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[legoerosion]

@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.

[shavethewhales]

@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.

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

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.

[Duelist]

If they do close T-N-T after this year then I've got to think the new ride will be Thunderation 2.0

[Jesus4me]

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?

[Wildfire]

@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.

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

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

[Swoosh]

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

[mg]

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.



These show the area near WildFire.





This is a view showing that they are extending the beginning of the tunnel on American Plunge.




The waterfall is still standing.



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.

[ColaSDC]

Great photos! Any speculation on what type of coaster will be built?

[sdcfan88]

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.

[shavethewhales]

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

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.

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.

...

Thanks for the photos mg! That is a big area they are clearing. Looks like more than just a pathway connection...

[Grapeslie]

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?

[Swoosh]

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?

This started in 2024

[Swoosh]

New photos from today on my X account
@Midwest_Info

Will try to have on the MIG blog by tomorrow

[cowboy]

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

[legoerosion]

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

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".