If you’re planning a trip to Branson, Missouri, you can’t pass up Silver Dollar City. It's a theme park packed with all kinds of fun for the entire family. There is so much to do, this amusement park will need a day dedicated to itself if you’re going.
Fortunately, my family and I are regulars, so I get to pass along the ends and outs of making the most of your day at Silver Dollar City.
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What to Expect
Silver Dollar City is one of Branson, Missouri's biggest attractions, so it can get busy. They also have the best seasonal festivities. If you’re within a reasonable travel distance, the annual passes are absolutely worth it as long as you make the trip at least twice a year.
Plan ahead and expect long lines, especially if traveling during peak times like summer and holiday breaks. The summer visits are hot, but water is free at every beverage stand. Plus, there are a few places to play in the water. Go ahead and get drenched on the Mystic River Falls attraction (seriously, nobody is staying dry on this ride).
While summer is a great time to visit, fall and the traditional holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Years are their own kind of special. Our favorite time of year to visit Silver Dollar City is the fall. Their fall display of more than 15,000 intricately carved pumpkins (and the seasonal food like pumpkin funnel cakes and pumpkin spice latte) will have you oogling for hours in addition to the already fun Silver Dollar City experience.
Families with Special Needs
Silver Dollar City isn't just fun for everyone, it's a truly accessible environment. Having a child with special needs, we utilize the disability pass. Let me explain how this works. You go to Guest Central and get screened for the pass.
You can have up to six in your party on your pass so everyone in your family can stay together. Instead of waiting in line, you take your pass to the ride’s exit. They guestimate the wait time, and then you come back to the exit and get on the ride at that time. You still have to wait to ride the rides; you just don’t have to do it in the physical line.
Here is some more detailed information on park accessibility with a complete rides guide from Silver Dollar City. We find that this park does an amazing job accommodating our needs.
For individuals who need support services beyond what the park offers, there are many organization's available that can provide companions, assistive technology, and organized trips based on specific needs. These organization's specialize in making travel accessible to all.
We did go the day after Thanksgiving one year, and 10/10 do not recommend doing that ever again! Just to get a drink was a 40-minute wait, we were endlessly frustrated. The holidays can get busy -- the Christmas light display and Silver Dollar City's Old Time Christmas celebration draws a big crowd.
Riding Attractions in Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City has roller coasters and rides for all levels of thrill-seeking wonder. Younger kids and their families will enjoy the rides and play areas at Fireman’s Landing. My adventurous son had never been on a real coaster, so we started here. I sent him up on the Fireman’s Flyers swing as a warm-up, confirmed his love of riding attractions, and sent him straight to the Powder Keg afterward.
While younger children might not enjoy the thrill of mock speed, there are still plenty of riding attractions for them to find, including:
Elephant March
Fire Spotter
Fire Wagon Frenzy
FireHouse Play Place
Fireman’s Flyers
Happy Frogs
Homestead Animal Barnyard
Hugo & Mary’s Carousel
Ladybugs
Lucky’s Dizzy Dogs
Royal Tea Party
Wings of Wonder
For a little faster fun and something the whole family can do together, check out these rides of spectacular design:
Electro Spin
FireFall
Fire-in-The-Hole
Outlaw Run
PowderKeg
The Giant Barn Swing
Thunderation
Time Traveler
WildFire
Mighty Galleon
Mystic River Falls (seasonally open)
Of course, other slower-paced and family-friendly riding attractions exist, including the Fire Wagon Frenzy, FireHouse Play Place, and Magnificent Wave Carousel. The thing to take away here is that Silver Dollar City is a place where the entire family will find a ride that thrills them.
Shows and Shopping at Silver Dollar City
If you prefer to keep your feet firmly planted on the floor and skip the rides entirely, you’ll still find plenty to do at Branson’s famous theme park. Silver Dollar City is home to 60 different boutiques, 100 different demonstrations, and daily live shows or musical performances.
You could spend the day shopping and catching shows and still have a completely packed schedule. If you plan to shop, please don’t miss Kringles Christmas Shop. I’ve been in there almost a dozen times, and it still entices a magical feeling each time I walk in.
For an extra boost of amazingness, Silver Dollar City offers a buy-and-pick-up later option for guests. That means you can pick up all your purchases at the front of the park later. You don’t have to carry them around the park the whole day.
Planning Your Visit
If you’re planning a vacation to Silver Dollar City and want to do it all, take my advice and go for multiple days. There’s really no way to get the full experience in one trip. If you’re an annual pass holder, that’s no problem.
However, if you’re buying day tickets, here’s a little pro tip: If you arrive after 3 pm at the park, the next day is free. So you could potentially spend a day riding the rides while ignoring the shopping and shows. Come back the next day after 3 pm for seven hours to experience the shopping and live entertainment, and then the next day is free to hit up all your favorites. **Keep in mind that this offer may not apply during special celebrations or peak season.
If you do plan to take the multiple visits suggestion, here’s another little secret. The theme park has seasonal plastic mugs. If you purchase one, all refills after that are extremely discounted. However, it’s noteworthy that the park does allow outside food and drinks, so you could save a bundle if you packed a cooler, which is allowable.
When planning your trip, all of the little nuances will depend on the season you want to experience Silver Dollar City. If you’re going in the summer, you want comfortable shoes because there is a lot of walking. Still, if you’re going to get wet on the water attractions, maybe throw a pair of sandals in a backpack (which I always take). Keep some sunscreen in there for the hot weather months, and maybe some motion sickness medication for anyone in need. Never forget your chapstick, regardless of the seasons. My first trip sent me home with chapped and burnt lips from the wind of the rides.
Don't forget to pack these theme park essentials:
✔ Child Safety IDs & Trackers
Losing track of little feet in a big theme park is one of my biggest fears. There was a time when I would have shamelessly used a kiddo leash to keep track of my curious toddler. Today, I opt for a water-safe air tag bracelet that allows me to pop a GPS-enabled tracker safely into a wristband.
✔ Backpack or Fanny Pack
When you're on your feet (and away from the car) for an entire day, you'll suddenly find yourself carrying around a few extras. I always take a backpack like this one with multiple pocket sizes, durable zippers, and broad shoulder straps for maximum comfort. I have also tried this sling-style backpack at SDC a few times with mixed results. And routinely I use this waist belt pack when hiking with my dog, which would also make a suitable pack for a day at Silver Dollar City.
✔ Refillable Water Bottles
You'll need to stay well hydrated. Even in colder months, spending hours outside can really take a toll. I personally use a 32 oz. Ozark Trail water bottle purchased from the camping section at Walmart as my go-to hydration vessel. But if space is limited, I also have these collapsible water bottles that work for everyone in my group.
✔ Rainy Weather Must-Haves
If there is rain in your forecast, rest assured that your day at Silver Dollar City won't be ruined. First, know that if you experience 90 minutes or more of rainy weather interruptions that close rides and send you heading indoors, you can visit Guest Services to get a do-over pass to come back another day. But more often, light rain showers can come and go. I like to combat that wet feeling with moisture-wicking sportswear and quick-dry shoes designed for wet and dry conditions. I also keep a low-cost rain poncho in my bag.
✔ Great for Cold Weather Visits
Branson, Missouri, is not Florida. If you are visiting Silver Dollar City for one of their iconic seasonal celebrations, like the thousands of lighted pumpkins that fill the park in the Fall or the Old Time Christmas celebration that extends from Thanksgiving to the New Year, you'll probably need a few more essentials to make cold weather days at the park a little more enjoyable.
At a bare minimum, bring a cozy hat and a pair of gloves with finger pads so that you can still use your phone. Personally, I am in love with these. You might also find that it helps to dress in layers. Whenever I need to spend time outdoors in the winter, you'll find me layering up with long underwear and a pair of wool socks over my cotton socks tucked inside a pair of well-insulated shoes. I also tend to pack a few Hot Hands body warmers to take the extra chill out in case I've been outdoors a little too long and don't have a way to warm up.
Is Silver Dollar City Worth it?
A resounding yes in a million different ways, a Silver Dollar City trip is worth it. It’s worth it for roller coaster hounds, those who are a little more timid, and even for people who want nothing to do with a screamingly fast ride. A season pass is always worth it as long as you go at least twice. The pass completely pays for entrance after a second trip.
The Pass Also Offers a Discount @ the SDC Campground
You can have fun regardless of what time of year you go, but planning for the elements will ensure a painless experience. The park is incredibly family-friendly, and strollers, coolers, and those with special needs are accommodated throughout the whole park.
Ready to Plan Your Adventure?
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