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[joshblakebran]

I noticed both last year and this, that SDC is closed during some of the weekdays during August. Why is this? Seems like to me that August is the month where a lot, if not most, families are able to go on vacation. Luckily my family is able to go in June/July but I would be very disappointed if I could only go in August with SDC being closed on those days...

[mhguy77]

SDC will not operate when historically the crowds are not there. 
I think you are talking about the time of year that school is starting.
I have been at SDC on a Christmas evening and they closed the park up 2 hours early, I was shocked.
The shop keeper meet me at the door as I was trying to go into the Christmas store and told me as he locked the door, " They will not lose money"  Now to be fair I think there were 50 people in the park at the time, I mean it was completely dead.  THey also did not give out free vouchers to come back, that I was very suprised at.

[Junior]

SDC has always, since at least the late 70s, closely monitored the crowds on park. In the years I worked there, they provided an estimated park guest count, based on figures kept from the previous last few years, and gave the list to each shop/attraction so staffing needs could be planned accordingly. In about 1979, I remember a day when over 20,000 people were on park, which was a record for that time. I worked that day and was beat to death by the number of people (guests) I had contact with. A few years ago when I visited Branson/SDC, I visited in mid-August, and was blown away by the fact that not only SDC, but several music shows and Shepherd of the Hills were closed some days! In the years I lived and worked there, that would never have happened. But, just like the ole shopkeeper said in the above posting, no one wants to loose money. In mid-August folks stay at home for a week or two as they get their kids back in school, then, back to vacations again by the end of the month. I think that is why they are closed in that period every year. We would have to get Zephon or Copper to add to this thread to get a firmer answer.

[sanddunerider]

you guys are right on the "money" about the closed dates.

EVEN though we are talking about our beloved SDC.  It is a business to run, and if they have consistent, slow days year to year. they are going to close..Because after all the "bottom line" IS the bottom line.

[joshblakebran]

Interesting...I didn't realize it would be a slow time for them, but it does make sense now...I guess school starts earlier in August than it used to...Thanks for shedding light on this for me..

[Swoosh]

We go back August 24th next year.

[biscuitcreek]

Schools in northern AR can start as early as August 14th.