Ozark Wildcat to be Torn Down, No New Plans for Site
A couple of weeks ago it was finally announced that the famed Ozark Wildcat roller coaster at the former Celebration City amusement park would be torn down (My apologizes for being sluggish lately with the news updates). Since then we’ve had been holding out some small hope that perhaps an announcement was on the way regarding something new on the property, but later statements and releases from HFEC spokespeople have adamantly shot down any prospect that an announcement is coming anytime soon.
Ozark Wildcat was the crown attraction at the short-lived Celebration City amusement park. The park was supposed to be a sister attraction to Silver Dollar City, and focused on nighttime activities such as a gigantic fireworks show that could be enjoyed after a day at SDC. Numerous factors led to the park’s demise, including a change in the HFEC CEO position, complaints about the fireworks, traffic issues, and not achieving an overall increase to Branson tourism that led to “gate cannibalization” between CC and SDC. The property was gutted of all useful things in the years following its closure, but some of the buildings are now used for a church and a few non-profit organizations.
Ozark Wildcat is thought by many to be among the very best, if not the best, creation by the wood coaster firm Great Coasters International. The ride started off with a signature curving pre-drop that led into a dive underneath the lift hill structure. Several enormous sweeping turns followed, which wound the course around the lift and drop structure in a tight, disorienting frenzy. The highlight of the ride came towards the end, as the train hurtled through a narrow canyon underneath the lifthill and between two taller curves. Two or three small airtime bumps practically threw riders out of their seats, which at that point in coaster history was somewhat unprecedented for this type of ride.
Ozark Wildcat was stripped of all its useful parts long ago. The trains originally went to Wild Adventures, but were apparently eventually cannibalized for parts or reused at Dollywood. Parts of the station system and gates live on at Silver Dollar City at the Outlaw Run roller coaster. Let’s hope that someday HFEC will build a new Ozark Wildcat with the same layout somewhere else.
As for the rest of the Celebration City property, it sounds like Silver Dollar City has some major projects on the way for the next several years (though not much for 2016), and HFEC corporate has stated that any major project isn’t viable on the site until the state of Missouri completes the Ozark Mountain Highroad a little farther into Branson proper. That highway project has been stalled for decades with much political fighting. The terminus of that road would have led directly to Celebration City’s gate.
Here is a recent news article and video that captures all the official details.
Discuss this development Here on our forums.
Relive the Ozark Wildcat experience with This POV Video on YouTube.
Celebration City Buildings Vandalized
Two buildings within the former Celebration City amusement park in Branson have been broken into and vandalized. According to reports, they managed to get into a gift shop and diner and set off fire extinguishers. The vandals haven’t been found, and the police apparently have no leads in the case. Fortunately it sounds like the damage was minor and merely the result of foolish kids playing around.
The reports are vague, but I’m going to add my own speculation that the buildings broken into were likely on the north side of the park in the large building between the former Thunderbolt and Ozark Wildcat roller coasters. This building once had an arcade, gift shop, and diner. There is also another separate classic diner nearby. The north side of the park does not seem to have had any use since the park’s closure, since there are no suitable buildings to be turned into organizational space.
Celebration has been mostly shuttered since its closure at the end of the 2008 season. Herschend Family Entertainment Corp., owners of the property, have used a few buildings on the site as offices, and allowed non-profit organizations to use others. One of buildings is now a church. The rest of the property that is not in use has been maintained and has security measures in place.
Archives by Subject:
- Categories
Archives:
- 2009 Project Progress – July 5
- 2009 Project Upate 7-25-09
- 2013 Roller Coaster Construction Update
- 2016 Season Begins March 12
- 2017 Project Construction Update – 5/21/16
- 2017 Season Begins March 15
- 225ft Tall Drop Tower and Other Attractions In Latest Proposal for Branson Strip
- An Old Time Christmas 2008
- An Old Time Christmas 2010
- An Old Time Christmas 2014
- An Old Time Christmas Begins Nov. 7
- An Old Time Christmas Nov 4 – Dec 30
- Attraction Spotlight: Birdle’s Cabin
- Attraction Spotlight: Grandfather’s Mansion
- Attraction Spotlight: Marvel Cave
- Attraction Spotlight: Powderkeg
- Attraction Spotlight: Tom and Huck’s RiverBlast
- Bigfoot Drop Tower Attraction is Now Vertical
- Bluegrass & BBQ All Through May
- Branson Harbor Building Demolished For New Development
- Branson Landing Extension Proposed
- Branson Mountain Coaster Is Now Open
- Branson Water Chute Up For Sale
- Branson Zip-Line Roundup
- Celebration City Buildings Vandalized
- Celebration City Update – Aug. 2011
- Clearing Continues On Apparent New Coaster Project
- Coaster Christmas 2014
- Cool-Off Water Chute Being Torn Down, New Attraction on the Way
- Culinary Arts School and Off-Season Construction (2008)
- Culinary Arts School Update
- Curtains Close on Geyser Gulch
- Date Set for SDC 2015 Project Announcement
- Documentary Featuring Branson Performing Families is Now on Netflix
- Dollywood 2016 Coaster Rumors Heat Up
- Dollywood Tops Off Resort, Hints at Another Major Announcement
- Dollywood’s FireChaser Express Gets Own Ice Cream Flavor
- Downtown Branson Revitalization Project Begins Soon
- Final WorldFest Features Entertainment From Around the Globe
- Fireman’s Landing Construction Update
- Fireman’s Landing has Grand Opening and Dedication
- Fireman’s Landing S&S Tower Lifted Into Place
- Fireman’s Landing Topped Off with Iconic Bell
- Fireman’s Landing Update – Nov. 30, 2014
- Fireman’s Landing Update (Coaster Christmas)
- Hacked by rami-x99
- Harlem Globetrotters Now Performing at SDC
- Herschend Family Entertainment to Help Fill Record-Setting 500,000 Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child
- Inside the SDC Costume Shop
- It’s An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City!
- Joel Manby to Leave HFEC for SeaWorld CEO Job
- Moonlight Madness
- More Markings Appear for 2017 Project
- Mysterious $10 Million Attraction Coming to Branson Strip
- National Crafts & Cowboy Festival Runs September 13 – October 28
- National Harvest & Cowboy Festival
- New Chipotle-Inspired Restaurant Coming to SDC
- New Coaster Announcement Coming August 16 – Here’s What We Know
- New Construction Markings Show Up at SDC
- New Festival of Wonder Runs April 6-30
- New Pasghetti’s Exterior Reveals Branson’s Continued Low Standards
- New Ride Prep/Culinary Arts School Update
- Old Reeds Spring Church In Jeopordy
- Original SDC Stagecoach Completes Tour, Will Return to Park This Fall
- Outlaw Run Construction Tour
- Outlaw Run Officially a World Record Holder
- Ozark Wildcat to be Torn Down, No New Plans for Site
- Packing Up the Landing
- Park & Construction Update – 7/19/09
- Park Updates and Photo Trip Report – Aug. 2011
- Park Updates and Photo Trip Report – Aug. 2012
- Park Updates and Photos – Aug. 2010
- Park/Construction Update – Sept. 28, 2009
- Parking Project Update
- Plans Revealed For New Branson Landing & Water Chute Site Attractions
- Ray Johnson, Silver Dollar City Bladesmith, Passes Away
- RiverBlast Concept Artwork
- Roadwork on 76 to Begin Later This Month
- SDC Debuts New Teaser Site For 2018 Coaster Project
- SDC Off-Season Photos – 2008
- SDC Purchases Additional Steam Trains
- SDCFans Member Featured on GAC Show Featuring Silver Dollar City
- SDCFans.com Undergoes Yet More Changes
- Silver Dollar City Announces ‘Fireman’s Landing’
- Silver Dollar City Featured on DIY Network’s Salvage Dawgs
- Silver Dollar City Hits Single Day Attendance Record
- Silver Dollar City Hosts Firefighter Event and Honors Fallen Firemen
- Silver Dollar City Introduces New Character
- Silver Dollar City Meets Attendance Expectations for 2014
- Silver Dollar City Memorial Day Weekend 2014 Trip Report
- Silver Dollar City Opening Day 2015
- Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas 2011
- Southern Gospel Picnic August 24 – September 4
- Southern Gospel Picnic Starts August 27
- Spirit of 76 Project Provides a Way Forward for Branson
- Spring Ride Days Start on March 14
- Star Spangled Summer
- The Big Reveal: Time Traveler Coming in 2018
- The Flooded Mine Celebrates 50 Seasons of Fun
- Theme Park Christmas Competition is Getting Fierce, but Silver Dollar City is Still On Top
- Three Reasons To Visit Silver Dollar City Theme Park In 2017
- Throwback Thursday: Gaslight Square
- Throwback Thursday: Jim Owens’ Float Trip
- Throwback Thursday: Runaway-Ore-Carts
- Throwback Thursday: Shanty Town
- Throwback Thursday: The Beverly Hillbillies Visit SDC
- Throwback Thursday: The Gandy Dancer
- Throwback Thursday: The Green Parking Trams
- Track Is Already Being Placed on 2018 Coaster
- USA Today’s 10-Best Website Poll Includes 2 SDC Attractions
- Violet Hensley, One of Silver Dollar City’s Oldest Musicians, Biographed in New Book
- Waterboggin/Splash Harbor Demolition
- What’s Next for the Grand Palace?
- Wild Adventures to Get Flying Carpet Ride