Photo TR: Magic Springs

[Marko]

This was part of a 2,000 mile road trip over an extended Labor Day weekend. Friday through Sunday we were in Branson and decided to make a day trip on Saturday down to Magic Springs, Arkansas. It's actually a very pretty drive in parts, we got up early and were at the park in time for opening and the rope drop.

 

Immediately we headed straight for X-Coaster, brand new for 2006 and the only Maurer Sohne X-Car-Coaster in the U.S. We got there in time to see them do a test run but then the car got stuck on the lift "hill" (tower would be a better term). We hung around for a little bit but when the mechanics started climbing around on the tower we left knowing it would be a while.

 

We rode their SLC, Gauntlet, which wasn't all that bad/rough, and then the rest of their coasters none of which are very remarkable or memorable. X-Coaster dominates the park and it was easy to keep an eye on things to see if the car had been unstuck. It was pushing noon when there were signs of life and we immediately headed over and got in line.

 

For a Saturday on a holiday weekend the park was amazingly quiet. Apparently the real draw for the locals is their water park which was very crowded by mid-afternoon. But we were there for this crazy, one-of-a-kind coaster with the tallest inversion in the U.S. - with only a lap-bar to boot. It was more than the worth the drive and wait.

 

After a few test laps the gates were opened and I managed to get a front row ride. The lap restraints are like nothing I've experienced, very wide and you are clamped in very tight. The ascent straight up the tower is incredibly cool but nothing prepares you for the flip upside down once you reach the top. Suddenly the Ozark Mountains are where the sky should be and the sky is on the ground, and then the whole scene twists in front of you as the car is let loose and you go tearing down the track. Easily the best three seconds on any coaster imho, even better than cresting the top of Dragster or Kingda Ka. From there you are hauling ass, heading straight down through the station, back up the tower where the catch mechanism grabs the car and then lets go to gracefully glide back down into the station. It doesn't sound like much but honestly it's one of my favorite coasters I've been on. That moment at the top where you are flipped upside down with nothing over your shoulders is absolutely amazing. The only downside is the restraint can really clamp down during the positive G's after the straight down dive back into the station.

 

Magic Springs has a real winner here! And I actually really enjoyed the park, spent the whole day there in fact getting in ride after ride on X. I haven't seen many TR's or pictures on Magic Springs or their new coaster , here are a few that give the general idea. Would love to hear what other people think of it that have been on it.

 

Mark

and down

Over

Up

From earlier in the day, stuck.