To get the Gold Season Pass discount, you must order online or by phone, you can not get the 20% discount on the park. You must also order at least one day before. And can only order 1 a day at the discounted price. The discounted price total with taxes, and all fees combined totalled to 25.79.
Also with the confirmation number only, Hannah's Ice Cream Parlor cannot issue the Tasting Passes, they must have a bar code to scan. So picking them up at Guest Relations is much easier. I just order the Passes by telephone, and type the number directly into a Cozi event for the day. I just copy the event and change the day and confirmation number, each day.
Overall we enjoyed the Tasting Passes immensely. My only complaint was the list of restaurants and food choices were extremely unorganized. I could not figure the rhyme or reason they chose the order of the restaurants listed. They were not alphabetically ordered or ordered by the order you pass them in the park, nor by restaurant vs concession stands etc. I really don't know how they chose the order. But, I think putting the list of restaurants in alphabetical order would of helped a lot when trying to find what each restaurant offered on the Tasting Pass.
Buckshot's - We all absolutely loved the Pumpkin Coconut Chicken Curry over Rice. It was perfection. Could taste the curry and coconut very well, without being too spicy, especially not overly hot spicy. And it for sure is from real chicken breast, as one time mine had a large bone in it. I really don't mind when that happens, as it assures me it is the real thing, and not junky pieces of meat hobbled together. Lela and Belle, both ended up getting the Curry multiple times during our vacation.
Cakes & Cones - the Pumpkin Cheesecake Funnel Cake from Cakes & Cones with Pumpkin Cheesecake & Caramel Sauce was delicious! I ended up getting it three times while visiting. We visited for 2 1/2 weeks, so one the first week, 1 the second week, and 1 the final week. And every one in the family really liked it.
Chester's Kettle Chips - Sweet Potato Chips while I did not get this on the Tasting Pass, I have bought it numerous times in the past. So I can't comment on what the serving size was with the Tasting Passes, I can say I love these! Crispy, salty, & sweet!
Chick'n Waffle Cone Co. on the Pumpkin Plaza - Pumpkin Mac & Cheese Cone was mushy, but good flavor. However, I did like the extra texture the seeds on top added to it. Both the Cashew Chicken Cone & the Pumpkin Mac and Cheese Cone were full size, so pretty large. Belle really liked it, but it was so full and large, she could not finish it.
We loved the Cashew Chicken Cone from Chick'n Waffle Cone Co. On the Pumpkin Plaza. It's more like deep fried chicken, like you get with sweet and sour chicken, rather than, the sauted one with veggies. Everyone in our family enjoys it except for Belle. They were also generous with the green onions when we asked for extra.
Cokes & Floats - while this stand was closed our entire visit. We have had the Pumpkin Soft Serve Ice Cream numerous times in years past and really enjoyed it. It's particularly good in a float using Sprite as the soda choice. You serve yourself so you would be in charge of the serving size. We always use our Silver Dollar City glass mugs, that have a lifetime price of .75 cent refills, including floats. Fill it with copious amount if ice cream and go light on the soda.
The Coke Stand at Boatworks - The Pumpkin Hand Pie, was extremely good as well. It was baked not fried. I love fried hand pies! But, it had a extremely delicate, flakey crust. Not heavy, or doughy. Perfectly kneaded, rolled, and baked just right. The filling tasted like a really good Pumpkin Pie filling. Seasoned just right, enough salt and spices to have a nice flavor, but not too overpowering with the spices or salt either. Had a excellent spice combination, and good texture. The vanilla cinnamon glaze was a perfect complement to the hand pie. It really took it up a notch, making it extra special. The glaze itself was nicely flavored of vanilla and cinnamon. Didn't have a bad aftertaste, nor was it chemical flavored as many glazes sometimes tend to be. It was delicious. Denise and I liked the whole Pie. Simona only liked the crust and glaze, and didn't care for the filling. Belle didn't like it. Also a pretty good size portion. Easily can be shared between two to three people. But, possibly even four people could share and get a good taste of it.
Crossroads Pizza - Pumpkin and Sausage Pizza Surprisingly to me, it was huge for the tasting pass sample size, and really good. Belle and I liked it, Vince didn't. I liked the creamy pumpkin sauce base, it was almost a Alfredo texture, with a ricotta flavor, the pumpkin was extremely mild, and not over powering at all. The cheese & sausage were very good, nice quality, not cheap or cruddy tasting at all. No bad chemical aftertaste that often cones with low quality pizzaria sausage. The pumpkin seeds thrown on top was a special bonus for me that I loved. I really liked it a lot, and didn't expect it to be that large or good. It was only very very very slightly smaller than the non Tasting Pass one. Mine was served right by another customers without the Tasting Pass and it was only about 1/4 to 1/2 inch smaller, if that. I'm not sure what other parts Vince didn't like about it, but he specifically said to me, he didn't like the pumpkin seeds on top. He just didn't like it.
Dippin' Dots - Pumpkin Dippin' Dots had white and orange dots, with a sugar cookie like bites. Me, Simona & Denise enjoyed them. They were a good Pumpkin flavor, nicely seasoned, not overly spiced, nor any chemical aftertaste.
Dockside Grill - Autumn Pork Belly Skillet the one I was given was delicious with tons and tons of Pork Belly, and sweet potatoes and onions cooked perfectly. Also enjoyed the added grape tomatoes. However, Rjs was below average, hardly any meat and the sweet potatoes were not completely cooked. They were about 2/3s the size of a regular portion, but in my opinion that was plenty and we were happy with the portion sizes. But, it is a tricky one. I would want the one I had again, but not the one RJ was given.
Dumpkins Apple Shack on The Pumpkin Plaza - Cold Apple Cider I liked it a lot, very fresh and refreshing to me. But, once again I was the only one in the family who enjoyed it. I thought it tasted extremely good, and natural. Not a lot of chemical flavors.
Eva & Delilah's Bakery - I accidentally tried the Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll. Lol I requested the Pumpkin Danish, but in the chaos of being with my family, I didn't watch the lady get it or bag it. So the next morning when I opened the bag for breakfast, I had the surprise of a Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll, and disappointment at the lack of a Pumpkin Danish in my bag. I generally do not like Silver Dollar City's Cinnamon Rolls. I will admit, I do not like many Cinnamon Rolls, I like a extreme ungodly amount of butter and frosting on them to like them, and generally do not like how dry most are, especially the ones I have had at Silver Dollar City. I much prefer the Cinnamon Bread, especially when it was made at Sullivan's Mill, and I still always buy a extra container of glaze. All that being said, I really really liked the Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll. It was not too dry, it was nice and perfectly moist, with a awesome amount of Pumpkin Buttercream on top. So it was delicious, and exactly how I would want a Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll. Vince didn't like it at all, but he normally hates Cinnamon and all Pumpkin things. My kids said it tasted good, but none would eat more than one or two bites.
And I did end up finally getting my Pumpkin Danish, and it was delicious. Very moist, and wonderful as is every Danish I have ever gotten from Eva & Delilah's. Tasted like a wonderful homemade pumpkin pie filling in a tender flakey danish. With a very nice glaze drizzle. No weird aftertaste of chemicals from spices or preservatives that many baked goods have from other places either.
Fannie's Famous Funnel Cakes - Funnel Cake with Pumpkin Butter was good, but I prefer Original Glaze I will not get it again. RJ really didn't like it at all. The girls were just meh about it. I had to eat most of it.
Both Funnel Cakes, were only about 1/2 the size of a normal Funnel Cake from Silver Dollar City. But, in my opinion it was the perfect amount for us. Could give them a try. But, not over eat something so high in calories.
Flossie's Fried Fancies - I loved the Pumpkin Corndog, and Sweet Potato Fries with marshmallow fluff, from Flossie's Fried Fancies. I was the only one who liked the Sweet Potato fries, which were more like wedges, than fries. But, the marshmallow fluff persuaded Denise to help me eat them. We all loved the Pumpkin Corndog, especially me, Belle, Simona & Denise. We ended up getting it a subsequent time, and received Waffle Sweet Potato Fries, instead of wedges. They were quite a bit better.
Hannah's Ice Cream Parlor - Caramel Apple Pie Shake, had good flavor but was soupy or thin, I would not get it again. I like my shakes much thicker. It was full size though as far as I could tell. It was quite a large serving.
Lumbercamp - Pumpkin Sausage Potato Soup was delicious. It was not a full serving, but pretty close if you are only talking about the soup portion itself, it did not come in a bread bowl though. So over all food portion is quite a bit smaller without the bread bowl. But, honestly we rarely eat the bread, so again this made it just right for us. It is so delicious I would for sure get it again. It was very rich and savory, and slightly creamy, but not too spicy. I coulsld not taste any pumpkin at all in it. Vince also loved it and he hates pumpkin. It was very similar to Olive Gardens Zuppa Tuscana, but The Lumbercamp's sausage was way better qualityand tastier than Olive Gardens sausage they use in theur Zuppa Tuscana. Also was nice and warm. And I ended up getting this multiple times through out our time at Silver Dollar City. It may be one of my favorite things this year. I really hope they bring it back for the next several years.
Tater Patch - Calico Potato Skillet which is basically the Calico Potatoes with kielbasa added, at Tater Patch was delicious. I haven't liked their potatoes in years as they are usually undercooked or mushy, instead of crispy bits like I prefer. This was really a surprise to be so good. The serving size was also pretty perfect. Vince also really enjoyed it. It was the same size as the Autumn Pork Belly Skillet & the Pumpkin Coconut Chicken Curry, which is about 2/3's the size of the regular full price version, again perfect size and price in my opinion.
The Pumpkin Tater Tumblers came with 2 instead of 3, which we were really fine with for the price. They were extremely yummy. Very reminiscent of Cracker Barrels Hashbrown Casserole, when it was actually good!
Tater Twist - I also liked the Salted Maple Tater Twist, it was a regular white potato cut, in their twisted fashion, drizzled with marshmallow fluff, Maple syrup, and some salt. But, I was the only one that did in our family. My dad did eat a little and didn't care for it. Darla said it was tolerable and really the only person who helped me eat it. But, honestly if I didn't care about my weight and blood glucose levels, I would of eaten it all myself, because I really liked it. But, things like this I only want a taste, and not the entire thing, so I don't gain excessive weight, or get too high blood glucose.
Traveler's Stop - Belle & I really did not like the Pumpkin Tomato Bisque. It was very Pumpkin spiced. The spices and pumpkin over powered the soup and I could not taste the tomato at all. Which I usually love pumpkin soup. And actually eat it regularly at home. But, in my opinion it tasted too much like pumpkin pie with the spices rather than pumpkin soup. At home I usually season my pumpkin soup with more savory spices like curry or tumeric or even cardamon. This was seasoned too much like pumpkin pie. But, with the texture of soup. It was too weird to me. However, Vince & Lela both really liked it. Surprisingly, since Vince usually hates pumpkin and sweet potatoes both. I wish they would of had a Grilled Cheese Sandwich as a choice on the Tasting Pass.
Pumpkin's Cider Shack on The Square - The Hot Pumpkin Cider, tasted like regular Apple Cider from a powdered mix. I could not detect pumpkin at all. It was alright. But, not worth my carbohydrates or calories. I won't be getting it again. Didn't come close to Silver Dollar City's winter Waisail. However, if I didn't gain weight so easily, or wasn't diabetic, honestly I probably would of gotten it a few more times. Real Apple Cider is what I prefer, but grew up drinking the powdered kind from time to time, and don't mind it sometimes.
Rivertown Smokehouse - The Pulled Pork Sandwich was also good at Rivertown Smokehouse. Thankfully did not come with the Pumpkin BBQ Sauce in it or on it, the sauce was served on the side. It was a medium sized sandwich, which was plenty, it also came with side of your choice.
Pumpkin Spiced Ribs were excellent at Rivertown Smokehouse. Came with three ribs and a side of your choice. We could not taste the pumpkin on the ribs. But, did not care for the Pumpkin BBQ Sauce the pumpkin over powered the sauce. Again I usually love pumpkin, even in chili and such. But, this just wasn't balanced right in my mind. It was bland and tasted like pure pumpkin. No bbq sauce tang or sweetness at all. And the texture was also like pure pumpkin, so rather thick as well gor "sauce". We had Mac and Cheese as a side, as always because we love Rivertown Smokehouse's Macaroni and Cheese.
Also the Eggplant Sweet Potato dish was excellent, even Vince liked it. He normally does like Eggplant, but hates sweet potatoes. So that was a surprise, since the dish only was about 1/4 Eggplant, and mostly sweet potatoes.
The Pumpkin Bread Pudding at Rivertown Smokehouse was amazingly good. Much better than I expected. Very caramelly, I loved the roasted candied pecans in it, and the vanilla sauce was also good, as well as the caramelized brown sugar through out it. I really thought I would miss vanilla ice cream on top, or it not being hot from the oven, would color my view of it negatively. But, honestly it was fine at the temperature served, and I really didn't miss the ice cream because it was so yummy. Those caramelized bits just make it! Simona & Denise also loved it. Belle said the nuts ruined it for her, while I thought the nuts improved it immensely.
Wagon Works - I did not care for the Pumpkin Chili, it was slightly spicy, but had the weird tasting spice in it as well, that usually gives me stomach issues. However, Belle LOVED it, and ended up buying the full serving multiple times during our vacation. So I do hope they also will bring it back again.
I did not get to try the Sausage Sandwich with Peppers & Onions from Wagon Works, because Vince got it without me. He did not like it. And didn't think it was worth it. Belle also said it didn't look good.
