If you're in Branson, Silver Dollar City is one of those places you pretty much have to experience…read moreat least once. What really sets this place apart is the entertainment. There are shows happening all day long, from live music and bluegrass to comedy and saloon-style performances. Depending on the season, there are also special productions throughout the park. It's nice to be able to sit down, take a break, and still feel like you're part of the experience. And since the shows are included with admission, it adds a lot of value to your visit. It's also a great spot if you have younger kids. There is plenty for them to do beyond just rides, including play areas, interactive attractions, and even a train ride. It's not one of those parks where little kids are limited. They can stay busy all day. The whole park has a really cool 1880s theme and is honestly one of the most beautiful theme parks I've been to. Between the shops, craftsmen, and scenery, it feels more like an experience than just rides. That said, be ready for a lot of walking. This park is very hilly and you will feel it by the end of the day. Lines can also get long during busy times. Overall, it's a really unique place with a ton to do for all ages. Between the shows, rides, and kid-friendly activities, you can easily spend a full day here and still not see everything.

Our overall review based on being there 21 Dec, which changed the atmosphere a bit…read more Pros: - Amazing festive lights and decor. - Good food and it wasn't too pricey. There is a mobile ordering option for some places through the app that helped us a lot with the long lines. - Very friendly and helpful employees. - Easy to get to and navigate the park. - Smaller attractions like Grandpa's mansion were fun! - the APP is sooo helpful! - kiddo loved the knife shop and personal rings booth. The proprietors were so nice! - PowderKeg and TimeTraveler rides were awesome. Wish would could have done more than one! Cons: - We went during a weekend when people believed (as advertised) it was the last Rudolph train parade which made it especially chaotic. That was later changed in a way but it made this weekend before Christmas majorly bad. Kiddo was mad about the odd advertising after we heard a shop owner talking about a last minute meeting. - Better locker placement. We based this on Dollywood where there was a locker before each ride but SDC has them in certain "villages" which takes time to navigate. Bc of this we barely used the locker we bought - instead there are cubbies at each ride that work out better. - The kid rides area (Fireman's village or other) is smack in the middle of the route between spaces which made travel from ride to ride difficult. - During Xmas it is hectic, especially the weekend before. The whole operation is overwrought with people and it gets difficult to move, buy food, go on rides (we waited 2 hours for time traveler and saw on the app other rides were just as long). We also waiting 45 minutes for a funnel. - our personal note - we found a decent spot for the parade and got kicked out right before it started, by security. No signage - just you can't be in this open space (it was the mulch around the stage near the big Xmas tree) We left, parade be damned - which was when a lot of people were actually leaving. - outlaw ride was closed one of the biggest nights. - overpriced junk - my kiddo recognized a 'carved bear' from another theme park and when we looked at it close it was made in the Philippines. There are some good options for craftsman here but double check before paying for high priced inports. Key notes: - we knew we would be at the park into the night so we paid the $65 to get awesome parking up front. That turned out to be a great decision because as the masses were leaving we got out in 10 mins. I know that may seem silly but it as a priority for me and I know not everyone. For $20 you can get closer parking. They do have trolleys for free parking and they were running regularly. Make the decision that is best for you! - if they have the time traveler pass available - get it if you can. We spent so much time in line to watch the add on payers jump up and get more out of their time. At this park, there are only so many awesome rides. The limitations on the pass are far exceeded by the wasted time. This is only important if you are here for the rides and not just exploring. Notes: - the ground had paint stamps to help you navigate but they were worn out and made it hard. - there are shops to warm up in but as Colorado people who have seen a thing or two maybe warming stations with heaters or warming barrels like they do at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo would be good. Most people love a good wood fire smell. Overall - plan accordingly. We personally would not recommend the weekend before Xmas (we figured people would be traveling and that was a bad assumption). Know what your interest are - if you want to do shopping then that would be fine. If you want rides, maybe look at different dates you want to go.