SDC Christmas traffic/crowd questions

[JoLaLaLa]

Looks like we're going to get to make it to Branson a couple weeks ahead of schedule. We leave on Friday!!! And still get to go back the 1st weekend of December too. Two trips before Christmas.. Woohoo!!

We typically bring a wagon for our kids to ride in- especially during Christmas because we don't ride too many rides (so less getting in and out) and they can cover up with blankets at night to stay warm. When we bring one, we usually park and just walk up to the gates so we don't have to mess with situating it on the tram. We haven't been in a while, but when we were there in spring the parking was a mess and we had to park WAY out and ride a shuttle. My first question is what is the construction/parking situation like right now? Is it going to be possible to park close enough to walk with the wagon or are we going to end up parked so far out that the wagon is not feasible?

Also... I have heard that most people leave after the first parade and the best time to ride the train was durig the parade. Is this true? We have season passes, so my plan was for us to get to SDC friday night about 5-5:30pm (first parade starts at 6 that night)and go basically straight to the train since a lot of people would be already finding spots to watch the parade and then saticking around for us to watch the second one. That way we are just getting there as most people are getting tired and cold and ready to leave, if what I'd heard was correct. And with our passes, we can always come back the next day and not feel like we wasted our time by coming so late. Will this plan work well you think? If not, what other suggestions do you have to make the most of our weekend at sdc?

Last, but not least.. I know a lot of places don't let you bring outside food or drink. I forget what their policy is on this, so would it be possible to bring a thermos of our own hot chocolate or coffee or such? And even if we can't for the rest of us, wouldn't they allow a thermos for keeping our baby's milk warm?

Sorry for all the questions, but even as many times as I've been, we usually just wing it and this time with having three kids in tow, I want it to go pretty smoothly and have a plan for once.

Thanks in advance!

[biscuitcreek]

We've been going to SDC once or twice a month since spring. The parking situation has been different every time. You could be close or you could be very far away. Sunday we got there at opening and parked in G. I would be hesitant to park in F or G and then walk to the entrance. The traffic situation with the new roads is still confusing, and I've seen some close calls.

We got there at opening and went to the first Dickens Christmas Carol show. We walked out of that and went directly to the Saloon for the 3:00 show. After the saloon show we went to see the new Frosty show (similar to the old Tinker the Talking Tree) and then went on to see the Live Nativity show. From there we went to the train at 5:15 and rode at 5:30; the train wasn't full. The station was packed when we got off the train. We then went to the Flooded Mine and then found a spot for the parade. After the parade a big wave of people went to the train. We walked around and then left about 7. The crowd had thinned out when we left so your plan sounds workable to me.

Yes, you can still bring in outside food and drink.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

[Crazy4Branson]

If I were you, I would have the driver drop me & kids & wagon off as close to the front gate as possible, then the driver can park the car & "catch up" with you & the kids......

When traveling with some folks who have trouble walking, I always drop them off as close to an entrance/front door of the theater as I can, park the car, then "run & catch up"........ I don't mind, & I know the other folks really appreciate my efforts......

[teacherkim]

No help on the other questions, but I know you can bring in food and drink.

[JoLaLaLa]

The run and catch up method sounds pretty good, although I am not sure why I didn't think of it myself before. LOL Might have to try that. I know that no matter how we do it, we'll have fun though. I love SDC at Christmas and I think the kids willl enjoy it more this year too. Last time we went during Christmas they were pretty little so they don't even remember the lights and stuff. Of course, the baby isn't going to remember it this time either, but oh well- It's her very first Branson trip, so we'll remember!

Thanks for the replies so far.

[slyjeffb]

we went around nov. 8. We stayed at Deer Run, so parking was not an issue, the crowd was thin until about 4-5 o'clock, then it was thin again after the first parade, then about 9:00 - 9:30 it was a ghost town until close at 11:00. It was pretty cold that weekend so if the weather is better expect bigger crowds.