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[warp9p65]

Visited the park today for the third time this season.  It was cloudy when we arrived, but the sun came out and it was a beautiful day. Parked at Stop 5, close by the loading station.  Crowds were light to moderate.   First ride was Thunderation about 11:30 AM.  Line was short, one train running.  Next stop was Lost River of Ozarks.  There was a relatively short line.  They were only loading and releasing two rafts at a time, so there were lengthy gaps in between.  Water very cold.  Followed-up with Great American Plunge, then kettle chips and on to pizza at Crossroads Pizza, which was busy.  Went next to Outlaw Run, but it was out of service for some kind of problem.  Workers said it would be down at least an hour.  Rode the Giant Barn Swing, short line and maybe 10 minute wait.

Afterwards, our group split in two.  One group to the kiddie rides, the other to the roller coasters.  Wildfire was first.  There was a moderate line, and it was building up.  Only one train running.  Wait time was 20-25 minutes.  Powderkeg had two trains running, only about a 10 minute wait.   Made it back to Outlaw Run, which was up and running this time.  Two trains in use, with a wait time of about 15 minutes.  The new law enforcement memorial is very nice.

Before we knew it, 6PM had arrived.  Grabbed a funnel cake on the way out of the park.  It was a wonderful trip.

[HikerDan]

My wife and I walked through the gates at 10:15 Sunday morn for our third visit of '13.  We briefly stopped and caught a few minutes of the music act at the Gazebo.  I think it was Roy Rogers Jr. We wanted to stay and watch more but thought we'd better head on down to Outlaw Run early.

The waiting line at OR was a bit longer than I had anticipated, so we decided to cruise around the park and ride everything else, then take time for OR later in the day.

My wife Jane loves the Giant Barn Swing so we immediately started our day there. It was a very short line but the wait was made quite longer by the three male ride attendants strolling around chatting with each other, leaning against the wall when it was time to secure the riders, and trying to make small talk with some riders when they needed to be giving the "thumbs up" signal to the operator.  We did ride twice in about 20 minutes and enjoyed seeing the rafts from the river float under us as we swung backwards.  

As we were ready for our second go on the swing I noticed a train from OR stuck at the crest of the lift hill; not good. We left the swing and headed for Powder Keg; and on our way we overheard a couple talking about how the OR was stopped after initial opening to add a second train, and then the ride broke down directly thereafter. Over the years my wife and I have always suspected that the effort put into the SDC daily pre-opening thrill ride startup is less than stellar, and we've always speculated that the first test trains to leave the stations are just minutes before the first patrons arrive. I really have no idea how the startup process goes, but it's frequently around 11:00 to noon before some rides are ready to run smooth.

Anyhow, on to PK.

And PK was not running.  I always feel sorry for the families and kids who don't get to visit often, and when they get a day at the city, it's like this. So on to Wildfire.

We rode WF twice, front and back. Like all of SDC's rides we just never grow tired of riding WF; a fun, fun coaster.  Now we made a trip over to check on OR, and noticed that there were TWO swings operating at the barn swing. Wow, we haven't seen that in a couple of years (we never visit on saturday).  So it's another swing for us with both running, and the attendants have been changed, and it's much more efficient now.

Time to check on PK again, and on our way we noticed that the Saloon Show was about to begin, so we dart into the Saloon and made our way up into the balcony.  I always sit in the balcony now, as I've had the honor of participating in my fair share of Saloon shows over the years and I really don't care to be picked out of the crowd anymore! lol.     Alright!, it's a new show with Mean Murphy back in action.  I thought the show was better than the last couple of years, but my wife liked the previous shows more.  I heard another couple talking about the show on the way out of the Saloon and it was the same opinion with them, the man liked the new show and the woman the old show.

Hey! Did I just hear that familiar "poof" of a Powder Keg launch?  Yes I did, so it's off to PK; and they just opened the chain to let riders in.  While taking two rides on PK we noticed that Outlaw Run was also operating.  And it's off for a couple of rides on OR.

That OR is one wild coaster.  It's even fun standing in line and watching the expressions of the riders as they roll back into the station. It looked like one woman was hyper-ventilating!  That ride is so much fun, and it seems so original, we've never rode anything quite like that one.

Time to go see the Homestead Pickers play their hillbilly tunes.  There were a couple of the traditional Pickers missing yesterday, but the show was still very enjoyable. A man in overalls, whom we were unfamiliar with, was playing with Danny and Greg Becker.

After the pickers we got a few drinks and a bag of chocolate cashews from the candy factory, watched the cowboy show at the Gazebo for a minutes and walked out the gates heading home to Nixa.  

The day started a little slow, but it turned into another good visit in the City.

[chittlins]

There's a good spot on the way back to OR when you overlook Lost River and Outlaw Run is in the background. It's a nice shot but I didn't have a camera. It'll be gone after this week as the leafing out begins.

[Junior]

Good review, Hikerdan. I've always wondered why the rollercoasters in particular seem to break down so often. Having formerly worked at SDC, I can tell you the older rides did have pretty good pre opening prep and inspection, but don't know what they do there now. I suspect the inspection for the coasters is much more intense, as the other thrill rides. Safety is a top priority to the park folk, I was there working on that unhappy day when there was a fatal accident at FITH, and I know the park never wants to repeat that day ever again.

[sanddunerider]

Well we made it in for the opening ceremony after using BAF's to get Paige and her right hand (man) LOL,  (Cherie) in the gate,,

For some reason no volunteers to help with flag raising. several people help say Prayer and sing the Anthem.
Lotsa of folks more worried about the ropes and getting downhill to OR!!!  ..LOL

Headed down hill with everyone else... BUT we fooled them.!!  I had decided to check out the new saloon show 1st, then check out OR after that.. Got in line, and then the girls slipped down real quick and hit FITH!!..Saloon show is fun! enjoyed all the changes.! Mean murphy was picking on charlie real BAD,  But the girls handled him!   Make sure you see it!

Lets head over to wilson farm and see OR!!. Checked website, had a 45 minute wait... headed over there.. got there and wife didnt know if she wanted to stand in line or not... OR was not running at this time, Had the wife go up and talk to 1 of the ride assistants... about that time we got the word..ride is DOWN, and they asked everyone to exit the queue area?  wow!! so we gave up there and headed over to PK.. Got there and the chain was up and ride was CLOSED>>>!!!!! HMM!!  DARN!!! 2 big rides closed!!!  Darn!!..

No problem, time for lunch anyway.. went to the pizza joint and ordred the 14 Outlaw Run Pizza... HMM???  NOT a 20.00 pizza!! lots of sauce, lots of cheese.. toppins were a little scarce..  Althought i saw others with sausage pizzas and the calzones and they looked great. we will try them next time..

Headed over and listend to Sons of Silver Dollar, talked ti Jime Ellis a little while ( he joined them last year,).

Hit a few shops, ended up back on the main square, Time to head for town, had afternoon and evening shows to see. Guess the wife will wait unitl may to ride OR>>  that's ok.. it aint going anywhere..

I did get a few pics, and will get them downloaded in the nextr day or 2..

I did get a series of 360 degrees on the riverfront area in front of pizza joint so all can see it...

[sanddunerider]

Couple of more things.....

NO i did not see Tiff @ the Saloon... I looked though!!..LOL..

ALSO could NOT find the Apple Dumplings?? Website says they are @ "watertower concessions"..  I check at cokes and floats...they sent me to the berries and cream in front of the saloon..NOPE... They sent me up the hill...NOPE!!...So if anyone finds them let me know!! I am having withdrawels!!!!!

here is my link to pics...hope it works..

https://www.facebook.com/lorrie.crumb#!/lorrie.crumb/photos?collection_token=1578260143%3A2305272732%3A6

[Duelist]

Visited the park today for the third time this season.  It was cloudy when we arrived, but the sun came out and it was a beautiful day. Parked at Stop 5, close by the loading station.  Crowds were light to moderate.   First ride was Thunderation about 11:30 AM.  Line was short, one train running.  Next stop was Lost River of Ozarks.  There was a relatively short line.  They were only loading and releasing two rafts at a time, so there were lengthy gaps in between.  Water very cold.  Followed-up with Great American Plunge, then kettle chips and on to pizza at Crossroads Pizza, which was busy.  Went next to Outlaw Run, but it was out of service for some kind of problem.  Workers said it would be down at least an hour.  Rode the Giant Barn Swing, short line and maybe 10 minute wait.

Afterwards, our group split in two.  One group to the kiddie rides, the other to the roller coasters.  Wildfire was first.  There was a moderate line, and it was building up.  Only one train running.  Wait time was 20-25 minutes.  Powderkeg had two trains running, only about a 10 minute wait.   Made it back to Outlaw Run, which was up and running this time.  Two trains in use, with a wait time of about 15 minutes.  The new law enforcement memorial is very nice.

Before we knew it, 6PM had arrived.  Grabbed a funnel cake on the way out of the park.  It was a wonderful trip.

Thanks for the review and welcome to the site!

[How-doFolks]

great reviews folks!!

sanddune -- sent u a friend request on FB.

[sanddunerider]

Pics added to My FB Album...got pictures of saloon, 360 degrees by the pizza joint, "new"construction by Pizza place, and other misc. check 'em out


https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.5000836430192.177276.1578260143&type=1#!/media/set/?set=a.10200470602479102.1073741830.1578260143&type=3

[Junior]

Sanddune: the link says "content currently unavailable."

[sanddunerider]

checked my settings.... should be ok....  I hit the link and it went to pics...

[Gilligan]

I can't get in either.

[sanddunerider]

OK..guys and gals!!  here a few more...  couple of pics of Mean Murphy and the girls.(still no Tiff)..(lol)... also the raw construction near the pizza joint...(bathrooms?)..just footings nothing else.

[warp9p65]

What a beautiful day at SDC.  It was sunny and just the right temperature.  The park was really crowded around noon.  Long lines out the loading stations at both Thunderation and Wildfire, with only one (1) training running at each.  The crowd certainly justified running two trains.  Can't understand why they don't when lines are so long.  Powderkeg was down most of the day, if not the entire day.  I saw empty trains running the track, but no riders in them.  The "CLOSED" sign was up when we walked over.  Several people were commenting that Outlaw Run had shut down because one of the trains having stalled going up and that riders had to come down the stairs.  I never made it over there to see for myself.  Same group told us that the Giant Barn Swing was experiencing malfunctions as well.  Not a very good trip for the thrill riders in our group.  Fire in the Hole had a long line out into the street, but at least it had two (2) trains running.  The water rides had shorter lines with little wait time.  Crowds dissipated significantly by about 4 PM.  No line at all at the Flooded Mine.  Had lunch at the "English Isles" station in the food barn.  It was just OK.  Noticed that Jack's Sandwich Shop was closed down, just as it was last time.  Wonder if that's permanent?  Buses were running promptly between Stop 5 and the entrance.  Very little wait time for transportation. 

[jmc75]

So we were down for a couple days the 24Th-27Th and made it to SDC on the 25Th which was the best pick for weather. A little cool in the morning but sun was out and warmed up nicely. We got to the park around  8:30 not very many people there yet. So our first stop was Molly's for breakfast. All was very good they did changed the sausages from links to patties. What was fun is that my 5 yr old son notice this and asked the waitress she looked at him and said actually those were the links they just decided to smash them down and flatten them this time. He looked at me and then her said OK then. Then when we were finished with breakfast she came by and asked how the sausages were he told her he still like the links better, she told him then next time he comes by she will roll them right back up. You have to love the citizens where else can you get such great interaction. Also which I had not had these before hillbilly rolls. YUMMY.
After breakfast watched the opening ceremonies and then headed down by the train was going to hit outlaw run but decided might be better to let some of the food digest first. So did the train first the show was good as always. I love when who ever they ask is ma says yep I am their ma, I think the skit gets so much funnier.
After that headed to the flooded mine all looked pretty good and seemed to be working very well.
We then headed to outlaw run, it was great no line they had two cars running and we waited no more the maybe 5 minutes. All I can say is wow what a ride. Granted my coaster experience is limited but that has to be the best one I have ever been on and so smooth for a wood coaster.
Then headed over to half dollar hollar, after that headed to crossroads pizzeria I got the calzone and the rest of the family just got a pizza. I thought both were excellent and not bad for price wise either.
We then headed over to GE for a couple of kiddy rides for the kids. Not sure who they were they had 3 musicians over there that were playing in the street, they were great they would follow people around and play the jaws theme music or if someone wanted to by the were get in front of them and start doing emergency music it was Great probably stood there and watched them for twenty minutes.
We then headed over to GG on the way over ran into terry sanders he was drawing directions for the train. I mentioned to him that he had been writing the words up side down from where I was standing and he went into a big production with within and everyone around got a big kick out of it.
GG looked in good shape seems that they added or fixed some sound effects when the geyser blows. I know some do not like it but it is definitely a kid favorite I know my son and daughter could probably send all day there if we let them.
About 4 we decided it was time to go but wanted to hit outlaw run one more time. Got over there no line and thought awesome. Got in the car and the. Had to get back out apparently issues. The car behind us they had to manually remove all the people.
At that point headed out stopped at the mill for waffle mix and Cinnamon bread and headed out. I thought everything looked good at the park and was please with everything.
I did see that they were doing some more construction over by crossroads pizza,they had a concrete pad laid and what looked like plumbing lines of some sort.
Hoping on going back this Friday.