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[Junior]

You may have seen in my trip review from last weekend that I was shocked to see a working TV in operation at the furniture store/factory. The craftsmen had built a TV stand/Shelf combo, and were offering it for sale in the shop. I guess to draw your attention to it, the folks had plugged in a TV that appeared to be playing a program (probably a recording) of SDC craftsmen doing demonstrations. I actually was so shocked at seeing a TV in the 1880's, I couldn't comment on it (complain) to the store clerk. So please sound off here...does a TV in operation in a shop on park bother you? My first visit to the park since the end of 2007 left me slightly disappointed because of the TV...and unthemed drink vending refrigerators and the unthemed iced drink machines at the concessions on park. Also the unthemed slide down metal doors at various locations incuding the White River Warehouse at the Riverfront. Also a modern floor fan in operation in the dining area at the Mill. Other than these few things, I really enjoyed my trip to SDC. So please sound off...how do you feel about these things?

[rubedugans]

Ehh. If it were blaring High School Musical, I could have probably gone crazy, but it IS SDC craftsmen working in the furniture factory being played on the TV. I know it doesn't fit, but many things end up as I have said in other places being anachronisms. I don't think they should have to put a sign on it saying "magic picture box". They are attempting to sell an item and I don't mind.

[Junior]

Whew! You surprised me, Rube...I thought you'd go crazy after reading about it. How about anyone else? Is a TV in operation in the 1880's area of the park acceptable to you?

[Ozark Outlaw]

I completely agree with you Junior, I do not believe it should be there. However, as the digital age continues to advance forward, I am sure we are going to see more, and more electronic gadgets slipped into the park.

On the one hand, it is important to stick within the realm of the theme, but on the other hand, they are trying to entice you to spend money, and buy a large piece of furniture!

I hate to see out-of-theme, or lack-of-theme blunders such as these all of over the park. Unfortunately, Silver Dollar City has decided it is more cost effective to not theme every piece of equipment regardless of how much of an eye sore it is.

[Joy]

Depending on what they're playing on the TV, I don't know if it bothers me too much. It's probably there to show how large a TV one can fit into the piece of furniture it's resting in, so that helps customers visualize the piece in their home and help sell it.

[marolinesdad]

There is a TV in the Hospitality House with the BH playing on it.

[rubedugans]

The tintypes are now made digitally, and the images appear on a computer screen. Now, granted the computer screen is encased in wood, and has a picture frame on the front to give the illusion of a picture, instead of a computer, but it is a far cry from my childhood where you took the picture, and 5 hrs later you saw what the image was. Now, it takes 20-30 min. just to get up to the front of the line because the photog. takes 4-5 images, and lets you decide which one you like.  I don't like it Junior...don't get me wrong...but I understand their need to show the piece "as is" to entice buyers. I would have rather they built a box, or a frame around it to at least attempt to make it look period correct, but I simply walk by it wouthout thinking (it has been there a year or two). I cannot afford anything in there on 1 income anyway (I we still could not with 2!)but I love the craftsmanship of the pieces. The electric fans shaped like cats and dogs in there do however bother me....

[betamike]

I don't want to come off backwards either but back in the late 80's or whenever the furniture factory was built, I thought it was out of place.  Don't get me wrong, I love going in there and the work is truly a craft...it just always seemed out of scale or something.  Too fancy maybe  If that makes any sense at all.   I've grown accustomed to it now though. 

[Junior]

I knew the tintypes were produced digitally, but didn't realize the way the shots were first shown to the guests. It appears from what you wrote, Rube, that at least there is some kind of attempt to theme the viewing screen...again, at least an attempt. Seeing Coke vending refrigerators like I'd see at a check out line at Wal-Mart at the concessions really bummed me out. The TV in the Hospitality House playing the Beverly Hillbillies does not bother me at all...as the HH is a "modern" area of the park. When they sold videotapes in the early 1990's, they had a TV displaying the video in the HH, too...again, I was not bothered by it at all. Sorry, folks, I just cannot go for a TV in the furniture shop, even though I know they want an instore display that shows their furniture as how it could look in your house. Those roll down  metal doors at some of the locations on park really bugged me, too. In my days...the old days...they would have put in a wooden double door, like an old barn door. I lingered at the leather shop, looking at the attention to detail paid with the log building and the theming around it. Later I noticed some small buildings that appeared to be "slapped up" along the rail road tracks between the train roundhouse and the lake. They appeared to serve in some service capacity for the employees, and the theming was not as up to par as the older buildings like the leather shop. I understand budgets, big business, and modern times, so I understand why things are as they are, I just have a hard time accepting what has occurred. Again, a modern plastic fan in operation in the dining area at the Mill. In my day...again, THE OLD DAYS...somebody would have been fired over that alone! Sorry, off the soapbox!

[Ozark Outlaw]

Don’t feel too bad Junior because you are not alone!

I am very passionate about the feel, and look of Silver Dollar City. I completely agree that everything should be themed to make it appear as it wood have been in the 1880's. It truly is a shame that Silver Dollar City does not hold their theme to as high of a standard as they used to. I am not sure if this is because money is tight, or if the current management there just doesn’t think staying true to the theme is much of a priority.

I am all for a new, and exciting rollercoaster, or attraction. However, I wish Silver Dollar City would just spend one year to make sure that their entire property is themed accordingly. Minor details may not matter much to the casual family from Idaho (just making up a random location), but the minor details really do add up over time. 

[BackInTime]

What about the goofy bank of TV sets near the exits of thrill rides like WF and PK? An upsell opportunity for HFEC no doubt, but I've always thought they were an eyesore, even in parks like Six Flags where there isn't an umbrella theme to adhere to. Like other here, I think the thematic details at SDC are what give the park its unparalleled character and charm.

[StaceySue]

This probably sounds snarky, and I really don't mean it to be, so please forgive me, but modern things are everywhere.  I guess I don't understand what's wrong with a TV inside a shop when everyone's ok with Christmas lights all over the park and a huge musical Christmas tree.

To me, SDC is a celebration of Ozark heritage.  I understand where people are coming from, but I guess I never thought the park was supposed to a replica of a city from the 1880s.  I've been to a living Colonial farm where the goal was to show you life exactly as it was during that time period.  In my memories, SDC has never been like that.  Yes, a visit to the park is educational, but it's more of "in the spirit" of the the 1880s.

But as Dennis Miller would say, "Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong."

[BackInTime]

All great points, StacySue. I guess the rub for many is not so much the idea of modern things in the park, but the lack of themed touches to somewhat mask those elements. Generally speaking, I think they do a pretty fantastic job of of carrying the theme throughout the park.

[Ozark Outlaw]

All great points, StacySue. I guess the rub for many is not so much the idea of modern things in the park, but the lack of themed touches to somewhat mask those elements. Generally speaking, I think they do a pretty fantastic job of of carrying the theme throughout the park.

Exactly! No one expects Silver Dollar City to be an exact replica of the 1880's. It's a theme park with high flying roller coasters for goodness sakes.

I think most of the concern deals with preserving the look, and feeling of the 1880's. Let's face it, a large television, or other modern day equipment that has not been "themed" detracts from that illusion, and cheapens the experience.

[How-doFolks]

None of that stuff bothers me. Watching people on cellphones so much is what gets me.. Its getting just like Branson - "Cityized.."

just my opinion kids....