Six months ago, Silver Dollar City announced the retirement of their classic dark ride rollercoaster Fire in the Hole. The 51-year old attraction closes at the end of this season to make way for something new. Today, Silver Dollar City announced that the attraction will be replaced with a brand new version of Fire In The Hole, including many elements from the original ride and a brand new ride system.
The attraction was announced on Silver Dollar City’s website and on their social media channels. “Signifying our biggest investment in a single attraction, Fire in the Hole continues Silver Dollar City’s strategic, multi-phased growth plan,” said Brad Thomas, President of the Silver Dollar City Company in a press-release. “Spurring the creation of The Fire District, the custom-designed Fire in The Hole makes history as the Heartland’s largest indoor coaster. As the District’s anchor attraction, it will be a favorite rite of passage for families where one generation introduces the next generation to this adventure and where the heroes of today spark the heroes of tomorrow.”
The park is spending $30 million on the reinmagined attraction, is said to be “bigger, better and more fun than ever” in a promotional video for the attraction. It tells a local story about Marmaros. The town in the Ozark Mountains was set on fire by notorious vigilantes by the name of the Baldknobbers. Riders will encounter Silver Dollar City on fire and must band together to battle the fire and save the town.
Just like its original, the new Fire in the Hole will feature a rollercoaster for a ride system. Rocky Mountain Construction will be responsible for manufacturing the 460 meter (1.512 ft.) long rollercoaster, that will feature onboard audio and three drops, including splash down. It will be the first time the famous roller coaster manufacturer from Idaho (U.S.A.) works on a (semi-) dark ride.
“Like Silver Dollar City, Rocky Mountain Construction is committed to creating custom-built ride experiences that haven’t been done before,” said Darren Torr, President of RMC in the press-release. “We loved the challenge of engineering, fabricating, and installing the one-of-a-kind Fire in the Hole, creating a new ride experience while honoring a legendary coaster. It feels fondly familiar, yet it will be daringly different.”
The current Fire in the Hole is still operating until the end of this season, when demolishion will begin. The reimagined version is expected to open in the spring of 2024.
