originally posted on 8/25/2023
Rendering: Courtesy of Silver Dollar City. View full-sized image.
Not every announcement has to be super-secret. Already this season, new-for-2024 announcements have simply confirmed what was already expected within the enthusiast community — but were still good news, nonetheless.
In that vein, the new-for-2024 announcement from Silver Dollar City is what many were expecting: a recreation of the original 1972 coaster dark ride, Fire in the Hole. However, there were some surprises.
As was expected by many, Silver Dollar City’s announcement of a new attraction for the 2024 season was a new version of the park’s well-loved Fire in the Hole.
Rendering: Courtesy of Silver Dollar City. View full-sized image.
For one, Rocky Mountain Construction was called upon to manufacture the track and structure. This will be the roller coaster company’s first foray into the realm of family attractions.
Also unexpected was the price tag. A hefty $30 million puts it as Silver Dollar City’s largest investment in a single attraction.
The new façade, in place for much of the 2023 season, dramatically emphasizes the size and scope of the new five-story building.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
The five-story building is already in place, as are all the floors and the entire track layout. The entire structure looks more substantial, and significantly upgraded from the 1972 original. Concrete is poured at every level.
In addition to the structure already being in place, theming is already underway in preparation for Fire in the Hole’s 2024 debut.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
When the first Fire in the Hole opened, the Herschend brothers were aware that the Branson, Missouri, park needed a big attraction if it was going to compete with other well-reputed theme parks. Adopting a true story — although Park President Brad Thomas freely admits the park has taken creative liberties in the telling — park management took the tale of the vigilante Baldknobbers setting fire to the town of Marmaros near Marvel Cave and brought it to an indoor ride.
Using a powered rail, the original Fire in the Hole was more dark ride than anything else, but like a good dark ride, it included small drops — three to be exact.
Staying true to the original, the new Fire in the Hole will feature a powered incline and three drops, as well as the splashdown finale.
Fire in the Hole’s final drop will still include a plunge into a splashdown pool like the original attraction.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Rendering: Courtesy of Silver Dollar City. View full-sized image.
Questions could easily arise from the announcement. If the park is spending $30 million, why build something completely new, instead of simply repairing the one that already exists?
Thomas has some answers.
“In our research, the number one thing our visitors say we can never take away is Fire in the Hole,” he said.
He went on to say that after more than five decades, the cost of continual repair would equal a brand-new installation, particularly since the vehicles are nearing the end of their lifespan.
Rather than continuing to repair the original attraction and its structure exceeding 50 years of age, Silver Dollar City felt it prudent to start from scratch in order to keep Fire in the Hole entertaining park guests for generations to come.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
The new HVAC system means the attraction will finally be climate controlled. Regardless of rain, heat or cold, Fire in the Hole will be a welcome attraction.
The five-story building is already built and looks massive compared with that of the original. Its front façade fits the look and feel of Fireman’s Landing — which will be renamed The Fire District — and the new pathways in front of it can connect to The Grand Exposition, eliminating one of the park’s dead ends. (Whether the area used for Pumpkin Plaza will be open year-round to make this possible is uncertain.) Of note, when the original is removed, the potential of connecting the pathway that dead ends at Outlaw Run with the area near the Opera House and PowderKeg can also be considered. It is a matter of wait-and-see. Reducing dead-end pathways would be a great asset in enjoying the park.
Many of the 1972 attraction’s props and figures will be relocated into the new version of Fire in the Hole.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Many of the props will be relocated from the original to the new attraction. Additional scenes will be included, and the modern-day technology creating the special effects and fiery atmosphere will certainly bring Fire in the Hole into the 21st century. Rocky Mountain Construction will be supplying the trains, and the new version will have onboard sound. The new experience is expected to be much more immersive.
Rocky Mountain Construction has been given the daunting task of recreating a Silver Dollar City icon while branching out into the world of family-friendly attractions. The new ride vehicles will feature modern technology but resemble those familiar to park guests.
Rendering: Courtesy of Silver Dollar City. View full-sized image.
With the announcement of the closure of the original Fire in the Hole after a 2023 farewell season, the attraction has seen an observable uptick in ridership. Anyone wanting one last ride has until December 30 to do so.
Always boasting a long line, ridership has increased on the 50-year-old-plus original attraction. Guests have spent the 2023 season enjoying their final rides.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
With its powered nature and flat journey through indoor scenes, the debate of whether Fire in the Hole is a dark ride or a roller coaster has existed for decades. That debate won’t be addressed here, as the new ride will be sure to continue the dialogue, but what is undebatable is that Silver Dollar City will have an incredible attraction for multigenerational families to enjoy together in 2024 and beyond.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News
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