Branson/Silver Dollar City in October

Walt Disney1955

Walt Disney1955

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
If you have to move this thread, so be it. But no one knows the other parks around the world better than WDW fans, so I thought I'd ask.

Our WDW trip is in 2023, but there is the opportunity to do something smaller before then. So how is Branson in October? Still legitimate swimming weather in the pools outdoors at the resorts? I noticed at Silver Dollar City the two water rides they have go to the end of October before they presumably get closed. So there's that.

I am seeing that Pigeon Forge and Branson have a lot of similarities tourist wise. Some of the same sort of attractions. Some of the same sort of stuff on International Drive in Orlando as well that I have done is there.

Anyway, some feedback if you will about Branson/Silver Dollar City. Or even the weather in October. Thanks.
 
Superman68

Superman68

Member
Big Phil said:
If you have to move this thread, so be it. But no one knows the other parks around the world better than WDW fans, so I thought I'd ask.

Our WDW trip is in 2023, but there is the opportunity to do something smaller before then. So how is Branson in October? Still legitimate swimming weather in the pools outdoors at the resorts? I noticed at Silver Dollar City the two water rides they have go to the end of October before they presumably get closed. So there's that.

I am seeing that Pigeon Forge and Branson have a lot of similarities tourist wise. Some of the same sort of attractions. Some of the same sort of stuff on International Drive in Orlando as well that I have done is there.

Anyway, some feedback if you will about Branson/Silver Dollar City. Or even the weather in October. Thanks.
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Superman68

Superman68

Member
Hey Phil,
Branson in October can be chilly in the morning, but by afternoon it’s can warm up. The outdoor pools, most will be closed, unless they are heated. My pool here is cooling down quickly as it’s already getting down to the 60’s at night.

Silver Dollar City will be decorated with lots of pumpkins and mums and traditional fall decorations. I recommend going during the week, like WDW, it won’t be nearly as busy.

If your not familiar with the Ozarks, take time to explore outside of Branson. You all might want to rent a house or cabin overlooking Table Rock Lake. Or check out Big Cedar Lodge.

Eureka Springs Arkansas is an hour away, it’s a Victorian town with lots of shopping and restaurants.

Also, in October, many of our small towns all over Missouri are having fall festivals on the weekends. If your a big fan of Walt Disney, Marceline is about 3 hours north, you can see the orig Main Street USA and drive out to the farm and see where Walt drew much of the inspiration for Disneyland and they have a great museum at the train station.

back to Branson, if you wait until November, Silver Dollar City will start its Christmas Season, and honestly puts Disney to shame. The lights are over the top.

Hope you make it down and have a great time
 
ppete1975

ppete1975

Well-Known Member
I have to ask this, how much are you going for the rides? If you want to walk around and enjoy the crafts the food and enjoy some rides, silver dollar city is great. If you are expecting disney theming, you wont be satisfied.
It is a beautiful park and still has alot of the crafts and stuff that makes it special.
I would put rides at a six flags or dollywood level.
 
Jrb1979

Jrb1979

Well-Known Member
ppete1975 said:
I have to ask this, how much are you going for the rides? If you want to walk around and enjoy the crafts the food and enjoy some rides, silver dollar city is great. If you are expecting disney theming, you wont be satisfied.
It is a beautiful park and still has alot of the crafts and stuff that makes it special.
I would put rides at a six flags or dollywood level.
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You say that as if the rides aren't good. Time Traveler alone is worth the price of admission.

Does anyone even like coasters or thrill rides anymore?
 
ppete1975

ppete1975

Well-Known Member
Jrb1979 said:
You say that as if the rides aren't good. Time Traveler alone is worth the price of admission.

Does anyone even like coasters or thrill rides anymore?
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time traveler is good but look at the theming on the log flume and the river raft for one, if you are used to disney you will be disapointed. The op asked what it was like, and its a more beautiful, crafty, and slower paced six flags. Lines for the thrill rides seem to be shorter because some of the clientele doesnt ride roller coasters or many rides due to they are there for the crafts and other stuff, compared to a six flags which is all about rides.
 
Jrb1979

Jrb1979

Well-Known Member
ppete1975 said:
time traveler is good but look at the theming on the log flume and the river raft for one, if you are used to disney you will be disapointed. The op asked what it was like, and its a more beautiful, crafty, and slower paced six flags. Lines for the thrill rides seem to be shorter because some of the clientele doesnt ride roller coasters or many rides due to they are there for the crafts and other stuff, compared to a six flags which is all about rides.
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You could say that about every other park then. Outside of Disney and Universal no other park does well in the theming part. They make up for it with rides that have physical feeling to them.

Maybe it's just me but when I go to other parks I'm not looking for theming I'm looking for thrills and coasters.
 
ppete1975

ppete1975

Well-Known Member
Jrb1979 said:
You could say that about every other park then. Outside of Disney and Universal no other park does well in the theming part. They make up for it with rides that have physical feeling to them.

Maybe it's just me but when I go to other parks I'm not looking for theming I'm looking for thrills and coasters.
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Thats fine, the op asked what the park was like, and I answered.
 
HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
While I've seen some disagree, I will say that Pigeon Forge felt a lot like Branson to us. There were lots of gimmicky places to eat, little shows and museums, and sort of a southern mountains vibe with it all. While you obviously won't have the Smokies at your doorstep in Branson, the area isn't flat either and has lots of water (lakes/rivers).

We have only visited Branson in the off-season (we went in mid-March), so we really didn't get to experience the place in full swing (so no Silver Dollar City- although, I've heard great things). We did some hiking, drove into Arkansas one day, neon mini golf, Talking Rocks Cavern, Butterfly Palace, etc. It was pretty chilly when we went and there was even still a little bit of snow on the ground. Based on all of the bare trees in my pictures, I'd expect Branson to have some fall foliage colors in October. Kind of like Pigeon Forge, there are lodging options away from the touristy areas if you don't want to be right on top of it all and maybe want some more nature in your visit. I believe the place we stayed was in Kimberling City.
 

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