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I think this first announcement was to highlight what was going to change in the park for next year so they can begin the season pass sales. Seems like a typical year after a big ride introduction "FITH" with the new festivals, food, etc.

I'm thinking the announcement on the 17th will let us know what's coming in a few years in the future...so probably more like 2026 and beyond. We have to give them a little time to get something built.

Swoosh probably knows best (I think he's a musical director at a high school) but regarding the copywrite or performance of songs, basically you just have to contact the rights holder for the work and make arrangements for the use, sometimes it's a one-time fee, or a usage fee, or just permission...and trying and failing to contact the rights holder is not a substitution for permission. So stay with songs in the public domain or be prepared to pay something...especially if you are profiting from the performance.

Jay

ugh...I was so all over the internet yesterday trying to find the announcement! I searched all over Facebook, the park site, the Herschend Site, etc. Then I realized I was a month early. 

I'm looking forward to the next chapter and hope it is successful. I do get worried about the big investments though because they have done it before at Branson with the Grand Theater, Celebration City, etc. - hopefully this one will be the right fit for the area, economy, etc.

- Jay

I think we may hear of big expansion plans that may span over a few years...kind of like what was done at Dollywood. Earlier this year when the Fire In The Hole announcements were made they said big news was coming and talked about all the land SDC owns. So maybe something like that, but I'd expect some big teasers would need to happen before they just throw that out there.

Jay

I think the award is also for Theme Park - which Silver Dollar City does extremely well. Yes, they could use a nice long ride (hyper or giga) but the ones they have were top of their game when installed. But the main reason my family loves going to SDC over anywhere else is because there is something for everyone: Shows, Rides, Shopping, and Food. Also, the cave is pretty cool too.

Same reason my family loves to go to Busch Gardens, Sea World Orlando, Disneyland, etc. There is more to do than just rides, carnival games, and bad food.

I'm not 100% sure how SDC beats out Universal, or some Disney parks - but SDC does an excellent job campaigning for their park.

Jay

I'd like just few things to help crowd control. Maybe some queue lines for food items so people are not lining up across walkways, etc. - they've done a little better job the last few times I've gone, but still there's congestion that could easily be fixed with some direction on where to stand.

Another area that could use some attention is the waiting area around rides especially the Thunderation/Time Traveler exits - that area gets so crowded with people just waiting on others to exit the rides. Not sure how to fix that without building a big observation deck area between the two rides?

Jay.

I'd hope for it to be ripped out, but I wouldn't count on it either. There are a lot of old elements of past rides still in the park. The treehouse sat abandoned for years. If they are ready to start construction on the future development - then yes, it will probably be ripped out. If they are not ready yet for the future Constuction I'd expect it to be there with the front door closed.

Jay

I honestly do not get the whole Chick Fil A deal.  I have eaten there a few times and it is OK but not something I would flock to like it seems people do.

Haha.."flock to"...

I'm not a big fan of their food, but I don't hate it either. It's fairly expensive - but I've never had a bad experience there, the drive thru (even with long lines) moves fast and efficient. So, I think most people are there because of that? My preference on fast food chicken is KFC or Popeye's because I can get potatoes and gravy...I love dipping my chicken into gravy...my kids however hate Popeye's so I have to eat that alone.

I need to go check my junk email....I couldn't tell you the last time I received any kind of survey in the email from Silver Dollar City.

Hopefully they have some cabin options - when we go to SDC we usually have a group of 8 or more, so hotel/resort rooms tend to be a bit expensive when you rent out three of them.

Jay

Maybe a Fire Chaser Express type - in pretty much the same layout. Do the first half of the layout just the same - then go up the lift - make a turn to the right to a "mine entrance" - get "blasted" through the second half of the layout backwards (big drop) - add a second swooping turn that would line you back up with the station so you can return facing the correct direction.

Keep the mine train "ThuNderaTion Theme".

Jay

And not to be a downer but besides the one big hill - the rest of that concept coaster looks like a "wild mouse" in the sky. Not something I'd be really excited about. Also, that artist rendering puts the new FITH in the middle of "Fireman's Landing".

I do expect though a big coaster to be announced at some point. I think Swoosh has talked about it before that SDC would getting a terrain hyper as part of a multiyear expansion.

We've also talked about these following things are on the list of improvements: new entrance, new flooded mine, removal of Thunderation, relocation of train station, resort, relocation of WW, etc. - SDC better get busy!

Jay

Looking at those pictures, do you think this is going to be more similar to the original FITH than not? I was worried with RMC involved that we might have some more daring track maneuvers but that little dip and the drop in the back of that photo doesn't seem too crazy.

Jay

I thought it was interesting that Screamscape was saying they had doubts about the new park because they are building the RV park first.

I think it was a must to build the RV park first so the construction workers, etc. have a place to stay. There really isn't anywhere to stay in Vinita or relatively close so the RV park makes perfect sense.

I have my doubts, but maybe it will happen after all.

Jay

Just to update on this, the proposed land has a buyer and as far as I know from the land agent, it does not include any property to be retained by the Bell's family. The buyer was not disclosed to me.

Jay

I'm a bit skeptical based on the number of visitors they say they'll attract - 4.9 million?? SDC doesn't attract that many, SFOT doesn't attract that many, most seasonal amusement parks do not attract that many...

I think the idea of the park is a good one, something based around Route 66 and America's Heartland - so I'd definitely love to see it succeed. I just don't want to get my hope shattered again. Not sure why they didn't build it around Catoosa Oklahoma that would still give them that Route 66 tie, but also closer to Tulsa and the Hard Rock Casino (Land is probably a lot more reasonable for purchase in the Vinita area).

There seems to be several large-scale announcements happening in Oklahoma with the $300 Million OKANA Resort in OKC, the Harrah's Casino and Resort between OKC and Tulsa, and the Tulsa's Gathering Place expansion, etc. It will be interesting to see how and if everything comes to fruition.

Jay

Oh my gosh...the boards are getting funny now.

Today someone asked if anyone knew what the weather was going to be like Thursday or Friday. All the responses were from weather apps and comments such as "Hey Siri, what's the weather..." People are definitely starting to answer in sarcastic ways and being pretty short with the stupid questions. Makes me wonder if some of the questions are there just to get the responses...

Jay