Most of my attention at The Tomorrow Society goes to Disney and Universal, but there’s a lot more to enjoy beyond the major players. I live in St. Louis, and there are several amazing parks that you can visit on a day trip. A prime example is Silver Dollar City, which sits just outside of Branson, Missouri. Don’t let that tourist area’s gaudiness fool you, though. This Herschend Family Entertainment park offers more than you might expect. Its roller coasters use the hilly terrain so well, and the theming avoids the typical focus on intellectual properties.
Silver Dollar City’s newest attraction is the spinning coaster Time Traveler, which opened on March 14. I haven’t experienced it yet but can’t wait to ride it down the road. The list of firsts for this steampunk-themed coaster is quite impressive. It’s the fastest, steepest, and tallest spinning coaster in existence. If that wasn’t enough, The Time Traveler is the first to have a vertical loop, three inversions, and two launches. That’s quite a resume for a ride that isn’t located at one of the coaster meccas. I’m a little frightened by it, actually.
My background with spinning coasters is just standard ones that don’t move the needle. Pandemonium at Six Flags St. Louis and Primeval Whirl at Disney’s Animal Kingdom fit this mold. They pack a deceptive punch but don’t include large hills. There definitely aren’t inversions since the vehicles can’t handle them. I wouldn’t call either a family coaster, but they draw young riders that reach the height limit. Time Traveler is a different kind of animal geared towards coaster enthusiasts and thrill seekers.
An Impressive Structure
Herschend enlisted the German company Mack Rides to design and build Time Traveler. Mack’s past work includes Journey to Atlantis, Goofy’s Sky School, and Flight of the Hippogriff plus a lot of coasters in Europe. They’re also involved with the upcoming Slinky Dog Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. According to Silver Dollar City President Brad Thomas in their press release, Mack has designed Time Traveler with “controlled spin” that makes it less intense. That’s a relief considering the multiple inversions and large hills that are part of this coaster.
I love the otherworldly look of Time Traveler, which still fits inside the park’s Western theme. I’m not sure that I’ve seen anything like it. Viewed before the leaves arrive this spring, it resembles a post-apocalyptic landscape. Silver Dollar City’s coasters avoid the concrete feeling of other regional parks, and each one seems unique. Situated near the mine train steel coaster Thunderation, Time Traveler connects well to the trees surrounding it. It will be even more impressive (and thrilling) when the leaves arrive on the trees for the summer.
The ride itself departs from a grey building and drops you 10 stories into a structure that winds around itself multiple times. There’s no time to acclimate since you’re starting at the top. I love the inclusion of the break for another launch after the big drop at the start. It gives you a moment to breathe before the series of inversions that follow. The second section is no joke with a large turn into a loop and multiple barrel rolls. I definitely suggest checking out the ride videos online (here’s one example). My description can’t do justice to Time Traveler’s originality.
Selling the Theme
All of Silver Dollar City feels like a step backwards in time, so Time Traveler fits right inside that vintage theme. The queue includes lot of clever touches that enhance the atmosphere. From our first glimpse of the attraction sign and its steampunk-inspired clock, the attention to detail stands out here. There’s a similar feeling with Outlaw Run, the inventive wooden coaster that opened in 2013. Both attractions go well beyond what’s needed to set the stage.
The general conceit is that you’re participating in a time-travel experiment on this ride. The complex drawings and math problems on the chalkboard in the queue are a great touch. It’s a fun way to sell the idea of a unique experience. The wall of sketches and little notes approaches Disney-style theming and goes well beyond what you’d see at Six Flags. The various gears and clocks in the queue also reinforce the steampunk and time-travel themes.
The moving gears hang above you while you wait in line, and it all works. I don’t mean to be too positive without visiting in person, but I have few doubts about Time Traveler after experiencing Silver Dollar City’s other coasters in 2016. Even the ride vehicles are something to see and don’t match the typical spinning coasters at other parks. These cars are packed with details and connect well to the themed queue.
A Diverse Collection of Attractions
What makes Silver Dollar City so interesting is the wide range of attractions for visitors of all ages. Their seven roller coasters each offer a different experience and aren’t typical rides. Fire in the Hole is a silly indoor ride, while Wildfire is a steel thriller with many inversions. They also can please a variety of guests, which is so important for an amusement park. You don’t want to just aim for the thrill seekers and need to balance the roster.
Along with its stunning coasters, Silver Dollar City includes two well-themed family areas. The Grand Exposition and Fireman’s Landing are both excellent spaces and offer plenty for younger guests. I was really impressed by The Grand Exposition, which offers the expected family rides but with a lot more attention to detail than the normal park. I’ve yet to even mention the railroad, an interactive boat ride, and the underground cave. There’s so much to see!
From what I can gather, Time Traveler is another hit for a park that remains a hidden gem. I’m not a big fan of Branson, but it’s probably worth seeing at least once. If you get the chance to visit the area, don’t think of Silver Dollar City as a typical amusement park. You should definitely spend at least a day, especially if you’re a coaster fan. Between Dollywood and Silver Dollar City, Herschend keeps raising the bar for what’s possible at a regional park.
Learn more about Time Traveler and Silver Dollar City at the park’s official website. Photos in this article were used by permission of Silver Dollar City.
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