Two Days at Silver Dollar City

We loved Silver Dollar City!

When we left Kentucky, we told the girls that the cave tours were over. We lied. Who knew that Silver Dollar City in Branson was on top of a cave? I certainly didn’t. Of course, the cave tour is included in the ticket price, and I think caves are pretty cool, so they had to endure another. Marvel Cave, once called Marble Cave, has a long history; but, in short, it was named Marble Cave, after explorers to the cave in 1882 thought they saw marble on the cave’s ceiling. They were incorrect. So, they began selling the tons of bat doo in the cave as fertilizer, making pretty good money off of it.

Then, in 1889, William Lynch purchased the cave from the Marble Cave Mining Company, and started giving tours. The Herschend family began leasing the cave from the Lynches in 1950, and they started doing extensive renovations and built Silver Dollar City above the cave. Although Marvel Cave has since been donated to the College of the Ozarks and the First Presbyterian Church of Branson, the Herschends continue to operate it (along with the theme park and several others). I think it’s pretty cool that just beneath the amusement park sits this cave. Of course, it was there way, way, way before the park ever was.

The girls were excited to learn that after descending 700 steps into the cave, we would get to ride a cable train back up to the surface. This was until they felt, heard, and saw how old and rickety (though still great functioning) this method was. Rayne started saying, “I want to walk back up!” But, we didn’t. We rode.

Saturday began the Christmas Season at Silver Dollar City. Though I’m usually not crazy about jumping into Christmas this early (weeks before Thanksgiving, even), I can make an exception when it comes to theme park jollies. This means Christmas shows. This meant two really good shows, in fact: It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol (both musical style). Good stuff!

We also saw a pretty entertaining “saloon show,” some Cajun singers doing their version of Christmas classics, and a kids’ program that was hosted by Raggedy Ann. There really was something for everyone.

Going during the Christmas celebration also meant lots of lights – over 5 million, in fact. Lights illuminated the entire park. A ride through the woods, singing Christmas favorites (though a little awkward in early November), provided us a tour of even more colorful lights.

Rayne’s favorite part of the park was Grandfather’s Mansion, which has slanted floors and upside down rooms, a wall of fun-house mirrors, and other “mystifying” sights. Jayden liked the many kiddie rides, including some flying Dalmatians. They both liked watching the glass blowers and blacksmith at work.

Of course, the Christmas parade was a big hit with everyone!

And something else we like: They honor military! Ray and I were able to get two-day passes for the price of one day, and the girls got complimentary tickets for both days. Can’t beat that! An excellent pre-Thanksgiving Christmas celebration was had by all!