PROJECT 2026 TRACKER
Last Updated: 3/3/25
Purpose: This thread was created to track the progress of the new attraction being added to Silver Dollar City for the 2026 season.
CONFIRMED NEWS
1. Dalton Fischer from Silver Dollar City confirmed at ACE's NoCoasterCon on January 18, 2025 that SDC was adding an "additional attraction besides the new resort for the 2026 season"
2. Numerous park guests have stated seeing officials conducting land surveys on and around the land between PowderKeg and Wildfire.
3. Markings related to land surveys, including paint marks and flags, were viewed in the area noted in point 2.
4. Large amounts of tree removal and earth moving has already begun on and around American Plunge
RUMORS (Will be updated as information presents itself)
1. There are a handful of contractors being considered for this attraction
2. The attraction is being described as a "thrill ride"
3. A good portion of the (now unused) flume leftover from Jim Owen's Float Trip will be removed for the new attraction.
4. American Plunge will coexist with the new attraction.
5. The theme of the new attraction will continue the lore of the Ozarkian Society of Daredevils which can be found at American Plunge
6. The entrance to the attraction will take place in the extended outdoor queue for Wildfire that's not currently used.
7. The ride will extend into the woods past the two current rollercoasters but unsure how far.
This is awesome - thank you, Swoosh.
WOW! Exciting news! Thanks for sharing the information! Look forward to the speculation, future photos and updates!!
So it sounds like a coaster. Now if you look at the current line up and break it down they have three thrill coasters, Outlaw run, Wild fire and Time Traveler and three family rides Thunderation, Powder Keg and Fire in the Hole. With last entry the New Fire in the Hole which leads me to beleive it is a thrill coaster. You also say they are looking at "several companies" which would cancel out types that only one manufacturer builds like a tilt coaster. My guess its a wooden coaster with GCI or Gravity Group. A wooden coaster that interacts with Powder keg, Wildfire and American Plunge.
Mack or B&M hyper/giga lol
Might it "interact with AP" until AP is eventually removed, as in it's going to ultimately replace the old flume ride with something better?
Please note, I've only just compiled the rumors going around. They'll only be moved to the confirmed list if there's hard to debunk evidence.
I'll continue to add to the rumor list as I hear or read things around the internet.
Quote from: Jesus4me on February 10, 2025, 10:05:57 AMYou also say they are looking at "several companies" which would cancel out types that only one manufacturer builds like a tilt coaster. My guess its a wooden coaster with GCI or Gravity Group. A wooden coaster that interacts with Powder keg, Wildfire and American Plunge.
I don't have anything to prove this but I'm pretty certain it won't be a wooden coaster, in fact I'd say 98.99% certain.
My suggestion is to look what Dollywood has added recently and maybe think of other companies that might build similar rides. Think about who HFEC has worked with over the years (and especially recently) and then start narrowing it down to which companies make similar rides... and no this is not an ego thing, I have no idea who they're using
The park currently has three coasters with inversions, two coasters with launches, three family coasters and three thrill coasters and one childrens coaster. There is already a B & M coaster trill looping coaster Wildfire in the area. My guess it the new ride would be a little more tame with a lower height requirement. By the size of the area described this will be a large spread out ride that must either go under or over multiple existing rides in the woods. Something like Big Bear at Dollywood comes to mind, but it is much like PowderKeg to a degree. Which leads to to beleive that it is a family suspended coaster like either DragonFlyer (https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/rides/dragonflier/) at Dollywood or Phoniex Rising (https://rcdb.com/21221.htm) at Busch Gardens Tampa.
I might be clowning here a bit, but I'm thinking we might see something really big to make people want to stay at the resort and spend extra money for exclusive ride time? Or just a really big attraction to help advertise SDC, the resort, and the coaster beyond our local area? SFOT is opening a 300+ foot coaster in 2026 - so could SDC do something just as big?
Jay
Quote from: cowboy on February 11, 2025, 09:33:30 AMI might be clowning here a bit, but I'm thinking we might see something really big to make people want to stay at the resort and spend extra money for exclusive ride time? Or just a really big attraction to help advertise SDC, the resort, and the coaster beyond our local area? SFOT is opening a 300+ foot coaster in 2026 - so could SDC do something just as big?
Jay
I makes sense what you are saying and it just comes down to money. They are already using alot of money building the resort so I don't know if they have the budget to go really big. If they did I would like to see something not in the states yet. Time Traveler is a one of a kind coaster in North America. It should be something of that nature but for a wider audience. Something for everyone with heavy themeing, that goes thru tunnels, wraps around Wildfire and Powderkeg and over American Plunge.
^ I think you're forgetting the budget for the expansions is a total of $500 million.
Quote from: Swoosh on February 11, 2025, 11:23:50 PM^ I think you're forgetting the budget for the expansions is a total of $500 million.
Did not know that. Great, lets go shopping. :)
I could see them wanting to add something similar to Firechaser Express at DW. Then eventually with the idea they would replace Thunderation. Seems like they're removing a lot of the older rides and replacing with new and updated versions. The general public has been complaining about how rough TNT has gotten and they may not want to spend the capital to refurb.
Just my speculation.
Quote from: Coaster on February 15, 2025, 09:39:24 AMI could see them wanting to add something similar to Firechaser Express at DW. Then eventually with the idea they would replace Thunderation. Seems like they're removing a lot of the older rides and replacing with new and updated versions. The general public has been complaining about how rough TNT has gotten and they may not want to spend the capital to refurb.
Didn't the park say at the FITH media event that they were trying to keep thunderation open? I feel like a retracking + support work would keep the ride open longer and be cheaper than replacing it.
Plus, I don't think that we're getting something like firechaser express since we just got a family coaster. The last thrill coaster was time traveler in 2018, and the last extreme thrill coaster was outlaw run in 2013.
Just my speculation.
^ It was my belief as well that they will refresh and keep Thunderation open. I wish the new attraction would be completely indoors so it would be open during inclement weather but with the ride extending into the woods it doesn't sound like that's the case.
I rode TNT at the end of the 24 season and it rode a lot better than it has in awhile. I didn't even feel the pothole going into the tunnel either. They have been redoing small segments of the ride over the past few years (photos were posted on older construction threads here) replacing bits of the track and support structure. This was probably another reason all the shrubbery was removed around the ride so they could have easier access with heavy equipment. SDC knows its a very unique coaster that's part of a dying breed of Arrow built attractions plus it just fits the general atmosphere of the park so well. I think it's safe to say it will be with us into the 2030's at least. The other train has been out for most of the season for an overhaul. Definitely not a sign the ride is going away if they are investing in it like that.
My selfish hope is that the next major coaster is an Intamin LSM multi-launch in the style of velocicoaster. No reason for them to as they already have 2 launch coaster but dang it I can dream!
Although, if we're being realistic, a terrain-based hyper/giga coaster makes sense for the plot of land and park needs. Plus a giga in the woods is the stuff of dreams.
I'd sure love for the rumor about the society of Ozarkan daredevilry coming back to be true. That was a great theme. At this point, there's barely any of it left. I haven't ridden AP in ages, but I assume the guy caught in the whirlpool is still there. That little scene has actually been around since the Jim Owen days if I'm not mistaken.
Quote from: shavethewhales on March 03, 2025, 01:39:43 PMI'd sure love for the rumor about the society of Ozarkan daredevilry coming back to be true. That was a great theme. At this point, there's barely any of it left. I haven't ridden AP in ages, but I assume the guy caught in the whirlpool is still there. That little scene has actually been around since the Jim Owen days if I'm not mistaken.
If the daredevil theme is true, I wonder if an s&s axis coaster could work. First of its kind in america, and the ride vehicles could be themed to some obscure stunt. Maybe connect to dr. horatio again? it would be hard to fit one into SDC's "old-fashioned" theme, but if Time Traveler can work, an axis coaster could too.
https://www.s-s.com/ride-pages/axis-coaster
I can see it being a B&M Dive coaster if it's themed after the Ozarkian Society of Daredevils.
Added to the tracker:
Major land clearing has already begun between PK, WF and around AP.
Photos will be provided once park is open for the season
Quote from: Swoosh on March 11, 2025, 08:50:58 PMAdded to the tracker:
Major land clearing has already begun between PK, WF and around AP.
Photos will be provided once park is open for the season
Excited! Will photos be posted tomorrow, or a couple days afterwards?
I have to lead a tour group Friday-Sunday so it might not be on here until Monday (via my blog) if you follow my X account @Midwest_Info or me on Reddit on r/rollercoaster I will be posting photos on there the day I take them.
Quote from: Swoosh on March 12, 2025, 11:41:48 PMI have to lead a tour group Friday-Sunday so it might not be on here until Monday (via my blog) if you follow my X account @Midwest_Info or me on Reddit on r/rollercoaster I will be posting photos on there the day I take them.
two things:
1. Thanks for the information!
2. You're Midwest Infoguide?!?! I love your blog! I remember seeing the FITH 2.0 construction photos from you!
Lots of photos are flooding into the various SDC FB groups, especially from mg. Looks like the whole area behind the waterfall has been wiped out. The AP tunnel is exposed. Wonder if this project will involve any big changes to the plunge?
Quote from: shavethewhales on March 13, 2025, 10:07:46 AMLots of photos are flooding into the various SDC FB groups, especially from mg. Looks like the whole area behind the waterfall has been wiped out. The AP tunnel is exposed. Wonder if this project will involve any big changes to the plunge?
I can't imagine anything big will happen to AP, the park would have to announce the ride temporarily closing/major changes made. Some removed scenery, but I imagine the props/setpieces stay the same. Only thing I can think of is the new ride interacting with AP, but I dont see that happening.
@TPF just posted this video with some info. I'm perplexed about the Thunderation clue.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pfzH9qvHb74
Quote from: jericho on March 13, 2025, 09:27:36 PM@TPF just posted this video with some info. I'm perplexed about the Thunderation clue.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pfzH9qvHb74
Rumor around the park today was that this may be Thunderation's last year.
It is basically the area behind the waterfall, all the way along the path to WildFire, and to PowderKeg that is cleared. American Plunge and its lift sit in the middle of it with clearing all around it. It does look like the new construction is meant to coexist with American Plunge because they are extending the tunnel at the beginning of American Plunge. I will pictures here tomorrow.
I could see a Vekoma tilt coaster going there. It would be only the 2nd one in North America and they could make it taller/longer than Siren's Curse for better marketability
Quote from: mg on March 13, 2025, 09:55:01 PMQuote from: jericho on March 13, 2025, 09:27:36 PM@TPF just posted this video with some info. I'm perplexed about the Thunderation clue.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pfzH9qvHb74
Rumor around the park today was that this may be Thunderation's last year.
Part of me can see the validility to that rumor, but I also remember last year duirng FiTH's grand opening they talked about doing multi-year refurb to keep it around. I would imagine this is its "last year" being open before being closed for a season for the refurb.
Quote from: mg on March 13, 2025, 09:55:01 PMQuote from: jericho on March 13, 2025, 09:27:36 PM@TPF just posted this video with some info. I'm perplexed about the Thunderation clue.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pfzH9qvHb74
Rumor around the park today was that this may be Thunderation's last year.
We thought TNT was a goner a couple years ago too, but the thing is TNT is the one ride they can basically rebuild continuously themselves. It's a maintenance pain sometimes, but when the track is in decent shape it is a work horse and a crowd pleaser. It seems like a waste for them to replace it.
Quote from: Wildfire on March 14, 2025, 07:14:31 AMI could see a Vekoma tilt coaster going there. It would be only the 2nd one in North America and they could make it taller/longer than Siren's Curse for better marketability
There are two tilt coasters opening soon: one at Cedar Point and one at COTAland in Austin. COTAland takes forever to build stuff, so it probably won't open this year, but they are at least making progress. I don't think HFEC would spring for one at this point since they've been beaten to the punch with the marketing aspect. The tilt coasters are more gimmick than anything, and they aren't worth the maintenance headache if you don't get to market it as something unique.
If they do close T-N-T after this year then I've got to think the new ride will be Thunderation 2.0
The problem with Silver Dollar City is they are replacing rides and not adding rides. Mystic Riverfalls was a replacement, Fire in the Hole was a replacement of the same ride. They need to expand the numbers also. And the "NEW" Plaza Area is just a glorified parking lot. All the structues there will be trailers. How come dollywood is expanding and Silver Dollar City is replacing?
Quote from: shavethewhales on March 14, 2025, 08:04:32 AMQuote from: mg on March 13, 2025, 09:55:01 PMQuote from: jericho on March 13, 2025, 09:27:36 PM@TPF just posted this video with some info. I'm perplexed about the Thunderation clue.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pfzH9qvHb74
Rumor around the park today was that this may be Thunderation's last year.
We thought TNT was a goner a couple years ago too, but the thing is TNT is the one ride they can basically rebuild continuously themselves. It's a maintenance pain sometimes, but when the track is in decent shape it is a work horse and a crowd pleaser. It seems like a waste for them to replace it.
Quote from: Wildfire on March 14, 2025, 07:14:31 AMI could see a Vekoma tilt coaster going there. It would be only the 2nd one in North America and they could make it taller/longer than Siren's Curse for better marketability
There are two tilt coasters opening soon: one at Cedar Point and one at COTAland in Austin. COTAland takes forever to build stuff, so it probably won't open this year, but they are at least making progress. I don't think HFEC would spring for one at this point since they've been beaten to the punch with the marketing aspect. The tilt coasters are more gimmick than anything, and they aren't worth the maintenance headache if you don't get to market it as something unique.
I would personally prefer a giga or even just an airtime filled hyper over a tilt coaster. I just know they seem to have a good relationship with Vekoma and they like to add unique attractions
Just a reminder this thread is for actual tracking on the project. Let's keep the speculation in the correct other thread.
I know I'm not a mod but we created this thread for a reason - not having to search through a thread of off topic posts to find real info
Here are some pictures from opening day. (Click on them to see them larger.)
The area being cleared is from PowderKeg, to the Lumbercamp waterfall, and then follows the path back to WildFire and includes the area around the American Plunge lift and channel.
These are from the area by PowderKeg.
(https://i.postimg.cc/23Vb1kK4/IMG-0781-jpg.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/23Vb1kK4)
(https://i.postimg.cc/CzJx79XF/IMG-0782-jpg.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CzJx79XF)
These show the area near WildFire.
(https://i.postimg.cc/RqJPGr0w/IMG-0945-jpg.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RqJPGr0w)
(https://i.postimg.cc/mtM5ZxfT/IMG-0950-jpg.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mtM5ZxfT)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sBnnHsS4/IMG-0946-jpg.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sBnnHsS4)
(https://i.postimg.cc/RNcg5cKF/IMG-0953-jpg.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RNcg5cKF)
This is a view showing that they are extending the beginning of the tunnel on American Plunge.
(https://i.postimg.cc/nXYMyCXt/IMG-0944-jpg.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nXYMyCXt)
The waterfall is still standing.
(https://i.postimg.cc/3ytNwVjS/IMG-0891.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3ytNwVjS)
There is a new railroad crossing near Outlaw Run too. There are marking down through the woods and up to the maintenance area like there is going to be a new access road built through the woods somewhat along the parameter fence of OutlawRun.
(https://i.postimg.cc/rDPFXxq3/IMG-0834-jpg.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rDPFXxq3)
(https://i.postimg.cc/2LZS25sM/IMG-0837.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2LZS25sM)
Great photos! Any speculation on what type of coaster will be built?
Did those posts with the pink flags on them have COASTER written on them? Those are just like the ones used when Time Traveler was being built confirming that it was in fact a coaster going in there. Something to look out for on the next visit to the park. Id snoop around to see for myself but I'm not sure if I will be able to visit at all this year.
Quote from: Swoosh on March 15, 2025, 12:26:15 AMJust a reminder this thread is for actual tracking on the project. Let's keep the speculation in the correct other thread.
I know I'm not a mod but we created this thread for a reason - not having to search through a thread of off topic posts to find real info
It's kind of hard to keep speculation separate from updates. The natural thing to do when you see dirt moving at the park is to take a guess at what they are doing. Most of this board is basically just speculation between scattered updates from our trips to the park.
Quote from: mg on March 15, 2025, 08:52:05 PMHere are some pictures from opening day. (Click on them to see them larger.)
The area being cleared is from PowderKeg, to the Lumbercamp waterfall, and then follows the path back to WildFire and includes the area around the American Plunge lift and channel.
...
Thanks for the photos mg! That is a big area they are clearing. Looks like more than just a pathway connection...
I'm not saying it's not, But I was wondering if were sure this project is for 2026? Lately a lot of their projects have taken a good 2 years to build so is it possible this is for 2027?
Quote from: Grapeslie on March 18, 2025, 04:45:53 AMI'm not saying it's not, But I was wondering if were sure this project is for 2026? Lately a lot of their projects have taken a good 2 years to build so is it possible this is for 2027?
This started in 2024
New photos from today on my X account
@Midwest_Info
Will try to have on the MIG blog by tomorrow
Swoosh, why so many trees cleared out from around Outlaw run? Is this project that massive or that part of a different maintenance project?
Jay
Quote from: cowboy on March 29, 2025, 08:19:46 PMSwoosh, why so many trees cleared out from around Outlaw run? Is this project that massive or that part of a different maintenance project?
Jay
I just saw those photos and that makes me sad. I really hope between that and project 2026 that half of the park doesn't lose the feeling of being "tucked away in the Ozark Mountains".
I can't make heads or tails of what is going on over there. What is going on with the AP tunnel? Are they rebuilding a portion, or extending it? Really wish the scenes or something cool would come to the tunnel, but I'm curious how long AP even has left, so may not be much ROI in it.
The clearing beyond PK must have something to do with the resort. Curious if there is going to be some kind of tram/train/whatever to the resort from that area with a second entrance. I always assumed there would be a second entrance, I just thought it would be in the current maintenance area closer to FITH.