I'm glad you mentioned the cave. To my surprise, I saw people post in SDC facebook groups that they'd visited the park several times but didn't know there was a cave. Not sure how you'd miss that. It's always been one of my favorite parts, and the lantern tour is a real hidden gem.
The app is awesome and this year the added the option to order food through the app and pick it up! Getting to know the way around the park is the best tip, you can waist so much time just walking around looking for things.
The fact that so many people don’t know about Marvel cave shocks me! It’s a vital part of the park, and the amount of vertigo you can get from looking down the Gulf of Doom rivals any rollercoaster.
Both my parents and grandparents visit it every time they go to SDC and I’ve continued that tradition. It’s a great way to escape the heat of the day, and it’s free with a park ticket.
We've lived in Missouri for 8+ years now and we're finally going to Silver Dollar City for the first time in a couple of weeks. My mom wanted to go for the Christmas events so it's going to be quite a bit different, but this is still a helpful video nonetheless. I hope the cave is still open during the winter stuff! :)
We went last July, and it had been about 13 years since we had been unfortunately. To me, and I say this as someone who made a couple of the mistakes you listed, the absolute 1st place #1 mistake you can make when it comes to Silver Dollar City, is not buying two-day passes! Silver Dollar City has grown so much, and become so much more complex than it used to be, there's really no way to be able to comfortably enjoy everything in just one day. The park has so much to offer it's a struggle to enjoy everything in just one day unless you literally get there when the gate opens and not leave until the gate closes. And even then, you would be hard-pressed to get everything done unless you get to visit the park often. So take my advice, two-day passes are a must!!
I would add that many will find the locker rentals very handy. You can store your lunch/dinner in a cooler and take it to one of the many scenic spots to eat. Medicine and extra clothes you won't have to lug around. The biggest time saver is getting there before the park officially opens. Cars will be backed up big time trying to get in at park opening. Getting there earlier will allow you to roam around the square, participate in the flag raising and shopping in the hospitality house....all before the remainder of the park is open. Once open, I'd hit the rides you must do multiple times. Wildfire and Powerkeg can be found by taking the left as you suggested.
Another costly mistake - quite a few of the people running the registers and thus are responsible for packaging your purchases for pick up later are...older. That means that some of them get distracted, forget what they were doing, accidentally switch tags on which bags, etc. Keep your itemized receipts ready and CHECK the contents of your picked up bags BEFORE you leave Branson!
i went there with my 5yr old daughter for the first time this past july and got real lucky. saw the free parking and followed the sign and a bus took us to gate. was storming in the morning and by the time we got there cloudy and drizzling. no lines for anything cept fire in the hole was prolly 10-20mins throughout the day. even mystic river falls was only like 5 mins. people were telling us it is not often like that and we picked a good day. all rides open and not too hot and it never really rained anymore. was 2 days for price of 1 and we went back a couple days later after doing other things in branson and lines were huge but that's when we did the cave tour. all in all a wonderful experience. one mistake i made was putting my 5 yr old on powder keg. has a forgiving height requirement but was much more intense that i anticipated and maybe too much for small children. banged my daughter's head around. she wouldn't go on again
@@bransonsbest I will look for it. but for us it will be just a reminder of places we have seen now. :) But i am sure helpful to others who haven't been yet and are doing "research"
#1 tip - know that SDC closes at 6pm. This is my favorite theme park but also the most expensive. Especially when you break down the cost per hour. I am used to theme parks being open until 9 or 10pm, so I was very disappointed. The park closes at 6 but the games actually start shutting down before 5:30. Be prepared.
It really depends on the season. Many times in summer it is open to 7,8, or even 10 pm. Check the schedule to make sure you maximize your fun. Also, luckily, you can get a season pass for way cheaper than Disney and almost every other theme park.
I've been visiting at least once a month for several years now and I *just* realized I ALWAYS go right when I'm entering the park. 😂 Unless my boyfriend is with me and he wants an apple turnover first thing before they're sold out, that's to the left. But every other time, idk why, but I go right lol
another thing, don't bother with Mystic Falls unless you get there really early or it's a very slow day and the line is somehow not that long. It breaks down way too often and is way too slow of a turn around (nearly 2 minutes per launch), I was waiting in line for 90 minutes and then the ride broke down. If you don't have a quick que, don't bother with Mystic Falls.
I does take a it when it’s busy. I would suggest going early at the beginning of the day before it gets too warm. People tend to flock to water rides when it’s hot. Thanks for watching!
It is very different. I am putting together a video soon to discuss the entire layout to make it more understandable. Part of the difficulty is the terrine, and the other part is that this theme park developed step-by-step over 60 years instead of being preplanned from the beginning. Thank you for watching!
Rotisserie chicken on sale for 5.99 at HYVee (our regional groc store). We have the legs & wings with a veggie the first night, Chicken salad sandwiches for lunch the next day (we come home for our lunch break) and I simmer the carcass with water and seasonings for the 3rd day to make chicken & noodles or chicken soup. 3 meals from a $5.99 rotisserie - can't buy the raw whole chicken for that price. I also make a batch of mashed potatoes when potatoes are on sale, scoop them onto a sheet pan and flash freeze to put in a baggie and for quick sides through the week. We pull out one scoop each and nuke for 1 minute. Tastes as good as fresh mashed potatoes. We love to make some gravy for whatever meat we have left over and make hot beef/hot turkey sandwiches with the frozen mashed potatoes. Fast and cheap.
It sounds like you might have not been to Silver Dollar City yourself. Not only do they have fantastic rides with very short wait times; unlike other parks, there is wonderful, cultural and educational demonstrations of crafts performed every day. On top of all of this it is done in a park that is completely shaded by trees. It is nearly a perfect theme park.
@@melodymaker396 We go 10-15 times a year. A lot of the time there is zero wait. Last time we went we walked right up and got on the water rides. The kids area was also no lines. The train and several coasters were the only rides with any wait time.
@@melodymaker396I’d have to agree with the other comments. If you go at peak times “in season,” sure, you might get those 60-90 minute waits on their most popular rides. But in my opinion that’s pretty reasonable for a tourist destination in the middle of a pretty big tourism hub. I’d say 80-90% of the time it’s a 30-minute wait tops for most rides. Though I also get the annual “trailblazer,” aka fast pass, so it’s a walk-on for any ride any day of the year. Very well worth it if you feel like putting the money down
I'm glad you mentioned the cave. To my surprise, I saw people post in SDC facebook groups that they'd visited the park several times but didn't know there was a cave. Not sure how you'd miss that. It's always been one of my favorite parts, and the lantern tour is a real hidden gem.
Thank you for watching! Agreed. The cave rocks…no pun intended.
I got lucky and got to do the lantern tour alone. Absolutely amazing experience
I saved the cave tour for later in the day when it got very hot and humid out. Nice cool cave to relax in :)
Good idea!
The layout is a little challenging but the park is just beautiful.
It is!
The app is awesome and this year the added the option to order food through the app and pick it up! Getting to know the way around the park is the best tip, you can waist so much time just walking around looking for things.
Nice tips. Glad you mentioned the cave.
The cave rocks, no pun intended. Thank you for watching!
The fact that so many people don’t know about Marvel cave shocks me! It’s a vital part of the park, and the amount of vertigo you can get from looking down the Gulf of Doom rivals any rollercoaster.
Both my parents and grandparents visit it every time they go to SDC and I’ve continued that tradition. It’s a great way to escape the heat of the day, and it’s free with a park ticket.
Great video, very helpful!
Thank you so much!
Very entertaining and fun to watch. Thanks for posting this.
Glad you enjoyed it!
We've lived in Missouri for 8+ years now and we're finally going to Silver Dollar City for the first time in a couple of weeks. My mom wanted to go for the Christmas events so it's going to be quite a bit different, but this is still a helpful video nonetheless. I hope the cave is still open during the winter stuff! :)
Thank you! Yes, the cave is open when the park is open, even in winter.
@@bransonsbest Thanks!
i’m not going to silver dollar city any time soon but i’m still watching this😭
It’s just nice to see it sometimes. Hopefully you can get down here soon.
We went last July, and it had been about 13 years since we had been unfortunately.
To me, and I say this as someone who made a couple of the mistakes you listed, the absolute 1st place #1 mistake you can make when it comes to Silver Dollar City, is not buying two-day passes!
Silver Dollar City has grown so much, and become so much more complex than it used to be, there's really no way to be able to comfortably enjoy everything in just one day. The park has so much to offer it's a struggle to enjoy everything in just one day unless you literally get there when the gate opens and not leave until the gate closes. And even then, you would be hard-pressed to get everything done unless you get to visit the park often.
So take my advice, two-day passes are a must!!
I would add that many will find the locker rentals very handy. You can store your lunch/dinner in a cooler and take it to one of the many scenic spots to eat. Medicine and extra clothes you won't have to lug around.
The biggest time saver is getting there before the park officially opens. Cars will be backed up big time trying to get in at park opening. Getting there earlier will allow you to roam around the square, participate in the flag raising and shopping in the hospitality house....all before the remainder of the park is open. Once open, I'd hit the rides you must do multiple times. Wildfire and Powerkeg can be found by taking the left as you suggested.
I'm getting ready to move to Springfield, so this is definitely gonna come in handy.
That’s great!!!
I once had a guy stop me and ask where he could get a beer. I said you can't, it's a family park, they don't sell any. And I am so glad for that.
Another costly mistake - quite a few of the people running the registers and thus are responsible for packaging your purchases for pick up later are...older. That means that some of them get distracted, forget what they were doing, accidentally switch tags on which bags, etc. Keep your itemized receipts ready and CHECK the contents of your picked up bags BEFORE you leave Branson!
Great thoughts! Very good idea!!!
@@bransonsbest Learned that one the hard way.
That's assuming they're doing it on accident.
Silver Dollar City is awesome! Do the cave early as it closes before the park does, and stay late to ride the rides without lines.
Good idea!
Helpful hint, if you're going downhill you're going deeper into the park, up hill gets you out of the park.
Very true!
It's been a hot minute since I lived in the area. When did they get rid of the green parking lot trams?
A while ago. The new ones are nice.
i went there with my 5yr old daughter for the first time this past july and got real lucky. saw the free parking and followed the sign and a bus took us to gate. was storming in the morning and by the time we got there cloudy and drizzling. no lines for anything cept fire in the hole was prolly 10-20mins throughout the day. even mystic river falls was only like 5 mins. people were telling us it is not often like that and we picked a good day. all rides open and not too hot and it never really rained anymore. was 2 days for price of 1 and we went back a couple days later after doing other things in branson and lines were huge but that's when we did the cave tour. all in all a wonderful experience. one mistake i made was putting my 5 yr old on powder keg. has a forgiving height requirement but was much more intense that i anticipated and maybe too much for small children. banged my daughter's head around. she wouldn't go on again
Glad you had a great time! Yes, power keg is a little intense
Didn't find the video you reference talking about the layout of the park?
I am going to make it soon. I’ll reply to you when I do.
@@bransonsbest I will look for it. but for us it will be just a reminder of places we have seen now. :) But i am sure helpful to others who haven't been yet and are doing "research"
Get the app it will literally gps you to wherever you want to go, it was such a time save
So true. There app is great!
#1 tip - know that SDC closes at 6pm. This is my favorite theme park but also the most expensive. Especially when you break down the cost per hour. I am used to theme parks being open until 9 or 10pm, so I was very disappointed. The park closes at 6 but the games actually start shutting down before 5:30. Be prepared.
It really depends on the season. Many times in summer it is open to 7,8, or even 10 pm. Check the schedule to make sure you maximize your fun. Also, luckily, you can get a season pass for way cheaper than Disney and almost every other theme park.
They even have night rides during the summer. Sometimes
@@bransonsbest Do they not do the evening show anymore after 6pm? I haven't been to Silver Dollar City in over 20 years so I don't know.
Trailblazer pass ftw
That cave tour is ok put a lot of walking and climbing.
It’s definitely some exercise.
I've been visiting at least once a month for several years now and I *just* realized I ALWAYS go right when I'm entering the park. 😂
Unless my boyfriend is with me and he wants an apple turnover first thing before they're sold out, that's to the left. But every other time, idk why, but I go right lol
It's so true! Everyone goes right. Thanks for watching!
Did you not yet get to the walkthrough video?
I have been working on them. I will get some up soon. Thank you for the interest.
a lot of these are common sense but still bear repeating
another thing, don't bother with Mystic Falls unless you get there really early or it's a very slow day and the line is somehow not that long. It breaks down way too often and is way too slow of a turn around (nearly 2 minutes per launch), I was waiting in line for 90 minutes and then the ride broke down. If you don't have a quick que, don't bother with Mystic Falls.
I does take a it when it’s busy. I would suggest going early at the beginning of the day before it gets too warm. People tend to flock to water rides when it’s hot. Thanks for watching!
What is a "quick que" and how do you go about getting one?
And never go on a Saturday !
So true!
Is it bad on a Saturday?
#Awesome80s
After living in California and going to Disneyland, I’m still getting use to the park layout at SDC.
It is very different. I am putting together a video soon to discuss the entire layout to make it more understandable. Part of the difficulty is the terrine, and the other part is that this theme park developed step-by-step over 60 years instead of being preplanned from the beginning. Thank you for watching!
Clickbait thumbnail. What’s wrong with taking a selfie?
#Awesome80s
Rotisserie chicken on sale for 5.99 at HYVee (our regional groc store). We have the legs & wings with a veggie the first night, Chicken salad sandwiches for lunch the next day (we come home for our lunch break) and I simmer the carcass with water and seasonings for the 3rd day to make chicken & noodles or chicken soup. 3 meals from a $5.99 rotisserie - can't buy the raw whole chicken for that price. I also make a batch of mashed potatoes when potatoes are on sale, scoop them onto a sheet pan and flash freeze to put in a baggie and for quick sides through the week. We pull out one scoop each and nuke for 1 minute. Tastes as good as fresh mashed potatoes. We love to make some gravy for whatever meat we have left over and make hot beef/hot turkey sandwiches with the frozen mashed potatoes. Fast and cheap.
Don't you mean, Steal Your Dollar City?
Compared to others it’s down right cheap.
@@bransonsbest SDC is definitely more budget-friendly than the six flags locations I’ve been to
Another mistake u can make is taking the train… if they even still do that after that accident one year
No. The train is awesome, especially around Christmas time. I've been on it 6 times this year and it's perfectly safe.
Taking the train is NEVER a mistake! So much fun!
Curious what you didn’t like about the train?
Silver Dollar City is a ripoff. I have no idea why it has such a rabid fanbase. There must not be much to do in the Ozarks.
It sounds like you might have not been to Silver Dollar City yourself. Not only do they have fantastic rides with very short wait times; unlike other parks, there is wonderful, cultural and educational demonstrations of crafts performed every day. On top of all of this it is done in a park that is completely shaded by trees. It is nearly a perfect theme park.
@@bransonsbest Not sure what you mean by short wait times. Been there in the summer time and a couple of rides were 60 to 90 minutes wait lines.
@@melodymaker396 We go 10-15 times a year. A lot of the time there is zero wait. Last time we went we walked right up and got on the water rides. The kids area was also no lines. The train and several coasters were the only rides with any wait time.
@@melodymaker396 i went on wildfire 7 times in a row with like 1-2 minute wait each time in the morning
@@melodymaker396I’d have to agree with the other comments. If you go at peak times “in season,” sure, you might get those 60-90 minute waits on their most popular rides. But in my opinion that’s pretty reasonable for a tourist destination in the middle of a pretty big tourism hub. I’d say 80-90% of the time it’s a 30-minute wait tops for most rides. Though I also get the annual “trailblazer,” aka fast pass, so it’s a walk-on for any ride any day of the year. Very well worth it if you feel like putting the money down