805Andrew

Don't go to Magic Mountain on a Saturday. If you had to pick a park to go to Saturday I would probably pick Knotts.

MY NEW YEARS DAY TR: I was at the park on New Years Day with a few friends from San Luis Obispo. Two of them won tickets from a local radio station and one of them already had a season pass. I decided to get a season pass since I will be going back when Twisted Colossus opens. Also I may now do a trip now to Discovery Kingdom to ride that new Superman coaster they have. Anyways one of my friends who won tickets had never been to Magic Mountain before and was uneasy about certain roller coasters and the most intense roller coaster he had been on prior to this day was California Screamin' at DCA. We started the day getting him on Revolution which he liked. We walked towards the back of the park past the fake snow area in the Roaring Rapids Camp (it was cold enough for them to use real snow - lol) expecting to get on Apocalypse. It was closed for the time being and they was someone actually on the track doing work. They said it may open later in the day. Tatsu was also closed when we had walked by it - they said they were waiting for it to warm up a bit more (it was 46° F). We kept walking and Marlena (the season pass holder) wanted to go on Riddlers Revenge. They were testing it and people were lined up waiting for it. I said we have to build up Adam (the first timer) for that one. We did a quick ride on Gold Rusher. We started walking toward DC Universe. Lex Luther wasn't open yet so we went to Scream. Adam was nervous about getting on Scream. I walked up to the ride and decided to not to get on due to a recent head injury (don't worry I'm fine). No Scream, Viper, Tatsu, or X2 for me today. Adam was strapped in and bailed at the last moment (probably because I wasn't on). Adam's girlfriend Fina rode with Marlena while Adam and I waited. Marlena wanted to try and get Adam on Goliath, so we walked towards it. Lex Luther was now open so Marlena and I rode while Adam and Fina waited. Fina likes most thrill rides but was feeling under the weather today. We all got in line for Goliath. It was probably about a 20-30 min wait. Lex Luther was a 5-10 min wait and the others were walk ons. There were decent crowds today, but not too bad, and definitely a lot lighter than Summer. The cold weather kept some people away on New Years Day. Anyways we were able to get Adam on Goliath, mainly because it didn't go upside down, and the peer pressure from the three of us. He was screaming half the ride, but he enjoyed it and said he'd be willing to go on it again, just not right away. This was a big leap forward for my friend. Next, we walked towards Full Throttle. It was about a 15 min wait and I didn't tell Adam (or the others who hadn't been on YOLO prior) about the back half of the ride. He was totally surprised about the backwards launch and lost his sunglasses (I didn't realize he was wearing them or else I would have told him to take them off). He loved the ride and liked the fact the loop was long and straight as opposed to short and abrupt. Adam and Fina needed a break and wanted to walk around so we looked at some shops by the park entrance and then took Orient Express to go up the mountain while Marlena went to check on X2 (which had been closed on her prior visits). At the top we were going to go up the Sky Tower but it was closed (is that thing ever open?) so we got in line for Ninja while Marlena went on X2. The wait for Ninja was 30-40 min. Marlena was done with X2 before we got on Ninja (I think she waited less for X2 then we did for Ninja - lol). After Ninja we all went on Superman which was about a 45 min wait with one side running. The other one train rides of the day were Ninja and Batman. Adam almost got off of Superman at the last moment but we convinced him to stay on. As he was asking what to hold on to they launched the ride without an announcement. We were all laughing afterwards and he thanked us for making him stay on. I think it was his favorite ride of the day. We were pretty hungry afterward and went to the Full Throttle Plaza to get wings and hot dogs while Marlena went to get Panda Express and met us at the plaza. It got dark while we were eating and the lights came on. Full Throttle Plaza and the front of the park looked great with all the lights. After eating we separated for a bit and met up by DC Universe. We saw the light show (basically just changing light patterns) and Marlena and I got a night ride on Lex Luther which was only a few minutes wait. It was great seeing all the lights at the front of the park from high above. Afterward we decided to try and get Adam on Batman. It was about a 10 min wait. Again, Adam was a bit nervous but we were able to keep him on. He really liked the ride, probably not more than Superman or Full Throttle, but probably more than Goliath. Next we walked towards Riddler's Revenge. Adam was a bit more confident and decided to try Riddler. It was a walk on to the station, probably the emptiest I've ever seen Riddler with two trains running. I wasn't going to originally do Riddler today due to my head injury six days prior, but I was feeling fine on everything else and I wanted Adam to get on so I got on too. Adam felt more comfortable sitting rather than standing so that's what he did (whatever gets him to ride). He liked the ride and said he'd be willing to try it standing up next time he rode it now that he knows what the ride was like. Since the station was empty, the crew let us ride again: Marlena and Fina did while Adam and I waited. Time was ticking as it was 40 min to park closing (8PM). The back half of the park was deserted and it was pretty dark exiting Riddler (they need more lighting!). Marlena and I walked to Apocalypse to see it was open while Adam and Fina looked in a shop nearby. Apocalypse was open (and a walk on) so I called him and Marlena and I rode while we waited for Adam and Fina to arrive. We all rode together when they arrived at the station. Apocalypse was more wild then they expected but they enjoyed it. After Apocalypse, Adam and Fina went to the front of the park to get a hot cocoa while Marlena went to get a last ride on Goliath and I went to ride Lex Luther again. I got on the side facing the back of the park (the less intense view) as my two previous rides were facing the other way and I got a ride by myself. The crew offered to let me stay on and a few more people joined in. After two Lex Luther rides, I went to Goliath with five minutes left. It was now 39° F. I got on the last train in the front row and I saw Marlena on the second to last train in the back row. Afterward we walked to the front of the park and met up with Adam and Fina who got a Cookies N Cream funnel cake and shared it with me. All the lights were on, carolers were singing, and it even started fake snowing (it was almost cold enough for real snow). It was a great end to the day. We all had a great day at the park and Adam really overcame his fear and uncertainty of riding high thrill coasters. He enjoyed the park a lot more than he thought he would and said it was one of the best New Years Days he's had. I would have to say it was one of my favorite New Years Days also. I felt the Holiday in the Park event was a great event for Six Flags as it brought a lot of families into the park (probably the highest family to teen/20s ratio I've seen since here since the 90s), the lights at night looked great, and the park was open two extra hours than normal Winter hours (which made for three hours to ride coasters at night). I hope they carry on with this event in the future. Anyways on to the pictures. Twisted Colossus is coming along nicely. I can't wait to ride it! Just got my 2015 season pass! Twisted Colossus was the main deciding factor. First ride of the day. This one was easy to get Adam on. Fake snow by Roaring Rapids Camp. It was 46° F as we walked by. Cold enough for the polar bears today, lol. I got a sneak peak into Colossus's station as we walked toward Scream. Me (in red) training my friend Adam (in green) to ride high thrill coasters. Full Throttle Plaza decked out for the season. I was going to get the seasonal Cranberry Chili wings from High Octane Wings but they were out of that sauce so I got spicy Orange wings which were good but highly overpriced for $15 for 7 wings with waffle fries (no drink). Our view of Full Throttle Plaza while eating as it turned from day to night. I walked over to the front of park to look at all the holiday lights. I snagged a quick credit on Speedy Gonzales Hot Rod Racers on the way to DC Universe. My first new credit of 2015, lol. Arriving at DC Universe. Green Lantern is running with a line out of the station. I'll pass today. Checking out the changing lights at DC Universe. The blue lights scream Hanukah to me. Diversity - I like it! Me enjoying the 39° F weather. Honestly, I'll take it over 100° F days at the park. I loved all the colors by the front of the park. Me, Fina, and Adam had a great day at the park. Marlena, who took the picture had a great day too.

^ Good point there. It seems like they have benefited from the Carl's Jr. lunch/dinner menu while Carl's Jr has benefited from the Hardee's biscuit breakfast items. Since their logo is exactly the same as the Carl's Jr logo with the exception of the name, it wouldn't be too hard to change the name in the future if they wanted to have a national brand, as the logo and the food would be the same. I bet some people wouldn't even notice.

Actually no, this quote was from the US office. With the photo. I don't even expect them to do this in Canada. Until after they've done it in the US. That's usually the way some US franchises work. "It" debuts in the US, and then Canada (might) gets it. I was wrong. A few days after saying that they started doing a sh!t ton of advertising for the Yumbo. Still doesn't make me want to try it. I don't get why Carl's Jr. didn't change the name of Hardee's to Carl's Jr. when they bought that chain, especially since the old Hardee's had a really bad image (at least from what I've heard, I haven't been to a Hardee's).

Big Data - "Dangerous" One of my favorite songs of 2014.

I'm bummed I never got to try Nights in White Satin. I wish they were able to salvage that ride and put it somewhere else, even if it's Vietnam or Darien Lake. The name of this thread should be changed to the Hard Rock / Freestyle Music Park Demolition Thread btw.

Back in 2002, we rode Goliath. 40 degrees and drizzling Rain felt like ice needles. Was a blast Wow, I didn't have it so bad then. In honesty, I didn't mind the really cold day at the park with temps ranging from 39°-55°F. I'd take it over 90°F+ days at the park.

A 39°F ride on Goliath right before park closing at Magic Mountain on New Years Day.

Banks - "Begging For Thread"

I saw this movie on Christmas night and pretty much have to agree overall. Some of the battle scenes were like watching someone playing a video game. 6/10 I saw The Interview tonight and it was pretty damn funny. Probably the funniest movie I seen come out in 2014 (I know that's not saying much). It was a lot more entertaining in my opinion then The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies which I saw the previous night. I'm glad Sony decided to release it after all to independent theaters and various platforms. The one cinema in my area that was showing it didn't start it until 12/26, that's why I saw it tonight. 8.5/10 I have one birthday freebie movie to use up by this Sunday, so maybe I'll see Into The Woods then.

Alt-J - "Every Other Freckle"

Ive been a casual fan for years, even saw them live a few years ago with a buddy, but that new album is insanely good. Ironically, my favorite song on it is "Ride". I've only heard a few of their songs, but I really like Happy Idiot right now, so I may check out their other songs. Dropkick Murphys - "The Season's Upon Us" Christmas punk songs on the radio right now.

^ I haven't seen Horrible Bosses 2 but I can't imagine it been worse than Dumb and Dumber To. I wanted to watch The Interview on Christmas Day, but now I think I might watch Team America World Police at home on DVD instead. I don't think I want to support Hollywood or movie theaters on Christmas Day now. I might play XBox or Nintendo games also.

Looks like the Raiders have a pretty good chance of getting first Draft pick of these College players and the end of this season.

Just caught up on The Walking Dead. That was a shocker that Beth took a bullet in the head (and that she stabbed that lady in charge of the that hospital in front of everyone). Beth really didn't think her move and now she's gone. I saw a clip of Talking Dead afterwards and the actress playing her was actually crying that she was no longer going to be on the show.

I'm going this Sunday for my birthday since there is actual snow in the mountains now. Probably to Badger Pass in Yosemite Park because they give me a free lift ticket on my birthday. Not the most exciting or challenging place to ride, but the scenery is nice and there is stuff for the non riders/skiers to do in the area while I'm on the slopes plus it's only a few hours away so it can be done as a day trip.

I totally forgot she had that idol. That solidifies what I said even more.

$2.87 last time I filled up several days ago. This is super cheap for California.

TV on the Radio - "Happy Idiot"

I'm going to predict now I think Natalie is going to win (and deserves to win) this Survivor.

FMB 101 Kölsch Style Ale from Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. in Buellton, CA.

Was this actually someone's homemade house coaster or a prop made for the ad? I also wonder if it's a completed circuit or just the front part of the house with cutscenes and film editing used to make it seem like a complete circuit. If it was an actual complete circuit that's pretty cool.

This looks like it will be a pretty good coaster for Adventure City. Funny thing, I had never heard of Adventure City before joining TPR and I have a feeling most people here in California outside the coaster community haven't either.

Twisted Collossus is looking really nice so far. Since it sounds like Scream is getting a new paint job with possibly new colors hopefully they get rid of that parking lot underneath it or disguise it with some plants or rocks or something, especially since that area of the park is getting the new Screampunk theme.

The "Liquid Lobster" seems equally intriguing. All the food options on the ship seem excellent, and Jamie's looks especially delicious. Love the look and feel of the ship! I'd want to try this restaurant if I was onboard. I'm intrigued by the Tempura Caviar. Overall this ship looks awesome with all its great restaurants, unique attractions, and it's aesthetically pleasing design. I have yet to try a cruise but when I do it will be with Royal Carribean or Disney Cruise Line. Thanks for all the great pictures as always!