AIMS NEWS & NOTES — PAGE 25 © TM Vol. 17 • Issue 1 APRIL 2013 Outlaw Run charges into Silver Dollar City Rocky Mountain Construction Group supplies new coaster STORY: Tim Baldwin [email protected] BRANSON, Mo. — Al- though the setting of Silver Dollar City may be the 1880s, it was March 15 of this year that featured the debut of Outlaw Run, the park’s new- est roller coaster. If the reac- tions of early riders were any indication, response to the tional wood bed (six layers) of new attraction is overwhelm- coaster track is crowned with ingly animated and enthusi- the Topper Track steel rail that astic. At its media preview, not only delivers a smoother some comments were heard ride, but allows for dynamic among theme park observers maneuvers. that the industry is keeping In addition to its construc- its eyes on this new brand of tion characteristics, Outlaw wooden coaster. They should. Run is also ground breaking Silver Dollar City’s new Out- It’s that good. in what it does from the stand- law Run thrills riders with Solidifying their place in point of the rider. No other three upside down barral coaster design and erection, wooden coaster has attempted rolls (top) and this first drop Rocky Mountain Construction acrobatics such as what is seen (right) of 162 feet at 81 Group (RMC) delivers a home in one of the most outrageous- degrees. run to the beloved Branson ly thrilling layouts ever de- AT/GARY SLADE; themer. Several aspects make signed. Descriptions don’t do AERIAL SERVICES/CHOPPER CHARTER, BRANSON this ride unique, but its con- them justice, particularly tak- struction is what makes it so en at speeds of up to 68 mph, “It’s a blast!” shouts Di- keep it,” jokes Herschend, In a new expansion at the innovative. In recent years, but features include several rector of Public Relations Lisa who rode the first train out far end of the park, Outlaw Rocky Mountain has been overbanked turns — the most Rau, following her first ride. during previews. “We’re not Run explores the outskirts of providing Topper Track to dramatic at a virtually upside “B-L-A-S-T! Blast! It is so fun.” going to make it a temporary the safe haven of Silver Dollar parks who are finding mainte- down 153-degrees, surprising Count her among the ride’s installation. It’s with us forev- City. Untamed territory where nance issues and rough wood- directional changes into the new legion of fans. er,” he laughs. “I’m delighted unlawful rogues may lurk sets en coaster rides. Outlaw Run terrain’s valleys, a 90-degree Another one would be with the response I see from the stage for the thematic sto- is the very first wooden coast- swoop turn through the lift, Pete Herschend, co-owner and people who are not a part of ryline for Outlaw Run. As the er to be built entirely with and a wild double barrel roll co-founder of Silver Dollar Silver Dollar City. They are park’s guests enter the area, RMC’s Topper Track from finale. The tag line to Outlaw City and Herschend Family really enjoying it a lot.” With an authentic and refurbished the beginning. Its amazingly Run is “The World’s Most Entertainment. “We just came deep pride, Herschend adds, stagecoach draw people to smooth ride is expected to last Daring Wood Coaster.” It is from a corporate meeting and “It is a great piece of entertain- the Western Missouri Stage- years upon years. The tradi- no false claim. we decided we are going to ment.” 4See OUTLAW RUN, page 4 CONTINUING COVERAGE: SUBSCRIBE TO SUPERSTORM SANDY SEE PAGES 28-29 Dated material. material. Dated AMUSEMENT TODAY RUSH! NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: PLEASE JanuaryMailed Monday 23, 2013 (817) 460-7220 PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. com PAID amusementtoday US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY April 2013 NEWSTALK OPINIONS CARTOON LETTERS AT CONTACTS EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] CARTOON: Bubba Flint More than records and thrills During the first full operating weekend of Silver Dollar City’s new Outlaw Run, it was clear that park General Manager Brad Thomas was a giddy as a youngster on Christmas morning. His park had just debuted their new record-setting $10 million wooden coaster Slade just a few days prior. The coaster, from Rocky Mountain, was all the buzz in the park by both guests and long-time emplyees. But Brad was quick to point out what the Branson themer is really all about — its food. Just down the walkway from the new coaster fun, the park debuted Crossroads Pizza. This 145-seat sit down re- stuarant features hand-tossed (think of it as airtime for the dough!) oven fired pizza, calzones and other Italian-style sandwiches. Not stopping there, a trip across the street is the new Cokes and Floats stand where guests can mix and match their favorites together to recreate that float enjoyed as a child. What may go unnoticed is that the Silver Dollar City EDITORIAL: Andrew Mellor, [email protected] team did both of these new establishments in-house. The attention to detail, as seen in hand crafted Coke barrels, Tourism a key player in economic growth and corrosponding theming is a perfect match for the park. I attended an attractions of the economy. Thomas was quick to point out that many SDC guests are industry conference in the U.K. The Olympic Legacy was also mentioned as repeat visitors to the park, and some of those will never get recently at which the keynote a major part of the government’s tourism strat- on a single ride. They are at the park to simply to visit the speaker was the head of tour- egy as it seeks to build on the tremendous pub- park, enjoy the wide variety of food and take in as many ism at the government’s De- lic relations opportunities that were generated shows as time allows. partment of Culture and Media during last year’s games. All in all, therefore, it The Silver Dollar City recipie for success is not built Studies (DCMS). looks like tourism is at last being taken seriously around its rides, it’s built around the food, shows and its The lady in question dis- by government and is being properly recognized Mellor cussed a number of key issues for the important part it plays in the country’s people. The paying guest is truly the one who benefits relating to tourism in her presen- economy. although you can’t tell that to the employees. tation but one clear message that came across Which is refreshing, to say the least. Hope- As one candymaker told this publisher, “I was ready for was that the tourism industry – which obviously fully, though, things can be taken further still and a break after the Christmas season. Then when the incorporates all types of attractions, including various issues which have been impacting on the calendar turned over to March, I was ready to come back theme parks, seaside piers et al – is key when it industry can also be dealt with to help operators to the park, because I know I have baking to do. Baking is comes to growth in the country’s economy. and encourage more growth within the sector. my love!” She stated that ‘from the government’s per- VAT (Value Added Tax) on the admission price Ahh — the sweets...well that’s another story. spective, all departments realize how important to parks is currently at 20 percent, while in other tourism is to the economy,’ providing examples parts of Europe it is significantly lower, in some —Gary Slade such as the fact that it creates GBP90 billion of places just five percent, so a reduction here direct business per annum and is the third high- would help enormously. Likewise, a fairer playing Gary Slade is the founder and publisher of Amusement est export earner for the country. She also gave field when it comes to public projects supported Today. His love for amusement parks began at age six examples of various initiatives and funding that by the Heritage Lottery Fund. when he first visited Pontchartrain Beach Amusement have been put in place by the DCMS and other I just hope all the positive ‘noises’ I heard Park and Six Flags Over Texas. His long newspaper career parts of government to assist the tourism indus- will actually bear fruit for everyone’s long term helped lead to the launch of AT in 1997. try as a whole, adding that the tourism industry benefit. was growing significantly compared to the rest AMUSEMENT TODAY STAFF Gary Slade, Founder Tim Baldwin Sammy Piccola Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Editorial Accounting / Circulation (817) 460-7220 [email protected] (817) 460-7220 [email protected] [email protected] Deliveries Member of: Pam Sherborne 2012 E. 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