One of my favorite parts about the holidays is the beautiful lights and decorations. This year was my families first year to be able to enjoy Branson during it’s holiday season. Of course no trip to Branson is complete without a fun filled day or two at Silver Dollar City!
This year Silver Dollar City Tops off it’s 50th Anniversary with the Spectacular Celebration: An Old Time Christmas. November 6th-December 30th. An Old Time Christmas transforms the 1880’s Style Theme Park into an evening wonderland featuring the Christmas on Main Street light and sound show. 1,000 decorated Christmas trees, a Holiday Light Parade, The broadway-style production A Dicken’s Christmas Carol, tons of festive holiday foods (yes we took full advantage!) and over four million lights! And don’t forget one of the best parts about Silver Dollar City..The rides.
When we first arrived to the park we decided to see Marvel Cave one of Silver Dollar City’s must see Attractions first. Guided tours are given of the cave every 30 minutes with so many guests permitted each tour. Before your brave the nearly 600 stairs during this 60 minute tour, your guide gives you a brief history of the cave and what you will expect to see inside.
The tour is fantastic and very fun, but it can be a very strenuous walk. We did decide to take our daughter who will be 3 in March. There were a few times that she was a little scared from the dark but other than that she LOVED it! My son Jeremy could have stayed in Marvel Cave all day if it were allowed. I recommend doing Marvel Cave early in your trip so that you haven’t used all your energy walking around the park.
After we finished Marvel Cave we decided to try out some of the yummy food that we had been smelling since we entered the park. Each of us got something different so we could try a little bit of everything. The cinnamon rolls at Eva & Delilah’s Bakery are to die for! I am actually salivating as I write about how good this bakery is. Across the park you can feast upon a variety of harvest skillets which are a mix of sausage, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, onions, smoked sausage and their special seasonings. These are delicious and more than enough to fill you up. The food choices are endless at Silver Dollar City and there is something to satisfy everyone.
Now if your like me and you love thrill rides then you are going to love Silver Dollar City! They have some of the most spine tingling, adrenaline pumping rides that I have ever rode. My mom and dad went along with us to help out with the kids so my husband and I could ride some of the BIG rides. The first one we decided to conquer was Wild Fire. WOW! What a ride. This ride is so fast and scary that they take your picture as you go down that first hill. It is hilarious to see everyone’s face.
The next ride that everyone decided on was The Giant Swing. I had the pleasure of riding the swing back in July and it was the SCARIEST ride that I have ever rode. My husband loved it and so did everyone else. It doesn’t really look that scary until you are up in the air looking straight down. If you want an adrenaline rush then this is your ride. Here is a short video I took this July of The Giant Swing in action.
I was so impressed with the staff at this park. Even though it was very crowded the day we went (opening day of the Christmas Celebration) the staff were amazing about getting people on the rides as quickly as possible. Of all the rides we rode the longest we had to wait was about 10 minutes.My son’s favorite ride was Fire in the Hole. I wasn’t sure if this would be too much for him because it’s an inside mini roller coaster that takes you down three little hills. After we rode the first time his first words were “That was Awesome, Can we do it again!”.
Silver Dollar City has over 30 fun filled rides and attractions to choose from. During the Christmas Celebration the roller coaster are open after dark with great views of the lights from above. Most rides (excluding the water ones) are open during the holiday season with weather permitting.
And you won’t want to miss A Dickens’ Christmas Carol- an original musical adaptation of the famous classic by Charles Dickens, with elaborate sets and visual effects, flying spirits, vanishing ghosts,revolving scenery and pyrotechnic special effects. This was one of the main attractions of the Christmas Celebration at Silver Dollar City. Guests started to line up about 1 1/2 before the show started to ensure good seats so if this is one the top of your list I would get there early.
Between the shows, food and rides our family had a great time just taking in all the wonderful craftsmen and shops. You could honestly sit and watch these talented people make things like brooms, wooden canes, glass blowing and much more for hours. It just amazes me how talented and unique these individuals are.
At the end of the day we all settled on the road with a hot cup of cocoa to watch the Holiday Light Parade that has 8 lighted, musical floats with 100,000 lights plus 18 costume characters. We happened to catch the first parade but it runs twice per night with weather permitting
Before the parade begins we were all treated to the spectacular light and sound show, Christmas on Main Street. This show features a 5 story special effects Christmas Tree that twinkles and dances in unison with over 1,000,000 lights adorning the square while songs like Joy to the World and Sleigh Ride play in the background. This show is simply fantastic and something we could watch over and over again!
Silver Dollar City is one of those unique places that people of all ages will have a great time. My family and I had a terrific time and next time I think we will take advantage of the two day pass so we can have double the fun.
Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas Celebration will run from November 6th 2010-December 30th 2010. For more information including purchasing tickets visit Silver Dollar City online. You can also connect with Silver Dollar City on Facebook and Twitter!
Disclosure: This is a non-paid post and honest opinions were used. All opinions expressed are based on my own experience and may differ from yours. Thanks to Silver Dollar City for providing my immediate family with complimentary tickets to visit the park. My extended family paid full price for their tickets.
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