Powder Keg - Silver Dollar City

Date Ridden : April 2007 Times Ridden : 1 (Front car)
Silver Dollar City created an interesting ride by combining the old water coaster, Ripsaw Falls, with the new technology of a launched coaster. I was extremely pleased after I finished the ride as it contained minimal restraints (seat belt and lap bar), a great launch and some great airtime hills. The ride is also quite long if you count time in the train....the hydraulic system used to lift the car onto the track (or maybe slide it sideways is a better way to put it) in order to prepare it for the launch is the only such element I have seen on a coaster. There is a nice viewing area of the launch (mainly elderly people and young children....SDC is not exactly a thrill seekers destination) and the recording of the hick yelling "Watch out for that Nitrogylcerin!!!" really made me smile.

Not for long though, because we evidently did NOT watch out for that Nitroglycerin and were launced out and over the first hill with a gorgeous view of the Ozarks. It's difficult for me to remember much of the rest of the ride. There were some laterals and a few hills then the train meets the lift hill in the middle of the ride which is another unique element. The part of the ride following this though is very short and it ends back at the well-themed loading station.

We wanted to ride again but unfortunately the ops were only running one train. We waited about 45 minutes the first time for the front car and it was going to be about another hour or so for another ride as the line had grown back into the queing area so we skipped it. We were on limited time with Celebration City still to visit and then a three hour drive to our "point of origin". The trains were also being dispersed about every 5 minutes which is fairly long. So we went back and got another few rides on Wildfire, which was a walk-on, before leaving the park.

If you get a chance, SDC is a great day of amusment park riding with this ride, Wildfire (a B and M sit-down looper), the Giant Swing, and a fun "shoot-em up" water ride based on a flooded prison. And whatever you do, do not forget to add on the pass for Celebration City and ride the Ozark Wildcat which is by far the best ride in Branson. Thanks and good luck to all!!!

Overall Score - 8 (Fun and Different)

Here is some good off-ride footage.