A Missouri theme park has announced details for its next major roller coaster, which is scheduled to open to the public in spring 2027.
Silver Dollar City is drawing directly on regional Ozarks history and lore to shape the concept, which will anchor a newly created zone within the destination.
The new attraction, titled Miner’s Mountain Express, will be situated in Daredevil Pass, a newly designated area of the park connecting existing rides WildFire, PowderKeg, and American Plunge. The attraction is a custom collaboration between Silver Dollar City, Herschend Creative Studios, and renowned German ride manufacturer MACK Rides. The project marks another joint venture between the park and the Waldkirch-based manufacturer, following their previous work on the Time Traveler coaster.
The attraction features more than half a mile of track, making it the longest family coaster in the US Midwest region. The ride layout includes two lift hills, 15 airtime moments, and an overall run time of three minutes and 18 seconds.
Designed to appeal to multi-generational family groups, the coaster has a minimum rider height requirement of 39 inches when accompanied by a supervising companion.
Historical theming
The ride concept is based on the 1880s Marble Cave Mining Company, which operated on the land prior to the park’s creation. Physical features of the attraction include weathered mining structures, artificial rockwork, and an authentic 15-story working headframe recovered from an operational Missouri mine.
The coaster track follows the natural terrain above Marvel Cave, a Registered Natural Landmark that originally provided the impetus for establishing Silver Dollar City. The attraction also incorporates fictional folklore centred around foreman Jedidiah “Jed” Campbell, who guides guests on a search for a lost cave entrance.
Discussing the creative process, Erica Rutledge, senior creative director at Herschend Creative Studios, said: “For Miner’s Mountain Express, we asked ourselves how families could step into the park’s own origin story, which literally began with a hole in the ground called Marvel Cave. Every building, every tool and every detail was thoughtfully designed to honour the people who came before us while creating an unforgettable adventure for today’s families.”
Broader site investment
The coaster project forms part of a broader $150 million investment strategy into the site. This ongoing development plan includes the construction of the Silver Dollar City Resort, which is also scheduled to open in 2027.
Brad Thomas, president of the Silver Dollar City Company, said: “For over 65 years, Silver Dollar City has entertained our guests through fun story-based adventures. This family coaster has been designed so that multiple generations of families can enjoy the mountain-themed adventure together.”
Thomas noted that the park draws visitors from across the United States annually, adding: “In 2027 and beyond, this family coaster and our all-new resort continue our growth strategy to invite even more guests to discover the Ozarks for their vacations and getaway weekends.”
Much of the construction, thematic elements, and storytelling features are being developed directly by Silver Dollar City’s in-house maintenance, construction, and design teams alongside Herschend Creative Studios.
