Lost Attractions of Pigeon Forge - Magic World and Smoky Mountain Water Circus

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[@TheCarpetbagger]

This video was filmed before the current unpleasantness

[@marybailey-gates3116]

Whatever that means?

[@crystalwallace2175]

Jacob, congratulations on 270K subscribers! You've always made top quality content and you're so deserving. I've been here since 3K and I've always enjoyed your videos. Stay Safe💟

[@crimsonalchemist334]

@@marybailey-gates3116 it's before everyone had to stay home to prevent getting sick or spreading illness

[@googooforyou]

was this taken last year?

[@bcornett501]

The Carpetbagger I thought it was cause I was about to say piegon forge is awful busy for this stuff to be going on lol

[@Bsquare042]

So nice to see you do something about Magic World. Honestly, I was beginning to think I had hallucinated it as a child. Its difficult to capture the sheer day-glo, hillbilly, Disneyland meets Meow Wolf in Hooterville insanity of the place. Imagine the Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride, or the Tennessee Earthquake ride fleshed out into an entire park. From the King Kong photo op, to the Haunted Castle Yeti, to the topless cave ladies, Magic World was a true Southern fried wonder. Thanks for helping to bring my childhood to life, Jacob.

[@natashiajones6523]

I thought the same thing been searching the internet for proof of this fever dream of a park for a decade.

[@paulyoung2302]

My favorite attraction was the Earth Auger. After winding around the outside of the mountain, you entered a cave which wound down inside the mountain, where you encountered the Earth Auger. Which you would board to drill down to the center of the earth. It was an illusion ride that worked believably. They also had a haunted mansion that you rode through in a tram being driven. There was no track. The intent was to imitate every scene of Disney's Haunted Mansions on a budget. Sometimes I would think Disney could have saved a few bucks with some or their clever imitations. It was a long ride. You could fly around the Smokey Mountains in the flying saucer, although occasionally you could see the shadow of the helicopter filming the ride film. It didn't matter as you never really believe the saucer was flying! I enjoyed myself there. It was a very imaginative little park!

[@irish80-93]

Magic world was the bomb field trip every year from kindergarten until 5th grade ..Magic World ..Silver Dollar City(Dollywood) Water Circus ..Water Boggan.. Porpoise Island all rocked...thanks for posting you rock🤟🤟

[@stevesworldofwanders]

"Sub par" is a good thing in mini golf!

[@reissecupfilms]

lmao

[@frankbranham7404]

A lot of the stuff in Magic World was on a hill, which looks totally gone. The best attraction was a scene-by-scene "homage" to the Haunted Mansion which was still around in the last iteration of Magic World in the 90's. The entire thing was the single weirdest theme park I've ever been to. All theming and dark rides and general oddness.

[@jcg336]

Frank Branham I agree about the weird theme park. I went as a child and do you know what my lingering memory is? Crawling through tunnels that were on outdoor carpet that smelled of mildew! I’m pretty sure that was not the memory they were going for! 😄

[@reginanicely3418]

I loved Magic World.....

[@OldMovieRob]

I hope you know how greatly appreciated your lighthearted travel videos at during these uncertain times, Jacob.

[@kimberlywarren6102]

My CHILDHOOD! It was our Disney Land. So many memories.

[@HamiltonMechanical]

Magic world was great, in a very ghetto way lol. I went around spring of 1993. I remember we got rear ended by another kid at the go karts, and there was this huge rope ladder climbing tower thing, and I remember with all of us kids on it, it swayed like none other. Sketchy AF. But the magic carpet ride was awesome lol. Thanks for making a video!

[@steventiller5403]

It was neat. The spaceship made you feel like you was flying.

[@kimberlywarren6102]

I LOVED THAT!!

[@SkipSpotter]

That stadium should be opened up as an outside movie theater.It could bring in some revenue instead of being left to fester.

[@darrelljacobs6693]

Magic world was the best. Don't forget the haunted house where you rode in coffins. The flying carpet ride was incredible as well.

[@meljohns7146]

I loved this attraction as a kid..my fave was obviously the flying saucer, but a close second was the magic carpet ride. So groovy. Hard to believe, this attraction opened the year I was born, and closed the year my son was born🙃

[@Katrasiena]

Now this a blast to the past! I remember going to this as a child! Crazy how much the place has changed!

[@sonyafox3271]

Yes, I went there several summers when, I was young but, as I got older because, it got more expensive so, there’s somethings, I don’t remember. It was supposedly from what, I seem to remember and, it was set- up like a mini version of Disney Land. I still would of loved it if my parents would of taken us there once at least when, I got a little older.

[@christianhernandez7333]

The carpetbagger is honestly such an underrated KZbind. He deserves so many more subs and views. Honestly one of the only youtubers that is very humble and enjoyable. We gotta protect him at all costs!💪🏼😤🙏🏼

[@Pepsolman]

I went to Magic World at least once as a kid. It was strange.

[@natashiajones6523]

Omg I have vague memories of Magic World. I've been searching the internet for 10 years trying to put a place to those memories. This is so cool! Thank you!

[@Cornerback80]

Growing up i always went to Magic World and played Haunted Golf which was like right across the street, Haunted Golf became a go kart track

[@MrMikepresley]

I really enjoyed the old footage with the current conditions of the subjects, nicely done!

[@CruisingTipsDotCom]

What a fantastic trip down memory lane. I went to Magic World a couple times as a kid... everything (the cobra, the waterfall/volcano) seemed SO much bigger then! As for the Water Circus... that seems like it would be real easy to convert into an outdoors Medieval Times sort of attraction, with the jousting taking place on the field. Finally... your golf skills... there's nothing more thanI like seeing someone golf the way I do. Recently, while on the Carnival Sunrise, we tried playing minigolf on the top deck on a very windy day... we, too, wound up doing a whole lotta 'kick the ball into the cup and let's go get a drink" moves.

[@billpinner4710]

I’m glad you went and showed the old water show that used to be there. I’ve grown up here in East Tennessee but was born in the 80’s and was young when it was there. I’ve always heard stories about it from my mom but never saw footage til today. Would be neat to still have it around.

[@michaelwhitt355]

Oh my gosh, Magic World is some of my earliest childhood memories, I have been trying to figure out where it was and thought for a long time what I was thinking of is Frontier Land in Cherokee. After seeing this video I know realise it was in Pigeon Forge all along, thank you Jacob! I have found memories of the Confederate band, the dinosaurs, dragon coaster, and the big animal things you could go inside of. So very cool.

[@anotherguy2741]

It looks like a stage could be built at the water circus location in order to have shows, unless that area has a tendency to flood.

[@lanettegreene5453]

It actually does flood there. The nearby Little Pigeon River sometimes decides to take a little stroll. 😁

[@spacemandudley6237]

Went to Magic World once with my brother. It gave us something to do while the adults went to red roof shopping. Space ship is about all that I recall. Don't forget their used to be Porpoise Island also. Take care CB.

[@choppertcp1045]

Man that where I was born and raised! We went every year and it was awesome was always scared to go to the top of the spider web net! But the magic carpet ride was awesome and the antique cars that you could drive around a track. Plus the train was designed to look kinda like a dragon. I remember when I was like 6-7 my cousin worked the bumper boats put me on one and I got stuck in middle of pool goin in circles he had to come get me. 😂 and close to the antique cars had a lot of dinosaurs that was on a walkway plus they had a high dive show too! And when I was a kid I remember the water circus Tommy Bartletts smoky man water circus but never got to go. Then when I grew up I helped put the drainage tiles in to keep the field dry to plant grass

[@jcg336]

Chopper TCP Wasn’t there also some sort of ball pit near the climbing nets? I have really vague and strange memories of the place?

[@subarudork]

I know loads of information about Magic World and the Sidwell family behind it still owns a lot of the old props! They also owned Jolly Golf, Adventure Raceway, and others.

[@williamhorn20]

I spent many summer days at Magic World! I miss it, it was a nice park

[@hanonondricek411]

I actually got to visit Magic World back in the day on a family vacation. The only two rides worthwhile were the Magic Carpet (ride in a train over mannequins and sets) and the Haunted Castle (ride in a train through cluttered blacklight sets like very good Halloween yard displays) but I _loved_ it. Both of those rides were long (the castle was like 10 minutes) and there were no lines. There was a lot to explore - I remember climbing through caves in the volcano and the Dinosaur Train which looked like 20,000 Leagues subs on wheels that drove through lots of chicken wire and spray concrete painted red. The main show was a magic act with two humans and a costumed Wizard.

[@tracyp831]

My parents dropped my siblings and I off at Magic World when I was about six in 1993. I was so scared of The Haunted Mansion I cried hysterically and one of the workers there pretended to pull a quarter out of my ear to make me feel better 🤣

[@all-americandad9780]

I watched the beginning of the video, and I seem to remember as a kid that the dragon kiddie coaster was on the top of a cliff overlooking Hwy 441.

[@michealridenoour5320]

Hey great video! I worked at Magic World and Tommy Bartlett ski sky and Stage Show in Pigeon Forge Tennessee in my youth. I have to say Magic World was great when I work there and the UFO ride with the movie flying over the Smokies was my favorite attraction. The Sidwells the people who owned it we're great kind generous people!

[@kimberlywarren6102]

That was my most memorable ride as a tike

[@douglassriverview8003]

For Magic World, Pigeon Forge, type "High Divers WATE-TV Knoxville PM Magazine" into the KZbin search bar and there's a story I did on the Great American High Diving Team at Magic World's diving tank back in 1981. Forgive the picture quality... back then, you had to save stuff on VHS.

[@mcwatersd]

Great drone shots. That really turned into an amazing mini golf course. Keep Safe❤Keep Well❤

[@davidmarshall8166]

I was fortunate enough to visit both of these attractions growing up. Magic World was always the touchstone when visiting the Smokies. You hopped off the interstate and started seeing signs for all the attractions. They grew in number and you started seeing familiar sights when you got to Sevierville, but it was Magic World that let a kid know they had truly arrived in the Smokies. That UFO and the big brontosaurus in the lagoon were truly magic to a kid. Here's a little forgotten fact about the volcano. For a short while, they kept an aquarium inside. The first time I ever saw a shark was at Magic World. It wasn't big but cool enough to put wonder in a little kid's eyes. You'd also see people visiting the gift shop at the bottom of the hill on the right side of the parking lot wait to see the flying saucer go up. The park would announce every so often that the saucer was boarding and would lift off in 15 minutes. People would sit on their car hoods and wait for it to lift off. Of course, these were people who hadn't yet visited so they didn't know. The haunted house was my favorite in Magic World. The magic show was quite good as well. I loved the place but looking back it was a park that desperately needed a theme, a theme park without one. But it was fun for a kid. Tommy Bartlett Water Show was excellent as well. I saw it only the one time, back in 1981 I think. A few years back my wife and I were staying in some condos and I saw the grandstand from there. I couldn't believe it. Brought back some great memories, as did seeing the footage from the park.

[@odinvonzero]

My memories of Magic World are hazy, but I went once in its early days. Keep in mind, its main competitor was Goldrush Junction, which became Silver Dollar City by 1977.

[@rhondahalton8352]

My parents took me there when it was Magic World back when I was a kid. It was so much FUN!!! I wish so bad it hadn't closed. I would have loved to take my children and grandchildren. I miss it so much.

[@penxor53]

That stadium would be a great place to put an outdoor theater

[@robloudermilk4124]

I absolutely loved Magic world. My favorite was the Haunted Castle and The Magic Carpet ride. We went to the Water Circus several times also. Lawd, I'm so old.

[@rblowers001]

I remember going to magic world when I was a little girl. Mainly remember the dinosaur statues, the magic carpet ride, and a giant King Kong head with a giant hand that you could stand in to get your picture taken like King Kong grabbed you.

[@glwingnutt]

went there as a kids and I still have a letter from Merlin and his assistant. I was a kid and really liked her. the whole place was great

[@d.christophertatum2936]

I went to Magic World a couple of times as a kid. You could knock everything out in about an hour. Back then, dinosaur stuff was scarce so I thought the Dragon Train was amazing.

[@tmudd24]

this channel is the next best thing to actually going places.

[@belagracie]

I believe that before it was Tommy Bartlett’s, there was an attraction called Dolphin Island there in the early to mid 80’s. It was either there or nearby. Always struck me as odd, as their advertising featured a Hawaiian motif, plus dolphins? In the land-locked mountains? I also enjoyed several trips to Magic World as a child and teenage. You realize it was constructed in the family’s back yard? The house (which they still lived in at the time) was in the middle of the park. To enter the park, you bought your tickets, then had to go through a maze and tunnels underneath and through the big artificial mountain. By the time you got through, it was like you were in a different world! In addition to the magic carpet ride, they had an extremely well-done haunted house, that truly rivaled Disney’s (and I both then and now am a Disney connoisseur). I took my hubs there when we honeymooned in Gatlinburg in 1985. He had never been much of anywhere in the US (he was a Brit), and even he was enchanted.

[@belagracie]

Oh, and the same family who owned/created Magic World also owned the old Jolly Golf (or Goofy Golf) chain. There were locations in Myrtle Beach SC, Gatlinburg (located where Ripley’s Davy Crockett Golf is now), Marietta GA (my favorite - it survived into the 2000’s), and Chattanooga TN (I think it is still there as Sir Goony Golf). I have played them all, as well as all the minigolf establishments in Pigeon Forge as of 1994 as part of the PMGA (Professional Mini Golf Association).

[@nightlyfe2429]

Hey I have lived here all my life and went to magic world many times as a kid and have fond memories of it. Also have memories of fun mountain as well. If u have any questions carpetbagger, please send me a pm and I'll be more than happy to help :)

[@kenpalmer985]

Magic world was there as a kid..... Never knew bout the lake.. Cool

[@shannonsloan5680]

Love the lost attractions aspect! Hope you do more!

[@LanceDean]

I remember going to Magic World as a kid. There used to be a really good Pizza Inn next door. Professor Hacker's had just opened in 2001 when my wife and I went to the mountains for our honeymoon.

[@57Banjoman]

No worries about the golf game, my friend! Another great video!

[@lisabergman5456]

Haha, I actually used to work at Magic World as a teenager. It was my first job. Unfortunately, it was a sad shell of itself by the time it closed.

[@michealridenoour5320]

I worked at Magic World also it was a fun place

[@PaulGT]

My family and I visited Magic World in 1976 for a friend's birthday party. We picnicked near Porpoise Island. I remember the film in the UFO was a helcopter tour of the Smokey Mountains. We sawthe Helicopter's shadow asit flew over Clingman's Dome tower. The train ride was Jurassic Park with dino animatronics. The Haunted Castle ride was too similar to Disney's Haunted mansion. The Volcano was higher and you had to walk through it to go into the park.

[@dzlme]

My husband and I played mini golf here on our honeymoon almost 16 years ago.

[@tonylashmit2613]

Seems like as a child I remember a ride at MAGIC WORLD that was inside a cave or something. You would get in a sit down and it appeared like you were going up or down and kinda rocking back and forth BUT you weren't really moving but it felt like it the walls moved to make you feel like you were moving ? Anyone else remember this or am I thinking about another attrac in Pigeon Forge?

[@calessel3139]

Your probably thinking of the Earth Auger ride.

[@AJ17_]

I remember visiting Magic World in the 80s. The day I went, the park was practically deserted outside a few others and it was creepy. The flying carpet dark ride was pure nightmare fuel. The animatronics were really basic. They like just slowly opened and closed their mouths with zero dialogue/audio. The only thing I heard the whole time was this spooky “rushing wind” sound. That park was one of the most surreal experiences of my life.

[@jcg336]

AJ17 I think “creepy” and “surreal” are good words to entitle my childhood experience also! I had been to Disney World a couple of times already and this place seemed so odd in comparison!

[@calessel3139]

LOL - I could see that. The Flying Carpet ride was quite bizzare. I can only imagine how creepy it would be if the park was nearly abandoned!

[@ChrisBealsProductions]

The church located behind the seating owns that property. I was hoping they'd do concerts or movies out there but....crickets. Regarding MAGIC WORLD...I went there and went into the UFO. It was a movie with animatronic pilots(actually they may've just been dummies) and you'd stare at some movie screens that were supposed to be windows and you'd fly over Pigeon Forge. Was fun then but now?...it could be done MUCH better. The Earth Auger ride made us feel sick. You entered into the auger and the surroundings(tunnel) would spin making you think YOU were spinning/digging into the Earth's depths. It was awful.

[@joemerriman1634]

Great video! I grew up down the road from pigeon forge and we used to go to magic world a lot! It got real cheesy and they stopped trying to make it cool near the end. I used to mow the property where the lake was and it would be a great outdoor concert spot but nobody does anything there anymore.

[@MrTimyj]

I went to Magic World many times as a child. We called it poor kids Disney World.

[@n8dawg300]

Wow I don’t remover that but went there many times with my grandparents over the course of the late 80s and all through the 90s. I do remember playing mini golf there many times in the 2000s

[@dartist079]

Hello There from Chicagoland area. Hoping that all is well with you and your family.

[@diamondback662]

When I first saw the stands I thought it might have been remnants from Porpoise Island which was a Hawaiian performance park with Porpoises, Parrots, Hula dancers, etc that was pretty awesome in the 70's and early 80's in Pigeon Forge. I went there as a kid as well as Magic World quite a number of times.

[@jenlan1735]

Magic World was great! I went every summer as a kid. I remember a few summers they had a high dive show that was amazing. Actually moved to Pigeon Forge in 94. When Magic World closed everything was torn down. I believe the ship and volcano are not the original. If memory serves those were built to pay homage to Magic World. And unless it has changed a church now owns the property where the water ski show sat.

[@ChrisBealsProductions]

I saw Tommy Bartlett's Water Circus there during the 70's. They also later added The Dancing Waters Show which were fountains synced to music there along the shoreline. So it was around earlier than the 80's.

[@TommyTravels]

Cool! I just did an adventur last summer at Tommy Bartlett's Water Ski show in Wisconsin Dell's for my birthday! It was really fun!

[@lorih2924]

Been missing seeing videos of special attractions and rides. The miniature golf is really interesting and a good way to get a little walking in. Thank you for posting this video today.

[@dianebenzler9133]

I feel your pain, I suck at mini golf!

[@buddybopper561]

Thank you for sharing jacob , hey what's that a dong beetle on your arm ? Joking !!! Have a good one .

[@shanepleasants6280]

I miss magic world

[@juanap2230]

"The shame" "The shame" lol😂 you did well👍

[@BrittneyTyler1994]

Would love to see more of these from the smokies

[@mysteriousyoungman]

I remember riding the horrible Pirates of the Caribbean and Disney's Haunted Mansion knockoff attractions at Magic World. They were so bad.

[@qdood]

Baggerism of the day: "Please, no comments about my subpar minigolf abilities. I can't stand the shame" "Baggerism" copyright 2020 all rights reserved

[@kookiemonster9222]

👍🏼

[@bread-guy001]

qdood nice!!

[@adventureswiththemcguires9678]

Human bones place is where you used to have to walk through to get into the theme Parkwhen you walk through it you'd see things like in those little viewing areas

[@amandaggogo]

Ah! I have my photo with that king king and still have a wax hand candle from that wax museum. Went there many years ago.

[@JamesScott-lc8md]

Glad you're still home and staying safe, Happy Easter to you and yours'

[@waylontoler802]

magic world was built on top of a safari park that was one of the first attractions in pigeon forge before the town was even incorperated .it has elephants and tigers and stuff

[@torinageorge]

I remember Magic World. My family and I went there in the late 80's. We still talk about that place. I wish it was still open so I could take my kids. It didn't cost alot either.

[@sonyafox3271]

It was there forever, it’s probably because, something happened to the owners, it to was a tourist attraction place that had been opened since the 60s, so, you figure, that’s quite a long time. I went there several times when, I was little and, that was in the 70s.

[@follkiej]

Love that drone music!!!

[@GPFlljk]

Oh my god, I remember that place! The UFO had a surround movie show that was so out of date, it was jarring. I still dream about that train ride with the dinosaurs.

[@DarkSt0rm009]

Funniest thing is... I still have 2 tickets for Professor hacker's that I had won from getting a hole-in-one on the last hole about I wanna say maybe 10 years ago now... When this whole situation blows over, I gotta see if those tickets are still good

[@tiggystreats]

Come to Salter path North Carolina! We have a lost treasures golf course also!!

[@reginanicely3418]

Tommy Bartlett's started earlier than the late 80's - more like late 70's mid to late 80's

[@CajunJewels]

Yes! I went there as a child. The big attraction were skiing squirrels! Last I saw there were church service s going on at the site.

[@doctorwhofan6340]

2:18 I've been to that golf course and even stayed at the super 8 hotel next door. Great video btw. God bless you and I hope you keep safe during this ruf time.

[@TheStashBox1]

Really liking that slowed down B-Roll music you have. Very nice

[@raymondo162]

it's a real shame to waste it. there's loads it could be used for: rodeos / horse events; bmx circuit; rc car race circuit; rc airport.......

[@billpinner4710]

Raymond Ashby totally agree especially since looking at the type of seats and them being plastic mans they are more modern seats. I think someone was going to try and reuse the area but never got off the ground if I remember correctly

[@Dragon359]

I live a few hours from Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, and while I've been to both places several times, there's still a lot I haven't seen. Will have to go back some time soon.

[@betelman]

I went there in 82. My favorite attraction was the Haunted Castle. Similar to Disney's HAunted Mansion.

[@nickhernandez2082]

Thanks for the video sir!

[@bryantford3054]

Great job, Jacob (except for the putting 😝). Funny how they turned a lame amusement park into a pretty cool mini golf setting. Very creative. 👍🏻

[@kennethcoggins5888]

I loved magic world as a kid. Does anyone remember the earth auger ride ?

[@calessel3139]

Yup, it made me nauseous - lol.

[@kennethcoggins5888]

me too

[@calessel3139]

Our family used to go to Magic World back in the 1970s and early 80s on our near annual trip to Gatlinburg TN. Originally the place didn't have much other than full scale fiberglass dinosaurs on display. At this time, the early/mid 70s, the only real rides were the "Dragon Train," a train that drove thru various outdoor dinosaur themed scenes, and a nausea inducing spinning ride called "Earth Auger." Later the owners added the Flying Saucer UFO I-Max type ride, a cheezy Disney Haunted Mansion knock off called "The Haunted Castle", and a rather bizarre Arabian Nights/ Magic Carpet themed ride. We stopped attending when my sister and I reached our late teens/early twenties by the mid 1980s, so I don't know what rides were added after this point. Still, it was quite a fun place to visit particularly for small kids.

[@lanettegreene5453]

I saw the ski show back in late 70s or early eighties. It was pretty impressive I thought. I think they filled in that area. It was definitely deep enough for outboards and skiers and the turns they had to make. I think they just diverted water from the little pigeon river to fill the lake.

[@JesusTestimonies]

I love the music

[@MissouriPenny]

Enjoyed replay thanks 😊 😘 ☺️

[@amyyoshikawa7698]

Hi Jacob, very awesome vlog at Pigeon Forge lost attraction!

[@supernickdoeverything3728]

That place looks fun

[@johnfritz15]

Wouldn’t it be your “Over-par” mini golf abilities?

[@steventiller5403]

There was a attraction called Porpoise Island that was in Pigeon Forge. I believe it closed in the early 80's.

[@theredneckwarrior141]

I used to go to magic world alot as a kid

[@alanvanhook7527]

loved the ufos and the haunted ride when it closed we were so sad

[@Frankie343]

Good one Jacob 😎👍🏻

[@bryanvincer7081]

I’m guessing the tram at the mini-golf is the old dinosaur tram ride that went around Magic World? It uses the same track. I have a few pictures from Magic World and the boat stunt show. Are you planning on doing a video including Porpoise Island at anytime?

[@deniseconaway701]

Loved the vlog Jacob, even though your a crap mini golf player 😂, never realised you have a tattoo on your forearm x