Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, was ablaze with excitement on March 27 at the media debut of its new family coaster, Fire in the Hole. Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC), the new iteration of the classic attraction aims to channel nostalgic charm for locals who grew up with the attraction, while also ushering in a new era of cutting-edge technological innovation. Representing a $30 million investment, Silver Dollar City has transformed Fire in the Hole into a multi-generational coaster experience built upon three layers of track within a five-story building.
The inside of the towering ride building now holds a new track and dynamic scenic design improvements, retaining Fire in the Hole's its essence while embracing modern enhancements that elevate the experience. Riders are transported back to the historic night in the 1880s when the Baldknobbers ignited the town of Marmaros in flames—but with a few new twists. "It’s the same ride—you go through the same track [layout]. You go through the same types of scenes. We have 17 scenes total—two of those scenes are new scenes. They offer guests a little bit more insight into the story as they go throughout the ride,” says Senior Creative Director Erica Rutledge.
One of the most notable upgrades to the ride is the incorporation of state-of-the-art onboard audio, featuring a custom score that guides guests through the attraction while setting the mood for each scene. Rutledge highlights the investment in audio enhancements, stating, "We have all-new sound effects, we have all-new voices, you now hear way more of the characters speak than you did before, and we have projection and video effects.”
Brad Thomas, president of Silver Dollar City, explains that the ride's significance to both the park and its visitors influenced the investment in remaking the original ride. "The story of Fire in the Hole is so unique to Silver Dollar City," he remarks. "Our research showed that those folks who visited Silver Dollar City said, ‘Of all the things that could go away, don’t ever let Fire in the Hole go away.’" Thomas also emphasizes the ride's accessibility, stating, "It’s a 36-inch height requirement, so that allows small children to ride the ride—but they can ride it with their parents, with their grandparents, with their great-grandparents, and then multiple generations of one family can have experiences through this ride."
