2012 Trip Reviews

rubedugans · December 30, 2012, 11:43:26 AM

Perfect night last night laying down in bed and being able to hear the Frisco train whistle in the distance across Indian Point. Larger review to follow later.

chittlins · December 30, 2012, 03:26:45 PM

We didn't go to the Boy Scout free day from reaching a certain level of popcorn sale cause my Bear Scout is sick enough but I hear the rides were a no go and that's a major bummer for those that did. Kinda thought the Boy Scout Day was oddlyly placed. I seem to remember them not being during OTC before. Anyways, I've heard about some bummed out kids via facebook

rubedugans · December 30, 2012, 10:17:48 PM

Long review, but it has to last until Spring right?Hopefully it is worth the read!

So my annual Old Time Christmas -post Christmas- celebration was reinstated this year, and it was wonderful. Last year, with a new baby, we had to skip the tradition, and since my birthday falls only one day away from Christmas, this has been also a birthday trip for me and my family for several years. We knew with out 14 month old, we could brave the weather, or at least attempt to, so that we could get one last fix of Silver Dollar City before the off season hits.

We left mid morning from St. Louis under partly cloudy skies and by the time my leg of the 4 hour drive hit arounf Ft. Leonard Wood, the cloudy skies had brought forth a light winter snow. We reached Indian Point, dropped our bags, and suited up for the 25 degree winter weather.

When we reached the park, the skies were overcast, and we were able to see the tail end of a beautiful wedding ceremony taking place. The chill in the air was cut by the music and decorations, and knowing that I was in my happy place. We slowly made our way with our bundled up kiddo to the riverfront, and on a whim decided it had just been too long since my last apple dumpling...so we sprung for one (sans ice cream as it was now about 20 degrees, and had begun to snow a bit more!). We sat behind the Toy Store next to Lake Silver and ate the steamy apple-y goodness...man was that good! My kiddo loved it as well. I am happy to be a part of the Apple Dumpling Gang once again! (Shirt design to follow soon!) The snow was now falling harder and the flaked were beginning to be about the size of hamsters. We handed off our kiddo, and made our was to see "It's a Wonderful Life" at The Red Gold Hall.

We made our way to our seats up top, and waited patiently for the show to begin. As the show began, we unfortunately had picked the wrong section to sit in, as on our aisle, right next to us, a young child must have had a bit too much Christmas Sweetness in his belly, and lost his lunch all down the risers/ stairs leading out of the theater. The majority of the show was spent with maintenance workers next to us cleaning the mess and trying not to interrupt the show. Now the show itself was made up of very talented performers attempting to stick as close to the movie as possible, whilst working in a medley of songs from everywhere from Monty Python to church choirs mainstays.

The show met my expectations, and the scenery was by far my favorite part (aside from the big joke worked in by Clarence after ther bridge scene-if you have seen it...you know what I am talking about!). Upon leaving the show, it was beginning to get dark, and the snow had continued to fall to amount to about an inch on everything. The blanket of white powder was beautiful, and really made the Bedford Falls scenery look perfect! With the parade getting ready to start, and the mass of salt being spread in mass around the park, we decided to hit up the strip for dinner. We opted for take out Soup and Salads at Olive Garden...then we could eat in privacy, and avoid the 45 min wait at the restaurant (our food took literally five minutes to get).

Day 2:
We headed to the Landing not for the shopping but for Macadoodles (macadoodles.com/) a very well stocked wine and spirits store. I know it is not for everyone, but if you want to see a HUGE selection...give it a try!
We got to the park about 2 oclock, and actually went into many of the shops, and got all of our final things that we needed for the winter hiatus. Kettle Corn, Taffy, Hot Chocolate, all the neccessities! Other than taking in the scenes, and taking pictures, we didn't do a whole lot this day, the highlight was much later in the evening. We headed to Reed's Springs Pizza Company (voted #1 Pizza in MO by USA Today) for some pizza pies. It did not dissapoint, we will be back for sure! We had a Reed's Spring Pizza (Olive Oil, Garlic, Mozz & Parm, Tomatoes) and a sausage and mushroom...Wonderful Stuff! ( http://www.reedsspringpizzaco.com/Welcome.html ).
My highlight came when I crawled into a warm bed, and as I had been hearing all weekend from the park, heard the Frisco whistle sounding over the hills and across the lake to where we were staying. It is amazing what if muffled by the leaves on the trees, cicadas, frogs, boats of the summer nights). I would spend all I have to hear that every day before bed, the feeling I had going to sleep next to my wonderful wife, and with my daughter sound asleep nearby is priceless.

Long I know...but so enjoyable!

chittlins · December 30, 2012, 10:35:16 PM

When did they open a MacAdoodles on the Landing?

rubedugans · December 30, 2012, 11:27:40 PM

Not actually on the landing, but about 400 yards from it on the Belk end. It opened on Branson landing drive August 3, 2012

sanddunerider · December 31, 2012, 08:41:43 AM

Made a quick hit and run sunday the last day of the season

.

Park started out pretty slow, but didnt take long for people to start arriving. was cloudy and 30 or so degrees, warmed up a little as the day progressed.. A perfect winter/Christmas season kind of day

while waiting for park to open walked around the sguare, for some reason it just didnt look up to par, maybe because it was the last day.. but I did get my walking taco for the season

, wont get another for 10 months now,,

Hit Its a wonderful life again,still impressed, but i think i enjoyed the 1st show more for some reason..

after that headed down to The Living nativity, BUT on the way grabbed my last apple dumpling for the season

, LOL..Man it was tasty!! sure glad you all got me on that! cant believ i missed it all these years.

done there, stopped snapped several pics of the new pizza joint, see my link on the const 2013 thread..

stopped for some taffy and was out of there by 4:30, the Murder mystery show in town was having the season finale sunday afternoon and wanted to catch them too....

it was a little difficult leaving the parks this time, know it would be 3 months before i can come back, smell the smells, listen to the sounds, and just be able to relax... BUT.............!!!!

So there you have, SDC is closed for me/us for the season..... COME ON MARCH 15th!!

Swoosh · January 01, 2013, 12:10:42 AM

Here's my final review of the season
http://midwestinfoguide.com/migcrew/2012/SDCchristmas/

Junior · January 01, 2013, 08:42:06 AM

Great job as usual Swoosh, thanks!

sanddunerider · March 20, 2013, 12:52:25 PM

You people that were at the city last weekend, where was the Sons of Silver Dollar performing at?

Thanks..

Junior · April 18, 2013, 11:04:53 AM

Boo Hoo! Was planning on taking two grand daughters to SDC for their first trips today. Got rained out. About 5 inches of rain in Benton County, AR last night and this morning. Temperatures yesterday in the 70s. Today, it's about 40 right now. There is always another time...

Gilligan · April 18, 2013, 11:48:11 AM

Junior, sorry to hear that! There's been no shortage of rain this spring. I think it's rained solid for two days at my place. I'm hoping it's over in the next two weeks before I get to Branson for fly fishing and a visit to the city. Neither one of those activities are fun in the rain!!!

sanddunerider · April 22, 2013, 05:33:28 PM

Did npt want to starta new thread for this.. But has anyone seen/found the concession stand selling the apple turnovers.... supposed to be @ the "watertower concessions"... BUT were not there 2 weeks ago,,

Gilligan · April 22, 2013, 06:58:11 PM

Quote from: sanddunerider on April 22, 2013, 05:33:28 PM
Did npt want to starta new thread for this.. But has anyone seen/found the concession stand selling the apple turnovers.... supposed to be @ the "watertower concessions"... BUT were not there 2 weeks ago,,

Yikes! I hope they're still around.

sanddunerider · April 22, 2013, 08:27:13 PM

I checked the website again, and the Apple turnovers should be @ the "Tower Concession"... I am guessing that is the "waterworks tower" concession on Hugo Hill.. according to the map it should be in the FITH/PK area..

Looks like I may make an unscheduled trip this weekend, i will be looking again...!!!!

Parson B Ready · April 23, 2013, 02:35:27 PM

Could this be the concession stand by the exit to FITH? I know they've had them there in the past.
They should have them at the Frisco Barn during Worldfest.
My family will be down there the first weekend in May. If you can't find them by then. Let's say you and me and my boys find Ada Mae and lock her in a room with Alfie and Ralphie until they tell us where the Apple Dumplings are.