Silver Dollar City marks 50th anniversary with River Blast

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Silver Dollar City is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a look back at its heritage and a new $7 million water-themed ride called RiverBlast. If you grew up within a half-day's drive of Branson, Mo., chances are you have visited this 1880-style family entertainment theme park, described as "a hillbilly Disney Land" by D.A. Callaway, its talent coordinator.

Read more from The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Also: read an interview with Brad Thomas, the park's general manager, on the official Branson Web site.

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Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City was the unexpected highlight of the trip I took a few years back that also included Worlds of Fun, Celebration City and Magic Springs. Outside of a wooden coaster (which will happen eventually) I can't think of a better addition than River Blast.

^Just to make it that little bit better...they could have named it BWWB - Betty White's Water Battle! ;)

You still have Zoidberg.... You ALL have Zoidberg! (V) (;,,;) (V)

I was also very pleasantly surprised by SDC. Even having been to Dollywood, it met and surpassed most of my expectations. It certainly didn't hurt that Ozark Wildcat was on the same ticket (well, the ones we bought) and totally kicked butt.

This sounds like a great addition to the park. I hope the capacity can keep up with the big crowds that can gather.

Hobbes: "What's the point of attaching a number to everything you do?"
Calvin: "If your numbers go up, it means you're having more fun."

After visiting Dollywood for the first time last year and being completely shocked at the awesome experience me and my family had, I most certainly wouldn't mind visiting SDC.

I think this year will be focused more on visiting smaller/less corporate parks.

Only problem is how hideous Branson is. I can take cheeze, Im a big fan of the WI Dells, and Pigeon Forge does not bother me. Branson just goes too far, its a crying shame a park as good at SDC is in such a horrible town.

What's your problem with Branson?

I dont know, probably the acts they have there you know the guys not ready for Broadway, off Broadway, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Nashville, etc like the other Osmonds and Yackov Smirnoff. Also unlike Pigeon Forge and the Dells it has no redeaming natural wonder visable from its main tourist trap coridor.

Branson is intended to be a one day or nightlife diversion from the lake. And because it sits on top of the natural wonder of the area, instead of below, it's bad?

I cant explain to you why I feel that way anymore then I can convince you otherwise. Branson just rubs me the wrong way, and its not right by the natural wonder its a good 30-45 minutes away.

What was the quote? "Branson is like Vegas if the world was run by Ned Flanders."

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