Search

[Swoosh]

Why not do away with Moonlight Madness and just have the park open longer and "business as normal" ?  I don't see the need to create a special event just to have the park open longer.  Unless they want to leave some Christmas Lights up year round (to compete with WOF's new addition) then why even bother.  Just add more show times later in the day and leave the park open longer -- with the same theme the entire time.

[mbrownx4]

I have to agree with the Swoosh idea, keep to the theme of your park.  The moonlight madness is not something I would enjoy going to because of the musical change.  I would go for the rides at night and that would be it.

[orient express]

swoosh has it dead on

[Copper]

I love closing at 7!!!

SDC feels that MM is special and if they tried to extend it all summer long they would not get the same reaction.  They were surprised that it was so successful last year; they set a record weekly total attendance.  I do believe that they should keep the theme; it's very strange to hear rock and roll through the park.  A few summers back they did away with the theme music during Kids-Fest and were playing Kids-Bob kind of music, including Barbie Girl.  Well, enough people complained and it was quickly changed back.  One day I wouldn't mind if they did extend hours, the challenge would be to add to the work force and not scare away the elderly employees and to light the park properly.

[History Buff]

I've complained enough, and I think most of us agree that the execution of Moonlight Madness has left us with a bad taste.  Now, how about offering some grassroots solutions?

It would be awesome if they could light the sections of the park that remain open after dark with more traditional lighting - maybe lanterns, candles, or even strategically placed wood fires.  These, enhanced with electrical lighting, would give a special feel to the place.

Then, how about campfire music piped through the park or even some scary campfire storytelling?  If you must have a dance, put it over in the GE, but by all means use country music or country rock.  People would still dance to Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts.

And just to be ironic, play Shania Twain in the Mark Twain area at the Riverfront!

Any other ideas that could make Moonlight Madness more palatable?

[PastorDon]

^ How about some Baldknobbers with torches around FITH to light thing up!  It would certainly be in keeping with the theme.     My favorite part of the park being open at night during the Christmas festival is just being able to ride Wildfire after dark, so as long as there were some shows going on to keep the lines shorter I'd be happy. 

[Junior]

In my day, they had a end of the day square dance, a lowering of the flag, and a singing of America the Beautiful. They could do the same thing now, but hold a full blown square dance, lasting several hours, teach people to square dance, get the street characters involved, maybe a "country fair" type event on Main Street with several musical and special acts, like ventriquests, magicians, comedy. Get everyone involved, offer lemonaide, other refreshments.

[orient express]

great ideas! its a long shot im sure but i hope some decision makers are reading these posts!

[History Buff]

^^Sounds like a true street fair.  That could give a really cool "feel" to the place that couldn't be had anywhere else.  Local close-up performers could lend to the flavor, even being allowed to put out an open hat or guitar case for donations.

^^^I just came back to this thread with the idea of Bald Knobber torches for lighting (and to add a cool fear element) in certain areas.  That's more what the place needs after dark.  How about a nice storyline that integrates different sections of the park?  As you travel from area to area, more of the story gets put together.

Let's go, HFE!

[Copper]

I think it would be fun to experiment with real gaslight.  Many trendy places in Vegas and NY are doing it, I think it would be pretty and really neat in different locations throughout SDC.

[Joy]

See, now THIS is what I love about this forum. We can agree to disagree and then go straight into a discussion with all sorts of amazing innovative ideas.

I would be perfectly fine with doing away with Moonlight Madness if they simply extended the hours for the whole season.

Perhaps there COULD be a way to make the dance party more thematic. Boot Scootin' Boogie and Cotton-Eyed Joe worked pretty well. And I think something like the Hokey Pokey is okay, too. Maybe if they wanted to keep the other dances (since, really, they are quite fun), they could record special country-themed versions of Electric Slide, Macarena, Simon Says (it really was quite a fun dance), and the Bunny Hop. I wouldn't mind a country-fied version of Cupid SHuffle, too (I really, REALLY love that dance).

LOVE the idea of having Baldknobbers lighting up the park! Also love the ideas for a "Street Fair" and campfire storytelling...

I've been thinking of writing up a lengthy letter, almost a fandom manifesto, to send in to TPTB.... Maybe I could indeed do something like that, with all the ideas we've had on the forum (with full credits, of course)... What d'ya think?

[History Buff]

There are Pickin' On versions of most popular tunes, these days.  Get on iTunes and search Pickin' On.  Of course, alot of them are hokey, but hokey works in Branson.  Also, the Sons of the Silver Dollar have a Beatlegrass medley of Beatles hits that's great.

[Joy]

Beatlegrass? Now THAT I've gotta hear!

[Junior]

There was a group on park in my time called "The Undergrass Boys" that performed a bluegrass version of "Ruby Tuesday" on park, and it was fantastic. I even have a record album with that song on it. You can hear a little of the Undergrass Boys if you google them...the search will take you to various music Websites that have a review of the band and samples of their music. Well worth the search.

[Joy]

omg. I just looked up the Pickin' On series. Clicked on the Neil Young album. OMGIWANT.