SDC today

[teacherkim]

We've been back for a couple of hours. We arrived well before official opening and watched Sons of the Pioneers for a bit. After opening, a couple of family members hopped on Thunderation and then we spend the next hour or so at the Grand Exposition. We were all hungry (those hotel breakfast just never fill us up) so we stopped for lunch at 11:15 am. By the time we were done eating, it was crazy! I didn't eat with the family and wanted to grab a "stack of chips" from over by the Lumberjack camp. I had to wait almost 20 minutes just to order. Lines for rides and food were the longest I've ever seen (and we've been going to SDC for 7 years and been dozens of times). We've always been able to walk right onto the "Flooded Mine" ride, and today the line was clear out to the entrance. Every food place we passed had huge lines.

We left about 1:30 pm. Traffic was crazy. They were parking on past the SDC entrance and people were walking down Indian Point Road to the park. What's crazy is that they were walking 8-10 abreast, right down the road. Cars coming that direction were having a hard time avoiding them without swerving into our lane. Traffic was backed up from Indian Point turn off to 265 and as far as we could see down 76 with people heading to SDC (which my husband would like to point out is kind of crazy.... they were looking at least a half hour wait just to park, then another half hour to get into the park... by that time, they'd only have 3 hours left before the park closed). We decided to turn off on 265 and take it to 376 into Branson. Traffic was also backed up on 265, almost to the 376 turn off. It was really insane. We've been in Branson on 4th of July weekend and the day after Thanksgiving and thought this was the most insane thing we've ever seen.

On the other hand, I needed to get to a theater on the strip after getting back to the hotel. I was able to drive down the strip without a problem. Guess everybody's on their way to SDC. It was a gorgeous day, but I was sure glad we went early.

[Jalva2]

Thanks for the report, Miss Kim! Sounds like a fun morning! What a crazy sounding afternoon though! I'm just amazed by that!

Anxious to hear reports from others as well!

[StarsRUs]

I've been waiting all afternoon to read a post about SDC's opening day. I was hoping you would be the one to post on it TeacherKim!

It sounds like it was swamped there. Were you able to do all the things in there that you had hoped, or was it just too busy today?

I figured if the weather was nice, it would be crazy there this week. I hope you and family are having a great time. Are you heading back to SDC while you're there?/

Can't wait to read your other post about the shows you see and restaurants you eat at.

Have a blast.

[ashbris]

Glad you guys are having fun!! Enjoy the beautiful weather and be safe!

[Carol/MO]

Hi Kim.. We were at SDC this morning too.. Had a good time walking around enjoying the park.. Bought a rolling pin and tried some of those cinnamon glazed almonds.. Yummy!!
Most of the eatting places had long lines.. so we decided to go into Branson for lunch.. Left SDC between 1:30 and 2... and was so surprised to see so many people walking along Indian Point rd and 76 towards the park.. To me, that's just not safe..

We had parked in lot F.. and our shuttle driver told us, that the construction on the parking lots was supposed to have already been completed.. but due to the weather.. it make take up till August to complete.. All I know, is the next time we go, we're going EARLY so we don't have to park so far off..

Did you notice all the trees gone, that were along the little road that the shuttle would take going to Lot C ?? I know they are trying to make more parking.. but I was sad to see those trees gone..

Heading back into Branson.. traffic was backed up clear past Shepherd of the Hills..

It was a beautiful day... such a nice change from all of the flooding that has been going on around us in SW MO.. Speaking of flooding, on our way to Branson this morning.. we past through Galena, MO and the River was really up.. I noticed the debris in the trees along the road.. and it looks like the river was probably well over 8 feet over the highway..

We're planning to go back to SDC for World Fest ... and I can't wait..

[ThunderHockeyFan]

Wow! I wouldn't have guessed it would have been that busy. I have to wait until October to go. It is going to be a long summer waiting.

[teacherkim]

Originally Posted by StarsRUs

Were you able to do all the things in there that you had hoped, or was it just too busy today?

We didn't have a lot of big plans for today. I was mostly looking forward to just soaking up the atmosphere. My family loves Grand Exposition and they did get to play there for over an hour, so they were happy. We may be back tomorrow and/or Saturday (my husband got ill very suddenly after we got back to the hotel), but if we don't, we'll definitely be back for at least 2 weeks this summer. Our favorite family rides at SDC are the water rides, and although they were running today, we'll wait until May for those.

I forgot to mention that there were only 4 shows running today -- Sons of the Silver Dollar, Branson Brothers, Pure Heart and Doc Gizmo. My husband pointed out that the lack of shows may have contributed to the huge lines for rides.

[Branson Queen]

Thanks for posting Teacher Kim! It sounds like it was a beautiful day to be at SDC. I can't wait to get there.....maybe in April.

[CHRISTISAM2001]

Thanks for the review Kim!! Glad yall had a great time even though the lines were long, hope your dh is feeling better.

[JoLaLaLa]

Oh my GOSH! I am so glad you guys' day was better than ours. We didn't even get in the gates until you guys were leaving. We started in for the park at 10 am and didn't get there until after 1pm. Over three hours waiting in traffic and then trying to find a parking spot. The parking was a NIGHTMARE!!! It was insane today-- more traffic and parking problems than I have ever seen in my over 10 years of coming here. We are going to try and go again tomorrow, since we barely had time to do anything, but we will DEFINITELY be getting there earlier, to hopefully avoid some of the congestion. I'll try and post a more detailed review of our adventures later, but am just on for a bit while waiting on our pizza that's running late. Hope you guys enjoy the rest of your trip. I'll try to check in when I can.

[Critter]

I didn't realize Branson would be THAT bad over spring break. My girl starts hers next week. I don't get spring break though, so I have to work. Have fun!!!!

[scrapingChick]

Wow I can't believe SDC was that crowded! Sounds insane! We are going on the 28th. I really hope it is not that busy! DH hates SDC (he has always went with others and we have had to follow them around and wait on rides must of the time. He doesn't like rides either.) I was hoping this time since it is just our family we could do somethings he likes like see some of the shows and crafts. If it is that busy though I will have a hard to getting him to go back I hope you and your family have fun! Maybe it won't be so crazy today.

[oldbranhand]

We went to SDC early on Thursday. We got there about 9:15 and got a close parking spot in lot C. We did some shopping and saw the two shows we were interested in with no crowding at all. We would like to have stayed to see Pure Heart but decided not to wait until 2:00 p.m. We left about 11:45. As we drove back into Branson, the traffic was backed up all the way to the Butterfly Palace. That is the worst we have ever seen.

I had the vehicle at Pinegar this morning for some service. I came back across the highroad and into town on 76. At 9:30 the traffic was backed up almost to Inspiration Tower and getting worse by the minute. It looks like today will be a repeat of yesterday at SDC.

[teacherkim]

SDC did change their operating hours. They opened at 9 this morning and close at 7 pm. That's an hour earlier in the morning and an hour later in the evening. We were very happy because we were there at 8:45 and only had to wait a few minutes for the park to open. It seemed to help with crowding within the park.

Ran into JoLala, too! So nice to meet you!

[StarsRUs]

I am sooooo enjoying reading about all of your SDC adventures. Keep them coming!

It's definately our 'favorite' part of Branson, some times we drive up, the back way, go to SDC, head back out without ever even heading into Branson itself...

We're like you Kim...the earlier we can get there, the better! We've been the first people to the park many times. We enjoy just sitting and enjoying the beautiful surroundings while waiting for them to open.

It's so much more relaxing then hurring and waiting in traffic. Did that once, would never do it again! You end up too frustrated once you finally get in the park.

Waiting for the next post!!!