Arkansas Twister facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arkansas Twister |
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| Previously known as Florida Hurricane (1987-1990) Michael Jackson's Thrill Coaster (?-1987) The Roaring Tiger (1978-?) |
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| Magic Springs and Crystal Falls | |
| Location | Magic Springs and Crystal Falls |
| Coordinates | 34°31′17″N 93°00′52″W / 34.521308°N 93.014321°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | 1978 |
| Cost | $2.3 million |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Wood – Out and back |
| Manufacturer | Michael Black and Associates |
| Designer | Don Rosser / Bill Cobb |
| Track layout | Out and back |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 95 ft (29 m) |
| Drop | 92 ft (28 m) |
| Length | 3,340 ft (1,020 m) |
| Speed | 50 mph (80 km/h) |
| Duration | 1:55 |
| Max vertical angle | 45° |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Arkansas Twister at RCDB | |
The Arkansas Twister is a thrilling wooden roller coaster located at Magic Springs and Crystal Falls amusement park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. This exciting ride first opened in 1978. Back then, it was called "The Roaring Tiger."
Magic Springs bought the roller coaster in 1991. It reopened as the Arkansas Twister on May 30, 1992. The ride sends you on a 92-foot drop (28 m). You can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h)! It travels through the beautiful foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Over the years, this coaster was also known as "Florida Hurricane" and "Michael Jackson's Thrill Coaster." Magic Springs bought the ride for $10,000. Moving it cost about $900,000 in total.
Contents
History of the Arkansas Twister
How the Coaster Began
This roller coaster first opened in 1978. It was named "The Roaring Tiger." Its home was Circus World in Haines City, Florida. Don Rosser & Associates and famous coaster engineer Bill Cobb designed it.
Building the ride cost $2.3 million. They used over half a million feet of Douglas fir wood. The track was 3,340 feet (1,020 m) long. It could reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). The park called it "the South's longest and fastest roller coaster."
A Celebrity's Favorite Ride
A famous person, Michael Jackson, loved this roller coaster. He visited the park often in the 1980s just to ride it. For a short time, the coaster was even called "Michael Jackson's Thrill Coaster."
Moving to Arkansas
Circus World changed owners many times. The roller coaster was renamed "Florida Hurricane" in 1987. This was when the park became Boardwalk and Baseball. But Boardwalk and Baseball closed in 1990. Its rides were either taken apart or sold.
Magic Springs and Crystal Falls bought the Florida Hurricane in 1991. They paid $10,000 for it. Moving the ride cost nearly $900,000.
On May 30, 1992, the roller coaster opened again. It was now called "Arkansas Twister." Its new home was Magic Springs amusement park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. In 2002, the park spent $2 million. They made the roller coaster like new again. They also changed the "dips" to match Bill Cobb's original design.
Experience the Ride
Starting Your Adventure
The ride begins when your train leaves the station. You immediately start climbing the 95-foot (29 m) lift hill. This chain lift slowly pulls you to the top.
The Big Drop and Beyond
Once you reach the peak, get ready! The train drops 92 feet (28 m) at a 45-degree angle. It banks slightly left as it goes up a short hill. This gives you a strong sideways push, known as g-force.
The track then straightens out. You go down a second hill. This one gives you an "air-time" feeling. It's like floating for a moment!
Twists and Turns
After the third hill, you climb steeply. This leads into a 180-degree turnaround. Brakes slow the train down here. On the way back, the train drops from the turnaround. You go through two shorter hills. The second one banks to the right at its top.
The next hill is bigger. It sits right next to the lift hill. Wooden supports surround you as you zoom through. The ride ends with two very short hills. Then, another 180-degree turnaround brings you to the final brake run. You then return safely to the station.
