Magic Springs and Crystal Falls
Encyclopedia
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
and water park
Water park
A waterpark is an amusement park that features waterplay areas, such as water slides, splash pads, spraygrounds , lazy rivers, or other recreational bathing, swimming, and barefooting environments...
located in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
, about 50 miles from Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
. A single price admission includes all day use of the rides and attractions in both parks. The park is open weekends from April through October and daily late-May through mid-August. Magic Springs and Crystal Falls was opened in the late 1970s, closed in 1995, and reopened in 2000. Magic Springs and Crystal Falls is owned by CNL Lifestyle Properties and operated by Amusement Management Partners, LLC.
History
Magic Springs (reopened as Magic Springs and Crystal Falls in 2000) opened July 22, 1978, but investors became burdened by millions of dollars of debt and sold the park in the 1980s to a group headed by businessman Melvyn Bell, who then had his own financial troubles. It closed in 1995. Fitraco, a Belgian company, bought the amusement park at a foreclosure auction in 1995. Ed Hart of Themeparks LLCThemeparks LLC
Themeparks LLC was formed by Ed Hart and is based in Louisvilled, Kentucky. Themeparks' first park was Kentucky Kingdom which it bought in 1990...
was approached by Fitraco, and decided to take on the project.
Magic Springs and Crystal falls reopened in 2000 after Hot Springs voters approved a bond issue providing financing for the park. Attendance totaled more than 362,500 in 2000 and beat expectations. In 2001, attendance fell about 25 percent to roughly 272,000, and then to about 254,000 in 2002. The park continued to expand its ride offerings instead of hunkering down. Attendance grew again to more than 291,000 in 2003, the year the Timberwood Amphitheater debuted. It topped 400,000 in 2004 when The Gauntlet was added and the concert series was expanded. In March owners of Magic Springs agreed to sell the attraction to CNL Income Properties
CNL Income Properties
CNL Lifestyle Properties is an unlisted Real Estate Investment Trust . The Trust is managed by CNL Financial Group. The company buys resort properties across the nation, but has no day-to-day management involvement in the properties it owns.-Properties:...
. They will lease back the park to the former owners, who will continue to manage it. On June 10, 2008 it was announced that PARC Management has taken over the park. They are doing surveys to see what changes and improvements are wanted by the guests in the park.
Thrill rides
- X-Coaster - (52") A steel sit-down coaster which flips upsidedown 150 ft in the air. Opened in April 2006. Built by Maurer SöhneMaurer SöhneMaurer Söhne is a steel construction company and roller coaster manufacturer. Founded in Munich, Germany in 1876, the company has built many styles of steel buildings, ranging from bridges, industrial buildings, and even art structures. While known for building various wild mouse coasters, Maurer...
. - Arkansas TwisterArkansas TwisterThe Arkansas Twister is a wooden roller coaster at Magic Springs and Crystal Falls Amusement Park at Hot Springs, Arkansas. The coaster stands 95 feet tall and has a track length of 3340 feet and top speed of over 50 mph, as it takes riders through the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains...
- (48") A classic wooden out and back coaster. Features a 92 ft. drop. Relocated from Boardwalk and BaseballBoardwalk and BaseballBoardwalk and Baseball was a theme park built near Haines City, Florida, United States, on the east corner of the intersection of US 27 and Interstate 4. It replaced Circus World at the same location, and was owned by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich...
in FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in 1992 where it operated as the Florida Hurricane. Designed by Don Rosser and William CobbWilliam CobbThis article is about the engineer. For other persons by this name, see William Cobb William L. "Bill" Cobb , was an American designer and engineer of roller coasters, as the founder and head of William Cobb & Associates...
, built by Michael BlackMichael BlackMichael Black may refer to:*Michael Black , former English footballer*Michael Black , former Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia*Mike Black , American football player...
. - The Gauntlet - (52") A VekomaVekomaVekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V. is a roller coaster and thrill ride designer with its facilities based in the Netherlands. The company was founded in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld under the name "Veld Koning Machinefabriek" and had first manufactured agricultural machinery and mining equipment...
Suspended Looping CoasterVekoma SLCThe Suspended Looping Coaster is a model of steel inverted roller coaster built by Vekoma. There are at least 39 different installations across the world. The minimum rider height requirement is or more.-History:...
. Built in 2004 by VekomaVekomaVekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V. is a roller coaster and thrill ride designer with its facilities based in the Netherlands. The company was founded in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld under the name "Veld Koning Machinefabriek" and had first manufactured agricultural machinery and mining equipment...
for Six Flags New Orleans. The sale never finalized and Magic Springs and Crystal Falls bought the coaster. Features a 110 ft. drop and is the first Vekoma SLC to feature a redesigned wheel assembly to give a more comfortable ride. - Dr. Dean's Rocket Machine - (52") A Double ShotDouble Shot (ride)Double Shot is a type of amusement ride manufactured by S&S Power.The ride is a drop tower type attraction that uses compressed air to rapidly propel riders up the tower then gently lower them with a series of air-cushioned bounces back to the loading platform.The ride is very similar to the Space...
tower ride that launches riders almost 100 ft. in the air and then drops them back down. Built by S&S PowerS&S PowerS&S Worldwide is a company known for its pneumatically powered amusement rides and roller coaster designing.-History:S&S Worldwide was founded by Stan Checketts as S&S Sports, Inc. S&S Sports manufactures bungee jumping and trampoline equipment. S&S Sports was sold in 1996...
exclusively for the park and debuted in 2001. - Wild Thang - (48") Riders can flip, twist, and spin through two motor driven rotations, with a third gravity driven rotation. A ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
Spinning ride. - The Hawk - (48") A boom that rotates both clockwise and counter-clockwise at speeds of up to 13rpm that spins you over 70 ft. in the air. A ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
spinning ride.
Family rides
- Twist and Shout - (48") A steel sit down coaster featuring crazy twists and turns. A ZamperlaZamperlaZamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
Wild Mouse Design. Relocated from Gillian's Wonderland Pier as Wild Wonder. Operating since 2000. - Diamond Mine Coaster - (between 36" and 42" with adult) A small but fun and exciting coaster. Built by Miller Coaster, Inc.
- Rum Runner Pirate Ship - (between 42" and 48" with adult) A pendulum ride in the style of a pirate ship that swings you back and forth higher with each swing.
- Old No. 2 Logging Company - (between 36" and 42" with adult) A log flume ride that takes you through the rapids before taking a huge drop into a splash pool.
- Carousel - (under 42" with adult) The classic ride with horses and carriages.
- Magic Swings - (48") A swing ride that lifts you high in the air and then rotates.
- Big Bad John - (42") An Arrow Dynamics Mine Train Coaster. Tallest drop of 41 ft. Originated in Six Flags St. LouisSix Flags St. LouisSix Flags St. Louis , is an amusement park owned by Six Flags, Inc. It is located in Eureka, Missouri, USA . Opened in 1971 as the third theme park of the Six Flags chain, this was the last park that was built under the Six Flags name...
as one half of the River King Mine Train duo. Removed from park in 1988 and sold to DollywoodDollywoodDollywood is a theme park owned by entertainer Dolly Parton and the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. It is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dollywood has 3,000 people on its payroll, making it the largest employer in that community....
. Relocated from DollywoodDollywoodDollywood is a theme park owned by entertainer Dolly Parton and the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. It is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dollywood has 3,000 people on its payroll, making it the largest employer in that community....
in 1998 where it operated as "Thunder Express". - Plummet Summit - (42" to ride alone 36" with adult) A splash down ride with a 50 ft. drop. Built exclusively for Magic Springs and Crystal Falls and debuted in 2005.
Kids' rides
- Fearless Flyers - (under 42" with adult 1 adult per car) Small airplanes where you control up and down movement while the ride spins.
- Looney Ballooney - (under 42" with adult 1 adult per car) Hot air balloons that rise up while the ride spins.
- Bugga Booga Wheel - (under 42" with adult 1 adult per car) A bug themed miniature ferris wheel.
- Kit 'n Kaboodle Express - (less than 42" with adult) A miniature train ride that is exciting for the kids.
- Lil' Leapin' Lizards - (minimum 42" maximum 48") A gentle yet fun freefall tower.
Timberwood Amphitheater
The Timberwood Amphitheater is a state-of-the-art concert venue which offers a variety of entertainment. Concerts are held every Saturday during the operating season. While there is free lawn seating, there are also 26 rows of bench reserved seats in front of the stage. Currently VIP Reserved seats (the first six rows) are $10.00 while the price for the rest of the reserved seats is $5.00.Annual events
- Education In Motion - School group days where fun at the park is linked to lessons in the classroom.
- Magic Screams - Halloween festival in October where Magic Springs is transformed into a scary and frightening Magic Screams.
Crystal Falls
Crystal Falls is the water park portion of Magic Springs and Crystal Falls and is included with park admission. Crystal Falls is open daily from May through mid-August and weekends to the end of September. Crystal Falls has many water attractions which include:- Bear Cub Bend - kid play zone
- Crystal Cove Wave Pool
- Crystal Lagoon - four tube slides, three body slides and an activity pool (Opened in 2007)
- Grizzly Creek Splash Zone - kid activity zone with a suspended bridge and three smaller water slides
- High Sierra Slide Tower - four tube slides, each different in darkness
- Kodiak Canyon Adventure River
- Rapid Falls Raceway - seven side-by-side racing slides (Opened in 2008)
- Boogie Blast - FlowRider wave simulator (Opened in 2010)
Awards
“Best of the Best”Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Readers Poll
Golden Guard Award
Excellence in lifeguarding, Ellis & Associates
Southern Travel Treasure
AAA
Gold Elite Award
Performance of water safety staff, Ellis & Associates
Platinum Elite Award
Performance of water safety staff, Ellis & Associates
The Natural State Award
Arkansas’ top tourist attraction, Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism
Best Area Attraction
Hot Springs Sentinel-Record, Readers Poll
Silver Elite Award
Excellence in lifeguarding, Ellis & Associates
Large Business Recognition
Excellence in landscaping, Hot Springs/Garland County Beautification Commission
Large Business of the Year
Excellence in community service, Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce
Outstanding Achievement for Access to Persons with Disabilities
S.A.I.L.S.
Silver Cup
Outstanding effort in tourism, Garland County Hospitality Association
Top Three Family Friendly Parks in the Nation
Better Homes and Gardens
Incidents
- On June 9, 2007, a power outage left 12 roller coaster riders stranded upside down 150 feet in the air for 30 minutes..
- On September 4, 2006, an 11-year-old boy was shot in the wrist by a falling .22 caliber bullet.
- On July 30, 2006, a 45-year-old woman from Memphis, TennesseeMemphis, TennesseeMemphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
fell from the Twist and Shout coaster. Inspectors said that she was too large for the ride, causing the restraints to not work properly..