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^ I had a feeling, even though the weather report said otherwise. Oftentimes it's cool and rainy out here a dozen miles from the ocean, but you get 40 or 50 miles inland and the weather is completely different. Anyway, I'll get over there next weekend. Eric

Because of the weather, I decided not to go. Yahoo! Weather said that Valencia had the same weather as home---cold and rainy. I also checked the official [http://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/]SFMM website[/url] and it said nothing about being closed due to rain, but still, I'll just go next weekend. I'm not feeling that great anyway. Eric

Perhaps the former DanceCoaster will become "DeVa Ju-nior." Superman has always looked unfinished because of its grayish paint job. It's going to look great in color. Also, I noticed that the cars may keep the stadium seating. That'll be a good thing if it works out that way. Eric

I usually sit in the front of the Psyclone train (which would be the back of the Colossus train) just because I like the unobstructed view of the track going away from you. Have they been "racing" the trains? On my one ride last year they did race and it made the ride a bit more fun. When/if I get out there, I'm going to look into whether Xtreme Play Passholders have special access to mazes. Sometime back, I seem to recall hearing that maze access was free if you had that pass. Maybe tonight's Fright Fest-ivities won't be too crowded being that tomorrow is a work/school day. Eric

You can't HANdle the truth! Eric

Ninja was also Diana's first "big" coaster and she still likes it to this day. Having a 42" height limit is a great thing because the younger kids can ride it and "get their feet wet" coasterwise. Being that I've been up since about 5 this morning and can't seem to get back to sleep, I may just take a run out to SFMM later on. It's been over a month since my last visit (I'm slipping) so I'm due for a coaster ride or three---at the very least my annual ride on backwards Colossus. Whether I'll stick around for Fright Fest depends on how I feel. It's been way too long since I did that event, but I'll report back if I do. Eric

It's hard to believe, but this ancient cheeseburger connoisseuer has never had a Fatburger. It's on my kick-the-bucket list, though. Eric

Regarding the restraints on the ZacSpin, if they are like the one in the picture a ways back, they should be very comfortable. And it would be nice if that same style could be applied to other coasters that require OTSRs. Just a couple of comments on Green Lantern...I wonder if green supports and a purple-ish track might have worked. The ride would look less like Riddler's Revenge's Little Brother and have a bit more identity. But remember, too, what we saw in that video wasn't set in stone...things can change. Also, how cool would it have been if Intamin had created a unique configuration and/or slightly longer layout for this? Whatever the case, I still look forward to riding it. Eric

So now we know what's coming for 2011. And none of it apparently involves Deja Vu, so I'm wondering why it's going to be closed till next spring? Surely some rehab/maintenance, but would it need to be closed that long? Eric

The ZacSpin has always been a curious type of coaster to me. Never in a million years did I think that one would end up at SFMM. But even though it's a fairly short ride and most people will have to wait an eternity to ride it, I'm glad that I'll get such a chance. It would have been nice to see SFMM get a customized---and somewhat longer---version, but this one will be fine. And as someone said previously, I'm glad to see SFMM working with Intamin again. Perhaps that will pay off with another coaster in the future. Eric EDIT: Notice that the new Superman cars have a pair of smaller wheels at each corner of the car instead of the giant wheels the old cars had. I wonder how well the smaller wheels will hold up...

^^ You'd better "bee" nice to your girlfriend, Cody. I've never seen many bees at SFMM; just a lot of geese, though. Eric

^ Rides that sit idle collect dust, things that need regular lubricating get stiff, etc. I'd file daily ride inspections of SBNO attractions under "preventative maintenance." Eric

While In-N-Out is good, I actually like The Habit better. But as I said, I will give Five Guys a chance. Their burgers, that is... Eric

Demon fits the county fair theme---think about how you feel at a county fair after eating all that fried food... Who knows what's up SFMM's sleeve? At this point, I'm willing to just sit back and wait for the announcement. For all we know, the roller skater is going over next to Batman and will be called "Robin---The Ride." Eric

Which Five Guys was this? We have a new one in Thousand Oaks, just over the hill. I have not been there yet, but it's on my list---I've heard good things about their food. And they serve Coke products. Eric

Maybe they'll turn Deja Vu's train around so you'll experience it backwards then forward instead of forward then backwards. Deja Vu could well be in for a retheme, or it is closed to allow for construction of something. It would be interesting if Deja Vu is in fact getting a Green Lantern makeover, but it seems sort of out of place for that being where it is. My guess is that sometime before the end of the year, SFMM will finally announce their 2011 plans. Eric

My total texts sent and received is still a two-digit number. And that's a lifetime total. Eric

I finally had some time to sit down and look at this entire topic. Two words: absolutely incredible. Eric

^^ More or less on Terry's note, there are just too many cameras everywhere. At any time, someone can whip one out and start snapping away. Privacy is almost a thing of the past. When I worked for a military contractor, we were warned that cell phones with cameras were not allowed onto the local Navy base. If discovered, they would be confiscated and destroyed. Of course, that's for obvious reasons at a place where there might be classified information. But, yeah, before getting out the camera, in whatever form it's in, use a little discretion. Eric

^ It is sweeter, which is why I prefer Coke. Eric

In case anyone missed it, SFMM is wanting to apply for a conditional permit to sell alcohol in the park according to this link that was linked at Screamscape. Eric

^ How in the world do you expect to buy a coaster when your Internet is stuck and your headphones don't work? Eric

^^ When the park opened in 1971, the building that is now Laughing Dragon was called "The Four Winds." At the time, it was the park's premier restaurant. It had a view (from the top of the mountain), and served a decent steak dinner. You could order fine wine (and I think beer). Laughing Dragon opened in the same building many years later (late '80s I believe) and never served any alcohol. Under Six Flags' ownership (since 1979), no alcohol has been served anywhere in the park to my knowledge. I couldn't tell you the last time Laughing Dragon was open. It may only be open during holidays and special events now. Hope that clears up everything. Eric

^^ Then they should have closed the pool and slides closest to Flashback so it could run. At one time, you could buy beer at Das Alpenhaus (what is now Mooseburger Lodge), and wine at the Four Winds Steakhouse (what is now Laughing Dragon). But that was before Six Flags bought the park, and I agree that selling it in the park now is not a good idea. Some people can handle a drink or two, but too many cannot. Besides, do you really need alcohol to have fun at a theme park? Personally, I don't drink, but I'm not against others who do, provided they act responsibly. Maybe I missed it...about these "gifts:" has anyone actually said that SFMM was getting anything in particular for 2011? Here, of course, is the roller skater and rehabbed Superman. We've all heard that Six Flags was going to go all out for its 50th anniversary next year, but as we've seen, there's been nothing "earth-shatteringly" big announced throughout the chain. A few Star Flyers, a relocated standup coaster, our own roller skater/rehabbed launch coaster. Perhaps just having come out of bankruptcy, Six Flags is holding back a bit till it gets more solid on its feet. Just a guess, of course. Eric

As nice as a Star Flyer sounds at SFMM, I can't imagine them getting one now that Knott's is getting Windseeker. I know that both SFMM and Knott's have or have had the same rides, but that's usually the smallish flat rides. Eric