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 Aug 27, 2004
This was another short notice trip but this one involved a couple of our travel buddies. We have found over the years that traveling with others can make a coaster trip twice as enjoyable. All of us had some vacation time to blow so we decided to make this a Thursday and Friday trip and then get home for the weekend. It’s only about a 4.5 hour drive from Kansas City so it’s perfect for a two day trip. We spent Thursday afternoon in Celebration City and then Friday at Silver Dollar City. The Friday crowds at SDC are greatly different from the weekend madness that we’ve experienced in the past. SDC does a great job with the weekend crowds but we’ve always been big fans of the weekday experience regardless of the park. We were able to ride everything several times. You would think that August in southern Missouri would be miserable but we lucked out and had perfect weather both days. The only downside to this trip was when we realized that SDC was in the middle of constructing a new launch coaster, and there’s nothing that I hate more than traveling to park and seeing something that I can’t ride.
Coasters Reviews
Wildfire: 7 out of 10
Wildfire is SDC’s largerst coaster. It provides riders with a 155 foot drop down a hill side and reaches speeds over 66 mph. The list of elements include a giant immelmann, a loop, a cobra roll, a cork screw and a lot of time hugging the terrain. There are times that I think I can almost touch the ground. We rode this one at least 5 times and didn’t wait more than 5 minutes.
Thunderation: 5 out of 10
This is a mine coaster with a wood structure and steel tubular track. It doesn’t look like much of a ride but that’s because most of it is hidden underground and in the trees. The track is over 3000 feet long and it hits a top speed of 48 mph. The seats a little on the small side but they’re comfortable once you’re in them. There are a couple of jerky spots but nothing severe enough to take away from the rides enjoyment. There was no wait for this ride.
Fire in the Hole: 3 out of 10
This coaster was indoors so it was a nice break from the summer heat. It’s not a thriller but it’s a fun little ride that features a town on fire. Even without a line we still only rode it once.
Other Attractions at Silver Dollar City
American Plunge: 7 out of 10
This is SDC’s lone log ride and it’s a good one. The flume takes riders underground for a portion of the ride and then it ends with a drop down a wooden flume. We had 4 people in the boat this time and the person in the back seemed to get the most wet.
Lost River of the Ozarks: 4 out of 10
We usually avoid the raft rides since they’re designed to soak you and then leave you for dead. It’s a great raft ride but they might as well save money on the rafts and just throw riders into the water. Janessa really hates getting wet (she’s part cat) and of course she suffered a direct hit from a rogue wave. This gave the rest of us a good laugh and a dirty look.
WaterWorks Waterboggan: 4 our of 10
This ride places riders into toboggan shaped rafts and then sends them down a water slide that twists and dips it’s way through the woods. It also comes with a funny story that leads to me getting a new camera. Janessa had a small purse with her and the ride attendants told that she could ride with it as long as she had it over her shoulder. The contents of the purse included our digital camera, my wallet and some of her stuff that probably wasn’t very important. Well the camera was hit by another rogue wave and decided to stop working and my wallet took on several gallons of water ruining everything inside (the cash was eventually salvaged). Learn from our mistakes and rent a locker, unless you need a new camera.
Tom Sawyer's Landing: 4 out of 10
This is a tree house attraction that is designed for kids and it features a lot of climbing nets and towers. It’s a workout and if you’re up to the task it can be a lot of fun. I was the only one in the group willing to try this one.
Grandfather's Mansion: 2 out of 10
This is a wacky house with goofy mirrors and slanted floors. If anyone in your group has poor balance then this is the attraction for them. They will likely fall over so be sure to go in with them and laugh.
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