A new ride is coming to Silver Dollar City, leaning into Missouri’s identity as the Cave State and the park’s history. The theme park announced on Aug. 14 that Miner’s Mountain Express is coming to the park in spring 2027.

The new family roller coaster will tell the story of Marvel Cave beneath the park, which was a working mine in the 1880s. It will include two peaks and 15 weightless moments, the most on any ride in Silver Dollar City. According to Friday’s announcement, the three-minute-long ride will be the longest family coaster in the Midwest.

A 15-story tower of a working mine in eastern Missouri – Doe Run Mine – will stand above the ride, SDC president Brad Thomas said at the announcement Friday.

The new ride will be located in Daredevil Pass, a newly created section of the park connecting Wildfire, PowderKeg and The American Plunge. Miner’s Mountain Express will be located between Wildfire and PowderKeg, overlooking the Ozarks rolling hills. The new ride is being created in collaboration between SDC and MACK Rides of Waldkirch, Germany. MACK Rides is also the creator behind the park’s Time Traveler coaster.

Thomas told local news media that the park had always planned a new attraction for 2027, but the specifics came together four years ago.

“We knew that for 2027 we wanted it to be a family ride. We always try to balance our new additions with thrill in some years and also family attractions in other years,” he said. “This is not a kiddie coaster; this is a coaster that a first or second grader is going to be able to ride, but also grandma can ride it as well and feel comfortable.”

Marvel Cave, located within the park, offers tours to visitors nearly 500 feet below the surface. It previously was called Marble Cave but was renamed after no marble was found there.

Miner’s Mountain Express will replace Thunderation, which is being retired after this season. That coaster opened in 1993, according to previous News-Leader reporting, and was considered the park’s first bona fide roller coaster.

The park opened the new Fire In The Hole ride and broke ground on the Silver Dollar City Resort two years ago. The resort is also set to open next spring. The resort, combined with Miner’s Mountain Express, will total a $150 million investment for the theme park.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.