Branson, MO, USA — Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, a top vacation destination for families, launches its summer season with one of the world’s top rides as its centerpiece. One of the hottest thrill rides among the new ride offerings worldwide is the park’s new $10 million coaster Outlaw Run, a record-breaking wood coaster that has gathered national and international news coverage since its spring opening. The interest is expected to grow as summer travelers seek out this year’s top thrills, park managers say.
“We’ve had visitors from throughout the U.S. and beyond coming to Branson because of Outlaw Run,” said Silver Dollar City General Manager Brad Thomas. “We know that vacationers look for unique experiences, and Outlaw Run is unique on a global scale.”
Justin Garvanovic, founder of the European Coaster Club and editor of First Drop magazine, traveled to Branson from England to ride Outlaw Run. Garvanovic, who has ridden over 1500 coasters in 30 countries, said he was “blown away.” “There’s nothing like it anywhere. For Silver Dollar City to build a ride of this magnitude, and to put not one inversion in it, but three, has really caused a massive stir in the ride world,” he said. “It’s stratospheric.”
With its attributes as the world’s first and only double barrel roll on a wood coaster, the only wood coaster to twist upside down with a record-breaking three inversions, the world’s steepest drop on a wood coaster at 81 degrees; and the second fastest wood coaster in the world with a top speed of 68 miles per hour, Outlaw Run offers a new level of wood coaster thrills. The park collaborated with Idaho-based Rocky Mountain Construction on the innovative engineering, design and construction of the ride.
American Coaster Enthusiasts member and Amusement Today writer Tim Baldwin came from Texas for an event focused on Outlaw Run. “It’s phenomenal — coaster perfection,” said Baldwin, who has logged nearly 1,000 coasters. “With the number of coasters I’ve ridden, it is hard to dazzle me. I remember hitting the brake run, just screaming ‘Wow!’ That’s the sign of a totally amazing ride. Just watch any trainload of riders return to the station. It’s coaster euphoria.”
Outlaw Run is expected to draw 80,000 additional visitors to Silver Dollar City this year. The 1880s-style theme park features more than 30 rides and attractions, award-winning festivals and entertainment, and an authentic colony of demonstrating craftsmen. The park is the number one attraction in the family vacation destination of Branson.
Silver Dollar City is open daily through the summer, adding extended park hours and night rides on Outlaw Run July 20 – August 4.
