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Story update on last years SDC worker death at ThuNderTion, the park was found in violation of OSHA standards and received a $14K dollar fine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbXIYorHOIg

A major support structure on Carowinds Fury 325 has completely broken apart and the track is visibly floating. You can see the separation clearly as the train flies thru the track. Do note this coaster has some pretty intense G's and has a top speed of 95mph. I have been on this coaster and that is pretty shocking to see, especially for a B&M thats less than 10 years old.

I'd like to know if this literally just happened or has maintenance been cutting back on inspections?

Video of the separation while the coaster passes thru:
https://www.facebook.com/557074658/videos/pcb.10160611978009659/1226349981233922

The 30 year face of SDC's Publicity Dept. Lisa Rau is leaving SDC to work for the city of Branson.

"Rau worked at Silver Dollar City Attractions for more than three decades in representing the internationally-awarded theme park for more than half its existence. She is one of only two to have ever held the position of leading publicity efforts. During her tenure, she obtained prestigious awards including international Brass Rings (IAAPA) for public relations efforts, a Mid-America Emmy for video storytelling and several American Advertising Awards (ADDY) for broadcast advertising campaigns. Prior to Silver Dollar City, Rau was an award-winning news reporter with KYTV."

https://bransonmo.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1758&fbclid=IwAR3b4EDSTN5CxeiupTVtMuziwj1WG8vSDmowalzu9jWBGOoZaXcmWRpx_g0

She is a sweet lady. I wish her the best. I wonder who is taking her PR spot at SDC?

Teenager Dies falling off drop tower ride at ICON Park in Florida.
Hate to say it but this sounds like a classic negligence case, especially reading the staffs nonchalant body language in the video while the people around them are freaking out and wanting off.

**VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED**

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQvUvA-DAsU

The last remnant of Dollywood's Flooded Mine Demolished
https://www.wbir.com/amp/article/news/local/old-mine-tunnel-next-to-dollywood-express-removed/51-e549bba4-78e4-4ed4-beb9-15b5caf54a5f

Attached pictures are from my 2017 visit to the park.

The long speculated about Wildwood Grove expansion plans are approved for 2023.

https://www.wvlt.tv/app/2021/11/04/site-plans-approved-new-attraction-dollywood/

Betting they are getting their own MACK coaster now. That graphic clearly shows a coaster layout with two side by side launch segments similar to Time Traveler at SDC.

As some might know Dollywood decided to retrack and overhaul parts of Mystery Mine along with Lightning Rod over the off season. Unfortunately, its looking like they actually neutered the ride on the first outdoor segment. The big 90 degree drop off the trestle and the vertical horseshoe turn appears to be removed and replaced with a left turn drop and partial helix with trims into the next indoor segment of the ride. This also appears to shorten the ride experience a bit too.

New Layout:



Old (original):



It was one of my favorite rides at the park. I didn't think the element was that bad unless there was some structural stress that caused a potential issue with insurance/OSHA that forced them to change it.

Haven't seen it mentioned on here as I know this park is one of the lesser talked about Herschend properties but Wild Adventure's only custom wooden coaster is reported via TPR and social media to be placed in "official retirement" in favor of "future developments" and will not return to operation for 2021. Some speculate a possible RMC conversion or a refit with the new track GCI is putting out but knowing how Herschend treated Ozark Wildcat I bet its just gonna be a full on demo with nothing worthwhile to really replace it. We shall see.

https://www.facebook.com/rollercoasterdatabase/posts/4146738852038127

https://www.facebook.com/mramusementmedia/posts/1447063698958368

A story is being reported that Six Flags Entertainment Corp. has approached Cedar Fair LP. with a merger offer, pursuing a combination that would unite two of the largest U.S. amusement park operators. The move shows how Six Flags, already the world's largest regional theme park operator, wants to expand its footprint so it can increase ticketing pricing power, even as Chief Executive James Reid-Anderson is preparing to retire by the end of February.

While SDC and related properties obviously won't be affected, this to me sounds like terrible news for the general consumer and for theme park enthusiasts. For selfish reasons I'd rather have Hershend buy all or part of Cedar Fair's assets.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cedar-fair-m-a-sixflags-exclusive/exclusive-six-flags-in-bid-to-acquire-cedar-fair-sources-idUSKBN1WH1ZA

I thought I would mention that SDC's Reuben's Swashbuckling Adventure Won at the Golden Ticket Awards for Best New Show.

I know quite a few on this board were not big fans of the show but its probably not going anywhere anytime soon if you missed it.

https://twitter.com/SDCAttractions/status/1171208188542312448?s=20

Also on SDC's FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/sdcattractions/videos/501847327298868/

A 15 year old boy died after an incident at Oceans of Fun that sent him to the hospital back on the 24th. Sad news to hear considering the Schlitterbahn incident is still likely lingering in peoples minds as well. Granted this appears to have been a situation beyond anyone's control and not an OSHA safety violation or negligence of the park staff. I did notice a few emergency vehicles coming from the vicinity of the water park as I was in the dry side of the park that evening. This was why.

https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/teen-pulled-from-oceans-of-fun-wave-pool-last-weekend-taken-off-life-support

Found this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/35LdsktC-_8
Uremet (manufacturer of rollercoaster wheels) has introduced light up wheels.

Considering that Wildfires 20th anniversary at the park is in 2021, this would look really cool with Orange & Yellow LED's on the wheels. It would be a fun way to commemorate its 20th with this little "upgrade".

Carowinds recently announced Copperhead Strike the other day. A Mack Rides double launch coaster. Time Traveler will have some competition next year as one of the new major Mack launch coasters to come to the U.S.

Have to say, I like the layout and the themed enclosure elements on the ride. The theming style of the ride could have fit well at SDC and Dollywood. That launched airtime hill looks fun too. lol

https://www.carowinds.com/play/rides/copperhead-strike

Fire In The Hole ride-thru video circa 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g-wRxPZImw

From this clip alone it sadly shows how this ride (like Flooded Mine) in recent times has been reduced to a shadow of its former self. Scenes removed or not functioning most of the time. Particularly the gunfire and the train at the end. (while the Train segment is still there, my last couple visits it either had no audio or no light functioning)

Seeing this video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU_j-HGJ8cc

Go to 1:15. Many of you might find this amusing. (I did)
Looks like a lot of Silver Dollar City being ripped off here, right?
1.) The buzzsaw blade in the log references the former water coaster "Buzzsaw Falls" signage
2.) "Wildfire" naturally is the name of SDC's B&M coaster
3.) The logo itself pretty much copies SDC's park logo silhouette as a whole

On a more serious note, is that even legal? Or is it "different" enough to not be a trademark infringement? I'd be curious to know what the Hershends would think of this "hybrid-imitation". Either way, there sure is a lot of influence here to not be a coincidence I think.

Other than that the coaster itself looks like a great looking layout with the lesser used RMC topper track design.

Several people injured and/or killed at the Ohio State fair after the Fireball Spinning Swing attraction drops its seats while in operation. Terrible incident for the fair and to the families of those who were directly affected by this.

Raw footage! Viewer discretion advised! https://youtu.be/VBSTm2o84LE

Check out this review and ride thru video on Mystic Timbers at Kings Island. That last bit as you enter the station is really impressive with the theming and effects. Its basically a full coaster experience married with a dark ride experience at the end. Imagine what SDC could do with something like this. If we are fortunate, maybe the 2018 coaster will incorporate this type of feature to whatever theme they have chosen for the ride.

Skip to 3:15 for the ride thru POV or to 5:02 for the well themed end sequence to see "what's in the shed".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6uxmkmq5eY

Found this SDC Pinterest Page, has a lot of old photos and ride concept art that I haven't seen in ages.

https://www.pinterest.com/levee8/silver-dollar-city/

So the google photos app on my Android mysteriously managed to access my photos from a prior trip to SDC and made this. lol https://goo.gl/photos/9EeerDmerQbJda2C6

Cool little video and I am ok with it but I ever knowingly authorized the app to make this even though it came installed with the phone. Kinda freaky.

With theme park staples such as the log flume and the miniature railroad, another staple attraction is the classic Mine Train Coaster. These coasters were one of the things that put the firm known as Arrow Dynamics on the map. (now known as S&S Sansei) Many parks still have them (Disney, SFOT, SDC, etc.) and it makes me wonder with RMC revolutionizing the industry with their refurbs of classic wooden coasters along with their all new custom designs, it seems logical that Mine Trains could be their next big thing.





With all the talk and speculation about how TNT could be extended, redone, or even removed (which the latter I think would be a HUGE mistake for the park) what if instead of it being removed, it became the first of its kind RMC Mine Train coaster? Honestly I would love to see Mine Train coasters put back into the spotlight with the use of their modern technology and theming style. Perhaps using a miniaturized version of their Iron Horse track system.

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