sdcfan88

I found this POV from the station building posted on social media from an apparent Construction worker there. This is where the presumed drop from the station is. Obviously that was back in the winter, but still impressive.

Hard to tell from the pics but how big are they? Are they as big as say... the ones used on Wildfire? That could give us a scope to how big this thing is gonna be.

So apparently coaster parts have indeed arrived... columns are also in the background.

So something neat I learned today is that any Cinnamon bread that is not sold an hour before closing is marked down 75 percent. This means I got mine for a whole $1.88. LOL

haha right?

Heh I just passed by there last weekend. Maybe I should stop by and ride it to tempt fate. lol

Indeed Mack does have a newer coaster type which is the Big Dipper (Lost Gravity) that they might be wanting to expand on and further develop as an alternative to B&M Dive Coasters. https://rcdb.com/aadybra https://rcdb.com/aadycfa https://rcdb.com/aadycba

Visited the park on Friday. Here is a video of the latest construction: Points of interest for speculation: 0:42, 2:45, & 3:20 Large square footers. (Assuming they are for large ride elements or inversions.) 1:17, 1:32 & 3:07 A very large square pit is being dug out. (A possible dive coaster-esque tunnel element being constructed?)

Hence why I still hope for a B&M or that the park is looking at another one in the near future. Wildfire is a proven reliable thrill ride and a people mover. Of all the times I have been at the park I have only seen it broke down maybe twice in the 16 years its been in operation and it also has the quickest lines in the park for a coaster. (if not a walk on, as it usually is on a good day) Even if the current construction area is a Mack Extreme Spinner, I still sit back and think how that area would have been perfect for a well themed B&M Wing or Dive coaster. SDC also still has the old Waterboggan site to utilize. If I was their planner for future attractions Id rather use the Waterboggan location for the spinning coaster and tie it in with Grand Exposition or Fireman's Landing.

No not in the slightest. Thats a Red Herring if I ever saw one as it will not be that layout. I'm no insider but if its a Mack like its probably gonna be, (I still want to see the park get another B&M lol) I am thinking it has to be more of the likes of Helix with the footer layout, the size of that station, and the likely first drop right out of it. BUT it might come with optional spinning seats like what the video shows.

Agreed. Based on everything I have seen and read about so far I am thinking (hoping) it is gonna be similar to Mack's Helix or Lost Gravity coasters. Perhaps a combination of both.

I had this thought as soon as I saw those pics. I too am betting it will either be the queue line or the exit for it.

Another update Silver Dollar City confirms 'single biggest thing ever done' is under construction Aerial shots... http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/business/2017/03/03/silver-dollar-city-confirms-single-biggest-thing-ever-done-under-construction/98496960/

^Its sad that one has been closed. Looked like an amazing coaster.

Here are the pictures and article on the coaster construction https://midwestinfoguide.blogspot.com/search/label/SDC%202018 I am beginning to speculate it may surprise us and have an elevator lift from the station and/or launch in the style similar to Powder Keg. And if the theme is really Time Traveling maybe they will put in a subtle reference to Back To The Future by making the coaster go 88mph or something on the launch. lol

If they are indeed going with a time traveling theme maybe they will include a time traveling steam train and create another scientist character and hire someone that is similar to the likeness of Christopher Lloyd to represent him just to annoy Universal Studios. lol

Beautiful pics! Love the lack of crowds. haha

ThuNderaTion I believe the most intense arrow mine train in existence. That should say something in itself for being one of the best of its kind.

Does Mack use footers like that? I thought they used square ones which before seemed to be the case when they were framing them up to be poured.

SDC just announced their 2017 season. No new coaster announcement so it is indeed for 2018. A revamp of their main festivals will be the core focus for 2017. There is also an expansion on their lighting displays for the Christmas Festival along with staying open for New Years. The theme for the season will be a special celebration of food and crafts along with a new "Festival of Wonder." http://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/2017?cid=smc_000187

Lightning Rod v2.0 with another drop element. lol

Funny this got brought up. I had pondered the idea when speculation first started about their next coaster in 2017. (now apparently 2018) These images were from google after Fireman's Landing was put in so they could technically fit a compact bobsled coaster in there. That or a small footprint family spinner or dive coaster. There is nothing to say it couldn't interact with the Flooded Mine area or cross over the pathways a bit. (the former has been long rumored to be removed in the next decade)

^This along with a rumor tossed around that the coaster project is in the $30-$40 million range, the parks biggest investment to date. Their largest steel coaster Wildfire (B&M) was only $14 million. Outlaw Run (RMC) was $10-$12 million. Yes everything is pretty much based on employee rumors, current on site evidence/surveys and of course current interests sought by HFE. The Big Dipper would be another viable option since they hinted on a very large Dive Coaster in a survey earlier this year. Of course some of those could be referencing further down the line around 2020. http://www.mack-rides.com/en/products/coasters/big-dipper/info/index.html

Here are additional photos shot from my DSLR with my Telephoto Lens, the first set here is taken all the way from the Culinary School porch. Again the area they have cleared is massive. The crews have finally moved in and setup around ThuNderaTion: Access Road and retaining walls for EH & the new coaster: The likely station platform and footers can be clearly seen from the porch: Seen thru the trees there is the bottom loop around on ThuNderaTion for reference to the rest of the area: New Echo Hollow Restrooms going vertical as the plumbing appears to be completed minus the sinks and toilets: Not entirely sure what this is gonna be: The view from the Echo Hollow restroom facility: ThuNeraTion once again: To get a sense of scale of all this, the stakes go all the way out to Indian Point Road which is also clearly visible now: It would be interesting if they got one of these from Mack:

It does pose a question of speculation. It makes me wonder if RMC and the park intentionally went with the design of the launch hill versus a flat segment (as it looks like it could easily be retrofitted to be a traditional lift hill, if needed) in the event that the launch system proves to be a failure in the long run due to low reliability. However that first airtime hill prior to the main drop might need to be abbreviated to maintain the speed needed for otherwise completing the circuit.