robbalvey

Agreed. They can get this experience at most of their local shopping malls. Also agreed. (Although Ninja is quite a signature ride for that height group.) My biggest complaint when they removed the Tilt-A-Whirl, FreeFall, Spin Out, Granny Grand Prix and Sierra Twist wasn't so much that they removed "flat rides" but that they removed "family rides" (all of those rides had a height restriction of 42" or under.) And while Thomas was a great replacement for Granny Grand Prix the rest of the removals has left the park with far fewer family *rides* than it had before. Terminator will do VERY well with the 48" group (and that is also a good family category) but most kids reach 48" around 9 and 10 years old (based on the national kids average height charts) and most kids reach 42" around 6 years old. I would say that most of the rides in Bugs Bunny World, Thomas Town, and even the Wiggles World areas at other Six Flags parks actually cater more to the 36" - 42" (which is AWESOME, BTW), but that leaves not too much to do for the 6 to 10 year olds who visit the park and either feel too old for the Tweety Bird Cages or not tall enough for Terminator. IMO, this is a pretty big problem for Magic Mountain, and while they have made strides to improve, they still have a ways to go. When your "competition" in the area offers rides like Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Tower of Terror, Mulholland Madness, Splash Mountain, Matterhorn, Toy Story Mania, etc, for that 42" - 48" group, it's no question where families are going to bring kids where they can ride "adult sized rides" together. Even Knott's took a step in the right direction with the 42" Sierra Sidewinder (although took a huge step IMO in the WRONG direction with the 48" Pony Express that feels like a ride that should have a 36" height restriction). Gold Rusher, Revolution, and Colossus are all rides where similar versions in other Six Flags parks all have a 42" height restriction. And I don't see Colossus being any more or less intense for kids than the 42" Judge Roy Scream, the 42" Screamin’ Eagle, or the 42" Great American Scream Machine. Revolution is less intense than the 42" Mindbender or 42" Shock Wave, and Gold Rusher is about on par with the 42" Dahlonega Mine Train, the 42" Runaway Mine Train, or even the 40" Big Thunder Mountain. Perhaps it's a California state issue, I'm not sure, but I do think that if these rides can't someday be modified to make more family friendly, then rides of this caliber that ARE family friendly should be considered for future additions. And who knows...perhaps they are! Basically, you can quote as much as you want that SFMM has shows, games, kids areas, and a petting zoo for younger kids, but IMO, when my local shopping mall has a carousel, arcade redemption games, kid-friendly restaurants, a kids play area and seasonal shows, that's not a huge reason to bring your kids to SFMM. They want rides. And SFMM *needs* more rides for families to experience together, not just for toddlers where parents WATCH their kids on a ride, but for FAMILIES, especially if they want to be considered a "family park." I am hoping the 2010 addition is a 42" Tony Hawk coaster (or something similar) and I would hope that the 2011 addition is something major that a family can experience together. They have plenty for the 48" group, the 54" group, and even the 36" group. They need to focus on 42"...at least in my opinion. I want more than anything for SFMM to be a true "family friendly" park. --Robb

I have updated the first post in this thread to reflect all the updates that have been done to date! Wow, that's a LOT of SFMM discussion! --Robb

Heh...it was in 1997! Funny what TPR looked like 11 years ago! --Robb

Don't forget about the El Toro at Isla Magica, Spain!

Listen to the podcast here: (you don't need an iPod to listen to it!) http://www.coastercrew.com/intheloop.php?action=play&fileid=201 It was a awesome good time trying to derail CoasterBoy's honest attempt to have a "Serious" show! We cover everything from Michael Vick's Penis to Texting Ryan; from circumcision on a roller coaster to Dolly Parton's boobs! Listen to TPR and CC members call in and ask CoasterBoy totally random stuff! I promise you will be VERY entertained! Enjoy. --Robb

I 100% believe that Ryan LOVES it. He's an attention whore and what better way to feel good about yourself than getting a crap load of text messages from people who think you are awesome. While on the outside he might show signs of being upset, deep down he loves every letter that is texted to him. --Robb

^ Not to mention there was a front page link on the front page in the Annoucements section for about 2 months. --Robb

I will be co-hosting In The Loop tonight. Be sure to listen and CALL IN to ask questions. Here's the link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/In-the-Loop/2009/03/31/In-The-Loop-Live Here's the call in number: 718-766-4407 Show starts at 5pm PDT. Join the chat room here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/UserChat.aspx?HostUserURL=In-the-Loop --Robb

Mark was on the CBS Early Show this morning discussing Six Flags’ strategy for weathering the tough economy and how the company plans to give park guests the best season ever. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4902854n Thoughts?

We officially annonced the date 7 weeks prior to the event but we had been talking about it being in "mid to late March" since about December. --Robb

Well, if you're asking why I bought such an expensive phone (which I really didn't, I got the 8 gig for $200) it's because I do need a phone I can keep up with the website on, and the iPhone seemed to have the best browsing capabilities. It was also the first phone I've bought in three years and I would assume I'll have this one for another three years. It's a marginal expense at best. --Robb

No, it makes perfect sense. You have to remember two things: 1. We *just* posted a crap-ton of photos of the ride on Thursday! 2. Don't you trust us that if there was any major changes we would post pictures? We went on Friday and not much else changed. Here's what it looked like two days ago: Looks like about 3 bents from the lift went up....we'll have a much bigger update next weekend.

Well...um....er...kind of. I won't take responsibility for anything that was slipped into your Jamba Juice. --Robb "I hope you didn't wake up too sore..." Alvey

^ Also, we will be creating an easier format in which to get all this information very soon. It's one of the "to do" projects on the site. So just be patient and all this great information will be in one place on TPR very soon! --Robb

^ Those onride shots he posted look like he took pictures of the monitors in the Sky Tower which show POV footage, so "technically" those pictures are ok as they are really Six Flags images and he didn't break any park rules to take them....at least that's what it looks like to me. --Robb

No, your visit is about on par as of late. I have probably been to Disneyland Paris more than any other "international" Disney park as I spend quite a bit of time there during when I was living on and off in the UK. (I had a season pass for DLP I was going so often.) In the mid 1990s this park was AMAZING! The attention to detail was great and the park was immaculate. I probably visited about 50 times between the parks opening year and 1999. Then I hadn't been again until 2002, and something just seemed "off". In 2005 we had a better visit, but still not like it was in the mid-90s, and then in 2008 I really just felt like this place had nealy lost it. It no longer felt very "Disney-like" to me from the horrible hotel check-in experience we had to basically what you described. Trash everywhere, less than attentive cast members, and the place looking like it was in decline. While we never had a problem with the FastPasses, I could certainly see this becoming a policy that has been implemented recently. I'm sorry you guys had such a bummer visit and especially after just visiting Tokyo Disneyland you guys probably went from the best Disney park in the world to the worst. You needed at least a stop-over in Hong Kong or something first! --Robb

^ I don't think there is anything we really *did* other than have content that other people were interested in. So with that, the only advice I can give you is to try to figure out something unique that would make your website rise above the many sites that are already out there. There are plenty of good roller coaster sites already for - discussion forums, trip reports, videos, ride database, news & information, video games. I'm not sure I would reccomend starting a site that would be "more of the same" unless you had some really excited content to offer that was VERY different from the other sites or you had a new feature that was not offered anywhere else. --Robb

^ And Ninja is the only "adult sized" coaster with a 42" height restriction. Both Gold Rusher and Revolution are 48". IMO, they *need* another coaster for the 42" group. A Tony Hawk coaster has proven to be perfect for that age group. I also still think they need to figure out a way to lower Gold Rusher and perhaps Colossus to 42", but that's a discussion for another time... --Robb

Oooh! This is a perfect opportunity for TPR's amateur filmmakers to shine! I would hope that many TPR members are able to submit their work. --Robb

So I think CoasterTube is almost ready for prime time. I see a TON of videos have been uploaded in the past couple of weeks and none of them seem to be having any problems. The only real issue is sometimes the video gets all squashed to the top of the screen. I put a note that says "If the video doesn't display properly to refresh the browser" as that's the only thing I can see right now to help fix that. Is anyone having any other problems recently? --Robb

^ He forwards them all to me! All I know is that we went to dinner tonight and his phone beeped like every 30 seconds. It was amazing! --Robb

Tim also said that about Thomas Town @ the 2008 WCB. Well, to be fair, although it is small, Thomas Town IS one of the nicer looking areas of the park. I'm expecting something more along the lines of the Dark Knight pre-show building. Which wasn't bad, actually, just not something I want to have to stop and watch over and over again. --Robb

West Coash Bash Updated posted here: http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/photo.php?pageid=23&linkid=4789 Here are our Terminator Photos: OMG! OMG! Open Gate! Whatever must we do? Oh, I know...walk through it. Today we were treated to an awesome backstage tour of Terminator Salvation: The Ride. For all you concrete slab enthusaists...here you go. Today we get to see Terminator's "other side." Pretty, pretty deadman turn. All these TPR and RW members get to hang out in an area that no other member of the public will get to be in. If you like these photos, please... Random close up!!! Hmm....looks like they *may* not be cycling trains today. Today the role of Terminator Salvation: The Ride will be played by Robb Alvey. Steel stuff and parts. Fun? Yes! OMG! Another close up! Tim said two VERY important things during his presentation. The first was "Tell that Alvey guy to get off my concrete slab!" The second was "Terminator Salvation: The Ride will debut on May 21st." This is an angle you soon will never, ever be able to see again. We are told that part of the show building will sit in this location. GCI woodies always seem to have plenty of curvy bits! As you can see there is a lot that has been completed already on this ride. Could be a nice floater airtime hill here! More Popsicle sticks hanging around backstage. Here is a good view of the first drop (looks very Renegade-like) and what will soon be the lift hill. Zoomed in on the first drop because we are told you guys like this sort of thing. This little 'bump' could provide an interesting surprise! More random wood bits. "I'm telling you...Terminator is JUST a cover up! The real name of the ride is going to be Goliath!!!" More shots of GCI wooden goodness. This will soon be the entrance bridge into the area. I gotta feeling you're going to be flying through this section pretty fast! Hmmm...any reason why there is a dark ominous cloud hovering over Deja Vu? "It would be really cool to bring a piece of wood like this one home with me!" (element of foreshadowing here for all you literary buffs) I like bolts. I. Like. Bolts. I like bolts. I. Like. Bolts. What's that? That's a bolt. What's that? That's a bolt. And bolts keep things in place. We turn like a bolt. We turn like a bolt. Cause bolts keep things in place. I like bolts. I. Like. Bolts. I like bolts. I. Like. Bolts. (ps. if you know what TV show this is from... Tim Burkhart and Neal Thurman say "If you see that Alvey guy lay on our concrete slab again, please get security! But seriously come out and ride Terminator Salvation: The Ride Memorial Day weekend...you're gonna LOVE it!" NERD ALERT!!! Right in the middle of the 11:15 construction tour, a random 5 minute hail storm came out of the blue and rained ice pieces on everyone! While on one hand it was actually pretty darn funny, this will probably be the closest Terminator Salvation: The Ride will come to ever seeing "snow." "Ok, drop the train and lets see how far we can jump it!" OMG! NERD PHOTO!!!! Ooh! Secret entrance to Terminator revealed! Here is the lift hill just laying all over the floor! In case you want to build your own wood coaster in your back yard, you'll need lots of this stuff. OK everyone, time to head back to the real world and say goodbye to Terminator Salvation: The Ride...at least until Memorial Day! Big Mike says "Thank you Magic Mountain for letting us check out Terminator Salvation: The Ride!"

TPR's official West Coast Bash Update has been posted: http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/photo.php?pageid=23&linkid=4789

TPR's official West Coast Bash Update has been posted! http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/photo.php?pageid=23&linkid=4789 Post your comments here... Don't forget to EMAIL DAN where it tells you to! --Robb