Arkansas Twister

Roller coaster in the United States
Watch the on-ride POV
Arkansas Twister
Magic Springs & Crystal Falls
Location Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
Status Operating since May 30, 1992
Rider height 48 inch minimum
Boardwalk and Baseball
Name Florida Hurricane
Location Haines City, Florida, USA
Coordinates 28°13′51″N 81°38′36″W / 28.230711°N 81.643275°W / 28.230711; -81.643275
Operated June 18, 1978 to January 17, 1990
Statistics
Manufacturer Marvin M. Black Co.
Designer / calculations Don Rosser
Type Wooden
Track layout Out and Back
Propulsion Chain lift hill
Height 95 feet
Drop 92 feet
Top speed 50 mph
Length 3340 feet
Inversions 0
Rolling stock
Manufacturer Gerstlauer (2000-present)
Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (1978-1995)
Riders per train 24
HELP

Arkansas Twister is a wooden roller coaster located at Magic Springs & Crystal Falls in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA. It was designed by Don Rosser and built by Marvin M. Black Co.. It stands 95 feet tall and has 3,340 feet of track in a loose out and back layout.

History

Arkansas Twister debuted at Circus World in Haines City, Florida. The roller coaster was designed by Don Rosser and constructed at a cost of $2.5 million. Opened on June 18, 1978, it was initially named the Florida Hurricane.[1] It was renamed Roaring Tiger in 1980,[2] was briefly renamed to Michael Jackson's Thrill Coaster, and again renamed to the Florida Hurricane, which opened on February 14, 1987. The ride closed along with the park in 1990, and was bought by Magic Springs for $10,000.

The ride was rebuilt at its current location by Martin & Vleminckx, the total cost of relocation was nearly $900,000. The ride debuted at the park on May 30, 1992,[3] and shut again with the park in 1995. In 2000, the ride opened once again with new trains. The park had not been operating the coaster since early 2020, and had removed the coaster from the parks webpage. It had been added back to the park's website on January 2021.[4]

Design

Trains

6 cars per train. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train. The present-day trains were built by Gerstlauer.[5]

References

  1. "New 'Hurricane' Roller Coaster Shoots Into Circus World". The Tampa Tribune.
  2. "Facelift". The Orlando Sentinel. 1980-12-19. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  3. Arkansas Twister - Martin & Vleminckx
  4. Magic Springs web archive
  5. 4-Seater Wooden Coaster Cars - Gerstlauer

External Links


Articles on Magic Springs