New here...Introduction with questions

RNrunner · April 10, 2012, 01:50:35 PM

Hello! My family and I just moved to Central Arkansas. As a child, I lived in Berryvilla, AR and my family visited SDC often. I absolutely loved visiting and can't wait to take my children, ages 11 and 9. My husband and I are going to purchase season passes tonight when he gets home from work. If you have time, would you mind answering a few questions for me?

1)Are season passes worth it, and should we purchase the water park season passes, also?
2)Is it worth it to buy the parking pass? I can't remember the layout of parking...but it seems like a small price to pay for a preferred parking spot.
3) I saw an offer for a pass to get to rides quicker, similar to Fastpass system at Disney World. Is this worth the money?

Thanks for your help and I look forward to getting to know all of you.

cousin bubba · April 10, 2012, 02:12:26 PM

1. depends
2. depends
3. depends

1. if your going to silver dollar city more than once buy the season pass. I've never been to the water park, but with two children i would say probably.
2. with a season pass preferred parking is 6 dollars. i always stay in preferred parking. if it was 12 dollars probably not.
3. I've never used the pass your talking about (can't think of the name of it right now) so someone else can help you with this question. I don't use it because in my opinion it is too expensive.

so it really depends on what you want and how much money you have to spend.

cousin bubba · April 10, 2012, 02:32:31 PM

3. The pass your asking about is called the trailblazer pass. it puts you to the front of the line 8 times (same ride or 8 different rides.) cost:$27.50 per person. Family of 4:$110.

Gilligan · April 10, 2012, 02:49:41 PM

Ditto to what Cousin Bubba said - he laid it out well for you. I always get a season pass because I spend so much time in Branson during the summer. If I had young kids as you do, I would probably get the water park pass, also (if I was going to be there more than a couple of times). Personally, I wouldn't get the Trailblazer - as a season pass holder with kids in tow, my opinion would be that if they couldn't get on a ride this time, they could do it next time; after all, my season pass gets me in as often as I want. I think the preferred parking passes are sold out. I wouldn't pay to park because a shuttle will get you to the gate - I know some families use preferred parking so they don't have to mess with strollers, and that does makes perfect sense to me. Hope you and your family have a wonderful season!

saloongal · April 10, 2012, 03:15:29 PM

SDC season passes are the best value if you intend to go more than once or will be there for mulitple days in a trip. My kids are not quite big enough for White Water yet so this is not a consideration for us for a couple more years. If you are planning to be in branson for mulitple days at a time during the summer I think they would be great, I don't know if you would have time for both parks just on a weekend trip (someone with more experience can certainly answer this better than I though). SDC is a lot more than it used to be.

The parking passes are sold out, but you can pay to park in the preferred area at anytime though for 6.00 (with your park season pass) or 12.00 (without park pass). I believe that the trams/buses to and from the lots run with great frequency and are a great option. If we have the stroller, we pay to park, if we don't have it, we don't.

The trailblazer pass has limited number of usages and seems to appeal more to the teenage crowd who have a very limited number of days on park and therefore less patient with a long wait time for the big rollercoasters. If you don't mind walking away from a ride, or have several days on park to check off all your "must rides" then I dont think it is a good deal.

Ozarks Gal · April 10, 2012, 04:55:16 PM

I think it's mostly been covered, but I'll chime in here too.

Like others have said, Season Passes are worth it if you plan to attend the park more than a single day. One season pass is less than the cost of two one-day passes.
Your kids are about the age that they would enjoy White Water.

In my opinion, paying for parking is not worth it. You'll spend all day walking, what is a few more yards to walk to the shuttle pick-up (or to even walk to the gate--depending on which lot you are in)? I can see how families with small children would need them, but I'm young with no kids and my legs work just fine.

Again, my opinion, but the Trailblazer pass really isn't worth it. Lines usually aren't all that long. They'll be the worst on weekends during the summer for a bit in the afternoon, but you can schedule your visit around that if you plan ahead. If you are getting season passes you can come back anyway--plenty of chances to see all of the park!

Also, welcome to the boards! This is a great place to be

RNrunner · April 10, 2012, 05:17:48 PM

Thanks for all your help! I think we are going with the season passes. If I purchase those tonight, do I have to wait until they come in the mail to use them at SCD? We are hoping to go in the next 2-3 weeks...so I need to find out if we will get the passes before the trip.

We don't mind walking in the parking lot...so saving that money is probably what we'll do. We are also Disney fanatics and make 1-2 trips to Orlando per year...so we are used to the walking. I am so excited about visiting SDC again. Absolutely cannot wait to take the kids soon.

Ozarks Gal · April 10, 2012, 06:19:50 PM

Quote from: RNrunner on April 10, 2012, 05:17:48 PM
Thanks for all your help! I think we are going with the season passes. If I purchase those tonight, do I have to wait until they come in the mail to use them at SCD? We are hoping to go in the next 2-3 weeks...so I need to find out if we will get the passes before the trip.

According to this page Passes take up to 3 weeks to be delivered to you. However:

Quote from: Silver Dollar CityImportant Note: All Season Passes are currently mailed to the purchaser's household. However, if you order Season Passes online and plan to visit Silver Dollar City within the next 7 buiness days, please call our Reservation Center at 1-800-475-9370 to request that your passes be held for pick-up. Then simply visit any Ticket Booth upon arrival at the park to pick up your passes. If purchasing Season Passes by phone, please inform your reservationist that you would like them held for your upcoming visit.

sanddunerider · April 11, 2012, 01:19:14 AM

1 other thing. the trailblazer pass is also a 1 day pass, that you purchase when you get to the park. you pass the both as you walk in..

How-doFolks · April 11, 2012, 05:49:32 AM

we should'a paid the extra $$$$ & got a trailblazer pass 2 weeks ago when we went, & cut infront'a all them kids....

MissinTheGreenTrams · April 11, 2012, 08:05:48 AM

I did the math on the season pass and for 4 adults/one day it was 240.00 for 3 season passes 2adult/one child 230.00.

The trailblazer pass to me is a complete waste of money due to that fact that is only good ONE day. I could see paying the $$ if I could use it 8 line cuts per visit but alas not possible. So for my penny pinching ways its a no go.

WELCOME!!! Glad to see another fan!

KBCraig · April 11, 2012, 12:37:58 PM

I think your questions have been answered, but I'll chime in with my own opinions:

1. If you are going to do more than one trip of "after three, next day free" per year, the season pass saves a lot of money. Same goes for the water parks: if you use it, it's worth it. They're not for me, though.
2. No matter where you park, you're going to either walk to the entrance, or walk to catch a ride. I miss the green trams!
3. Definitely not.