I have some of the general website info, but, how far is this place from SDC ?
Thanks.
Quote from: How-doFolks on May 06, 2012, 06:10:18 PM
I have some of the general website info, but, how far is this place from SDC ?
Thanks.
About 250 miles south-southwest. It's in Hot Springs Arkansas which is about 50 miles southwest of Little Rock. I'm only about 35 miles from there but haven't been since 1981. It just doesn't compare to SDC! (Then, what does?)
thats what i figured, another 250 miles.. ugh.. just wanted to try something differant.
thanks anyways Duelist.
Go to the Magic Springs Website and check it out. The park changed ownership a few years ago, and basically they freshened everything up and added a bunch of new stuff to the park, including a water park. They also hold concerts from time to time. If you have never been to Hot Springs, it's worth a trip...go to the theme park, hit downtown which is a historic district with lots of shops, restaurants, and where Hot Springs National Park is headquartered, there is a wax museum, and more. Plus, Lake Hamilton is right there, and there is a shopping mall, and a big observation tower above downtown. A good day or two of fun in Hot Springs.
Quote from: Junior on May 07, 2012, 08:11:04 AM
Go to the Magic Springs Website and check it out. The park changed ownership a few years ago, and basically they freshened everything up and added a bunch of new stuff to the park, including a water park. They also hold concerts from time to time. If you have never been to Hot Springs, it's worth a trip...go to the theme park, hit downtown which is a historic district with lots of shops, restaurants, and where Hot Springs National Park is headquartered, there is a wax museum, and more. Plus, Lake Hamilton is right there, and there is a shopping mall, and a big observation tower above downtown. A good day or two of fun in Hot Springs.
My hope and desire is to see Hot Springs flourish. I wish that they would allow casino gaming as an incentive for renovation of the old hotels. I don't quite understand why Oaklawn and Southland only have the electronic gaming and not those hotels. It would really add a shot of juice to the downtown. Remember..... those hotels were built on gambling in the first place. Season passes to Magic Springs is cheap cheap cheap. It's too bad their season doesn't overlap Oaklawn's live racing more. Don't miss Garavan Gardens if you like the flowers and plants.
Their woodie was relocated from what was last known as Boardwalk and Baseball in Florida. I've rode it at both places. The mine train was once one of the twin mine coasters at Six Flags St. Louis. If Hershend doesn't come up with some use for OzCat, this would be a good place. I've read they had some their largest attendance days ever last year with the solid lineup they put in the amphitheatre. They usually have a diverse lineup that'll range from soul to Christian rock every year.
Hot Springs itself is worth the trip, even if you don't go to Magic Springs. After SDC, it's my favorite and most sentimental place in the world.
Just today in the paper the old Magestic Hotel is in dire need of work. Man, considering that Hot Springs was built on Speak Easys, it would be something that if these old hotels were allowed to operate the small scale gaming that built them in the first place as an incentitive for their restoration and being a going concern moving forward.
Here's a postcard showing the two buildings making up the Majestic
(http://billyspostcards.com/media/ccp0/prodlg/51409/image200905140317.jpg)
I read that article, too. Sad to see this place go to pot. Would love to see someone fix the place up and reopen it. Much history here.
My wife and I stayed at the Majestic for our first anniversary, February 2003. We had one of the penthouse rooms in the new building, with a balcony view straight down Central. It snowed, and was beautiful.
I think it closed the next year. :-\
Hot Springs is well worth the trip. Magic Springs, not so much. We went there two years ago and were less than impressed. It was ok, I guess but just seemed too "new" if you get my drift. Wasn't very busy, which would normally be a good thing for guests, but just didn't seem to have a theme park vibe without some people around, almost boring. Crystal Falls, on the other hand was awesome! That's the water park attached to it and had a great wave pool, slides and plenty of stuff for smaller kids. We only spent about an hour at Magic Springs then the rest of the day at Crystal Falls. Granted it was July and hot, but I don't think that's why we didn't really enjoy the amusement park side. There are so many things to do in Hot Springs I would highly recommend a trip there!
Crystal Falls PTR
http://www.midwestinfoguide.com/migcrew/2010/CFALLS/
Magic Springs PTR
http://www.midwestinfoguide.com/migcrew/2010/MSPRINGS/
Hope those help give you an idea of what to expect
But, you can buy beer at Magic Springs! ;D
(Just thought I'd bring up that old debate again!)
Quote from: KBCraig on May 16, 2012, 08:56:28 AM
But, you can buy beer at Magic Springs! ;D
(Just thought I'd bring up that old debate again!)
Yes, but they also check your bags to make sure you're not bringing food in.
Quote from: thelarsonsix on May 15, 2012, 08:46:28 PM
Hot Springs is well worth the trip. Magic Springs, not so much. We went there two years ago and were less than impressed. It was ok, I guess but just seemed too "new" if you get my drift. Wasn't very busy, which would normally be a good thing for guests, but just didn't seem to have a theme park vibe without some people around, almost boring. Crystal Falls, on the other hand was awesome! That's the water park attached to it and had a great wave pool, slides and plenty of stuff for smaller kids. We only spent about an hour at Magic Springs then the rest of the day at Crystal Falls. Granted it was July and hot, but I don't think that's why we didn't really enjoy the amusement park side. There are so many things to do in Hot Springs I would highly recommend a trip there!
The place is quite busy on days of concerts, I grew up in Memphis and on a weekday I could ride the Revolution 20 times in a row without getting off at Libertyland. I can appreciate an empty park. Magic springs has some rides that I once rode at their original park but now they are in state. They went all out on that crazy coaster but hit a single. That Money could have got themselves a more appealing to a wider audience coaster.