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There are overprotective parents that view any single male in a place where there are children as a likely child predator.

^Sadly this

Unfortunate side effect of the world we live in today. I've never felt like I'm being looked at like that when I visit SDC solo, but I also don't do anything that would invite those thoughts. Also, most of the time I'm going solo is off peak times before Memorial Day and post Labor Day when the crowds are smaller and the weather isn't unbearble.

As I live in Springfield, I get a season pass every year and most of my visits are solo ones. I work a fairly odd schedule so it doesn't always line up with everyone else's availability. When I do go with others it usually family that live in the area or friends from StL down to visit.

I love going by myself. I am quite introverted so being alone doesn't bother me, especially since I got divorced several years ago. I like not having to rely on anyone besides myself. I don't mind being in public and don't care when I'm that one guy that's walking through when they need a single rider. I've been going to the park as long as I can remember, and its always been somewhere that just makes me happy. I can ride what I want when I want, eat whatever I choose, and just generally go at my own pace.

Its also great at Christmas because I'm not there for the parade usually. I just enjoy walking the park and seeing it all lit up. Its definitly my favorite time of the year. Yeah I get some funny looks when people see me walking around solo, but I do what I enjoy, even if it means looking awkward in public.

So the family is wondering if SDC will be serving the frozen lemonade at the various locations later in April?

Was at the park yesterday. Most of the frozen lemonade stands were open. Couple were closed, but it wasn't a very crowded day.

Just saw on Facebook there's a fire happening in the City. It seems the pork rind and woodcarving shops have been affected. Hopefully the damage isn't extensinve.

https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/local-news-local-news/officials-two-shops-are-on-fire-at-silver-dollar-city/

Something as simple as digital season passes and google/apple pay would make me happy.

I would love to not have to take my wallet on days where I am riding water rides....

I would just love having the option of Apple Pay. Not enough places use it, but somewhere like SDC or other theme parks should be all over this because it could speed up lines when purchasing food.

^ I would guess the elevator lift.  I know it had issues this year.

That would be my guess too. Every visit I made when it was operating it ended up being down for maintenance at some point. And every time there was a boat stuck on the lift.

The capacity limits are still in place. Last weekend they were posting messages on Facebook advising people to come later because they were quickly approaching capacity.

I was able to go on this past Friday (Sept 18).  The weather was great and the crowds were light.  The longest line was for Time Traveler (over an hour) but totally worth it!  Had to wear my mask all day but it wasn't totally bad. (I suggest neck gaiter) All the kids play places were closed including Grandfather's mansion but my kids are at just the right age where they love riding the rides instead.  My 7 year old son is just tall enough to get on Powder Keg and Outlaw Run.  It was his first time on both and he is a major coaster enthusiast now.  We rode Outlaw Run about 8 times.  There was no line.  In fact I think Outlaw Run and Giant Barn Swing really get passed over by a lot of people being in the location they are.  Those 2 rides were dead even in the peak of the midday.  Another thing some may not be aware of and I haven't seen it posted here is that the cave is closed.  Makes sense being in a confined space.  Mystic River Falls was also closed half the day due to a technical problem.  I put off riding it the 1st part of the day and then never had a chance later.  All in all it was a fun day and the low crowds are kind of nice.  If you care more about rides than shows, this is the time to go to SDC.

I was there on Friday as well. I was actually in the last boat sent out on MRF before it got shut down. Technical issues with the lift again. I was lucky enough to not be in the boat that got stuck at the top. Had to be "evacuated" (their term). Got a nice tour of the backstage area of MRF. Two or three boats before I got on they sent an employee out to do a check on the ride. He came back just about the time I slid out of the station. I always get nervous when I see an employee going out. Guess my gut was right lol. I feel this is life TT again, having to shut the ride down almost daily because they don't quite have all the kinks worked out.

Any recent trip reports?  We are thinking of going next weekend (friday or Saturday).  Is either day better?  Are they still mandating masks?  What things are closed?  Grandfather's mansion?  My kids were wondering about the ball area of Fireman's landing.  We are still debating whether to roll over our season pass or go.  Thanks for any input.

I went the Friday of Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately Grandfather's Mansion and the children play areas are still closed. They are still requiring masks and doing temperature checks on your way in. It wasn't very crowded at all, obviously due to capacity limitations. Friday would probably be the better day because anyone coming into town will go on Saturday. Wearing a mask all day when I visited wasn't an issue at all. They are definitely being very vocal about wearing them, and wearing them properly. Unlike many here I am in favor of wearing masks and social distancing. Didn't affect my enjoyment of the park at all. This is the world we live in right now, might as well make the best of it.

Rode most of the rides including MRF. MRF was pretty fun and a good replacement for LROTO I think. It does spin a lot faster and bang into the walls more than LROTO did but not in a bad way. I walked on to the front row of OR, which was my first time being in that position. And I was actually one of four total people on that train. They are sanitizing the trains on OR, PK, WF, TNT, and TT every few ride cycles. Not sure about how they're handling that on FM, FitH, train, or GE rides as I either didn't go on them or didn't witness it. Didn't create much of a hassle, and you get a squirt of hand sanitizer on every ride. So basically if you're not fond of how the world is right now (masks, distancing, etc) then you may not have an enjoyable experience.

Oh, ate at the new Smokehouse as well. Prices and portions are on par with before. Side choices have changed a little but its not a big thing. Had the brisket. Pretty good, got a little more fat on mine than I was expecting but didn't ruin the meal.

Overall I think SDC has handled the current conditions quite well and still creates a fun experience. Gonna go back next week when I'm taking time of work, weather is looking promising.

People are definitely coming the area more and more for nature than anything else. That's a big part of the reason why the strip is dying. Wonderworks and the new aquarium will hopefully help. The biggest problem I feel is the lack of new types of attractions. You can only do the museums, shows, mini golf, go carts, etc so much. So much of the tourism that Branson relies on is repeat visitors. SDC and the lakes are the big draws now.

The 76 plan seemed to include dressing up the strip.  It would greatly improve the strip to plant some trees and do some nature work in the areas that are lacking interest.  Maybe just some "bones" ( Trees, Roses, Shrubs) that time and nature would improve upon.  The intersections and those congested "waiting areas" could use some plantings and this would seem to go with the nature vibe of Branson.   Maybe this plan has died or they are just unable to afford some minimal investment in the future.  It seems the strip of blinking lights from the 80's is dead and maybe out of favor?

Last I remember is that the city had run out of funding for the project. They got as far as burying a lot of the utility lines and that was it. I think the overruns, both time and budget, on the downtown revitalization really derailed the Spirit of 76 project. I still enjoy seeing all the lights on the strip, brings back memories from when I would vacation here as a kid. Seeing some trees and shrubs along 76 would go a long way to improving the look of it.

Edit: Yep, lack of funding is what put it on hold

https://www.ky3.com/content/news/Branson-but-brakes-for-now-on-Spirit-of-76-streetscape-project-428083533.html

People are definitely coming the area more and more for nature than anything else. That's a big part of the reason why the strip is dying. Wonderworks and the new aquarium will hopefully help. The biggest problem I feel is the lack of new types of attractions. You can only do the museums, shows, mini golf, go carts, etc so much. So much of the tourism that Branson relies on is repeat visitors. SDC and the lakes are the big draws now.

I've always had a weird fear about the storage water area that they use to put the extra rafts in (especially SFStL's Thunder River area), but man I really love this ride.

I can't wait to finally get down there and ride it for myself. But I don't do well in the heat so it'll probably be a bit before I do.

A few times on Thunder River at SFStL I've seen full boats end up in the storage area. They had to send row boats to get the people out. But they didn't have the divide in place to make sure that didn't happen like SDC did for LROTO.

I'd also agree some places in Branson strip have seen better days.
Branson just has a surplus of hotels, they have for years. Now you add all the new condos and homeaway, airbnb, etc. and the market for places to stay is oversaturated. I never understood staying on the strip myself with a lake so close by and I think more people are doing that now along with less visitors, but I usually stay in a hotel one night over christmas before moving out to a condo for a few more nights.

Quality went way downhill on a few hotels, too. Theres a few hotels I miss that deserved to stay and more than a few that should have gone bye bye.

Some of the eyesores in branson are so easy to fix. Parking lots full of cracks and weeds at active theaters. Heck give me five bucks and I'll go spray those weeds for ya and pull stuff and be done quick. Take some pride in where you perform!
Also it doesnt take much to pour asphalt over the lot.

Theres good too so it isnt like its all bad.

Also with the crackdowns on the absentee owner extended stays, Branson is looking a little rough. I haven't been down through there since I transferred to a new work location in Springfield, plus COVID didn't help that. Branson has got some work to do to get parts of it cleaned up. Working on the homeless and meth problems would also go a very long way to making the place look better. When I worked in Branson we would be running homeless off daily, and deals for meth and opioids would take place in the parking lot constantly. And that's not even mentioning the amount of times police would come by looking for surveillance footage for yet another tourist that had their credit cards stolen because they left them in their unlocked cars at theaters.

My parents still live in the Branson area and have said that its not looking good and the amount of places closed because of COVID. Its probably going to take a couple of years before the area recovers.

I don't live in Hollister anymore, but I'm up in Ozark these days, but my parents still do. They obviously haven't been out much but they've done a couple of drives down 76 during this period. They, along with former coworkers of mine in Branson, say they've never seen the area this deserted, even during January/February. Obviously the big box stores are still open, operating under restrictions, and what restaurants that are open are only drive thru or carryout.

The longer that this goes on, the more that the area is going to be majorly financially hurt. KY3 recently ran a story about how a lot of the extended stays that haven't been shut down are starting to evict tenants because nobody is working. I guess that's allowed because the rules for them are different than for apartments, condos, etc.

I've seen a few pictures around Facebook and from KY3 showing how empty Branson is. I wish people here would understand what shelter in place means.

It was only a matter of time with Disney, Universal, and SF all shutting down.