Magic Springs Family Fun Park, located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is a popular amusement park and water park that opened on July 22, 1978. The park features over four stories of tall, 10 water slides, a bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons of water every 10 minutes, and dozens of ways to get wet and stay cool. The Arkansas Twister is a wooden coaster that climbs 95 feet, drops 92 feet, and races along at 50 mph. The park is situated at 1701 East Grand Avenue off of Highway 70 on the FUN side of Hot Springs, Arkansas, about 50 minutes from Little Rock.
Magic Springs is ranked 13 out of 15 things to do in Hot Springs, AR. It is a 45-minute drive from Little Rock and within easy driving distance. The park’s 350,000 gallon wave pool features man-made waves to float atop, while Splash Island is a massive family water-play structure with multiple levels. The park is nearly a 200-acre park area that is two parks in one, offering over 80 attractions including the Arkansas Twister roller coaster and thrill rides such as Plummet Summit and The Gauntlet.
The park’s location on the FUN side of Hot Springs, Arkansas, is a 45-minute drive from Little Rock and within easy driving distance. The park’s theme park and water park are nestled inside the Hot Springs National Park, offering a beautiful and unique experience for visitors. Season Passes, buy tickets, plan a visit, and more information can be found on the park’s website, hotel and ticket packages, park map directions, theme park, water park, cabanas, and dining options.
📹 Magic Springs Review, Largest Amusement and Water Park in Arkansas | Is it Worth Visiting?
Magic Springs and Crystal Falls are the largest amusement park and water park respectively in Arkansas. Located in Hot Springs, …
How many acres is the biggest theme park?
Disney World covers over 25, 000 acres, which is equivalent to the entire city of San Francisco. The resort attracts over 50 million visitors annually. Beyond the parks, Disney World offers two water parks, four golf courses, and over 25 hotels. Only half of the land is used, with most being wetland and remaining for conservation. This allows for potential expansion. For families and friends looking to stay near Disney World, our Orlando vacation homes are ideal, located in exclusive resorts with in-villa amenities and on-resort facilities. These homes provide a memorable stay for families and friends.
How fast does the Arkansas Twister go?
The Arkansas Twister is a wooden roller coaster at Magic Springs and Crystal Falls amusement park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Originally opened in 1978 as The Roaring Tiger at Circus World, it was purchased by Magic Springs in 1991 and reopened as Arkansas Twister in 1992. The ride, also known as “Florida Hurricane” and “Michael Jackson’s Thrill Coaster”, has a 92-foot drop and speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. The ride was designed by Don Rosser and Associates and renowned coaster engineer Bill Cobb, costing $2.
3 million to construct using over a half-million feet of Douglas fir lumber. With 3, 340 feet of track and speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, it was billed as “the South’s longest and fastest roller coaster” by the park. It was a personal favorite of celebrity Michael Jackson, who visited the park frequently in the 1980s to ride.
How high is the Arkansas Twister drop?
The Arkansas Twister is a roller coaster ride that was created by William L. “Bill” Cobb and originally operated in Florida under the names Roaring Tiger and Florida Hurricane. It was purchased by Magic Springs in 1991 and transported to the park in 40 semi-trailers. The ride opened in 1992 with the first ride on May 30, and has been a favorite of pop star Michael Jackson. The ride is a classic out-and-back coaster that takes riders through 3, 500 feet of track at top speeds of 50 mph, offering a sensation of weightlessness and periods of downward force nearly three times the force of gravity. Riders at a height of at least 48″ can enjoy the high-thrill experience.
How old do you have to be to play magic?
Magic: The Gathering is a popular game that children can start playing around 9 years old, as it involves sorcery, magic, and can be scary for younger players. It is believed to develop critical thinking, math, and reading skills. Children who grow up playing the game tend to develop vivid imaginations, as seen in the creators of Stranger Things, Matt and Ross Duffer. Playing the game at a local game store can encourage engagement, socialization, and allow children to express their writing and artistic abilities.
For example, children can create artwork on cards and form online groups to compare their work, influencing their pre-teen and teen drawings. The age at which children start playing Magic: The Gathering depends on their preferences and the child’s age.
How tall is the Arkansas Twister?
The Arkansas Twister is a wooden roller coaster located at Magic Springs and Crystal Falls in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA. Designed by Don Rosser and built by Marvin M. Black Co., it stands 95 feet tall and has 3, 340 feet of track in a loose out and back layout. Originally named the Florida Hurricane, it was renamed Roaring Tiger, Michael Jackson’s Thrill Coaster, and Florida Hurricane. The ride closed along with the park in 1990 and was bought by Magic Springs for $10, 000.
The ride was rebuilt at its current location by Martin and Vleminckx, costing nearly $900, 000. The ride debuted at the park in 1992 and closed again in 1995. In 2000, it reopened with new trains. The park had not been operating the coaster since early 2020 and removed it from its webpage.
How old is the Arkansas Twister?
The Arkansas Twister is a wooden roller coaster located at Magic Springs and Crystal Falls in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA. Designed by Don Rosser and built by Marvin M. Black Co., it stands 95 feet tall and has 3, 340 feet of track in a loose out and back layout. Initially named the Florida Hurricane, it was renamed Roaring Tiger in 1980, Michael Jackson’s Thrill Coaster in 1987, and again the Florida Hurricane in 1987. The ride closed along with the park in 1990 and was bought by Magic Springs for $10, 000. YouTube might collect personal data.
Does Arkansas have six flags?
Six Flags Arkansas is an amusement park in Little Rock, Arkansas, owned and operated by Six Flags. Originally named Rockville Amusement Park, it was a family-oriented attraction in 1984. In 1989, it was sold to Tierco Group Inc., which became Premier Parks in 1994. In 1995, the park opened an adjacent water-park called Splashville, which was renamed Six Flags Arkansas in 1999. The park has various areas, including Main Street, Rockville, Crackaxle Canyon, Mardi Gras, DC Comics City, Looney Tunes Boomtown, Kidzopolis, and Six Flags Splashtown.
How large is Disney Springs?
The Disney World Village, a 120-acre complex, includes four areas: Marketplace, The Landing, Town Center, and West Side. Disney Transport operates buses and water taxis between Disney Springs and other areas of the park. The Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, opened in 1975, was renamed Walt Disney World Village two years later. Under new management under Michael Eisner in 1984, Disney sought ways to keep vacationers on the property and prevent them from leaving for entertainment beyond the park.
In 1986, Disney added Pleasure Island, a nightclub featuring Disney’s quality and creativity, to compete with Church Street Station clubs in downtown Orlando. The complex was renamed Disney Village Marketplace in 1989.
How old is the Hot Springs?
Hot Springs, located in the United States, has a rich history dating back over 4, 000 years. The water, which originates from rainwater, was used as a peaceful gathering spot by Native Americans, including the Tunica, Caddo, Quapaw, Choctaw, and Cherokee tribes. The area was called “the valley of the vapors” by these tribes, where they could unify and enjoy the rejuvenation of the springs. In the 1930s, the area became “neutral ground” for mobsters from Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.
Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto is believed to have visited Hot Springs during his quest for an earthly paradise, a fabled city of gold. The hot springs continue to be a source of inspiration for visitors seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
How tall do you have to be to go to Magic Springs Arkansas?
Magic Springs offers complimentary admission for children aged three and below, while those below 48 inches in height are required to pay a fee of $44. 99 plus applicable taxes upon arrival. It is possible to purchase general admission tickets online, which will entitle the purchaser to a reduced waiting time.
How long has Magic Springs been around?
Magic Springs Family Fun Park, also known as Magic Springs, is an amusement park and water park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, opened on July 22, 1978, under the management of Leisure and Recreation Concepts, led by Dallas businessman Michael Jenkins. The park is open on weekends from April through October and daily from late-May through mid-August. The park was closed in 1995, but reopened in 2000. It is owned by EPR Properties and operated by Premier Parks, LLC.
Over time, investors became burdened by debt, and the park was sold in the 1980s to a group led by Melvyn Bell, who had his own financial troubles. In 1995, Belgian company Fitraco bought the park at a foreclosure auction, and Ed Hart of Themeparks LLC was approached by Fitraco to take on the project.
📹 Top 10 Rides at Magic Springs
Magic Springs and Crystal Falls are the largest amusement park and water park respectively in Arkansas. Located in Hot Springs, …
Gauntlet was my favorite ride in the park. The SLC is a good layout, so when it can run smooth like Gauntlet, I really like it. I visited in 2017 for a concert, and the park was slammed. So when I went back for another concert earlier this year in June, I did the season pass, as it was actually only $10 extra (factoring in free parking and a food credit), and it allowed me to also go on Friday afternoon & half of Sunday. Saturday was again slammed, but I got plenty of rides and slides in on the other days. I do wish it had a better coaster lineup, but I appreciated everything else the park had to offer. That Zach Williams concert was one of the first legitimate concerts to take place in the country post-lockdown. It’s interesting that I just rode Twist N Shout last Saturday, and I just now realized from you that it used to be here. 0:25 btw, the pronunciation is (Wash ih tah) for Ouachita, kind of similar to Wichita; wash instead of wich. Yeah, I’m being the pronunciation police. It’s actually kind of a running joke around there, which you reminded me of. I went to camp at Ouachita Baptist University for years.
Great informative article! I am driving from Memphis to Dallas this weekend to go to Six Flags fiesta Texas Six Flags over Texas with a buddy. I was contemplating making a stop on the way down for a couple hours and magic springs to film a vlog. Would you suggest that it’s worth it? I also like hearing that the coasters are not too rough because a couple of the ones they have tend to be rougher.
Well I love magic springs so much and in fact it’s closed right now because it’s winter and they don’t wanna be around people you know how to do that so I really love match brings I actually live in Hotspring Dakin salt and it’s really fun we have a Lotta stuff to do now but we don’t have a Lotta stuff still do but merry Christmas is almost Christmas is almost coming up and it’s not open right now but as well please don’t when I went to open on Christmas so I hope y’all have a dolly Holley Ameri Christmas and next year for Magic Springs I am going to be going and I’m just so sad and I cannot wait any longer but that’s life and I really wanna go on Xcode star because my Chloe my friend Chloe she really but I want to go out with somebody but like not really nobody else wanna go on with her I want to go on you know XX poster and the brain drain and I want to go on the gauntlet I never been on the gauntlet so I’m so sad and next year I
I’ve lived in Hot Springs my whole life. I can remember magic springs when it looked WAYYY DIFFERENT! Me and my best friends all went to Cutter (the school down the way) and we got dropped off there during summer like it was a daycare. Now I live across the highway (I can see brain drain from my back porch) and me and my son get season passes and go all the time. The water park is definitely where we spend most of our time. This article was really cool!
Our family loves magic springs amusement park. It’s only 45 minutes from where we live so we always try to get season pass tickets. It’s not a bad deal and this year they’ve got some golden pass ticket that we’re really thinking about getting so that we can get a meal for free because everything is really pricey there.
I’d say it’s worth it but right now it’s not at the top of my list of parks to visit. So I’d certainly like to get there someday but not right away for sure. I do wish however that Ed Hart still owned and operated the park. With the success he’s had with Kentucky Kingdom, I think he could have had just as much success with this place as well. Hopefully they’ll try to add more exciting additions to the dry park later on.
Thank you for posting. This brought back a lot of memories for sure. Remember back in the 80s when they had a roller coaster in the very front of the Park and it’s simply had 2 hills and one loop in the middle. 😂 Back then I loveed it because it went forward and backwards. Based on your review they obviously removed it and updated the park tremendously LOL. Comparing it now from back then it’s a lot better. I also recall an observation tower back in the 80s too but I may have my parks mixed up.😊 Glad to see that it’s still there at least!
On my first visit in 2017 (for a Sabrina Carpenter concert), I didn’t know that I was supposed to hate Vekoma SLCs, not that I knew anything about manufacturers or the differences. Gauntlet was my favorite in the park, finding it to be perfectly smooth with no headbanging, while the Batman the Rides would give me a little headbanging. Then I heard on youtube that I was supposed to hate Gauntlet. So when I returned in 2020, I just couldn’t force myself to hate it. I still found it to be super smooth, & it still edges out X Coaster for my favorite coaster. But Brain Drain did replace it as my new favorite ride in the park. I did get to do most of the waterslides on that 2020 weekend, which also included a Zach Williams concert. The waterslides were a lot of fun, even if nothing was a huge standout. But with some decent rides, slides, concerts, & a beautiful setting, it was a very fun park to visit, especially in June 2020.
A park that needs more investments. They have an SLC which is something I don’t completely hate on but that’s almost the best here. Their Maurer Sky Loop is unique as it’s the only one in North America but it’s still a very short ride. And a wooden coaster that I have heard is absolutely forceless. I would go here for the amusement park but the water park seems to be what has better for other people. Especially as Arkansas best park, they can do better. Although it’s cool they have one of SFSTL mine trains.
I actually worked at this theme park. I’ll tell you about the rides on this list in my perspective working there. 1. Diamond Mine Run. It is by far the worst ride to work. No one wants to get stuck there for the dayand whoever is unlucky enough dreads it. The carts all have their own mechanic to raise and lower them, which is already tiring enough, and the mechanics are often really hard to pull out which is very tiring. The brakes are kind of finnicky. And the fan to keep the workers cool in the heat isn’t very good so people are always overheating at that ride. 2. Bumper Cars. This one is alright. It’s easy to operate and there is a roof over it so your not sitting in direct sunlight. The floor is absolutely filthy because they can’t clean it with water and the cars are kinda heavy so my arms would always get super sore when I got put there. Otherwise though it was pretty fun to watch everyone drive around the track and have fun. Especially during Magic Screams which is a Halloween thing they do for the entire month of October every year. 3. Gauntlet. I actually really liked working Gauntlet. It’s not as difficult as x-coaster and there really isn’t much to it at all. The only hard thing about it really is the limited vision I had with the other operator when the ride was in the station. You kinda have to do your best to look in the spaces between the cars at each other. And it’s one of the ones with air conditioning which I absolutely loved. 4. Looney Ballooney. I can’t give any insight on this one because it’s been down for a few years because they’ve been waiting on a part for it, but riding it was always incredibly fun.