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Thanks for the video update Robb! And thanks again to Jay and team for the RESTORATION of what was (an now, will be again) an amazing place to have a great time. .. and that's exactly what this 2008 Season has become: a full-fledged restoration. Jeez, they're only 5 or so improvements away from entering RENAISSANCE status! :o) -Sam @ San Diego

Since you guys are finally talking about Batman I thought I'd repost this from last week: Lots of fun stuff to fix on that ride. When working the queue and in-ride elements made up a completely different experience. -Sam @ San Diego

If we really wanted to voice our opinions in a helpful manner, my vote would be to let Tim and Jay know what *we* think the bigger issues are to address in the next off-season. I'm a little reluctant to suggest this as if we'd put this list together 3 years ago it'd be a mile long. But now there's a culture of "improve upon what we have" in place (instead of a "build it and forget it" attitude); improvements are being made by the handfull. Since they're listening, let's help out in any way we can. You can't complain about something never getting fixed if you never ask. My 2 cents: 1) I've documented the 8 (!!) aspects of the Batman theming in dis-repair on the previous page. That is below standard. Compared to what it could be it's a shell of its former self. Very entertaining queue line and on-ride effects.... about 7 to 10 years ago when they worked. The BatCave puts an old castle with dragons to shame! Please consider showing some love. 2) Restroom teardown and rebuild discussed at WCB. 7 large, modern restrooms with autoflush hardware instead of 12 small, outdated and smelly buildings would please the masses and is a must-do. 3) Colossus repaint is a colossal idea, heh heh heh. Couldn't help it. Granted, Superman is more of an eyesore and it's more visible to the masses from the I-5... either paint one or the other in 2008/2009. 4) The SixFlags TV Network would be great IF it ends up being entertaining (Looney Toons classics along with new programs) and informative (queue line wait times, etc.) Watching TV in line is a great way to please bored parents. 5) Another parent-friendly area or activity to complement the Cyber Cafe in the back of the park somewhere. Gotta have more places for non-riders to spend money and feel relaxed- not forgotten. 6) I hope one of those insane S&S Wild Mouse On Drugs is on tap for 2010 or 2011. I mean really that POV render at WCB gave me chills. -Sam @ San Diego

Regarding any and all Scream landscaping, for the record: At West Coast Bash Tim made the comment that he could either PAINT the parking lot a different color - which is by far the cheapest solution - or for the same amount of money he could paint and rehab about 15 buildings like the Goldrusher station. And that was the end of it. Now before you point out that you'd rather see a better theme for Scream rather than having 15 other buildings fixed up, understand that's exactly the *opposite* ideal of the park's current direction. We want things fixed. We want a raised standard of maintenance. We want the beautification dollars spent (painting older rides, Cyber Cafe, etc). I love Scream too - but I love a fixed-up theme park with all the little 10 year old nagging issues addressed *even more*. Besides, if I had my druthers I'd say the repair of Batman's theming elements should come before the Scream blacktop. I mean there's the cop car lights and sounds, the water from the hydrant, the fan and sound effects in the tunnel, the dripping sound effect on the stairs, the huge Batman logo and lighting issues in the station, the fog in the ride trenches AND the fog after the transfer track.. it's a long list of 7+ year old issues! And Scream is only 5!!! Priorities people, hahaha just kidding. No I'm not. :o) -Sam @ San Diego

To help get back on the track of focusing on this year's updates (and to take advantage of Jay reading this forum) I wanted to say thanks for the improvements I've seen so far this year. These changes have genuinely made a difference to me, and hopefully to you guys. Feel free to add to this list if you guys and gals have enjoyed some other aspect I've missed. This team is working hard for our benefit; let's show a little love! THANKS for operating at least 2 trains park-wide the past several weeks! THANKS for re-training Tatsu staff and having both sides open! THANKS for training the team to NOT let Flash Pass queue lines build up, esp. at Tatsu!! THANKS for the Cyber Cafe'! Seriously GREAT food and free computers! THANKS for updating the Baja Ridge 'Greatest Coasters Every Built' Murals THANKS for the painting done around Gotham City! THANKS for the Goldrusher station overhaul! THANKS for the Roaring Rapids overhaul! THANKS for the new signage explaining the sports bottle refill policy as promised! THANKS for Skytower Museum!!! THANKS for removing dead leaves throughout the park! Great landscaping! THANKS for the updated trams with automated speeches! THANKS for taking the load off of Johnny Rockets with the 2nd location! THANKS for pulling out the barely and non-functioning attractions!! THANKS for the new uniforms so we can see where employees are! THANKS THANKS and THANKS again for spending time with us at West Coast Bash! THANKS for implementing the IBU to improve upon park culture and team morale - it IS apparent us as we visit and enjoy better attitudes park-wide!! (P.S. RideOp of the Month Award should go to "Jennifer" [brn curly hair, wht 5'8"] who was running Goliath Thursday evening, she has an amazing attitude!!). .. and all this in addition to the "new attractions" this year - THANKS for the 3-Point Challenge, X2, and Thomas Town!!! We are fortunate to have a team in place here who cares about the property and its well being. I hope all of us here at TPR show our support by e-mailing praise, stoping to say thanks while there, and spending money on the lunches, snacks, et all this season. If you have not had a fresh brownie, bag of donuts, or a vegetable cup at the cyber cafe' you are missing out. -Sam @ San Diego

I'm very glad to have read that post from Jay. The reason why the lockers cost money to begin with is to prevent 2 kids from renting every single locker just to be "funny". Sure, Universal's lockers are free. But the cost of the fingerprint-based system is so insane (as you'd know if you checked them out at IAAPA) that it isn't feasible for umpteen locations in the park. Seriously, we're talking grass-under-Scream expensive. Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion, and every vote counts the same, but in the face of everything Jay's team has done to *improve* our experiences this year I'd feel a little silly arguing against lockers after his post. That aside, I've e-mailed Jay and wanted to share with you something I thought truly defines the new Magic Mountain "culture". At the end of our visit at 6:15pm this Thursday, my wife noticed the Popcorn Wagon vendor across from Flags and the Cartoon Candy Kitchen (by the churros cart) was selling yellow cotton candy of all things. Of course, she wanted some but the attendant said he was "closed, sorry". I noticed a Supervisor named Charles (40's, heavyset, blk w/ grey hair) walk by and I explained the situation. He asked the attendant to go back into the wagon and re-open for us even though he had counted out his till. When Charles saw I only had a credit card, he purchased the cotton candy for my wife with money out of his own pocket! Understand, I didn't name drop Jay/Tim/Neal, whine, or complain. I simply asked the man for help and he happily offered it. After the fact I said I had Jay's card and I'd email him to say thank you. Charles said, "Oh, you know Jay Thomas? Well this is what he'd want me to do so I'm glad I did it." What a class act. Is this a new Magic Mountain or WHAT? The $4 are on their way back up there in a Thank You card. It's experiences like this that actually make my heart hurt when I log on here to find comments over lockers that aren't even mandatory. After 22 years of visiting this park (granted only about 5 of which I've smartened up to the operational aspects) I will definitely say I have never been prouder to be a season pass holder, nor have I ever looked more forward to visiting from San Diego as often as possible. THANK YOU to the whole team. -Sam @ San Diego

My wife and I came in for a 2 hour visit today (in the Cyber Cafe' as we type). Happy to announce they did in fact make us fresh donuts.. though the cashier we approached (Nu, 6' blk male) was too busy on his t-mobile sidekick to help the customers in line- we just walked up to him and ordered. Great day outside, very clean and happy atmosphere thusfar. Love the cafe'! -Sam @ San Diego

Yes, NONE of the IOA CD's released contain anything from the queue line of Dueling Dragons- and only one of the many versions of the Ocean Trader Makrket song is represented. What a shame; I guess they simply do not exist outside of the park gates. If anyone knows anything down the line, please reply. Thank you! :o)

I was disappointed not to have Dueling Dragons queue line music on the music cd they released. And only one version of the Ocean Trader Market theme? There's at least 3 versions of that song. Has anyone found these tunes... anywhere? Help is appreciated :o) Thanks, Sam @ San Diego, CA

It would be interesting to know exactly what, if anything, is currently preventing S:TE from functioning at its intended peak capability. Having watched countless launches over last 10 years of operation, I can't remember the last time I saw it go as high as the pic on the previous page of this thread. Some do go higher than others, sure, but nothing close to the brake run (if that's what it is) at the top tier of the track. So, does anyone know if perhaps some of the LIM components from one side were taken to the other to make both sides operable again? That would seem to make the most sense. But as to the ride experiencing a massive, critical failure cuased by both tracks racing back in the 90s.. I've never believed that story. Surely Intamin would have built in a safeguard preventing a "race launch" from dispatching if such an event could damage their equipment. Right? -Sam @ San Diego