2014 Trip Reviews

History Buff · March 21, 2014, 09:21:38 PM

50s would definitely be jumping the shark.

sanddunerider · March 22, 2014, 08:38:48 AM

I agree with Swoosh on this one........... They will continue the SDC/western theme..

Yes, from time to time there will be items that don't match.... but the PTB will keep the theme going. they know it is the draw for a lot of us...

GoBears · March 22, 2014, 11:47:37 AM

Sorry I didn't get many photos of the park. :/ I only took my phone into the park the first day I went and only for a few hours, mainly so I could get some photos of the cave. Overall I had a great time and really enjoyed myself besides some ride breakdowns the first day (Thursday) I went to the park.

Entering Cardinals and Blues territory... yuck. Go Cubs and Blackhawks!

After a 10 hour drive, I finally made it to Branson!

I didn't do anything the first day I arrived which was Wednesday because it was later in the day and the park was closing in a couple hours. I did visit some shops along the strip and downtown area. I had to stop at the Farm House Restaurant and I'm so glad I did. Best fried chicken I ever had!

Here's a view of Table Rock Lake from the resort I stayed at which was Still Waters Resort.

On my first day at the park, I visited Marvel Cave after getting a ride on Outlaw Run and Wildfire.

Photos don't do the entrance room of this cave justice. When you reach the bottom of the entrance room and look up, you can't believe how far you've already walked down and you're not even a quarter way into the tour yet.

I forgot the name of our tour guides but one of the two said that he was newer. They both did a great job though.

My favorite room of the tour.

I think it was called the waterfall room or something. Maybe I'm confusing it with another room, but this did a waterfall.

Long way down.

People weren't joking when they said you can't see Outlaw Run from anywhere in the park until you get right up to the ride. I couldn't see it anywhere except the entrance of the ride and from the station of Powder Keg where I took this photo.

Cool fact I learned about Powder Keg: The back spike that never gets used isn't just there for decoration (which makes sense because that would be an expensive piece of decor). It's there in case the train doesn't clear the first hill from the launch and it rolls backwards. Makes sense, I just never realized that.

A little girl really didn't want to ride after she got strapped in so they released the harness and she exited the ride screaming and crying. She waited right outside the gate in the station for her friend to come back but the worker in the station was doing a great job putting a smile on her face while she waited. The staff here was so friendly in every area of the park.

One final photo I took before I securely tucked my phone away. I loved the entrance and station theme for Outlaw Run.

I had a great time and got on all the attractions I wanted to ride...

Outlaw Run - 3 rides: I went in with very high expectations and it still blew me away. Best roller coaster I ever ridden. I rode in the front, front row of the last car, and the very back. My favorite seat was actually the 2nd to last row. My favorite parts of the ride were the first drop and the drop out of the banked turn that runs underneath the lift hill structure. The element after the first drop, wave turn, and the double barrel roll finish were all incredible as well.

Wildfire - 1 ride: I was a little nervous about riding this because I tend to get sick on rides with a lot of inversions but I figured if I was ok on Outlaw Run, I could handle this. I was quite impressed by this B&M sit down. I wouldn't say it was as good as The Incredible Hulk for me but a solid looping coaster none the less.

Powder Keg - 1 ride: I was a bit disappointed in this ride. The launch was pretty thrilling, but the rest of the ride hurt on the transitions. Not an awful ride, but not a favorite of mine. I would've given it another chance but it kept breaking down.

Fire In the Hole - 1 ride: The drops were little bumpy but it was a fun classic ride with some cheesy but decent theming throughout.

Thunderation - 1 ride: By far the best of the 4 Arrow mine trains I've been on. The others being Cedar Creek, River King, and Adventure Express.

Marvel Cave - 1 tour: Amazing cave with a lot of cool history. You'll also get a nice little workout.

Great little park with excellent staff. The food was also really good! Wish I could've stayed a little longer but we had to head home early on the 2nd day for certain reasons.

Duelist · March 22, 2014, 12:07:56 PM

^^^
Glad you had a great time! You're one of us now!

sanddunerider · March 22, 2014, 01:20:55 PM

Gobears, nice review.. glad you were not disappointed...

Point of fact for you.. the "spike" as you called at Powderkeg....(I believe this is fact), is actually a piece of the last coaster that was in the location, Buzz Saw Falls

History Buff · March 22, 2014, 06:59:42 PM

NEW BALLS FOR '14:

NEW FOR '14: FENCE RAILS

sanddunerider · March 22, 2014, 07:44:07 PM

HB, great bunch of pictures, I looked at them on your different posting.. good pics and good information... be nice to see what develops as the season progresses..... lots of chances for new pictures and updates this year....

shavethewhales · March 22, 2014, 09:00:10 PM

Thanks for the trip report and photos GoBears. Interesting that you found PK to be jarring. Its always been smooth for me, but this is already it's 9th season in operation. Too bad you couldn't get a second ride, it is the most troublesome ride in the park for downtime. Hope you can make it back again soon, there's still so much to see!

Sanddune, for clarification, the top part of the spike where it gets all wonky is probably from Buzzsaw falls, but the rest of the spike is indeed a rollback strip. I've only heard of it having to be used once - the compressed air system is pretty reliable compared to the LIM/LSM systems you get on most launched coasters.

Thanks for the photos History Buff!

GoBears · March 22, 2014, 09:22:43 PM

I hope to go back as soon as next year! Thanks guys!

sanddunerider · March 23, 2014, 06:26:47 AM

Shave, that is what I meant to say...... I knew the piece in the air was for display, LOL...

the rollback safety is pretty obvious... I like the fact they used the old track.!

okiebluegrass · March 24, 2014, 02:02:01 PM

Go Bears Thanks for the pictures. Really well done review. Made me feel like I was there

jrkstl · March 25, 2014, 01:09:55 PM

shavethewhales wrote:

QuoteI've only heard of it having to be used once

I was in the PK station a couple of years ago waiting to board, and while watching the train launch I could tell it wasn't going fast enough to make it over the hill. The train slowly rolled backwards and came to a rest with the last car or two sitting at a slight angle near the bottom of the spike. Obviously, the safety system worked as planned, but the crowd of non-riders watching freaked out like I've *never* seen before. I thought it was funny/cool, but was rather surprised to see some individuals nearly crying. People are funny.

GoBears · March 25, 2014, 07:25:05 PM

Quote from: okiebluegrass on March 24, 2014, 02:02:01 PM
Go Bears Thanks for the pictures. Really well done review. Made me feel like I was there

Thanks!

^As for the rollback situation, I've heard people talk about launching rides such as Top Thrill Dragster and act as if there's no brakes to stop them in case of a rollback. In other words, some people believe that if a ride rolls back, it won't stop.

sanddunerider · April 29, 2014, 03:09:18 PM

had a rainy day sunday, then the battery was down on the camera.... BAD START!!!..

But we did get to see Carrie Nation.... had some good one-liners....and some not so good

When we finished there we hiked across to the red god to see the "Spanish guitar".... hmmm? wasn't interesting to me.... the preshow by SDC employees was much better than the show.... may have been just me...... flip side I love the backscreen there for special effects and pictures......

After that, hard rain, grabbed lunch there at the Frisco Barn, I had the Calzone, others of us had the spaghetti, couple of the sandwhiches and the tacos. everything was very tasty and reasonable portioned..

then the "islands of fire" show... NICE, fairly informative.. the cast did a decent job... after that the rain had let up, so we headed of the cars,, had other plans in town

the rides were down most of the day off and on..

Overall a nice trip.... low attendance of 2700 because of the weather, so their were no crowds.... (except) under cover when it was raining...... great visit..

We had another good stay at Classic, No word on homestay yet.... Sure glad we get the discount at Classic also.....

DianaGail · May 04, 2014, 03:02:57 PM

Went yesterday with a group of 16. We started out the day by the ticket gates trying to give our 12.00 guest tickets away. Finally found a family that was excited to use them. The line yo trade the tickets for the day passes took 25 minutes and there were only 3 customers in front of us. That process is absurd and something has got to give. There is no reason it should ever take that long. Anyway, we found the international theme lacking. We loved to see the red, white, and blue everywhere but it definitely was a distraction from the festival theme. We went straight to the expo. It was music in the parks day so there wee teenagers everywhere. Attendance was so high they kept them park open late. Half of the expo rides opened late. Thank goodness there are so many rides there and the kids didn't get bored! The paint on the rides is looking really rough. Chipping enamel and faded paint everywhere. But, the lines were short thank goodness. They replaced the locks on most of the kids rides with kicks that must be or penned with keys. It certainly makes it hard for children to escape! Yay for that!!

Went to the pizza place for lunch. It was fine but I didn't think it was special. Back to gyser gulch. The kids loved it! It was warm enough to get wet and Anna loved the balls the best. It was her first time in that area. It definitely looks tired. I'm glad it's getting a new life because it really is great for kids.

Next up...lost river!! There is now a guy trying to sell waterproof bags under the first shelter. It really holds the line up. It took about 45 minutes from getting in line to exiting the ride. I don't think I have ever gotten as wet on that ride as I did yesterday. It was fantastic.

Time for the train. Since we didn't go last year, the skit was fresh for us. Lots if puns and It was hilarious!! We wanted to go on the shoutout but the line was way too long. Caleb went on thunder action for the first time. He did fine until that last hill. Poor guy had to be carried off. Lol! Half dollar hollar was great. Lots of kids but it didn't seem crowded. I'm not really sure those swings ever get much use.

Back to the expo to do all of the rides again. We heard the beginning of the gac show as we were walking out. They sounded good.

It was a great day! It may be Christmas before we make it back bit we can't wait!