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[Parson B Ready]

Sanddune you and Trams did an excellent job with your rain dance.  Perhaps next year you should try out for the anti-Rainmaker show at SDC. 

[StaceySue]

Yes, we were pretty lucky with the rain!

We went into the park at about 3:00 p.m. today.  We took the shuttle from Deer Run.  It was much cooler today, but I was fine with a sweatshirt, gloves, and a scarf.  The baby was bundled up pretty well, though.  We decided to see Dickens again.  The first show after our arrival was 3:45.  We misjudged where they were in the process of filling the theater, so we missed that show because it was.  We went to the 5:45 show instead and just got in by the skin of our teeth.  We aren't used to going to the shows after the first showing!

And no, we didn't hang around the Dickens queue for two hours; we had dinner.  My family went to an old standby, the Riverfront Rib House.  I've been in the "try new things" mode lately, so I went Mary's Springhouse for some Chicken Fettuccine. It wasn't what I expected, but it wasn't too bad.  I don't think I'll get it again, though.

After Dickens, we watched the parade near the Opera House.  We actually sat on the stone wall across from the Fire in the Hole exit.  Not a bad spot.

We tinkered around awhile, but then the youngest got cranky.  So here is the only bad part about using the shuttle.  He can't use the shuttle until 9:45.  It was 8:00.  We considered going to stop 5, and we even asked if they parked near stop 7 today, but they hadn't.  We even broke  one of our rules and left the park.  We saw the line to stop 5, so we whipped out our passes and went back into the park.  The baby started to calm down while we sat in the Ice Cream Parlor to get warm. After some hot chocolate, it was time for the second parade.  We walked over by the GE to watch it (the baby was happier if we kept moving, so that is why we ended up all the way down there).  After it went by, we had a dorky notion to watch it again, so we zipped through a near-empty park and caught the parade again across from the Lumber Camp.  Yes, we are dorks.  Out-of-shape dorks, by the way.  We nearly killed ourselves zipping that fast.

By the time we made it to the square and took a restroom break, it was time for the shuttle.  So we went to the stop and waited about 10 minutes.  It was a full bus back to the motel. 

We made a Taco Bell run to Branson West to put the baby to sleep and to grab a snack.  Mmm, tacos.  Now it's time for bed.  We'll head home tomorrow.

[Junior]

I have really enjoyed reading the trip reviews this weekend. Thanks everyone!

[sanddunerider]

stacey, GREAT review.
i like the fact you saw the parade twice at "one" time....
i also love the idea about leaving the park and then "whipping" out the passes!  Love those passes..
But most of all I LOVE the idea of tacos after a day in the 1880's!!!

[Ozark Outlaw]

Thanks for the review StaceySue!

It seems like the Deer Run motel is continuing to work well for you, and that it is recovering nicely after that faux pas that was discussed around here early this week.

It sounds like you had to earn your spot in the Dickens's theater this year! It is still worth it though despite the extra hassle.

The Riverfront Rib House is always a Silver Dollar City tradition, but I am glad to hear that you tried something new although it didn't turn out to be something you would eat again.

The warm ice cream parlor, and a hot cup of chocolate really sooths the soul on a cold day. Way to go on catching the same parade twice! I don't think I would have thought of that.

It's nice to know that the Season Passes worked well for your situation. I wonder, does returning in the same day equal a "second" visit? I should just pass through the ticket turnstiles five times in one day to qualify for my ornament.

After fighting for a seat at the Dickens's show, racing to catch two, or three parades, dealing with the baby just being a baby, walking in, and out of the park, and scurrying to catch a full shuttle bus, it sounds like those tacos were a much deserved treat!

[sanddunerider]

we have left and reentered 4 or 5 times this year, I also wondered if that was 1 trip, or 2 trips..   
I keep a cooler with pops and sandwich stuff in the vehicle. We will go out for a break from the crowd and the lines, have snack/meal and then head back in!!

Just something I do.

[StaceySue]

Yes, we did have a great trip.  We accomplished a lot, but I wouldn't say it was relaxing--lol.  One of the parts about the trip I was looking forward to was "getting away" from my job.  This was one of our more stressful trips, but it's just going to be that way for a few years until the baby is older. 

One thing I forgot to mention in my trip report is that while the baby was sleeping on Saturday, we peeked in the Mahaffie Homestead, and a young woman was inside making chicken and dumplings on the stove.  There was also a fire in the fireplace.  It's been awhile since I peeked in there, so it was cool to catch her cooking.  I wonder who eats the food they make in there?  The Homestead Pickers?   

[sanddunerider]

hmmm?  ???chicken and dumplings??   so if i have my refill cup, and a spoon .............. do you suppose???///...........................Maybe......................

[Ozark Outlaw]

StacySue I wouldn't call your trip stress free. However, the hustle, and bustle of visiting Silver Dollar City is a good, and healthy stress, and much different than work stress.

Also, I have seen the McHaffie’s cook breakfast during a visit several years ago. As far as I am aware of, the employees who work at the Homestead stay in authentic 1880s character all day long.

[Harp]

The Picker's do eat there, if you are there during the lunch break, they will be at the table in the kitchen. 

IMHO, best area of the park is the Homestead.

Harp

[Andymeets1880s]

I also give a big thanks to everyone writing trip reviews! These detailed reviews allow me to walk through the park with you and enjoy the experience too. Keep em' coming, folks! Good, good stuff!

[sanddunerider]

your right about stress ozark....  Lets all remember the saying " A bad day at SDC, always beats a good day at work"....    That is not the exact wording, but it will work.  LOL

[cheesehead57]

Our favorite place is the HOMESTEAD. Keather is a great cook for someone as young as she is. If the Homestead Pickers, Terry Sanders, Frisco Jack (and John) and Aunt Judy and the street Characters weren't there...it would only be just another amusement park and we wouldn't drive 900 miles to go there.

[missark]

Is the preferred parking available to non season pass holders ?  Can you leave and re-enter unlimited?

[sanddunerider]

yes, and yes.  i think they may stamp your hand when u leave, if u have 1 day pass..  if you have season pass it does not make any difference