How to Save Money at Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City, in Branson, Missouri, is a great amusement park for adults and children of all ages. It combines modern rides and attractions with traditional Ozarks legends and culture, and is a fun way to spend a day or two during your next visit to Branson. Though Silver Dollar City is a fantastic experience, it has earned a reputation as being quite expensive (it has additionally earned a rather unflattering local nickname: "Steal-yer-dollar City".) However, with proper planning and some foresight, Silver Dollar City doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here are some helpful tips on visiting Silver Dollar City without breaking the bank:

Never Buy Tickets at the Gate

Many local businesses sell Silver Dollar City passes at reduced prices, so check around before your visit. Some Branson attractions also sell combo tickets, which serve as passes to several attractions at once. These can also be a good bargain, but only if you plan on doing everything on the ticket. If you have a combo ticket for SDC and White Water, but don't really want to visit the latter it's a waste of money.

Pack Some Essentials

If you really want to save money once you get into the park itself, you'll need to bring a backpack or two (depending on the size of your group) packed with essentials. Make sure to take anything you think you'll need: water bottles (full or empty, there are several water fountains in the park where you can fill them), sunscreen, chapstick, extra batteries, a camera, etc. Anything that you need to buy in the park will be more expensive, so pack essentials before you head in.

Take a Lunch and Snacks

Food in the park is often outrageously expensive and really, really tempting. Pack a lunch and have a picnic in one of the quieter park areas instead of standing in line for a $10 sandwich and fighting the crowds for an empty seat. If you do plan on having lunch at a park restaurant, try the Lumber Camp Restaurant (where combos will run you about $7) or Mary's Springhouse, two of the cheaper eating options.

Make sure to take plenty of snacks as well. The concession stands around the park have plenty of tempting fares, but most are quite expensive. If you have snacks you'll be less tempted by the often unhealthy offerings. When you find funnel cakes, turkey legs, and giant cinnamon rolls around every corner, it's good to have something inexpensive and healthy as an alternative.

And one more note: if you are vegetarian or vegan, you'll probably have to pack some food regardless. It can be very difficult to find foods which are vegetarian and vegan friendly once you get in the park.

Prepare for Changes in the Weather

Ozarks weather (much like its people) is notoriously fickle. During the summer months of July and August temperatures can easily reach one hundred degrees, and have a heat index even higher. Make sure you are dressing for the heat, even if the morning is cool. It is also recommended that you bring a jacket on summer days, especially if you plan to visit Marvel Cave where the temperature is around fifty degrees all year long. Spring and Fall are popular times to visit the park because crowds are smaller. However, these are prime times for unexpected weather conditions. Thunderstorms will come up from nowhere in the Spring, completely without warning. Fall may find incredible fluctuations in weather, even during the same day.

Most of the money I've spent at Silver Dollar City has been on sweatshirts, jackets, and rain ponchos. There is nothing like an unexpected rainstorm or cold front to drive a person into the nearest souvenir shop for more appropriate clothing. Make sure you bring extra clothing to avoid having to buy some in the park.

Avoid Frivolous Souvenirs

There are many opportunities to spend money at the various shops and craft demonstrations throughout the park. Most craftsmen are very proud of their work, and the prices reflect the quality. If you are just looking for a trinket to mark your visit, then you are better off getting one from the souvenir shop than from craft exhibits. Though it may be beautiful, ask yourself if you really need a $50 hand-blown glass bauble or a hand-carved wooden bear. The same holds true for photographs. Often employees will take your group's picture when you enter the park and then charge you for it later. You can do the same thing for free with your own camera and a helpful stranger. Consider this: is a fake antique tin-type portrait really going to be more special and sentimental than a candid shot of your group standing in front of "Fire in the Hole"?

Consider a Season Pass

A season pass is a really great deal, only if you already plan on a return visit or two. If you aren't a local and don't plan on returning to Branson again during the year, then it is a waste of money. If you do plan on returning, make sure you buy your season ticket before you leave the park. You can trade in your day pass for a season ticket at a greatly reduced price. The season pass pays for itself with just one additional visit to the park.

Don't Be Afraid to Splurge a Little

Don't get too hung up on money while in Silver Dollar City. There are plenty of things in the park that are worth every penny. With money, as with everything else, you should practice moderation. If you've managed to save on lunch, go ahead and split a funnel cake with your group. If you see a unique crafted item that you'll not find anywhere else, go ahead and get it. Don't deprive yourself of everything. After all, you are there to enjoy yourself not to stress about money.