Silver Dollar City will retire Thunderation roller coaster after 2026

It’s a shame the best mine train (not counting theming, just the coaster itself) is going away. It also definitely makes me feel old when rides that opened in 1993 are closing due to them being at the end of their operational life. The original B:TR opened a year prior, I wonder when we start seeing those go.

That said, the announcement certainly teased that a mine themed ride (this time with more indoor sections) will be taking its place soon, so that’s exciting.

It was one of my favorite Arrow mine rides too. It was inventive, especially for the time, and the trains had distinctive looks. I especially enjoyed the period when every other car in the train was turned to face backwards. I chose a backwards seat for my first-ever ride and was surprised by how thrilling it was, the first half went faster and faster as it dropped to the mid-course lift.

I was last at SDC was when Time Traveler premiered and due to that addition and construction, ThuNderaTion understandably lost a bit of its luster. Trees, charm, and whatever else seemed to be missing. I also have high hopes for another decent family attraction to take it place. And sadly, along with the ride goes a really clever name for a coaster.

I don’t have plans to go this summer so I guess I’ve taken my last ride.

RCMAC, not sure how close you are but Christmas at SDC is amazing, 7 million lights, and everything but the water rides are open provided it’s warm enough. If you have a November weekend free I would look into it.

I’m in Columbus, so Dollywood would be my logical choice for millions of lights mixed with home-spun holiday fun.

However, if I’m ever asked what my favorite theme park would be I always say in the US it would be Silver Dollar City. (And they usually say “Sorry, where?”) As nice as DW is, I think SDC takes everything up just a notch in all departments. After all, it is the OG and has so much to offer.

SDC used to have a Western-themed craft and art show in the fall and my favorite band would play Western Swing at the Opera House. I’d fly to St Louis, then drive several hours to SDC and spend a few days at the park. I loved it there. And that was around the time that workers could be spotted slipping around the grounds quietly covering every single surface of every single building and tree with lights, so I’m familiar.
I do hope to get back there someday.

It’s my favorite main train as well. I just love how the first half continually gets faster. And they did well ending the ride with its biggest drop instead of just a lift hill like adventure express.

They did build time traveler, too close to the ride. I would’ve thought they could’ve been able to leave a bank of trees between the two rides to keep the isolated feel of Thunderation

I wasn’t planning on going to Silver Dollar city this year, but I was already wanting to see the new Fire in the Hole so I’m probably going to change this year’s Dollywood plans to Silverdollar city

Originally my friends and I planned to do CW, SFDL, and Waldameer for July '26, now we're leaning towards cancelling the trip and doing SFSTL and SDC instead (I don't think I can convince them to add WoF). Any advice for a first time SDC visit?

-Check the calendar and see if you will have a festival playing and the hours. You said summer, which will either be the summer festival (June-first week in August) or no festival. They have a lot more entertainment and later hour for festivals.

-Being an empty stomach, SDC has some of the best park food. The signature snack is Cinnamon Bread, make sure you buy one. Have at least one skillet meal, throughout the park stands will have giant iron skillets where they cook up a mix of meat, starch and veggies, there are many varieties, my personal favorite is the pulled pork skillet containing pulled pork, bacon, potatoes, onions and topped with BBQ sauce.

-Study the map, this park has a really weird layout, and remember it sits on top of a cave (which you can tour for free with admission if you want.). When you enter you will be funneled towards the hospitality house which is where the cave tour starts and you have to walk through it. From there you will enter town square, to your left is a bunch of craft stores, straight ahead and down a very steep hill leads you to powder keg, wildfire and the saloon. To your right down a less steep hill will be ThundeRaTion and Time Traveler.

-Besides the coasters, ride the train, do the Flooded Mine (shooting dark boat ride,) see the Saloon Show, checkout Grandpas Mansion and check out the craft shops.

When I was visiting SDC they would open the park every day with a flag raising. Veterans of all branches and ages are invited to participate. Now I’m not a RW&B ‘Merica kind of person but seeing the old guys stand and salute the flag brought a tear to my eye. It made me think of my dad who was so proud to be a WWII veteran. On one occasion I had to duck into a nearby store to hide and compose myself. So they legit got me with that one.

The shopping and crafts at SDC is second to none. They really go all out with the demos from blacksmith to glass blowing to candy making. There’s a furniture store with nice stuff. And near the front of the park is the Apple Store where they heat up apple turnovers made even more delicious by the addition of SDC’s famous apple butter on top. I had one every morning I was there.

I haven’t tried the re-imagined Fire in the Hole or the new raft ride but they’re both reported to be fantastic. The coasters are unique and in some cases the placement alone adds to the thrill. There’s a Grand Exposition themed area with lots of flats if you like that sort of thing. Ditto on the train and the cave. Try to not miss them.

I hope you are able to take a couple of days to fully explore the park and aren’t forced to run around just to get the coasters in. It’s just beautiful there. As I’ve said, Dollywood is no slouch but I find SDC to be better overall.

It’s a bit of a drive from StL, I’m gonna say like 3 hours, so plan accordingly. Along the drive is the original Uranus Fudge which is a fun stop.

Unfortunately I believe I’ll only have a day. It was already a hassle to add SFSTL (when we pass by it!) I doubt they’ll let me add a second day