What we remember from childhood we remember forever - permanent ghosts, stamped, inked, imprinted, eternally seen.
I’m not sure what I expected. I had been warned by Dale repeatedly that Silver Springs was not all that. It was AT BEST a ½ day park. And to her credit she didn’t exaggerate the details. But…
I admit, it’s
not Disney, but (blasphemy aside) I really liked it. Not LIKED it enough to
go back (or to have been happy had I paid the full price of $30+) but we had
a good time for the Sunday $10 per person special. Just a nice, RAINY (WTF
is up with all the rain we get at any park that’s not Disney? That’s
got to be a sign.), kitschy Florida touristy type Sunday. What more could
you ask for?
I'm thinking this park never moved into the 20th century. All the rest of the amusement world is plotting and planning the next big thing, and Silver Springs, well… they’ll be proud to show you the “Fantastic Fountains Water Show.” This is about 20 minutes of pure obscure kitschy entertainment if there ever was any. The website describes the show as “1,000 water nozzles that spray more than 1,000 gallons per minute. The fast-paced program creates a dazzling display by making water dance, jump, twist, and swirl on cue to a musical score of popular tunes.” Sounds snazzy, eh? What that REALLY means is old 50’s music (which I have nothing against that, BTW) and someone’s odd idea that THIS was the end all be all of water shows - or, extreme grandiose ideas that they are competing with the Bellagio in Las Vegas (sorry guys, you're just not there yet). I have to tell you, in a sick way, I kinda liked it. |
This is the pic from their website (isn't that pretty?) |
 |
This is what you really get... A black plastic covered wall/pool, lights and water hoses. |
| We made the day of it (all ½ day of it anyway)… Rode all three of the glass bottom boats, the Wilderness Trail and even managed to squeeze a couple carousel rides (Becky didn’t answer us at Silver Springs either). We all happily trudged thru the wet puddles, crocs bearing the brunt, and braved the sloshy trek back and forth across the park | .  |
I’d been to Silver Springs a million years ago with my dad on one our few vacations. I have vague memories, although I’m sure we glass bottom boated our way all over the place. The motel across the street however - NOW that I remember (summer, sun, heat & and an empty swimming pool, what’s a kid not to love?). I was shocked when we passed it on the way - it looked exactly the same as 20+ years ago. Hopefully I’ll be able to find my picture of it one day and post (it’s a favorite of my dad, lazing in one of the cheapy chairs) – well, I’ll post it if I ever get ALL my stuff unpacked – one can dream. We also managed to squeeze in a trip to Atlanta to see the Braves play (in their hay-day), Bush Gardens & Weeki Wachee that summer. Weeki’s planned, Bush Gardens (maybe one day in the future), but the Braves – I’m afraid they’ll never get me in the park again - NO more baseball for me!!
All in all, I thought it was a nice little adventure. And hopefully a cool little flashback the monsters will have 15+ years down the road when it’s time to figure out where to take their kids. There’s just something about trying to revisit your childhood & create memories for the new generation. You never know what’s going to stick.
NOTE: The bear was NOT Photoshop'd - someone thought that smile was a good idea!! I HOPE they will replace the SCARY BEAR before the monsters trek back.
That is just CREEPY!!