Search

[tiffanylynnt]

Yeah, red was better.

[KBCraig]

Speaking of the Gazebo and seating...

It seems to me that the Gazebo was moved back some years ago, closer to Main St., to allow more seating. Before then, we had all the natural shade we needed, thanks to the trees.

Am I mistaken?

[Junior]

Gazebo moved back...yes.

[coalesce99]

Had a great time on 5/12 & 5/13.

It was me, the wife and kids (Owen, 6 & Chase, 3). We also took my father-in-law & brother-in-law on Saturday.

Quick thoughts:

So glad it didn't rain at all. We were pretty worried. They were calling for a lot of rain on Saturday.

It always amazes me things we haven't done/seen ever (or in a long time).

The boys went over to the petting zoo. I don't think we went there on any of our 6 trips in '11 or 2 trips in '10.

Having to wait in line for the BAF tickets is annoying. But, I guess at least they're still doing them.

Here's a tip:

Don't let your three-year-old (or younger) child play the dart game over in the kids area.

Our son wasn't able to hit a balloon, and the elderly gentleman let him keep trying.

After about 6 or 7 throws, he says "Let's try something else."

The worker takes a balloon and is walking up to my son to let him pop it at point blank range.

My son had a dart in his hand, and he decides to let loose of it while the guy is walking it up to him.

Thank goodness it didn't stick in the worker...I think it made him pretty mad.

We apologized profusely, but if anyone on here knows him, tell him we're really sorry!

[Swoosh]

http://www.midwestinfoguide.com/migcrew/2012/SDCbbq/

Here is my PTR from Friday May 18 of Bluegrass & BBQ Festival

[Gunslinger]

Hi, long time lurker just started posting    My family and I have been going to SDC for quite awhile (for me since early 90s my wife even longer) We've been season pass holders for the past 6 or 7 years and didn't get passes or go last year because our oldest daughter was recovering from spinal surgery.  This year she was cleared by her doctor and the first thing we did was pick up passes.  Our latest trip was this past Saturday.  We live in the Tulsa area so SDC isn't too far of a drive (about 3 hrs) so we often just make day trips.  We left early and got there around 10.  Park wasn't too crowded, in fact it was pretty nice.  We rode a few rides (Wildfire, FitH, PK) and then grabbed some lunch.  My wife and I had Philly Beef and Cheese sandwiches.  They were pretty terrible and I wouldn't recommend them.  We rode some more rides next (FM, Train).  I was struck with how much the park expansion has affected the train ride.  You don't have that same sense of being in the wilderness you used to have and the employees/actors don't really seem to sell the hold-up the way they used to.  We did get a good view of the new coaster however.  After that our 4 year old spotted the merry-go-round and insisted on riding it (by insisted I mean he literally dragged me) and then we went and toured the cave (ever do the three mile cave hike with a 16 pound baby strapped to your chest?) After the cave we ate dinner at the Reunion Hall all-you-can-eat BBQ thing which was really good but expensive and then we went back to the expo area and rode kiddie rides until park close.  Over-all it was an enjoyable experience but both my wife and I commented on the fact that the park seems to be becoming more commericalized than we recall.  We were also very surprised to walk into the taffy shop at the front of the park and to be told they no longer give out free samples.... whaaaaaa?

[tiffanylynnt]

Do they still do the meeta-and-greets at Echo Hollow during intermission/after GAC Nights? When I was there, they didn't, but I didn't know if maybe it was just something about that day...

[sanddunerider]

You bet!  that want you to buy their C.D.'s, and then they will autograph them.!

intermission for sure, I dont know about after the show, by then I am always ready to get out of there.

[Gilligan]

we went and toured the cave (ever do the three mile cave hike with a 16 pound baby strapped to your chest?)

LOL!  You are ambitious!! Sounds like you had a great day! 

[tiffanylynnt]

You bet!  that want you to buy their C.D.'s, and then they will autograph them.!

intermission for sure, I dont know about after the show, by then I am always ready to get out of there.

Ok, good! They didn't do that when I was there last.   But now I have another thing to look forward to!!

[StaceySue]

Gunslinger--I did Cave of the Winds in Colorado with a 10-month-old strapped to my front!  LOL--thanks for the memory!  It was funny, the cave guide looked at DD and said, "that's the first 'cave baby' I've seen who didn't fall asleep on the tour!"  My children only fall asleep when it is physically impossible to stay awake for a moment longer.

[Gunslinger]

Gunslinger--I did Cave of the Winds in Colorado with a 10-month-old strapped to my front!  LOL--thanks for the memory!  It was funny, the cave guide looked at DD and said, "that's the first 'cave baby' I've seen who didn't fall asleep on the tour!"  My children only fall asleep when it is physically impossible to stay awake for a moment longer.

Lol.  Mine didn't fall asleep he did get a little motion sick though from all the stair climbing and moving around.  I'll tell you what, positioning myself through that seven foot passage with the real low clearance was definitely an experience.

[mhguy77]

Last week at work I traded days so some folks could enjoy some time off, this left me with a odd Tuesday off, a perfect day to hit the end of the B&B Festival. 
I set off from home a little before 9 and drove up to MO. Pull in to SDC a little after 10 and parked in lot 3.  It was HOT out there.  After riding the tram up and saying hello to Terry Sanders I made my way into the park with intentions of taking an easy day at the city to myself.   I stopped over at the homestead; only 2 pickers were on duty, spent a little time with them and then made my way down to wildfire, what a line!  it was going out the building so I passed and walked down by FITH, when I got to the saloon they were inviting people in so I stopped in and pulled up a chair next to a school teacher from Cherokee Village ( right down the road from my town) We talked a little and I gave her this website address, she had been to the city 13 times this year already so I assumed she would fit in here with us just fine.
The Saloon show hasn't changed much from what I can remember, it was cute but probably not something I would do again this year.  I stopped at FITH and took a ride.  You could see lights all over the place, maybe it's just me but seems like it's just not dark enough.  After making my way up the ramp I stopped at the Mountain Cookie stand and got a Apple Dumpling with cinnamon ice cream.  I must admit I have a weakness for them;  as far as I am concerned it in the best value snack in the park.  I made my way over to Powder Keg and figured after the Wildfire line it would be crazy but I was on the ride in 3 trains.  I could not believe that.  What a fun ride and it sure does seem to move faster in the heat.
I walked down to the dockside enjoyed another band and made my way up to the succotash booth.  Now I am more than willing to pay 5.99 for the apple dumpling with the ice cream but $9.00 for a bowl of okra, corn, peppers and processed chicken is just not something I can muster.  I didn't remember the price being that high.   I may have not been the only one that thought that as there were not a lot of folks in line for it.  Maybe its me but if I am going to pay 12.00 for a lunch with a drink I will not be eating  with plastic.  Am I old or is this getting steep?  If I were with another person and we could split it that would be different but that's a lot of money for lunch........but I digress.
I wrapped up the day by checking out some shops and stopped up at the square for the Horse Creek bank on the bandstand.
They are enjoyable.  I am not a fan of the new tan cone you sit under in front of the gazebo, I thought it was hotter underneath it than just standing out under the trees. Its ugly and the support posts are mounted so they obstruct the view of the stage.
I said goodbye to Bluegrass for the season and made my way back to lot 3 ( Are they going to remove the entire hill there for parking?)
All in all it was a great day.  I recommend taking a afternoon in the city all by yourself, its a great way to see all the things you didn't want to hold others up over.
Observations:
I don't know what they were doing at Wildfire today but it was taking minutes to dispatch the trains, not sure if they were having problems or were not motivated but it was really taking a while.

The new coaster looks as if it will have a small turn before the drop.  There was no drop to take a picture of so I skipped this.  It doesn't look much different than it did the last time I was there.

Tuesday after Memorial day is a great day to go to the city,, crowds were light and it wasn't kids fest yet.

[KBCraig]

....After riding the tram up and saying hello to Terry Sanders....

That was the highlight of the day, sorry it went downhill from there. 

[mhguy77]

That was the highlight of the day, sorry it went downhill from there.

Terry always makes you feel welcome.  I really enjoy my days alone in the city. I live close so sometimes its just a day trip up.  The day was great and the Apple Dumpling was superb.  I didn't mention the group of folks I saw riding the rides. these folks were in line for the American Plunge and when I say older I mean 70's-80.  It was 2 couples old enough to be my grandparents. They were debating riding Wildfire or AP first, they went on AP first not sure what they did from there but they were all dressed up and the ladies were carrying patent leather white grandma purses.  I was inspired by them and there seeking out some excitement by riding the rides.  I stood around to see what happened and they lines up and pointed at the hill and talked about the ride.  There were other 20-40 somethings that were encouraging them when they saw what they were doing.  I love to see people have fun.  I wish my Grandmother were still around to ride the rides with me.  That was probably the highlight of my day.