My Top Tips for Visiting Silver Dollar City with Your Family

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Planning a trip to Silver Dollar City? We’ve been there plenty of times, and I can honestly say it is one of my favorite theme parks! 🙌 🎢

The best part? You can easily enjoy it all in one day. Whether your kids are little or a bit older, there’s something for everyone.

Silver Dollar City just doesn’t feel as overwhelming as many other theme parks.

Psst…there are even spots you can just sit and relax.

Oh, and the food? SO good! (Food lines can be very long though.) 😋

We’ve visited during both summer and Christmastime, and if you can make it to An Old Time Christmas, I highly recommend it. It’s so magical and a one-of-a-kind experience.

After all our visits, I’ve pulled together a list of top tips to help you make the most of your day at Silver Dollar City with your family!

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1. Arrive Early

I HIGHLY recommend arriving at Silver Dollar City early- BEFORE the gates even open.

On weekends and busy days, traffic heading into the park can get frustrating, so getting there ahead of time can save you some stress.

We went the day after Thanksgiving for Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas, and the traffic was rough.

But if you do hit a slow crawl or no movement at all, stay calm, positive, and patient- you’ll get there and there’s still plenty of time to enjoy everything the park has to offer!

➡️ Planning to arrive early is beneficial even if you do end up in a few slowdowns.

2. Utilize the Free Parking

Spending a day or two at Silver Dollar City can get pricey as can any amusement park.

One area where you can save a few dollars is with parking. 🅿️

The free parking lots aren’t that much farther from the entrance, and there are trams that will transport you to the park entrance. 

We parked in one of the free lots, and I even ran back to my car a few times during the day and the walk wasn’t bad at all!

➡️ Save your money for an extra treat or souvenir inside and go with the free parking!

3. Bring a Stroller or Wagon

Spending a day at an amusement park can be exhausting for kids (and adults) of all ages.

We always bring a stroller or wagon with us.

Not only does it give tired kids a place to sit and rest, but it’s also super handy for carrying bags, souvenirs, water bottles, snacks, and more. (I actually love having it just for the extra storage.)

While stroller rentals are available at Silver Dollar City, they don’t have much storage space.

Plus, during busy times like the holidays, the rental line can get long.

➡️ I recommend bringing your own stroller or wagon to make your day easier and more comfortable.

4. Bring Your Own Water Bottles

Another easy way to save both money and time is by bringing water bottles for everyone in your family.

The great news is- you CAN bring them inside the park.

➡️ Just refill them at the various food stands and stations throughout the park for free and you’re good to go!

You can bring in small coolers and snacks too!

5. Make a Bucket List

We love checking out the amusement park online even before we even leave for our trip. 🎡 🎢

Each of our kids makes a list of 2 or 3 things they really want to do, and I make my own mini bucket list of things I want to see or do or even eat.

Planning ahead gives you a good overview of Silver Dollar City and helps you get familiar with the park before you arrive.

Before your trip, try to map out a general plan of what you want to do, and the order you’d like to do it.

➡️ Just remember, it’s OK if things change- your plan is just a flexible guide.

6. Download the Silver Dollar City App

The Silver Dollar City app is a great little planning tool to have on hand.

You can create lists of things you want to see or do- and even make multiple lists, which is super helpful.

Familiarize yourself with the app before you arrive.

➡️ The app also gives you quick access to show times, ride, and dining info, plus it has an interactive map to help you navigate the park.

7. Do the Marvel Cave Tour

If your kids aren’t too young, I highly recommend the Marvel Cave tour.

It’s free with your park admission and is such an amazing experience.

We did the tour with our two older boys (ages 6 and 8), and they absolutely loved it! 

Just a heads-up: there are lots of stairs and a few tight spaces, and it’s pretty dark inside.

The tour lasts one hour, plus you’ll have to wait in line for a spot as the tour is walk-in only, so it can take some time. But even if you are a little curious, it is totally worth it!

It’s also a good break from the rides and crowds.

➡️ I suggest doing the Marvel Cave early in the day before it gets too crowded. It is located right at the entrance of the theme park.

8. Head Towards the Back of the Park

If you arrive right at opening, I recommend walking past the initial sights and attractions and heading deeper into the park.

This will help you separate from the crowd and check off one of your bucket list items right away. 

When we visited over 🦃 Thanksgiving weekend 🦃, we headed back towards the front of the park late in the afternoon to escape the crowds since most people had already moved deeper into the park by then. It was a great idea!

We took a peaceful walk through the Wilderness Church and even took a few minutes to sit inside and relax.

9. Bring Extra Coats and Blankets

If you’re visiting Silver Dollar City for its Christmas festivities, I recommend bringing extra blankets and coats for the evening.

I can get fairly warm during the day but as soon as that sun goes down it does get chilly.

➡️ You definitely don’t want cold kids during the evening when you are trying to enjoy all of the lights and sights.

10. Bring Extra Clothes for Wet Rides

If you are visiting in the summer, it’s a good idea to bring an extra set of clothes in case anyone gets soaked from the water rides. 💦

I also like to keep a change for clothes for all my kids in the car- just in case off accidents, spills or any other unexpected kid-related catastrophes.

You never know when you are going to need a change of clothes!

11. Give Yourself Grace

You can plan your day at Silver Dollar City perfectly, but things won’t always go as expected.

Give yourself some grace.

There are always uncertainties- especially with crowds and kids!

When we visited during Thanksgiving, the park was packed and only got busier as the day went on.

I’m guessing this is probably one of Silver Dollar City’s busiest days.

We tried to avoid the crowds by eating lunch at an off time, but it didn’t work- the food lines were still long. I had to take a deep breath and remind myself that this is okay.

We eventually got our food and found a place to sit. 

That day was a perfect example of how even with precise planning, some things- like crowds are out of your control, and that’s okay.

Also, my three-year-old was not in the best mood. Nap time had come and gone, and my little ones were done for the day.

We decided my husband would take the two younger kids back, and I stayed with the older boys to enjoy the park after dark.

Of course, I would’ve loved for us all to be together, but it just wasn’t in the cards that day- and that’s okay.

We still had an amazing time and made many special memories.

12. Let It Go and Enjoy Yourself

This ties in with giving yourself grace- don’t stress about getting to a show an hour early for a seat or trying to hit every ride.

Some days, with crowds, weather, or kids, it just won’t happen and that is perfectly fine. Don’t let that steal your joy.

When we visited Silver Dollar City, we didn’t make it to any of the big, popular shows. Instead, we stumbled across Tinker Jr.’s Toy Shop show just as it was starting and my kids loved it!

They couldn’t stop smiling and talked about it nonstop afterward.  It was a wonderful surprise!

Don’t let the little things get you down or stress too much about them- let them go, and focus on enjoying the moment. Savor this special time with your family. 🥰

I hope these tips help make your visit to Silver Dollar City even better.

The most important thing to remember is to have fun and create lasting memories with your kids.

There will always be challenges when vacationing with kids or visiting an amusement park, but when you look back, it’s the joyful moments and the awe on your children’s faces that you’ll remember most.

🎄 If you are visiting Branson during the Christmas season- discover my list of 15 Branson Christmas Activities You Can’t Miss! 🎄

May you LOVE your adventure. KW