The Mad Mouse rollercoaster at Arnolds Park Amusement Park in Iowa, US, took its final riders on Wednesday, July 29, ending its 67-year history.
The park paid tribute to the ride in a Facebook post, thanking it for the “laughs, thrills and memories” it had given generations of visitors.
“Over the years, this classic ride has created countless memories for generations of guests and kept our maintenance team busy with plenty of repairs along the way,” park officials wrote. “Thank you, Mad Mouse, for the ride.”
A long journey
The coaster first opened in 1959 at Bell's Amusement Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and moved to Joyland Amusement Park in Lubbock, Texas, in 1976. Arnolds Park acquired it in 2019, giving it what CEO Jon Pausley called a “last hurrah”.
The compact coaster was known for its sharp hairpin turns and intense thrills, with Pausley noting that riders either loved it and rode repeatedly or decided once was enough.
Why it closed
Keeping the ageing attraction running had become increasingly difficult. Natural wear and tear meant the Mad Mouse required frequent repairs, maintenance and welding. Each welding job needed inspection and certification, sometimes forcing the ride to close for several days.
Park bosses decided that the ride's footprint and frequent downtime no longer made sense during its short, 100-day operating season.
Preserving history
As the ride is dismantled, at least one of its cars will be preserved at the Arnolds Park Museum. Other parts will go to Little Amerricka Amusement Park in Wisconsin, home to the last remaining Mad Mouse of its type.
The ride's removal will make way for a new attraction scheduled to open at Arnolds Park in 2027.
