We are already to “W” in this series of A-Z Coasters of the Week! Today we head out to Branson, Missouri to take a look at Wildfire. This B&M sitdown coaster opened in 2001 and is possibly in one of the most scenic locations a roller coaster can be. The track sits alongside the edge of one of the Ozark mountains, overlooking the giant valley and lakes below.
Being in this location brings a unique element to Wildfire; it has a height of 120 feet, but its drop is an additional 35 feet!
So how did Wildfire gets its name you ask? Well the story behind this coaster starts in the queue. Guests enter into Dr. Horatio Harris’ lab, where they find out he is working on developing a flying machine.
The fuel he is concocting to power his machine is known as “Wildfire.” There are pipes, pumps and machines creating the fuel running all throughout the station. Guests are then sprayed with the wildfire fuel as they leave the station.
Wildfire Stats:
- Length: 3,073 ft
- Height: 120 ft
- Drop: 155 ft
- Inversions: 5 (Immelmann, Loop, Cobra Roll, Corkscrew)
- Speed: 66 mph
- Duration: 2:16
Silver Dollar City did a great job of allowing guests the opportunity to get very close to this coaster! Once you exit the ride, there is a large deck area that gives you a great view of Wildfire and the valley below.
Wildfire provides a super smooth ride. Being up on the side of a mountain also makes the first drop feel more like 255 feet, rather than just 155 feet! I remember being very impressed by this coaster, as well as all of the coasters at Silver Dollar City. The park does a wonderful job of maintaining the quality of their rides.
Have you been to Silver Dollar City and ridden Wildfire? Let us know what your favorite part of the ride is and you will be entered to win the 8×10″ chromo print shown above!
Make sure to come back next week to see what “X” coaster will be featured!
I have never been on Wildfire, but now I want to! That cobra roll looks awesome. 🙂