sdcfan88

Actually they have been taking some steps to address that issue with TNT. They are also redoing several other support areas around TNT where the construction of Time Traveler was done. Also if Outlaw did get a "retrack" I'm sure it wont be anywhere near the alleged 57% of the coaster as whats being reported with Lightning Rod. Think more around 20% at most.

I know some disagree but IMO its aging about the same as a traditional wood coaster and I bet it has to do with the crazy high stress elements it has. If Dollywood's Lightning Rod becoming partial I-Box is a success, I expect SDC to follow suit with retracking Outlaw for the same reason.

If this does come to pass it will be a modernization like what was done with Lost River becoming Mystic River Falls. They let the current ride/structure deteriorate to the point where some are saying its beyond saving in its current form where doing what Dollywood did with their younger version (AKA Blazing Fury) which was a retrack and other refurbishments is moot in this case.

One of the theory's out of the speculation and rumor mill about the fate of Fire In The Hole would that it would actually be moved and rebuilt in some fashion over there to tie it into the Fireman's theme already present at Fireman's Landing. That plot of land could fit it when you overlay the structure. Another rumor to go with this is the old train station would then be demo'd and relocated as a larger version in FITH's current plot of land to accommodate the larger park crowds at Christmas.

Yeah the coaster was only 5 years old by the time the recession hit and the park shut down. HFEC apparently made no effort in keeping the coaster in operational status and simply left it to rot before it was totally demo'd in 2015. They could have 1.) Kept it open on a pay per ride setup as a Branson strip stand alone attraction. 2.) Relocated/modified it to fit into another one of their parks (likely SDC) as they did with several of the flat rides. 3.) Disassembled and sold it off to another park/chain. Though on the latter I have heard rumors over the years that the trains were parted out and sent to Dollywood for Thunderhead.

With the exception of maybe Thunderhead Hershend and "traditional" wooden coasters don't seem to mesh well for some reason. First it was Ozark Wildcat at (now defunct) Celebration City and now this coaster getting scrapped. Its too bad.

Well since we are here, FWIW when I visited SDC during Christmas and spoke to a FITH employee, the park is still apparently looking at doing either a demo or major overhaul of the ride in the next year or two like what we saw with Lost River becoming MRF. It will probably depend on how 2021 attendance is though since revenue has been down due to the pandemic. It may get pushed out to as far as 2024. Personally, I still hope the park will see value in preserving the classic ride the best they can and simply retrack it like how Blazing Fury was done. Not everything has to be tallest, biggest, fastest, wettest. Though some are saying the structure itself is beyond saving so I dunno.

I'm betting (if the park doesn't suffer from another delayed opening to begin with) it wont be operating/reopening to the public until May.

LOL yes totally. Or reopening the ride as you watch guests sail off the edge.

I do know for a fact that Outlaw Run uses steel wheels on the topper track, however they have had the same wear issues and poor aging with the track as Lightning Rod with the infamous "potholes". There was some retracking already observed being done on Outlaw Run earlier this year with the coaster being down for a few days and I believe the same was done last year below the first drop. I suspect the trains might get switched to urethane wheels if not a complete track conversion in the coming years depending on how Lightning Rod fares afterward with its conversion.

I am gonna assume it has to do with budgeting. Dollywood and RMC negotiated this for awhile. Likely they agreed to have RMC foot the bill for this overhaul and Dollywood would then have the option to pay for the rest out of pocket down the road if they wanted the conversion fully done.

Obviously appropriate dress is helpful. Shoes that won't get/stay soggy, pants & shirts that dry quickly. Does SDC have a dryer nearby? DW has one near the rapids ride and (I think) the log flume. They had one near the water battle too. Here is a pic of the dryers right by the entrance I took earlier this year.

LOL say I am not surprised. I'd laugh (as unlikely as it might be) if they did redo the main hill and add a chain lift as several have joked and speculated on here. More realistically I suspect it may be some track work along with a new launch system/trains.

From what I understand it depends greatly on how full the boat is. I was alone so I only got my back and legs partially wet.

I went to the soft opening for Mystic River Falls. Here are a few pictures below... Sorry for the quality on a few of these as I didn't have my DSLR with me for this trip. Overall the landscaping is very well thought out and beautiful. The combination of the real rocks and concrete work was very nicely done. The water features and shrubbery really top it off. Once it all grows in here in a few years this should recreate the "in the woods" experience the old Lost River ride had. (which I know people were fond of) There is a sort of half exposed mine shaft that leads to the tower drop and the only real negative in the design is they didn't recreate the cave finale that the old ride had. Other than that as for getting wet the water itself was lukewarm like pool water and the boats do move a lot quicker and toss you around more than the old ride. The lift is very interesting as it lifts and rotates you around to the slide drop. You are about the same height as the Barn Swing or the old Waterboggan ride. The drop itself is very gentile for those wondering. Overall very nicely done.

The maintenance crew once told me its actually functional as a safety measure in the event of a rollback.

Yeah that surprised me too, its too bad they didn't go all out to rebuild the cave structure like the old ride considering it's name and theme is in fact referenced to the cave. Its like the rumor that there was supposed to be a showroom building during the launches on Time Traveler. EDIT: Didnt see it posted anywhere so here's the official POV released by the park of the ride course. The rest of the landscaping work is fantastic though and I do like the "mine shaft" segment. [youtu_be] [/youtu_be]

Silver Dollar City has been pretty active on their social media pages lately. They are also teasing a possible soft opening for MRF later this week... perhaps in time for the 4th of July holiday? EDIT: It's been reported by a couple sources on site that the construction walls have indeed been taken down!

A short teaser clip of Mystic River Falls Testing.

Brad Thomas released another Teaser Photo of MRF over on Twitter, looks like the lift might be done or very close to being.

Been monitoring the parks social media pages. Yeah the backlash has been beyond ridiculous. I've seen people literally post that they hope they go bankrupt and close over this! Sheesh it's one thing to disagree on something but really? Hoping for the park to shutter?

^I set mine for the 14th for the same reasons. Depending on how things work out I might switch to the following Monday or Tuesday though. One thing I haven't seen addressed is the usage of refillable mugs. I have some old grandfathered ones that I have used for years which im not sure if I will be able to now.

So unless there's a spike in COVID19 cases, it looks like Silver Dollar City is set to begin a phased reopening on the weekend of June 13th-14th for season pass holders only. General public opening will be afterward on the 15th. (reservation will be required) https://www.ky3.com/content/news/Silver-Dollar-City-announces-reopening-date-for-2020-570923011.html CHANGES: Masks will be required and temperatures will be taken. (guests under 3 are exempt) Metal detectors have been installed at the front gate by the old bag check area. Capacity limits will be enforced to comply with social distancing guidelines. White Water will also reopen to season pass holders on the 15th-16th and to the general public on the 17th. Showboat Branson Belle reopens June 20th. Mystic River Falls WILL NOT be opening and has been pushed back to a TDB date for later this summer. Again, there is still a chance these dates will be subject to change. LINKS: https://sdcmedia.wpengine.com/ https://www.silverdollarcity.com/PlaySafe https://www.silverdollarcity.com/reservations

The park could be opening up by next month. https://www.wbir.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/dollywood-planning-reopening-as-state-allows-amusement-parks-to-reopen-next-week/51-0666ceda-691c-4a1b-8a04-039084975bae

Since their sister park Dollywood is allegedly announcing plans for reopening in the next month or so, I am curious to see what SDC is up to. Their social media pages have been pretty quiet and they haven't even been hyping up and promoting Mystic River Falls as of late with the construction updates. I am very curious to see the progress as it was originally slated to open at the end of the month before all the COVID19 stuff happened. But I am suspecting we can start returning to the park by Mid-June.