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SILVER DOLLAR CITY
TIME TRAVLER
Branson, MO
Review by: Randal
(3/14/18) If you haven't see it yet, several videos shot live from the media preview of Time Traveler at Silver Dollar City were posted to the official Screamscape Facebook page. This includes off-ride footage of Time Traveler in action, the opening dedication, and an interview with SDC's Lisa Rau, Dir. of Publicity.
Big thanks to Randal for being our man on the spot to be there live at Silver Dollar City for Screamscape today! And here is Randall's review of Time Traveler below, along with some photos from the media preview along with a POV video down below. Enjoy!
Randal here - so here are my final thoughts on Time Traveler (this review is my own and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Screamscape.com): I was apprehensive about a spinning coaster with loops. Even with the recent video, I still had some reservations. Time Traveler is a great coaster. It is not as intense as it looks with that 100 foot 90 degree drop and three inversions. It still thrills, without being completely disorienting. A better descriptor would be a coaster that gradually turns. The restraints are very comfortable over the head lap restraints. There are no secondary seatbelts or restraints. Larger guests will most likely not be able to ride.
So right out of the station a magnet spins the car gently. All 3 rides I took today were different. I went down the first drop sideways, face first and backwards. While forceful, especially in the back of the train, it is quick even though there is a brake at the start of the drop. Going into the Immelman the cars turn a bit and you hang at the moment you are upside down. Thankfully it is comfortable. Next is a series of quick zig-zags that turn the cars a bit more. The train enters the first launch area and stops briefly before accelerating into the first over-banked turn, where you have another moment of hang time and more turning. Exiting the turn you curve down into the vertical loop. I experienced the loop twice backwards, again with hang time.
One time we went through the vertical loop sideways, which is what I’ll hope for each ride. What a great view watching the horizon rotate with out having to turn my head! The next stretch is the craziest, most disorientating part. You exit the loop and pop over a quick S-turn into a downward curve into the corkscrew. Twice we spun most of the way around going through the corkscrew. This is followed by a small hill into the second launch non-stop. From there you enter the second over-baked turn with another stall and turn of the cars. After dropping down from this you go into a quick uphill left turn to the brake run. Then the cars slowly take the last turn and position themselves for unloading which is done just outside the station.
Overall it is well themed and definitely a coaster you could re-ride several times. Outlaw Run, Wild Fire and Powder Keg are in my opinion, more intense rides, but Time Traveler is well paced and delivers thrills. The trains are comfortable and a delight to the eyes. The queue takes you through the clockworks factory from the bottom first floor up to the second floor and then to loading on the top 3rd level. The ride operator costumes are amazing and very steam punk in inspiration. The exit takes you on an elevated walkway through the Time Traveler gift shop. The entire area between Thunderation and The Flooded Mine has been redone with most of the trees left intact, as is tradition at the park.
The new Travelers Stop eatery has plentiful seating that occupies the old pathway. Basically the path goes down Valley Road towards Thunderation, turns to the right slightly, past Thunderation and Time travelers entrances (which are side by side) and then turns slightly to the left past Travelers Stop and reconnects to the old path near the entrance to Echo Hollow. Overall, in my opinion it is a great family friendly ride (note: height requirement is 51 inches) that provides thrills and a unique ride experience. Definitely worth the trip to experience it for yourself! I really enjoyed Time Traveler.
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