2013 Trip Reviews...

Junior · July 30, 2013, 03:01:52 PM

I always thought June through August was the traditional time people took summer vacations. Maybe I'm showing my age.

cheermommy · July 30, 2013, 10:44:01 PM

A lot of people where I live don't go on vacation until late July/early August because our school has two weeks where sports are not allowed to have summer practices. So most of those families wait until that time to vacationso their kids don't miss practice.

Preachin_Bill · July 31, 2013, 10:05:27 AM

Quote from: qwed94 on July 30, 2013, 02:04:35 PM
Swoosh- Im having a bad day, so guess what?
Not everybody gets paid to go places and try different parks on their family vacation either. Some people cant always plan their trip weeks (or months) in advance either. Sometimes things happen in daily life that takes money that would normally be spent on vacations also.

What Im trying to say is, most people over the age of about 18 realize that "people have zero control over anything" even though everyone wants to think they can control everything. We didnt even get to pick what we would be on earth (meaning person or animal, male or female, ETC) We dont control weather, nor do we control unforseen circumstances.

Oh yeah one piece of advice NEVER say NEVER!!!! You just might find yourself on a family vacation during (your admitted) taboo time.

Pudgy Jones · July 31, 2013, 01:03:02 PM

I was at the park on Sunday and saw Peter Herschend walking around by himself. That was pretty neat to see.

palallin · August 01, 2013, 09:44:09 AM

Quote from: cheermommy on July 30, 2013, 10:44:01 PM
A lot of people where I live don't go on vacation until late July/early August because our school has two weeks where sports are not allowed to have summer practices. So most of those families wait until that time to vacationso their kids don't miss practice.

Further, all the school systems hereabouts hold summer school in June. My son took Driver Ed this year, which limited our June flexibility.

No guilt here: we do things with our kids year-round--about the only month we don't have a reenactment activity is January, and we go to the City starting in march or April and end up at OTC. It's nice to take them to the City in July so that we can do water rides.

Junior · August 01, 2013, 10:42:16 AM

Pudgy, next time you see Jack or Pete walking the streets, go up and introduce yourself. They will be glad to speak with you. Do it the next time you see them, they are at retirement age now, and may not be with us many more years. I had the chance on opening day, 2011, to approach Jack and tell him how much it meant to me to work at SDC and how I have carried things learned on the job at SDC with me through my life, and he really seemed to appreciate it. Later that same day I saw him again in the Hospitality House, and asked if I could have a photo with him, and he said yes. Brad Thomas was with him, and Brad took the photo I have posted on my Flickr site. Jack told me that he discussed our first visit with other SDC executives while they were at lunch that day. It will be a memory of the park that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Pudgy Jones · August 01, 2013, 11:43:13 AM

I did speak with him. He was very gracious and seemed genuinely glad that I stopped him. He was "incognito" and looked like any other tourist. He was even carrying a bag of kettle corn! I think he was surprised that I recognized him. In fact, he asked me how I knew who he was. I told him that my family has been coming to SDC for four generations now, and that we consider it the happiest place on Earth even though another place makes the claim! It was truly an honor for me to get to shake his hand and personally thank him for creating the place that has meant so much to my family and me.

jmc75 · August 01, 2013, 01:15:40 PM

Anyone planning to be at the park till midnight on Saturday?

Junior · August 01, 2013, 01:40:47 PM

Pudgy: Good for you! Hope you enjoyed the encounter. The Herschend family, though wealthy and with much power, were all brought up in Branson and went to public schools. I went to high school with Bruce H. I feel that is why they are all well grounded folk. Jack's son Ron was my supervisor for a couple of years, and he was a decent guy, although at the time as a spirited teen I did not always treat him as well as I should have. As an adult, I have regretted my immature behavior at the time. Bruce H runs Talking Rocks and his wife and he have the Butterfly Palace. Chris H. operates Ride the Ducks. Some family members work on the parks or in the offices, some work in other fields not related to the family business. All have turned out well, to the best of my knowledge. Not a bad one in the bunch as far as I know. Again, I hope if someone at SDCFans.com sees Jack or Pete on the streets of SDC they will approach and engage in a short conversation. They will appreciate it, and it will keep them connected to how patrons feel about things.

oldsdcer · August 04, 2013, 09:08:26 AM

The only complaint I would have about my visit on Friday, other than being kickedoff OR, was the guy at the guard shack telling us there was no handicap parking at the front gate and putting us in lot A and then after walking up there finding several spaces open.

sanddunerider · August 04, 2013, 09:46:24 AM

Olds, here is a trick for you... When I have my monster in law with me, If they tell me the lot is full.. I ask thme if I can drive up and let everybody out up by the trams... ( you all know the spot). that way I can verify for myself lot is full.. if it is, I kick them out and go park the car.. If I see a spot, I snag it.. About 80% of the time there is a spot open.. Just an idea for you........

oldsdcer · August 04, 2013, 10:46:42 PM

My wife says I should do the same thing.

qwed94 · August 04, 2013, 11:23:40 PM

Quote from: sanddunerider on August 04, 2013, 09:46:24 AM
Olds, here is a trick for you... When I have my monster in law with me, If they tell me the lot is full.. I ask thme if I can drive up and let everybody out up by the trams... ( you all know the spot). that way I can verify for myself lot is full.. if it is, I kick them out and go park the car.. If I see a spot, I snag it.. About 80% of the time there is a spot open.. Just an idea for you........

Yes I do the same thing. Especially since my wife gets car sick real bad if she aint driving. She can not ride in anything enclosed at all. She can ride the open trams a short distance. If we get to park in preffered, she can ride the open tram. Otherwise, I drop her off/pick her up at the gate area, then she takes over.

Yes it is sometimes a challenge dealing with her constant motion sickness. No! Motion sickness meds do not help her one little bit. I think she had a very bad ear surgery when she was young, and it messes with her balance now. Another surgery might help, but it might be even worse.

qwed94 · August 12, 2013, 02:22:51 AM

Well the Aug 10 weekend trip to Branson/SDC was great.
1-first stay with Paige (Homestay). Friends she is awesome and her place rocks.
2-met Duelist (and his family) in the city Saturday, we all rode the train, had a blast Wonderful family-we must meet up again
3-met Sanddunerider (and his family) Saturday nite at Homestay. Great bunch of people. next time we must do a little more together. Had a good time with them.
4-finally got to see "Mean Murphy" at the saloon show. He is also the emcee at Echo Hollow Show. Enjoyed both shows.
5-finally got to ride OR YIPEEEEEEE !!!!
6-The Car Cruise----What can I say? "Hey Man-Rev It Up" (Sanddune will know what that means). Great times

Had a wonderful time 8-10-13 Cant wait till next time.

sanddunerider · August 12, 2013, 07:33:45 PM

I finally go tot meet duelist and his posse.. nice bunch of people, we rode the train with them early, but apparently "ma" missed the train because there was no mention of her..

since this was a "no festival" weekend there were very few shows/entertainment options...

We headed down to see the saloon show since we had not seen it for a couple of months... NOPE 10:30 was cancelled, no reason just cancelled.... WELL FINE! we hit FITH which actually had a lline, and then we started shopping/looking arounds and head for train..

rode the train, 1st round, done just in time to catch 11:30 salon show, so we hustled over there..........AND.......................wait for it.......................... YEP CANCELLED!!, this time we were told there was a "humidity" problem and the floor needed worked on...?? really.// I am guessing that when it rained ealier in the day water got on floor and they were trying to dry it out..?? maybe?/ maybe not?/

anyway more looking, checked out shops, jacks sandwhich appears to be deserted completely and not being used for anything..

not much else to say, nice day with about 10,000 in attendance..