sdcfan88

That would look really cool with Orange & Yellow LED's on the wheels of Wildfire at SDC. Considering that coasters 20th anniversary at the park is coming up, it would be a cool little way to commemorate it.

Thought I would post this construction update on the former Lost River area courtesy of MIG. Looks like the lake is back but its gonna be in a much smaller form. https://www.midwestinfoguide.com/2019/03/riverfront-lost-river-sdc_63.html The Gist of it with a few pics posted from the link:

For those who have been following the news about Dollywoods sister park (SDC) and the demolition of Lost River. Its apparently been reported that the boats from that ride have been shipped to Dollywood and could be seen in the parking lots on flatbeds. Will be curious to see what or if the park does anything with them other than use them for parts/backup.

God I need to get back out to Carowinds. Park is looking great with the new coaster! After riding Time Traveler (my first Mack coaster) last year I am definitely a fan of Mack Rides now.

Glad to hear the classics are getting some love and being fixed up a bit. Hope it stays that way. Been hearing a lot of rumors that this is the last season for FITH. I really hope not.

Wow the theming and style of the new area and the station building is looking to be on the same level as SDC/DW. I will be curious to see the finished product.

Interesting... so they are pulling a Silver Dollar City by quietly removing their rapids ride? Also surprised by the lack of Promo on the map for Copperhead Strike.

Delete if not allowed but this does give a unique perspective of the (de)construction work happening in and around the old Lost River area.

Time Traveler is the one that is the most sensitive and is the first to shut down as temps drop. IIRC 42 degrees is a rough approximation for operational temps for all the major coasters there. EDIT: You can click on the individual rides for detailed operations and temps here: https://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/Attractions/Rides and a generalized list is here: https://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/Attractions/Rides/Ride-Temperature-Guidelines

Most coasters are open if it stays above 42 degrees. Thunderation and Fire In The Hole will operate in temps as low as 32 degrees. (in dry weather)

Thought I would share a little trip report, I went on Sunday (12/16) and to my surprise (and to the parks surprise) they were unexpectedly busy and staff were commenting that they have never have seen a Sunday (even at Christmas) this busy. It was like a Friday or Saturday night there. All the lots were near full and they rerouted the entrance to the back lot walkway (where the cave tour begins) and you enter the park by Browns Candy Factory. Got some rare views of Thunderation in operation seeing the trains run the lift hill and the final drop. Didn't get down to the construction/demo site by Lost River this trip though it was already dark when I arrived and couldn't see much down there anyways. The Time Traveler & Thunderation area. The "Alternate" entrance used by the park on Sunday night with Thunderation operating just to our right in the pitch blackness. Flooded Mine as seen from the patio of the skillet restaurants. Christmas in Midtown in its 2nd year. And of course the Trains with engines #504 and #76 running rounds thru the night. (1 hour wait time, so I skipped out this time) Was short on time for this trip so I am gonna try to head back up again just before or just after Christmas to close out the season.

Check out this awesome "Behind The Scenes" article on Blazing Fury including a "lights on" tour and how it was RMC's "first" coaster done for the park. https://www.coaster101.com/2018/12/16/blazing-fury-behind-the-scenes-lights-on-at-dollywood/

A before and after:

I do hope the key word IS "rebuilt". Not replaced. Keep the name and theme and expand on themeing the heck out of it. (as Shave mentioned above) Make the layout larger and keep elements such as the cave finale and the big "first drop" off the lift. Maybe shrink the lake size and add a bit of the layout out there. I was really surprised this happened, I expected Fire In The Hole, American Plunge, or Flooded Mine to go first as they apparently have their own aging and maintenance issues. Also note with the loss of this (and Waterboggen a few years ago) expect the summer ride lines for American Plunge and River Blast to be atrocious in 2019. lol

So it was no joke... It is GONE. Came across these photos tonight and the only thing I could say was... Whoa... https://www.midwestinfoguide.com/2018/12/riverfront-lost-river-sdc.html The entire site has been walled off as well.

Agreed while I consider RiverBlast as meh. It is the most well themed of their "modern" rides.

Word has it that Lost River was officially Demo'd over the past couple days. Anyone got pics to confirm?

Yeah its being said crowds were peaked out at 35,000 with people parking on the side of Indian Point and 76. Also the gutting/demo of the Lost River and surrounding areas of the park appears to have begun.

Great coverage in the IAAPA video! Funny enough a lot of those games and VR attractions we already have at Dave n' Busters where I work as a game technician. Pretty cool seeing them featured.

FYI about the construction for 2020, along with Lost River, if you have any sentimental attachment to the Riverfront area as a whole make sure you get photos in the next few weeks as it continues to be indicated that it will all pretty much get leveled. Everything from Ribhouse & Dockside Theater, all the way down to Lucky's Toys is being stated from more than one source now to be getting leveled for this project. I definitely don't know how to feel about such a large older section of the park about to meet its end despite the bottleneck issues on busy days. I am pretty shocked at the extent of the removals and changes that will be done at the park as the 2018 season concludes IF this all comes to pass as currently implied. I'm curious to know how regulars and the GP will feel about this once it becomes more obvious. That section of the park was very popular from my observations.

Kinda worried how much this is gonna change the ambience of the park in this area when all is said and done.

In other words, Spring 2020. Let the taller than Infinity Falls drop rumors start. Draining the lake certainly would open up expansion back toward Outlaw Run but I can't imagine the park being lakeless. So this could be an example of what the rebuild could entail:

So there has been some apparent rumors floating around from park employees that this could be the last weekend for Lost River (as in closing forever) yet the park is being fairly quiet about it publicly, if it is true. How would you feel if they ripped out that whole lower area of the park and the ride itself or even the lake? Personally, I would think Flooded Mine or FITH would receive attention before Lost River would.

The park is slated to do an announcement for 2019 at 9:00 am this Friday. Some are still speculating Dollywoods LumiNights is coming to SDC. Personally I wouldn't be opposed to more opportunities to be at SDC at night. https://www.facebook.com/Silverdollarcity/

Well... I was close. Lol