plan is much friendlier to the legs as you don't have to walk all the way up what was c. But they don't have the efficiency down.
Myself I have run restaurants and a club or 2, I am aware that people in line causes the loss of sales, if you have more free time to walk around you can be buying food, trinkets, ext. you cant do this in line. Disney apparently has become wise to this with fastpass. SDC needs to follow the lead, starting with the parking lot.
I will also say the turnstiles are another area that plugs up. Its a slow pace deal and could be really tuned up.
They have have that extra entrance up front that is not used. There is a fine line at those turnstiles between being nice and waisting the time of those in the back of the line that have already been through a bad parking lot experience.
One thing I believe to be true in dealing with the public is you must make it as effortless as possible when you want someones money. SDC is starting to make us work for it.
I don't understand why they don't use the Season Pass entrance anymore.
Parking was easy this past Friday morning before opening but it was so backed up at the turnstiles even though every slot was open. I, too, wonder why the season pass entrance isn't used anymore.
Was in today as well as Tuesday, and was forced to park out in 3 as well. Not that I have a problem with parking, but the "snaking" for the tam line was the longest line I was in all day. I did notice that the preferred (paid) parking does accept credit cars now...hmmm
Hopefully for Moonlight Madness I can find a spot in old lot C tomorrow.
Ohhhhh....I'm still seeing trip reviews with criticism of the parking lot situation. Hey, SDC folks! Pay attention...this is a situation that needs to be taken care of...I say this with love (and concern.) :-[
Ugh.
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii154/MrHoggatt/Quarry.jpg)
Awesome! When did the pyramids roll into Branson? It is definitely an eye sore, but hopefully it is just temporary.
I'm going to Moonlight Madness Monday night with my cousin and her kids (and my kids). I'll report on the parking situation. And I know what you're thinking. I'm pretty lucky to go again in less than a week. :)
I have a slightly off-topic question. When I went through the turnstiles both times, my pass would not scan on the "swipe-across" scanner. They had to scan it with the gun scanner. Then, each time the worker (different person each time) stopped me from going through the turnstile and ushered me through the wooden gate instead. We were kid-free, so I didn't have a stroller or anything. I mean, my pass eventually beeped with the gun thing. It seemed like a big deal to make sure I went through the gate. I was wondering what was up with that. Not that it's important.
I'm not sure what the situation was exactly, even with your discription. However, the turnstyles have a counter built into them, and maybe with the multiple scans, they didn't want the counter to click too many times and so they ushered you through the gate. Again, I'm just taking a wild guess, I don't know what the deal was.
It sounds like I've been very lucky. In the well over a dozen trips I've made so far this year the parking has never been an issue...whether I wanted to pay for Season Pass Parking or just parking in the normal lots. I've never had to wait in the tram lines in the lots for more than 5-10 minutes or more than that to get back to my car. It has always seemed to work very smoothly when I've been there. Lets all take a deep breath...relax and get ready to have a great day at the park. And lets be greatfull that they are having high traffic and lines. How many places in this industry can say that.
There are only so many ways to get people in and out of the park....I'm sure this plan just wasn't thrown together overnight. I'm sure like everything it can stand to be be tweeked evey now and then, but like I said, I've never encountered a problem with parking.
Funny thing HB, this is the view from my car on Tuesday, as well as Thursday.
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/IMG_0370.jpg)
Despite the "LOT FULL" sign yesterday during Moonlight Madness, the lots above had plenty of open spots. When walking from the lot at about 7pm, we saw several cars drive right up the old entrance and park in the preferred parking (since the attendants stopped taking $$ at 7. They were literally driving away as other cars were filing in!)
Quote from: StaceySue on July 31, 2010, 03:40:39 PM
I'm going to Moonlight Madness Monday night with my cousin and her kids (and my kids). I'll report on the parking situation. And I know what you're thinking. I'm pretty lucky to go again in less than a week. :)
I have a slightly off-topic question. When I went through the turnstiles both times, my pass would not scan on the "swipe-across" scanner. They had to scan it with the gun scanner. Then, each time the worker (different person each time) stopped me from going through the turnstile and ushered me through the wooden gate instead. We were kid-free, so I didn't have a stroller or anything. I mean, my pass eventually beeped with the gun thing. It seemed like a big deal to make sure I went through the gate. I was wondering what was up with that. Not that it's important.
When we were there on the 23th, the citizen taking tickets noticed that my husband's pass had really faded and was not scanning. So he stopped and printed out a new one for my husband. Hopefully the people in line behind us didn't get too irritated.
I honestly hate the way they are chewing away at the hill.
Apparently it is not possible to create more parking across Indian point.
Its horrible looking.
They are doing a lot of that in Branson, " cleaning" the topography of hills and valleys.
Completely destroys the charm.
What about behind the Hotel with the Water Park, you want to talk about moving mountains.
Please bulldoze some old buildings and build more there.
^Just think of how they filled in that whole valley between old C and the entry. Not only are hills crumbling, but valleys are being brought higher. Doesn't that give you some relief? ::)
they could have left a tree line there but I was not as botherd by that, it cant really be seen from the rides and such, that tip of the mountain they are leveling though. You sure cant miss it
This has always been my number one concern.
I can forgive the theme slips here, and there, but please don't cut down anymore trees! I wish Silver Dollar City would skip a new ride for just one year, and invest on planting more trees. Especially around the parking lot areas. They could even use trees, and landscaping to divide up each parking lot. :-X
What you see on the parking lot is a reflection of the overwhelming success the park has had in recent years. They gotta have more parking. Hopefully when the parking lot improvements are done, someone will plant a few trees and flowers and get the tram/bus situation under control. In my days on the park, they got about a million visitors...today, its around 2 million with the expanded season.
Cut down a couple dozen trees or burn fossil fuels transporting crowds from overflow lots in Notch and other areas off-property.
In Dollywood they built large planters out of wood planks, ( or that was covering the real container).
THey grew trees in them.
What about concrete planters boarded up, not the little planters like they have between the old and new lots but every 20 ft a big one with 1 tree, a bradford pear would be fine. It would "soften the blow" of the asphalt.
This is not a million dollar fix here. There are farm tanks that would do the trick nicely. They sell them at the farm store here for 200-500 each. SDC could buy something like that wholesale and cover the tank with wood or rocks, plant a tree and put some vines in so they droop over the edge.
That would really help to beautify the area, you are taking away you better give something back.
Use the trees that they cut down to make the planters to put the new trees in - I like it.
Just got back and am writing out a more complete report, but I am happy to say that I had no issues with the parking situation at SDC at all this weekend, even with 20,500 people in the park on Saturday. I mean, you have to give the park a lot of credit, for a free system they do a LOT. There were huge lines stretching back to the turnstiles at the end of the day to leave the park, but they moved quickly as trams and busses came and went as quickly as possible. I think anyone complains about having to wait a few minutes to board a FREE tram to go back to a FREE parking spot needs to visit another big park and experience the joy of truly waiting a long time for a beaten-down old people mover to take them back to a $15 parking spot.
The hill issue is a real shame though. On Wildfire I was struck once again by the amazing view at the top, but then I noticed the missing hilltop and couldn't help thinking it was a crime against the Ozarks just like everything else that's flattening out land in Branson. I just wonder what they'll take out next to expand parking...
On a lighter note, I got on the wrong bus Sunday night, since they weren't going to Stop 7 right by Deer Run, so the driver actually took me there and dropped me off after letting everyone else off at the Wilderness. Note to Deer Run lodgers: Stop 7 is the stop on the hilltop right next to the hotel, but they don't always fill this lot, so you might have to take the tram to lot 5 instead and walk up.
I must say the parking/tram service was the best I have seen in a few years during my visits last week (Wednesday, Thursday night and Friday). Both Wednesday and Friday morning we parked and walked right on a tram. In fact, Wednesday as we boarded a tram two other trams were waiting (stop 4) right behind it. Thursday evening we had to wait only a couple of minutes to get picked up and all three nights when leaving the park the wait for a tram was very short. I was very pleased. I was glad they started (at least while I was there) unloading at stop 4 first and then backtracked to stops 3, 2 and 1. That seemed to make the most sense to me as the most people seem to exit at stop 4. Plus, that kept people from having to walk around the tram at stops 1 and 2. One note of disclosure, I always get to the parking lots early, usually between 8:15 and 8:30 so I beat the larger crowds that show up later in the morning.
They really need to invest in the beauty of the parking lots. The 1880's theme needs to build from the time you leave your car all the way to the front gate. They need to have trees, planters, fences made of wood, small plots of cornfields and barns would add to the atmosphere. As you ride the trams in to the front of the city the town needs to come to life.
They don't seem to have a problem getting people back to the parking lot to leave; it's the wait to get in that ruins the first impression.
^No getting people back to the cars was the problem I had when I last visited.
Quote from: Swoosh on August 05, 2010, 07:52:28 PM
^No getting people back to the cars was the problem I had when I last visited.
Yes.
I was at sdc a couple of weeks ago and was talking to one of the parking lot workers where you pay for the perferred parking. The last couple the times I having been parking there since i think it is easier. Anyway I had asked why they were printing out parking tickets now instead of just writing them out like they use to,seemed to me this takes lot longer. I was told that they are debating the idea of a parking pass. They are trying to see if the same people park there every time they come
I think that the real problem with SDC and Missouri parking in general is that land is too cheap. This is also evident at the KC International Airport (MCI) Because they have the luxury of using more horizontal space, they are not using any vertical space. My solution. You guessed it: Multi-Level Parking Garages. Los Angeles, New York, and many other places have taken to parking garages. When space is at a premium, you don't have much choice.
I realize that these are expensive to build and do not accommodate buses, RV's and other large vehicles. However, those vehicles could park in a traditional lot. Having parking garages would let SDC make better use of the land that they have without having to clear out more land and make people park so far away that they have no choice but to take the tram. Parking garages would make it to where you would be closer to the park and protect your car from the elements. The other benefit is that they would now have more land to either sub-lease or use for additional attractions.
In their defense, SDC takes better care to keep nature the way it is than most other theme parks. All the trees that are in and around the park make for great scenery and shade too. For every tree they cut, they plant more to replace them.
I would encourage the powers that be at SDC to consider building parking garages. This would be great, unless it meant that you had to pay for parking or pay more for tickets/passes. Come on folks, you got the money to make some improvements.
Parking garages have their advantages in the big city, but I am not sure how well it would work for Silver Dollar City. First off, you have the additional cost of building maintenance, and up keep. Second, parking garages tend to be a bit clumsy with traffic flow. It would be very difficult to orchestrate a mass entrance, and exit from a parking garage.
I believe with all of the recent tree clearing, and expanded parking lots, Silver Dollar City has adequate room to meet the current demands of parking space. I have read several post of people who complain about the tram, and who refuse to ride them. Perhaps I am just a rusty nail, but for me the tram is part of the Silver Dollar City experience. :)
Build a corkscrew ramp leading down into Marvel Cave, and WA LA! Underground parking garage, We could fit a few in there!
Parking garages would not be "in theme" with Silver Dollar City. Granted, either are trams or ANY parking lot for that matter, but a giant monstrosity right out in front of the beautiful park would just be an eyesore!
Not to mention the fact that Branson isn't exactly flat. Just think about "Cardiac Hill" within the park... many of the parking lots also have slopes to them - and that's fine in a parking lot if there are gentle slopes... but you try to build a parking garage on a slope!!! :o
SDC only has so much land to use. Unless you're talking about the valet or preferred parking, parking itself doesn't bring any revenue. Now of course having the parking lot enables people to come to the park and spend money, but there is so much that SDC could be doing with their property. Does anybody want to see more water rides, roller coasters, auditoriums or shops? How about Tram Stop 10 (5-10 years from now) that only gets used on the busiest of weekends, but has to be there for the rest of the year to meet the needs of the park? Tram Stop 10 doesn't sound too "exciting" to me.
Parking garages are expensive and don't fit the "theme" of any business, though you can build a garage that is "less ugly" than many of the older ones out there. It takes more time to get traffic in and out of them. You have to spend money "leveling" the land in some cases. However, most businesses in the US that park more than 5000 people have a parking garage because they realize that there are more important things to focus on than parking. With the amount of space SDC could save, they could sub-lease the land (lower overhead, maybe after the garages are paid for the savings could be passed on the the customers).
Building these garages would stifle progress in the park for a few years as SDC would have to recoup the costs associated with it. But after that time passes, nothing but benefits. I have heard that HFEC wants to move White Water to another location. This would make that a possibility.
But many of the parking lots are on the other side of the street! It's not like they could be used for rides, shows, shops or attractions anyways!
And if they did add parking garages, they'd probably have to start charging for parking in order to pay for them because they are sooooooooooo expensive! And that's one of the things that sets SDC apart from other parks.
You are right that they would have to pay for the garages somehow:
"Building these garages would stifle progress in the park for a few years as SDC would have to recoup the costs associated with it."
But I am thinking long term. Bridges or tunnels could be built to cross over or under the road. I would love to see a swinging bridge be the means to that end, but it would never happen because it would not be accessible or safe. These may seem like lofty goals that are too expensive/out of reach. However...it started with a cave.