Visiting & Working at Christmas at Silver Dollar City- Ep 34 Confessions of a Theme Park Worker

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  • Опубліковано 3 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 82

  • @danparks2768
    @danparks2768 8 років тому +10

    We visited SDC a couple years ago on Saturday and then a cold front came through on Sunday. The high temperature on Sunday was about 19 degrees. I believe the park only had attendance of about 1,100 if I remember correctly. We got some absolutely AMAZING photos of the park with no guests in the shots. Because of the temps, the train was about the only ride operating (except FITH). We had the best time talking to all the workers and it seemed they enjoyed being able to take advantage of the "slow" time and spend more time with the guests. We work multiple layers of clothing and even carried quilts and bundled the kids up when we were on the train. We had such a GREAT time!!!

  • @DralaFiZero
    @DralaFiZero 7 років тому +1

    I only recently started watching the videos on your channel a couple of months ago because they showed up as recommended while I was watching roller coaster ride throughs. I have recently been going back through your whole playlist. I had never heard of Silver Dollar City prior to seeing them. Your enthusiasm for the park has been making me want to plan a trip with my family there. Now, seeing this about the way the park does Christmas makes me really want to visit during that time!

  • @amarabridalboutique7202
    @amarabridalboutique7202 6 років тому +2

    We love SDC & go every summer from Ohio (even though we have a theme park literally 10 minutes from us :) Thank you for this video. We are going at Christmas time for the first time this year. Very helpful tips.

  • @danielaugustus6974
    @danielaugustus6974 7 років тому +1

    Your videos are so fun to watch and it is cool to listen to your experiences.

  • @kevhuff65
    @kevhuff65 8 років тому +8

    Great job, George!. For me, I remember how cold and miserable it is on the back of the train, but then I just sort of 'melt' every time the music comes on when grandpa speaks. It's moving! What other theme park does that!
    BTW, I've been working crowd control on the train the last couple Sundays. It's a lot of fun.

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  8 років тому +1

      You're braver than I am. lol. As cold as it got on the back, I'd rather be there than doing crowd control. I did it a few times, and on really busy days it would start to wear away at my patience. But then I think you're better suited to that than I am anyways. :p

  • @craigkollai2806
    @craigkollai2806 5 років тому +1

    The SDC parade tips sound a lot like Disney advice. I guess some things are Universal... ;)

  • @calebhodge6574
    @calebhodge6574 8 років тому +6

    I know exactly how you feel! we have the exact same obsticles on the train at dollywood during Christmas

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  8 років тому +2

      The crowd thing is a common problem for the parks that do holiday events. Busiest time of the year for many of them.

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  8 років тому +1

      Really? I'd be curious how they manage that, as it takes 5- 6 minutes in the depot to completely unload the train, reload it, fill in empty seats, do a safety check and get out. And make sure that we have safe operating distances between the trains. I know Busch doesn't do a live safety spiel but has recordings in the station, and I doubt that they fill every seat. SDC only has one stop, so it's a complete empty and complete fill each time. Might be the difference.

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  8 років тому +1

      Yeah, full trains can clear out a big crowd pretty fast. :) Sounds like they've got a good system there as well. I wish they had done Christmas Town when I worked there, but that came after I moved out of Florida. :(

    • @tyraschaefer9446
      @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

      @@TrainsWow woo

  • @ThreeOfKlubs
    @ThreeOfKlubs 8 років тому +10

    I was wondering when you'd post again. Thanks for posting another cool video and Merry Christmas! :)

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  8 років тому +2

      I missed last week with Thanksgiving. Had a houseful of college kids so it was a bit hard to get time to get a video done. Don't worry, I have a few more in the queue for the holidays. :) Disney is coming the next couple of weeks.

    • @tyraschaefer9446
      @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому

      @@SirWillow wow

    • @tyraschaefer9446
      @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому

      epic

    • @tyraschaefer9446
      @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому

    • @tyraschaefer9446
      @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

      wow

  • @darlenesleeth-poirier1997
    @darlenesleeth-poirier1997 7 років тому

    These videos need to go viral

  • @TrevlynTheTrainiac
    @TrevlynTheTrainiac 6 років тому +1

    Now the steam generator on Engine #504 will be responsible for the lights. But 76 and 43's train will have a motor. Christmas 2017 I rode behind 43 in the first car. That motor is LOUD.

  • @SterlingScallion
    @SterlingScallion 8 років тому +2

    I have been going to Silver Dollar City my entire life. I didn't realize that I had seen you till I saw that you worked at silver dollar city. I was amazed. I hope to work there soon.

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  8 років тому +3

      If you were there between 2012-2014 then yes, it's likely you saw me out there. It's a lot of fun, and I loved my coworkers. But it is still a job, so be ready to work hard. I loved it, my son enjoyed working there, my daughter and wife not as much. Theme park work isn't for everyone, but for those that enjoy it, it's awesome. I've still got a lot of friends out there, preach in the church once or twice a year (I will be in August of this year) and love to visit.

  • @godsway6126
    @godsway6126 7 років тому +1

    My sister was the first girl in front of the reindeer in the parade!

  • @wrestlingandamusementparkl7789
    @wrestlingandamusementparkl7789 4 роки тому +1

    How cool. I m coming week before Christmas expect it to be busy

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  4 роки тому +2

      Absolutely. If the weather is decent, the park is packed. They'll be putting caps on how many can come in this year, and it's very likely they will be requiring reservations to get in. I would keep an eye on their website.
      Also, make sure you're aware that the biggest shows are not happening this year. There won't be a Dicken's Christmas Carol or It's a Wonderful Life shows, along with some of the other indoor activities.

    • @wrestlingandamusementparkl7789
      @wrestlingandamusementparkl7789 4 роки тому +1

      @@SirWillow I saw on thwre website that they are requesting reservations adleast on Saturday along with certain dates mixed in. Didn’t say on Thursday or Friday. But with the shows don’t really surprise me. We expect the park to be busy which is why we are getting there early

  • @hunternannen6176
    @hunternannen6176 8 років тому +2

    I went again for Christmas to silver dollar again this 2016 thanksgiving and it was as great as ever. I go multiple times a year ever since I was a kid. My family has a condo in the tree house condominiums just down the road of silver dollar city on the same road as it. Down Indian point those gray condos looking over table rock lake. So im sure at some point I ran into you down at the train station without realizing it.

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  8 років тому

      +Hunter Nannen very possibly. I haven't worked there s8nce 2014 but I visit fairly often still.

  • @montanafay4425
    @montanafay4425 8 років тому +2

    For us during our major events management gives us free meals. Like for our Halloween event we get an all you can eat dinner and free lunches during the 4th of july, Day out with Thomas and other really popular events. Our Halloween event is our equivalent to SDC's christmas event.... its how we close the season and its our busiest time.

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  8 років тому +1

      That's really nice of them to do. I haven't worked at a park yet that gave free meals except on rare occasions (SDC does 2 or 3 days a year)

    • @montanafay4425
      @montanafay4425 8 років тому +1

      +SirWillow It's a benefit of working for a small park and our owner is a wonderful man who I have a lot of respect for the attitude amongst us is like a family.

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    Oh My Goodness it's Take Forever Cram Farm Train Leaving we move Line

  • @the_car_guy5915
    @the_car_guy5915 4 роки тому

    Last Christmas when we went, they must have had problems with the second train because we waited in line for 2.5 hours. It was terrible but the ride was worth it.

  • @cloudcraft7153
    @cloudcraft7153 4 роки тому

    When I went to silver dollar city 100 people were in mainstreet. Yet we decided to wait for the first parade.
    We did get to go through the staff entrance witch leads into the park through the candy store staff entrance.

  • @nycbutterfly52
    @nycbutterfly52 6 років тому +1

    The Christmas sing along on the train is so fun!

  • @lokidokie3174
    @lokidokie3174 7 років тому +1

    “Don’t go on a Saturday!” My heart stopped because I’m going this Saturday, Dec. 8th ._. Yikes!

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  7 років тому

      It's supposed to be pretty cold this Saturday, so that might help you a little bit. But expect to have very large crowds. You'll absolutely want to be there before the park opens so you can get as much done early as possible. :-)

  • @Pyro19903
    @Pyro19903 7 років тому

    We met before my family love the the train and sdc

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому

    Oh My Goodness Take Hour the Farm Train Sometimes huge One Farm Train Leaving cram pack we move that Line

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    Oh boy

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    wow

  • @spare7230
    @spare7230 7 років тому

    Wait, you're talking 15 Farenheit, Right? Wooooooow...

  • @devotedcetacean6568
    @devotedcetacean6568 7 років тому +1

    I have never been but are there other rides besides the train and rollercoaster?

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  7 років тому

      Absolutely! plus a huge giant cave that you can take a tour of. check out SilverDollarCity.com for more info.

  • @mckenna8663
    @mckenna8663 8 років тому +3

    Woooooooo! I hope you had the use of some of those chemical packets of Hot Hands or Hot Feet for your mittens and socks.

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  8 років тому +1

      +Mc Kenna I tried them a few times here and there but they didn't always work very well for me. I found the insulated gloves to be better

  • @370H-SSV
    @370H-SSV 7 років тому

    Can you reshow the map with the parade route??? Because I'm interested on some parade info.

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  7 років тому +1

      Not sure I have a map with SDC's parade route, but it basically runs from near the Red Gold hall down to the gazebo/ town square area, then down Hill Street exiting by the Opera House and Fire in the Hole.

  • @marygerlach3445
    @marygerlach3445 7 років тому +2

    you haven't lived in Buffalo New York it gets so cold

    • @racetrack6103
      @racetrack6103 7 років тому

      Mary Gerlach yea agree 30 is shorts weather

    • @racetrack6103
      @racetrack6103 7 років тому

      I wanna move there....30 is shorts weather we get 30 below zero

  • @jonathanmartin2548
    @jonathanmartin2548 7 років тому

    Is there a reason they don't use both trains during the summer? Just curious!

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  7 років тому

      +Jonathan Martin staffing and the crowds and lines are generally long enough to justify 2 trains. You might get a 30 to 40 minute wait in summer at worst. Christmas if they onlybran one it would be over an hour but with 2 they can keep it about 20 minutes, 30 when it's really long.

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    Oh no

  • @mariahhiatt1993
    @mariahhiatt1993 6 років тому

    I'm go on my birthday come then soon

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    uh oh

  • @TrevlynTheTrainiac
    @TrevlynTheTrainiac 6 років тому

    4:54 that's not a caboose.

    • @SirWillow
      @SirWillow  6 років тому

      While you are technically correct in that it's not a separate caboose car, the conductors stand on a train is still often referred to as a caboose, even if it's attached to the back end of a passenger car. :-)

    • @TrevlynTheTrainiac
      @TrevlynTheTrainiac 6 років тому

      you could call this an observation car. Some go on the back of passenger trains.

  • @cersadescosmos7497
    @cersadescosmos7497 6 років тому +2

    They don't want hear something that's against their belief system and feel moved to believe that Jesus might be real and that makes them uncomfortable. It's probably the same people who feel entitled to hold fifteen seats for people who are not waiting in line!

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    🚄

  • @FluffyPancakes36
    @FluffyPancakes36 7 років тому +1

    Those random two people who hate disney

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    uh Oh

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    huh

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    Silver dollar city Oh yeah coming with 15 trains no saving Seats and Faye Get Mad Okay Talk About Christmas Grandpa tell a very simple Retelling of the Birth of Jesus and Faye Get mad About it

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    Go to bathroom One time it's Really Faye Get Cranky

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    Don't Go on Saturday Is Packed Week Between Christmas and new Year Forget it Ugly Get Faye Like Cranky they're there Faye there to be happy in she Cranky and why Miserable and why Having Fun

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    And People Gets Mad oh yeah 15 coming trains no saving seats and Trains Faye Get Mad Grandpa Birth About Jesus And Faye Get mad

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    Christmas and new year forget it's just ugly and when you Faye Get Cranky she be and She cranky and there cranky and They're Miserable why golly having fun the bathroom it's one time when Faye Really Get Cranky

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    Don't go on a Saturday ever never don't it picked Shoulder shoulder Between Christmas And New Year Forget it just ugly every Single day when you Faye gets she be happy She Cranky and miserable and by golly having fun it's amazing how many get in line trains 15 places oh yeah i'm coming with 8 trains are with you no you getting in a depot there no saving seats Faye Gets mad go bathroom Really one time Faye gets Cranky other thing get off train Faye Gets mad Okay You're In a Theme Park Christmas Grandpa Tell Simple Retelling birth of the Jesus Faye mad about it.

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    line trains we move trains get trains in on out oh my goodness it's was huge if want go to Silver dollar city don't go on a Saturday it' packed shoulder shoulder that Week between Christmas and New Years Forget It just Ugly Every Single day when like Faye Cranky She Happy And she Cranky And Miserable And by why golly having fun Yeah Really it's really Bad it' s amazing how many trains try 15 places don't it doesn't work try oh yeah I'm Coming 8 with trains are they with you no you not getting in depot there no saving seats And Faye get Mad one time Faye Get Cranky one thing off train Faye Be mad okay you're in a theme Park Christmas Grandpa tell Simple Retelling of the Birth of Jesus And Faye Get Mad about It

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    oh my goodness it's forever if want go to silver dollar city don't chirstmas go a saturday ever never it's packed be shoulder shoulder the whole time it's just miserable go on friday on sunday little better busy go on wednesday or thursday possible saturday avoided fridays Because busy really between Christmas and new year forget it's ugly every single day When Get Faye gets cranky she be happy Cranky and miserable and by golly why having fun it's amazing how many trains try 15 places doesn't work way don't it oh yeah i'm coming with 8 trains are with you no getting the depot there no saving seats and Faye Gets mad go bathroom It's one Time Faye get cranky other thing get off train Faye would be mad okay you're in theme park christmas grandpa tell a very simple Retelling of birth of the Jesus Faye gets mad about it

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    not good

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    only one go to Bathroom one Faye gets cranky One Faye Get Cranky she be happy and cranky and miserable and why golly having fun bad oh yeah 8 trains I'm Coming are they with you no you're getting in depot they there no saving seats And Faye get mad farm train get off train Faye be mad Okay you 're in a theme park grandpa tell simple Retelling of the birth of the Jesus and Faye mad About it.

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

    it' huge long line trains all moved line in or out oh my goodness it forever cork screw want go silver dollar city don't go on Saturday ever Never don't it it packed Be Shoulder shoulder that week between Christmas And New Years Forget It ' just just Ugly every single Day When you Faye Cranky She be happy and cranky And miserable and why golly by i'm having fun Yeah it's really bad it' amazing how many trains try saving 15 places doesn't work way don't do it Oh Yeah i'm with coming trains 8 are they no you getting depot Faye Get Mad go bathroom Really one time Faye Get Cranky other thing farm train get off Faye would be mad okay you're in a theme park Christmas Grandpa tell simple retelling of birth of the Jesus Faye get mad about it

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому

    Try to save 8 places doesn't work that way don't do they get up to the front oh yeah i'm coming with you no you're getting in depot 8 trains then there is saving seats and Faye get mad okay you're at theme grandpa tell a very simple retelling of the birth of Jesus Faye get mad about it Faye get angry one time Faye get angry have Train Get off Train Faye get be Mad

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому

    When Faye get cranky she be happy She and Cranky and and they're Miserable and why by golly having fun Yeah it's really that bad it's amazing how many trains don't it do oh Yeah I'm coming with 8 trains are they with you no you are getting in the depot there no saving seats and Faye get mad Bathroom one time Faye really get Cranky okay you're in theme Grandpa tell simple other get off one time farm train Faye be retelling of the birth of the Jesus Faye get mad about it have farm train Faye Be Mad

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1

  • @tyraschaefer9446
    @tyraschaefer9446 2 роки тому +1