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Here are a few sneak peak pics from the first rides on the coaster! Hope you enjoy.

Can I have a link to the facebook page? I'd like to watch the video.

Junior, I'd like your thoughts on why you think Silver Dollar City (and perhaps theme parks in general) seem to cut corners and get rid of a lot of the "extras" that they use to have. Is it because our economy is bad? Increased competition with other theme parks? The fact things like the internet and digital home theaters with direct video streaming are all new attention-getters that create entertainment competition for our limited free time that didn't exist before? I also think Silver Dollar City sees spending more money on bigger, more elaborate rides goes before the little things. Sometimes it's those little things like live shows at long lines that makes a visit memorable verses a state-of-the-art new ride.

Chittlins:  You are remembering some of the line entertainment, done by the employees to entertain and keep visitors minds off the fact they were standing in line. The diving bell had tug o war, the toss test, Ozarks bathing suit contest, turtle races, and the Juniors told jokes, sang songs, and visited with guests. FITH had the bucket brigade where visitors passed buckets full of water down the line. The warden at Flooded Mine would carry a short night stick and smack it on the railing at the the loading area, creating a loud bang which scared folks and made them laugh as he explained rules for the mine. The fishing guides at the float trip told jokes about "the mighty James River, 8th wonder of the world, the only river to run in a complete circle!" It was a fun time. I was stationed in Grandfathers Mansion in costume, would follow people through the halls, put a light on my face in a two way mirror to scare folks, and so on. I do wish they would revive the line entertainment, it would be fun for all.

Per SDC's Facebook page: Outlaw Run track is complete! Check out the new photos today in the Journal. Are you ready to ride in 2013? http://social.silverdollarcity.com/2rV

Per the Outlaw's Run "Journal" page: Milestone Reached–Last Piece of Track Set In Place on September 26 http://silverdollarcity2013.com/milestone-reached-last-piece-of-track-set-in-place/ for the complete article and pictures.

I saw that posted on the SDC Facebook page. It's nice that the warmer temperatures allow the workers to finish the track so quickly. So they said it will be ready by Spring 2013 but I thought I heard some of you talking about how it might be ready in December 2012.

FTR - you can get a 6 month trial membership for ACE that is relatively inexpensive and you are "good to go" for Coaster Christmas.

What are this year's dates for Coaster Christmas?

I'm so excited. This coaster is a lot more extreme than I thought. Glad the powers that be are trying to stay competitive with their rides. I'm excited to learn what Swoosh caught wind of today at the park for future expansion plans! MORE!

I'm sure this has been talked about but I've read FITH several times this summer and it seems like it's about twice as fast. Anyone know anything about this?

So I went on the final day of Moonlight Madness and waited until about 8pm for it to get dark and rode Wildfire, Lost River, and Thunderation. All those rides were amazing in the dark. I felt like I was flying through the forest in nearly complete darkness on Thunderation. I will definitely be doing this next year.

I can't wait. I really want to know what the trains will look like and how heavily themed the building will be.

I am not sure a microbrew can compete with old chicago in that close of an area.. (the landing)..

BUT, if they have cold beer, bring 'em on!  i will give them a try.

They have an Old Chicago at the Landing now? Man, I really need to get over there soon.

I vote for T-Rex. Rainforest Cafe is cool, but T-Rex has a better menu (at least, comparing the RC and T-Rex I've been to).

I just went to Bubba Gump's for the first time ever this weekend, in Chicago. Gotta say... I think I prefer Joe's Crab Shack. JCS's menu has a better variety of choices.

I had never heard of T-Rex so I google imaged it. I want one SOOOO bad!

I am interested on what Swoosh can add to the discussion, I am sure he has some insight into the situation.

Sorry, I got a pm saying that I wasn't playing nice, so I don't have anything to add.
Interesting article.

How aren't you playing nice? Chances are they are jealous of your awesomeness. I think we need to have a "Dollar Off' to determine the winner!

It was interesting as a kid coming from the St Louis suburbs in the mid 80's, a time when our shopping mall-mid rivers mall had just opened, food courts, arcades, and escalators were the place to hang out, Chesterfield mall and Riverroads, as well as Northwest Plaza, and the Galleria were all doing well, and everytime we would go to Branson, there would be no "shopping" scene. The outdoor setting/ outlet mall offered a change from what we were used to. It had stairs, shops, overlooks, two floors, and a variety of stores. I remember thinking our toy sore at home had way more legos, but I still found things that my parents spent money on that I cannot remember what they were (I remember a small Lego kit that made a car).

I have plenty of memories of this place, it will be missed for what it was, not what it is, and since I have a penchant for abandoned places...odds are I'll be taking some photos here in the new year!

Yeah I took a ton of photos when I was there last year and then more last weekend. I plan on tracking the changes to the place over the years. I'll try to post photos on here later. So, has anyone heard what they might or could do with this place? Anyone have any fun or creative ideas about what Branson could do with the area? I think it might be cool to turn some of the place into lofts or apartments and then lease out the rest to shops. They've done this to out of business strip malls in larger cities and it worked out pretty well. Not sure how feasible it would be in Branson. Something like a loft conversion would not be cheap. Maybe a hotel? Chances are they'll eventually bulldoze the place and build something a little more "modern" but hopefully that won't be for a long time.

I would really like to ride the train at night (if they are actually running the train that late). I rode Wildfire last year and it was a lot of fun. A lot better in the dark.

Ok so I stopped by the Red Roof this weekend and wandered the whole place. The entrance over by White Water is chained off with signs that say "Trespassing City Property" so I parked at White Water and hoofed it in. The whole place was deserted until I saw some "mall walkers" and then discovered that the Crocks store was still somehow open. I walked in and sure enough the music was playing and there was about 10 people in the store. Keep in mind I'd been walking around for probably 30 min without seeing anyone before I came across this. It was like suddenly stepping through a time bubble.

I talked to the sales associate and she said that they were the only remaining store left and that the other entrance was still open. They had a big tarp on the rear part of their store saying "Yes, We're Open." They struck a deal with the city to be there until Christmas and then they will be moving to Tanger.

So there you have it. Even though the bathrooms are locked, the trespassing signs are up, the soda machine's are turned off, and google maps says "Permanently Closed" we were able to still visit the last remaining shop it will ever have.  I plan on checking up on the place about twice a year just to see how well they keep up with the grounds and see the dilapidation. Other than that I see it being there unused for a very long time.