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[shavethewhales]

Magic Springs has apparently announced their intentions to close the Arkansas Twister roller coaster. https://screamscape.com/html/magic_springs.htm

Weirdly, they are also saying that they don't plan to demolish it, but are just going to abandon it in place. It is in kind of a weird off-shoot location of the park, but it's large enough people are going to notice it... This raises questions about whether or not the whole park is about to shut down. The water park makes a bit of money, but the rides park is a mess and hasn't been invested into for years now. It's all owned by a property REIT that, last I checked, mostly invested into ski resorts. I think they also own Frontier City?

This coaster should have been their star attraction, but they never seemed to maintain it well - although that goes for just about every ride in the park. Years ago I ventured over there specifically to ride it. I really liked the layout, but the cars just absolutely bounced around the track to the point I felt like I was actually in real danger. I think they had the last couple of cars blocked off because anyone riding in them would get whiplash, lol. The front seat was the only chance at a tolerable ride - luckily there was no line at all. I haven't been back since 2018 or so... I can't imagine it improved. Something tells me they didn't have a choice with this closure.

[ColaSDC]

Sad news. The history behind the ride is really interesting. Long story short, the coaster was built by Michael Black and Associates, the precursor to the infamous RCCA, who built rides like Son of Beast. If the park closes, I hope someone will buy and preserve the coaster, but moving wooden coasters is expensive and impractical. This park is another contender for Herschend to buy, but the have enough on their plate with the recent acquisitions. The most realistic path to the park staying open is if six flags gets the operating rights, as they've worked with EPR before, but six flags is downsizing right now. Does not look like a bright future for the park.

[shavethewhales]

At one point, SF had the opportunity to manage Magic Springs, but passed on it. I think they are savvy enough to understand what it would take to make the park work, and the ROI just isn't there. You'd think it has potential, due to being the only theme park in Arkansas and being part of the Hot Springs tourist area. That being said, most people don't go to Hot Springs to go to a theme park. They are either on the lake or going to the spas. Like I said earlier though, the water park did OK - or at least it was doing OK the last time I was there some years ago.

[Duelist]

I live about 40 miles from Magic Springs and haven't been there since 1981.  It just doesn't appeal to me.  My wife and I were talking about it and we figured most of the time people go there are for the concerts- and those are usually like Steppenwolf's grandsons or some other variation of an oldie band. 

[KBCraig]

I live about 40 miles from Magic Springs and haven't been there since 1981.  It just doesn't appeal to me.  My wife and I were talking about it and we figured most of the time people go there are for the concerts- and those are usually like Steppenwolf's grandsons or some other variation of an oldie band. 

I'm originally from about 90 minutes west of Hot Springs. The only time I went to Magic Springs was about 1994, when it was a great place for a 3 year old's first amusement park adventure.

I never understood it as a concert venue. Lake Hamilton Steppin' Wolves band might be behind the Steppenwolf grandsons theme. LOL