originally posted on 12/8/2025
Photo: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
Coaster Christmas is a much-anticipated annual tradition in the Heart of America region. Premiering in 2002, it has grown over the years into Coaster Christmas weekend, with this year's gathering attracting 199 attendees from across the country to the Missouri Ozarks and Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.
For fans of mountain coasters, Coaster Christmas weekend began on Friday evening, November 7, with nighttime ERT at the Branson Mountain Adventure Park. Beginning at 6 p.m., ACE members and guests were offered discounted rides on the Runaway Mountain Coaster.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
Photo: Robert Reed. View full-sized image.
Saturday morning, the event at Silver Dollar City started a bit chilly, in the 40s, as attendees gathered early in the morning in front of the large Christmas wreath and the log-and-axe logo. They were immediately escorted through a completely empty park to a presentation by park staff at the Riverfront Playhouse, which also included a “light” breakfast of freshly made cinnamon rolls, various pastries, hot chocolate and coffee. At any Silver Dollar City event, one never leaves hungry!
Sawyer Nichols, publicity and influencer communications, and General Manager Brad Thomas spoke to attendees at the Riverfront Playhouse.
Photo: Robert Reed. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jeff Carter. View full-sized image.
Coaster-related items were included in the silent auction.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
After the park presentation, General Manager Brad Thomas discussed upcoming additions, teased a possible new attraction (roller coaster?), and members participated in a silent auction.
Photo: Robert Reed. View full-sized image.
A scene from Fire In The Hole.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
Next attendees were escorted to a one-hour ERT on Fire In The Hole. Silver Dollar City knows how to “re-imagine” a classic. The new Fire In The Hole is smooth and modern but still captivates riders with 100% of the charm of the original.
Thunderation.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
Time Traveler.
Photo: Robert Reed. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
After ERT, everyone was free for a short period, but opportunities for riding were increased when attendees were given a TrailBlazer lanyard, which entitled them to bypass the line once on every major thrill ride (plus the train, which would come in handy with its hour-plus line later in the day). The lanyard could also be upgraded to a full TrailBlazer, with unlimited rides for $40.
Attendees enjoyed lunch at The Mine Restaurant.
Photo: Jennifer Lovesee-Mast. View full-sized image.
Remember the “light” breakfast? At 11 a.m., attendees headed to The Mine Restaurant for an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch, which was more like Thanksgiving: the preview. Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, you name it! Plus, it was awesome to get to go back to The Mine, which has been closed since 2020.
Those familiar with Craftsman Valley at Dollywood could see that the entirety of Silver Dollar City is similar. Many spent free time wandering through a variety of craftsman shops. At 1:30 p.m., attendees lined up for VIP show seating for either the new “Heart of Christmas” show or “A Dickens Christmas Carol.” Everyone enjoyed seeing the shows and having a break from battling the growing crowds.
Photo: Janae Hutchins. View full-sized image.
Attendees had exclusive access to the ACE lounge for breaks and snacks throughout the day.
Photo: Robert Reed. View full-sized image.
New for Coaster Christmas in 2024 — and offered again in 2025 — was a VIP lounge for attendees in the middle of the park at the Culinary and Craft school building. The VIP lounge was open from 2 to 5 p.m. and was awesome, serving apple dumplings with cinnamon ice cream, cookies, hot wassail and hot chocolate.
Wildfire.
Photo: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
Photo: Robert Reed. View full-sized image.
Afterward, attendees had several hours to enjoy the park. Having the TrailBlazer was an awesome advantage, especially since the wait for many rides was more than an hour at this point; with the TrailBlazer, attendees’ wait was five to 10 minutes at most.
The light displays alone were a reason to visit Silver Dollar City.
Photo: Jennifer Lovesee-Mast. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jeff Wheaton. View full-sized image.
The 6.5 million Christmas lights, along with the gigantic tree, lit up the night and were inspiring. Silver Dollar City continues to do an amazing job and truly is the best Christmas event at any theme park or amusement park that this author has ever visited.
Although no activities were scheduled, attendees who hadn’t had their fill of fun on Friday and Saturday could use their Silver Dollar City admission ticket again on Sunday to put a final period on a rewarding weekend with friends at this always magical park in the Ozarks. Attendees were grateful to the regional rep team, volunteers and park management for all their efforts.
— Jennifer Lovesee-Mast
#ACENews