Silver Dollar City Christmas?

[MissMichigan]

This Christmas, I'm going to DB's home in Tulsa. When he found out i've never been to Silver Dollar City, he said he had to take me while we're there. I guess it's about a 3 hour drive. I just have a few questions. We'd be going, most likely, the thursday or friday after Christmas.

Is it worth going that time of year? We both love Christmas, and the lights are one of my favorite parts of the season. On the website it looks like something i'd just adore, but how is it in person?

Does it get really busy for their Christmas festival? In the days after xmas, do the crowds die down a bit? I'm just worried we won't be able to ride anything or see the shows, etc.

Do we need to book a hotel in advance or will there most likely be availabilities day of?

The hours for those days are 1pm to 9pm, should we plan on being there right at opening to be able to do anything? Staying until close?

Any other info, experiences, etc would be greatly appreciated.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My mom and dad went last yr on OPENING DAY, do not do that. She said it was too crowded.

Other family have gone and enjoy it.

I do believe rides are open weather depending on the weather. Go for it!

http://festivals.bransonsilverdollarcity.com/mini-section/?id=55&pid=210

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Could be a bit cold for SDC, but lots & lots of stuff to do in Branson & I hear a lot of folks really enjoy the decorations that time of year.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

We went on Thanksgiving Day and beautiful and the crowds were not so bad. The Christmas Carol show was amazing and even my DH was impressed. We also went again on that Saturday and it was a crazy nightmare people everywhere but still worth it.

Rides all but the water ones were open and there were tons of winter time treats including some really good hot chocolate that helped keep us warm

Also I would do open to close. Lots to see and do plus the lighting of the tree and parade.

 

[happygirl]

After Christmas is it will be dead. It not really the same going after Christmas. A lot of the magic is gone

 

[rebelbuddhist]

My wife and I will also be in Branson this year for Christmas rather than WDW.
It's our first trip to Branson at Christmas, but SDC is really well decorated for the holidays. More religious than WDW but the lights are very impressive at night. The shows are also very entertaining. You can reserve seats in advance for Dickens Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life buying VIP passes on line at the SDC website. Downside-- it costs $10 per person per show but it's a way to beat the crowd. Don't know about crowds after Christmas. we are going Sun Dec 23 and Wed Dec 26th.... We were there the first day of the Christmas Festival a few weeks ago. It wasn't anything like WDW Christmas crowds but it was filled with people. Just remember, their parade is nice BUT NOTHING LIKE WDW parades. Also, we find food at SDC not good at all. Suggest you eat elsewhere in Branson. Many hotels in Branson are closed during Christmas! The Holiday Inn Express on GreenMountain Road is open but the other four Myer properties are closed. Remember no Magical Express in Branson-- you drive yourself everywhere!

 

[Debbie19]

We love going to the SDC Christmas. If it works in our schedule, our favorite time to go is the last few days of the season immediately after Christmas. Still quite festive, but low crowd levels. Plus, lots of sale items both at SDC and the area outlets. Rides are weather dependent but there are plenty of shows. Plan on being there after dark. Just an FYI, the SDC is a celebration of Christian Christmas not a politically correct holiday celebration. ( I love that but just wanted to give a full disclosure)

Debbie

 

[PlutosFriend]

Hello! I am a frequent visitor of SDC. Last year we went at Thanksgiving and managed to have a great time even with a bigger crowd there. Watch the weather before you go and bring gloves, scarf, etc..whatever you wear to keep warm outside. I love all the goodies there are to eat there. Sure, it's totally different than WDW food, but I really look forward to it! Not sure what kind of budget you have for a hotel, but check out Big Cedar Lodge. I have never stayed there but there people I know that have, LOVE it. If you like to shop, there are plenty of outlet malls there and Branson Landing is a fun place with some decent restaurants. If you have any other questions I would be glad to help

 

[BensDaddy]

I'm agnostic / atheist and even I am blown away by the spectacular Christmas lighting and decorations that Silver Dollar City puts on. It's worth the trip!

 

[ZellyB]

We are local to SDC and go every year. The crowds before Christmas are nuts on weekends, but after Christmas shouldn't be as bad. Also, going when it opens is a good plan. It gets dark enough by 5:30 or so to enjoy the lights and the huge crowds don't start rolling in until around that time. You can get a lot of the shows and rides done before that and enjoy the lights and bail out early once the crowds roll in. It really is beautiful down there at Christmas. I would also agree with PPs who said be sure to see the Christmas Carol production. It's really wonderful. It's my favorite thing to do there at Christmas.

 

[horseshowmom]

We had considered Branson for Christmas this year, but it looked like most of the shows were closed by then. Is SDC about the only thing that's open?

 

[mfd25wife]

SDC is really nice at Christmas. The Christmas version of Dixie Stampede is fun. It used to be going during that time, but it's been a while since I went. You may want to look at route maps depending on where you are going in Branson They use them to help keep the main drag from being quite so congested. I hope it's ok for me to post this, but I wasn't sure and thought it could help. I have friends who go every year. I could check on some hotels if you are interested.

http://www.branson.com/news/2010/05/06/bransons-colored-traffic-routes-shows-the-way/

 

[sissy_ib]

We went two years ago and my in-laws used to go almost every year. (They just moved from up there) If you like Christmas decorations it is worth it! If they are putting on "A Christmas Carol" that was also very good. (A bit long for a theme-park play but still very good) I think my MIL said they do it every year.
We actually spent the day today at Sea World San Antonio and I wanted to wait for the Christmas tree light/music show and afterwards my husband said it was not as good as the tree show at SDC!