2011 Trip Reviews

rubedugans · April 10, 2011, 09:48:59 PM

I was thinking I missed it! I have been into baskets since my art coursework in college when I had to take "textiles" which allowed me to independantly explore baskets in all facets. I have continued to explore it, and I wish I could have more time for it! I have sat with Bob, one of the older basketmakers from a few years back, on several occasions, and even on one cold fall day, I took over weaving for him while he warmed his hands for a bit. I was sad to see the baskets leave the area near the square, and then I felt they were simply shoehorned into the woodcarving shop, now, I also think they might be gone for now.

The location in which I talked with Donnie last year (between the General Store and The Cowboy shop) is now a portrait artist station. Donnie last year was on the square completing baskets for the 50th anniversary specials. I would be very unhappy if in fact I do not find baskets in the park this year...if so, there goes one of my future career paths! 12 years weaving reeds down the drain!

Andymeets1880s · April 10, 2011, 11:31:51 PM

Hey everyone! Some good stuff in the trip reviews!

Thanks to Junior for the pocket knife notice! I had a feeling they had pocket knives somewhere!

Joy · April 11, 2011, 01:00:23 AM

I talked to Mr. Ellison at the 2010 Ozarks Celebration Festival at MSU last fall, and if my memory serves me correctly (which it doesn't do very often these days), he said he was retiring from SDC.

saloongal · April 11, 2011, 07:37:55 AM

SDC #1 fan-
Where was that little swing observation area?? I didn't notice it at all! And the citizen working the ride didnt direct any of us parents packed in the line toward it. I feel bad ofr complaining about hte lack pf viewing area now!

rubedugans · April 11, 2011, 08:24:06 AM

Donnie Ellison
"Retired from Silver Dollar City after 38 yrs as a Master Basket Maker. Married and have two daughters and one grandson. I like to fish, work on my farm, work with and train my border collie and of course visit my grand son Jack. "
March 05, 2011

sanddunerider · April 11, 2011, 08:35:55 AM

Andy, If you want i could pick up a knife for you and mail it to you. i ddint know when you would go down there again.

Seems to me you stated you dont get to vist the city very often.

You may want to check quality 1st?

SDC may have to remove them, I am a little surprised they are selling them anyway. (safety and all)?

I am going this weekend. 17-18-19.

let me know,

Junior · April 11, 2011, 03:57:57 PM

Hey Rube, thanks for the update on Donnie. So, anybody replace him? Any basket weaving done on park now?

Andymeets1880s · April 12, 2011, 09:42:38 AM

Thanks loads, sanddunerider! Nah, you dont have to get me one. I am much obliged for the offer though. Maybe you can just scout a little further for me and check some of the quality you mentioned and see if they're very good if that's ok?!

sanddunerider · April 12, 2011, 11:55:25 AM

I will check them out sunday when i am there... will "try" to remember and get you pictures,.

marolinesdad · April 13, 2011, 09:53:39 PM

This is the reply I got back from SDC yesterday.... "Thank you for taking the time to contact us and for your interest in the basket weaving. This special event is no longer offered."

bobber620 · April 13, 2011, 09:56:55 PM

Hey all. Family and I enjoyed a wonderful day at the park on April 10th. Weather was wonderful. Got to the park at about 10 am parking was pretty easy going no problem there. Ran into Terry Sanders, in the warden character, at the tram drop off and pick up area and got a pic of him with my step son and also one with him and myself.( Thanks Terry). Line at the turnstiles was pretty light and we were in the park in no time. Hit Thunderation as our first ride, although the kids wanted to do River Blast first.Lines were light there as well took no time before we were on and done. Next was the Flooded Mine. Kids then convinced us to head down to the Grand Exposition area and rode several rides there before informing us it was time to get wet and we headed on down to The Lost River. Although I didn't ride with them due to having our new baby with us, it seemed as though lines we not long there either as after seeing the kids go by and thinking they should have been off the ride there they were going by again and again and again. LOL I think that they ended up going by about 5 times before we had to tell them it was time to move on. Next was lunch at the Rib House. Lunch was enjoyed by all. We also had some extended family that joined us on our trip and after luch we met up with them and watched them Hit the Giant Swing. Lines were getting a little bit longer at that point but still not to bad. After the swing we headed to the American Plunge. Lines not to bad here either. At that point we seperated for a bit with our extended family and we had our picture taken at the Tin Type store. Took a little while to get through that, as anyone that has had it done knows. Once finished with the pic we headed back down to the Lost River area ,and ran into Terry Sanders again dressed in as his Mr. M. Balmer character and we got another pic of him meanwhile the kids decided to finish of the day riding the Lost River. Although we didn't get the chance to catch any shows we still had a wonderful day. Believe that we left the park sometime around 5 PM and headed our way home to Kansas via Springfield and a quick stop at Lamberts for an awsome supper.
We had been in Branson for a three day vacation starting on Friday the 8th through the 10th. Due to the kids and a pretty good deal that we came upon we stayed at the Grand Country Inn. Kids enjoyed the indoor waterpark and the Amazing Animals show that they had going on there and they treated us very well. Didn't really do much else in town while we were there as we brought our newest addition to the family with us and due to his feeding schedule it made it difficult to really do anything like the go karts or miniture golf or catching some of the other shows, as i know how upsetting it is to have a screaming infant in the background while trying to watch a show. But all and all it was a very good and enjoyable trip for all involved.

SDC#1fan · April 14, 2011, 03:34:41 AM

Saloongal the observation deck is to the left of the ride. U have to go up the exit to get to the platform.

Andymeets1880s · April 14, 2011, 10:41:37 AM

Great review, Bobber! Sounded like a quality family outing!

kerrydale · April 14, 2011, 01:01:15 PM

Just out of curiosity, why is the speed limit on Indian Point Road 16 MPH? Is there some significance for the number 16 and SDC?

Junior · April 14, 2011, 04:25:52 PM

Kerrydale, I don't know why the speed limit is 16mph, but it sounds like somebody who makes the signs may just have an odd sense of humor. I seem to remember reading the Beatles once held a big party in London with arrival time of something like 8:16 just to be different, and display their quirky humor. I'm sure it was Fab, man!