Mochas and Meows

A little gem we like is, Mochas and Meows.

It was clean, and in my opinion not over crowded. The cats seemed, happy, comfortable, and well cared for.

They give a group discount to larger families for petting cats. They charge by the 15 minute mark. 15 minutes is a set price, 30 minutes is a set price (slightly discounted it's not double the price of 15 minutes), 45 minutes is a set price (slightly less per a 15 minutes than the 15 and 30 minute prices, so NOT triple the price of the set 15 rate.) etc. 

The total price was - 33.70 - for 30 minutes of being with the cats, for 5 children, 1 adult, in the Autumn of 2022.

You can also just visit the Coffee Shop/Gift Shop for free.

The drinks cost about 5 to 7 dollars on average and what I tasted, was really yummy. My teens also really liked the small gift shop and chose a few things to buy to support the mission.

The host gives a brief introduction to all of the cats and the rules before your petting adventure begins. They have reasonable rules you should be able to easily follow. Some cats are kittens, some are adults, some are elderly, and some are special needs. The introduction gives you a idea of each cat's personality and age, so you know if it has a nature that likes petted or one that would rather you just look and not touch. 

The introduction eats up quite a bit of the first 15 minutes, so 15 minutes would of probably had some of my kids crying, had I forced them to leave after only 15 minutes. While some of my kids were still enjoying themselves at the 30 minute mark. Everyone, I think, had had enough time with the cats and were ok with moving on though at the 30 minute mark in my family.

We really enjoyed our time there. Some families may be good with 15 minutes and some may love 45 minutes to a hour. But, the 30 minutes was purrfect for us. 

My children have all asked me numerous times, have I made sure to budget in going again during our next trip. And yes, we will be going back.

Spring School Groups

April and May is usually ok crowdwise at Silver Dollar City.

But, fair warning, April and May, is when a lot of schools in the area take Class Trips to Silver Dollar City (Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas- all schools with in a few hours of Silver Dollar City).

They are generally oblivious around the gate and stand in places blocking everyone else, while waiting for their groups leader. So you may have to ask them to please move to one side so you can get to the gate. Mostly they don't go inside Silver Dollar City until opening (1 hour after the gates/turnstiles open). 

Normally they leave around 2pm. (Meet their group leaders to get back on their bus)

They typically mainly only go on the thrill rides and like to eat at Crossroads Pizza best.

It's usually not too bad. But, thrill rides can have really bad long lines during that time (between opening and 2 pmish). My husband and daughter waited 3 hours for Time Traveler one year because of this.

However, the non thrill rides (family and kid rides) are normally wide open. The shows are also almost no lines! And besides Crossroads, the BBQ, and Tater Twist (and depending on the classes/schools preferences sometimes Lumbercamp) the other restaurants don't generally have bad lines, especially the ones at the top. Wagon Works (which is a favorite of ours any how) and the Buffets barely will have lines at all, ordinarily. 

If you find the thrill rides have too long of a line, just go do family rides and shows and wait till around 2 pm. Lol They will all leave, and the thrill ride lines will go to a nice short line again.

Sundays because of this are most commonly best. Saturdays are also not horrible in April and May because of this (the schools go during the week). 

But, again the weekdays aren't terrible for most things, just teen food and teen rides. Just wait it out and do everything else that won't have lines, and know at 2pm the park will be yours again! Lol