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[mhguy77]

So this is the 2013 trip report spot?

[StaceySue]

We took a little day trip today for the last day of Worldfest. The weather was cool but dry.  It was certainly nicer than the rain and snow we just had. 

We saw the Argentina show.  It was pretty fun.  We did kiddie rides and FITH.  Since we had our toddler with us, we didn't try to do any coasters.  We tried Outlaw Run previously.  We also watched Ecudor Manta at the Gazebo.  We always enjoy them.  Maybe it's just me, but it seems there is a little less for this festival every year.  We did see the Viva Italia people.  I don't know, but it really just felt like another day at SDC to me, which is still a good day.  I just don't feel the need to visit as often, I guess. 

[jmc75]

Was at the city on Friday weather sucked and I did not get up there till about 4:45 hardly anyone left. Most everything was either closed or closing at 5:30. Apparently they were doing a soft closing because of foot traffic. Though the fun part was that the train was still running and I and 8 other people were on it. It conductor and the hold up was I think better just because of that. Then went to Molly's for dinner,everything else was closed. Again they were great even though I was the last one not sure how many times I was told take your time we are in no hurry. Also I found out at dinner they do not give out the pre packages dinner rolls anymore but now slices of bread that they bake. Very tasty.
Went also on Sunday went to breakfast good as always, then rode fire in the hole, outlaw run maybe a bout a 20 minute wait, I will say I think the very back is better then the front, after that went on wildfire, no line what so ever. Also I found this out I was told at the front gate that one can make a copy of there drivers license put it on the back of your season pass and then do a cold laminate on it. Was wondering if anyone else had heard or tried it. Kinda saves a little effort.

[DeweyBald]

What a great idea.....anyone try this?

[Swoosh]

Also I found this out I was told at the front gate that one can make a copy of there drivers license put it on the back of your season pass and then do a cold laminate on it. Was wondering if anyone else had heard or tried it. Kinda saves a little effort.

IF you do so, don't cover up the barcode by mistake on the back.

[Parson B Ready]

Our family made it down to SDC this weekend to attend ACE's Outlaw Run Premier event.  First I'd like to thank all the ACE members who visit this site.  Joining ACE has been a blessing for our family, especially the events they've hosted at SDC.  We drove down to Branson on Friday in time to visit the park for a couple of hours and then attend the ACE ice-cream social.  We heard from several ACE and SDC speakers including SDC General Manager Brad Thomas,  HFE COO Jane Cooper, and special guests Pete and Jody Herschend.  The social featured the new Outlaw Run flavored Ice-Cream (Vanilla ice-cream with chocolate chips, caramel and sea-salt.  They also have an Outlaw Run Taffy with the same flavors.)  There were patches of snow on the ground when we arrived at SDC Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, but no real accumulation.  It continued to snow throughout the day on Saturday with temperatures hovering in the 40's brrr. 

On Saturday we arrived at the park at 8:00am for breakfast at Crossroads Pizza (Coffee, Orange Juice, Hot Chocolate, Danishes, Cinnamon Rolls, Biscuits, Bacon, Sausage,  and a pig-in-a-blanket-type sausage.)
After breakfast we were supposed to have ERT on Outlaw Run, but alas it was too cold.  So we got ERT on Fire-In-The-Hole with LIGHTS ON.  (Awesome!) And a behind the scenes tour of FITH.  At 11:00 we were treated to special seating at the Amamos Argentina Show in the Opera House.  I skipped this show, but the wife and kids (and Grandma) said it was really good.  I wanted to see the Island Fire show, but when we got around to it on Sunday, the line for the show (which was playing at the Riverfront Playhouse) stretched all the way  back to Riverblast.  So needless to say I missed it.

On Saturday afternoon it finally warmed up enough that the kids were able to ride Outlaw Run.  They loved it. They rode it twice.  First time wait time was about 45 minutes.  The second wait time was about 30 minutes.  They had two trains and the lines moved pretty good.  The coaster was down for a bit later in the day and then once on Sunday.  Not sure why.  I didn't ride this time. I'll get there eventually, but not this weekend.  The water rides (AP, LRO, RB) were closed on Friday, but they were open on Saturday and people were riding them.  I couldn't believe it.  Forty degrees, snowing and these idiots are riding water rides.  My idiots, oops, I mean children, rode the water rides on Sunday in fifty degree weather, but they had to ride them back-to-back and then they changed their clothes.

We left the park around 4:30pm on Saturday to go to Sight-and-Sound theater to watch Joseph.  I enjoy the technical--how'd-they-do that-aspects of the production.  But it really wasn't worth $225 it cost me to take my family to the show.

On Sunday, the weather was better, but cool.  Crowds were moderate--to low. But being that this was the pick day of the weekend we had a few short lines. (Except the line for the Island Fire show which was really, really long).  We started the day by attending the Worship Service (11:00am) at the Wilderness Church and I was proud that my son, Caleb was asked to sing during the service (this had been arranged months in advance).

We did the train on Sunday.  It was great. The conductor blew some of his lines, and  "Ma" riding the train claimed Alphie and Ralphie which really threw them off. It was funny and it took them a while to make the "shot".  The conductor said he was sorry they got off script so much, but I told him those of us who ride the train on a regular basis enjoy those moments.  The kids rode PK (moderate line but they were running 3 trains) WF (very little wait) and TNT (short wait) a several times.

All in all the trip was a good one.  ACE and SDC do a great job putting these things together.   My only disappointments were the weather (of course--but what are you going to do) and the fact that I DIDN'T GET AN APPLE DUMPLING.  Any management person reading this need to be aware that many of us LOVE your Apple Dumplings.  A trip to SDC without an Apple Dumpling is unacceptable.  I found two stands that were selling Apple Dumplings (Tastes of the World in the Frisco Barn and the stand by the exit to FITH) and they were both Sold Out by 3:00pm on Sunday.  If this happens again, I will be forced to let the Baldknobbers out of FITH!

Of course we had a great stay at Homestay Inn. It was great to see Paige and her crew again.

Attendance at SDC this weekend:  Friday-1,000;  Saturday-7,000. I didn't get Sunday's figures.

Hopefully we'll be back in 6 months.

Here is a Facebook Link to some pictures.  I hope this works, I haven't had much success with pictures on this forum.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4938796911765.1073741825.1353910028&type=1

[chittlins]

The water rides (AP, LRO, RB) were closed on Friday, but they were open on Saturday and people were riding them.  I couldn't believe it.  Forty degrees, snowing and these idiots are riding water rides.  My idiots, oops, I mean children, rode the water rides on Sunday in fifty degree weather, but they had to ride them back-to-back and then they changed their clothes.

This always cracks me up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iyy4ixum-Ds

[How-doFolks]

Great review!

[jmc75]

Swoosh there is no bar code on the back of the SDC pass. Unless you know something I do not

[sanddunerider]

didnt want to start a new thread for this.. I just received mobile announcement the park will stay open extended hours tonite!  Staying open until 7:30!!!!!!!   

WOW!!  Must be a super nice day with a good crowd.!!   

I see it just posted on FB also!!   Lucky people!!

[chittlins]

didnt want to start a new thread for this.. I just received mobile announcement the park will stay open extended hours tonite!  Staying open until 7:30!!!!!!!   

WOW!!  Must be a super nice day with a good crowd.!!   

I see it just posted on FB also!!   Lucky people!!

Some rare good weather on the weekend in these parts and some pent up frustration..

[sanddunerider]

just heard the number 17,000 people on saturday

If that is right, that would be the 2nd highest attendence this year.!

[biscuitcreek]

Went to the park on Saturday, May 11 for Bluegrass and BBQ.  Lines for shows, lines for food, lines for rides, lines for bathrooms. Shows at the Opera House are now an hour instead of 30 minutes. I thought that was a great improvement. Saw the 2 Nothin' Fancy shows and the 2 Rhonda Vincent shows. Cell phones rang during all 4 shows. Maybe because no announcement was made about turning off cell phones prior to the performances. Attended part of IIIrd Generation -- left because of several folks talking loudly to the people in their groups or talking loudly on their cell phones.  Also saw Driven at the Gazebo. A new to us group that we hope to hear again in the future.

Less merchandise for sale in the Frisco Barn. Also, bottles of BBQ sauce for sale have gone up in price by $1 to $2 over last year's prices.

Did not ride anything due to the long lines. The weather was great Saturday and we enjoyed our day. But the lines made me remember why I don't like going to SDC on Saturdays.

[sanddunerider]

10,000 people there last sunday... nice crowd.

[Hollwood]

We were blessed to be as SDC this Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and I have to say that the park has never been more beautiful. We rode everything multiple times, and never waited more than 45 min for any ride including Outlaw Run. (The sign boasted 80 min at one time, but we timed it at just over 45.) My tip to everyone riding Outlaw Run is sit on the right side if you plan on putting your hands up. The start of the double up after the first inversion will slam you against the car and leave a nice bruise above your rib cage. If you ride with yours hands on your lap, then your arm catches the forces. I also noticed that no loose article idea was not working. I never saw a train not stopped in the ready blocks, which makes 2 train operation pointless. We also caught the saloon show, Mean Murphy was my favorite show when I was a kid, and I could almost quote it word for word as the 100% new saloon cast performed this classic SDC show. We saw a lot of old friends behind the scenes, and even drove by Jack and Pete's office to see if they were in. Unfortunately they were not, but we chatted with the staff that was there and really enjoyed our visit. We will leave SDC in those hands of you that will be able to visit throughout the year, we just ask that you be easy on the staff and trust the ones who are trusted to operate it on the back end. You all are really blessed with a beautiful property, and reading some posts in these threads really shows how much you take it for granted.