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 This was our longest road trip yet and we know now have a definite range on our road tripping capabilities. The first leg of our trip placed us 4 hours from home, in Eureka Springs, AR for a wedding. We liked Eureka Springs but we like larger cities a lot more. We were able to conquer the entire area in about 8 hours. After the wedding we drove another 4.5 hours further away from home to Hot Springs. If it wasn’t for the mountains we probably would have been there in 3 hours. We’re not big fans for Hot Springs even though we found a couple of great restaurants. The drive home was 7.5 hours and it wasn’t fun. We were however able to use some of the time to learn Japanese.
Magic Springs
Now that I’m done complaining about the drive I’ll tell you about the actual park. The park is located on the outskirts of town and is at the base of a small mountain or large hill, whatever. The trees were in the middle of the annual change so the surroundings were quite amazing. The drive up the parking toll plaza was decorated with Halloween theming and signs warning of impending doom. What those signs failed to indicated that impending doom was coming in the form of exorbitant prices. Parking was $8 (not horrible) but the entrance fee was $40. This doesn’t make Magic Springs the most expensive park in the region but it’s right up there with Silver Dollar City and Six Flags St. Louis and a tad more expensive than Worlds of Fun. We got lucky and landed a spot in the ticket line behind two people that had a couple of extra $10 coupons. This killed the sting that we associated with the $40 price tag.
Once we got inside we were immediately impressed with the cleanliness and the vividness of the park. There wasn’t a ton of theming but the limited amount that they had was well done. Landscaping and even dinning areas seemed to stand out.
The park staff was great as well. Questions were easily answered and even as we were leaving they tried to talk us into staying. Once I explained the 7.5 hour drive ahead of us they understood.
We didn’t eat at the park, you’re on your own if you decide to grab lunch there. The layout of the park was nice but their wood coaster was difficult to find and required assistance from the hat store. I’m sure that if we would have parked near the coaster we would have figured it out because we’re hella smart.
Since it was chilly Sunday (about 55 degrees) we were able to hit every ride we wanted desired in about 2 hours.
Now for the ride reviews
Arkansas Twister: 5 out of 10
This was our last ride of the day but the best in my opinion. It’s smooth for a wood coaster and has a decent first drop. There’s air time but it doesn’t have the kind of pop that really pushes our buttons. There were a few spots where the train seemed to creep up onto the crest of a hill. We didn’t have to wait and could have picked any row.
X-Coaster: 5 out of 10
This was our first ride of the day and since we were some of the first people to reach the back of the park we didn’t have to wait. We rode in the front row. As one would expect it was a strange ride. The vertical lift was different but once you turnover it gets crazy. It took my brain a fraction of a second to figure out what was happening and it almost ordered my stomach to launch the pancake breakfast. The vertical drop back into the station seems to set everything straight and by then it was just a matter of settling back into the starting position. I wish that this ride was a little longer. The restraint system was comfortable and I hope that they oversized lap bar is used on more looping coasters.
Gauntlet: 5 out of 10
Another lineless ride so we took a shot at the back row. It’s a Vekoma SLC but it includes a newer wheel design and was a bit more comfortable. We also noticed a few more foot choppers than were used to, so it had that going for it.
Big Bad John: 3 out of 10
Not the most exciting coaster out there but a trip through the fall foliage can’t be that bad. Since there still weren’t any lines we decided to ride in the front. It’s fun, it’s comfortable, and it even has a tunnel at the end. I would imagine that this is considered a family coaster.
Twist ‘n’ Shout: 3 out of 10
No line, which was good because my tallness had a huge issue maneuvering into the seat. Those cars are freakin’ tiny. The ride itself was like most other mouse coasters.
Diamond Mine Run: 2 out of 10
That’s right boys and girls Magic Springs allows big people in kiddie rides without having a sticky kid by their side. Despite the fact that kiddie coasters are small and lack thrills they are fun and I’m not just saying that because they’re usually forbidden.
Here’s a quick look at flat rides
Magic Swings: 6 out of 10
I love the lawn chair swing rides and never pass up an opportunity to ride one.
Wild Thang: 5 out of 10
This was my first attempt at a Zamperla Power Surge. It maybe the wife a little dizzy and it made me laugh (not the part about her being dizzy). I would try and explain it but it would probably just be easier for me to learn how to write in hieroglyphics. It spins, it flips and it makes my wife sick.
Fearless Flyers: 1 out of 10
The ride didn’t require fearlessness since it was a kiddie ride that we were able to squeeze into. You know the plane rides where you can control the altitude of the plane (altitude is pilot speak). Unfortunately our planes had a jammed flight controls so we couldn’t climb. This might have been due to the fact that we weigh more than a sticky child. |
