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From Silver Dollar City:
Opening in 1993, the 80-foot tall, 48 mile-per hour coaster with scenic views of the Ozarks along 3022 feet of track including a 910-degree, double helix into a mine shaft was considered Silver Dollar City’s first bona fide roller coaster and the start of a legacy of world-class, record-breaking thrills...
The mine train ride was originally designed in Utah by Arrow Dynamics, where the steel track was manufactured and shaped before traveling to the park to be constructed together with timbers from Louisiana and Arkansas by Silver Dollar City, making it a one-of-a-kind attraction when it debuted.
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.
2026 Trips: Universal Orlando, Dollywood, Cedar Point, Kings Island, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Sea World San Antonio, Sea World Orlando, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Walt Disney World, Silver Dollar City
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.
2026 Trips: Universal Orlando, Dollywood, Cedar Point, Kings Island, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Sea World San Antonio, Sea World Orlando, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Walt Disney World, Silver Dollar City
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.
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