After wrapping up our second day at Silver Dollar City (SDC) we had one thing on our agenda – The Branson Coaster. We drove past this a few times after coming into Branson, Mo. and the lightshow going on in the station was certainly eye-catching. With it’s location right on a major roadway however, I didn’t know what to expect. In 2024 we rode a bunch of the mountain coasters in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn. region. The Wild Stallion mountain coaster at SkyLand Ranch was also located right on the main roadway and had amazing roadside appeal. While it turned out to be a fun ride, it had some less than stellar views with all the nearby shops and restaurants. Would The Branson Coaster be the same? We would soon find out.
Exceeded Expections
Okay, from the minute we arrived, my expectations were exceeded. I noticed that while the station was indeed in a very busy roadside area, the course itself was down the hill behind it and more isolated from the hustle and bustle above. This was going to be one of those coasters where the long lift hill was at the ride’s conclusion. As a matter of fact, we parked right beside it on a steep incline.
Before I go into the exacts of this ride below, I want to give major props to The Branson Coaster staff. Before we took our rides I walked all around the parking lot and station area with my camera, getting in as many photos as I could. While I had prior permission to film a POV while on ride, I also wanted some shots with my main camera.
Upon seeing me with my camera, I was approached by a worker and shown a few places where I could get good photos. They escorted me to a few places at street level, going above and beyond what anyone had to do. And later on, before we left, staff inside the gift shop was excited to hear about our ride, where we were from, and other parks we’ve visited after explaining that we were coaster enthusiasts. Such great people!
The Ride's Course
When leaving the station, you immediately get right into this ride. There are so many laterals early on as you snake your way back and forth down the hill. I was having a blast making my way down to the bottom. But then I felt a little disappointed when I came to the lift hill back up.
“Over already?” I thought to myself. “Damn, that was quick!”
Oh boy, was I ever wrong. I must have been exhausted or something as we literally parked next to a long lift back to the station at the ride’s conclusion. This lift was taking us back up on the same side where we left the station to start the ride, not where it ends. It wasn’t the same lift! Between that and all the track that I went over and under on my way down that I never experienced, how did I think the ride was over? I swear I’m usually observant, but yeah… Not on this day.
No complaints though as my ignorance made for an even better ride. Now I got to head back down again, passing by other riders on the first leg of the course. There are plenty of interactions like this on the ride, which was a nice surprise. The Branson Coaster makes great us of the land they have, no doubt.
The Ride's Setting
While I can say that this isn’t the most wooded course on a mountain coaster that I’ve experienced, not even on the ones we experienced during this trip, it is wooded enough with enough other scenic elements that still make it visually appealing.
Leaving the station and going into the trees below is such a change that you truly feel like you’re leaving all the commotion above and headed into nature. The water, rockwork, and buildings you buzz by throughout the course are a visual treat. I really have to post my POV of this to show you just what I mean. I did nab some stills from that video and included them in the gallery below. Be sure to check those out until I can get around to posting the video.
Final Ride Counts
The Branson Coaster (1)
A Must Ride for Mountain Coaster Fans
While I am honestly going to tell you that you should ride every mountain coaster if you have the chance, this one feels right to recommend to not only coaster enthusiasts, but also people who might be new to mountain coasters. With it being in the thick of all the tourist traps in Branson, this is an easy stop to make if you want to see what they’re all about. It’s close to so many hotels, stores, restaurants, and things you might already be visiting. Do yourself a favor. Pull over for a few, grab a ticket, and hop on for a fun experience. And not only is the ride great, but like I said, the staff is wonderful too. All in all, such a great way to end our time in Branson. Make it part of your trip.
Branson Coaster Photo Gallery - May 31, 2025
If you would like to use any of the images in the gallery above for your commercial and/or non-commercial projects, feel free to do so. I ask that you credit We Were Inverted whenever they’re used. I also ask that you do not alter the image or remove the watermarks. If you need any images/video resized or without the watermarks, please contact me directly.
CREW MANIFEST
The following flight crew members attended this park, & earned the respective credits below:
Patrick
CAG
New Credit(s): The Branson Coaster
Sam
Admiral
New Credit(s): The Branson Coaster