Silver Dollar City just dropped the kind of announcement that longtime fans never want to hear.
After more than three decades of thrills, the Branson, Missouri theme park has confirmed that its classic runaway mine train coaster, Thunderation, will officially close at the end of the 2026 season. That means guests still have one final year to ride it, but once the season wraps up, the attraction’s days are numbered.
For many visitors, this isn’t just “another coaster.” Thunderation has been part of Silver Dollar City’s identity since it opened in 1993, becoming one of the park’s most recognizable rides and one that generations of families have made a tradition.
A 33-Year-Old Ride Reaches the End of the Track
Silver Dollar City announced that Thunderation will run through 2026, with its final day currently scheduled for January 2, 2027. That date gives fans one last chance to visit during what is expected to be an emotional farewell season.
The coaster has carried more than 27 million riders over its lifetime, which says a lot about how deeply it’s been woven into the Silver Dollar City experience. Even as bigger and newer rides have been introduced, Thunderation remained one of those attractions that felt like a must-do, especially for guests who have been visiting the park for years.
Fans React as Goodbye Season Begins
As soon as the news hit social media, fans started reacting with a mix of disappointment, sadness, and nostalgia. Some guests said they were grateful Silver Dollar City is giving everyone a full season to ride it again, while others immediately started asking if the park could bring back older features for its final year.
And honestly, that reaction makes sense.
For many guests, Thunderation is tied to childhood memories. It’s the ride you conquered when you were finally “brave enough.” It’s the coaster your parents rode when they were younger. It’s the one you still ride today because it feels like Silver Dollar City.
What’s Next for the Space?
Silver Dollar City hasn’t officially confirmed what will replace Thunderation, but the park has teased that the ride’s closure is connected to the Marvel Cave Mining Company, which is supposedly ordering “geological surveys” in the area.
In other words, something new could be coming.
For now, the big story is simple: Silver Dollar City fans have one last season to experience one of the park’s most iconic attractions before it disappears for good. If Thunderation has ever been on your bucket list, 2026 just became a must-visit year.
