The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[MontagnaMagica]

If they do go for a drop tower, I hope it won't be Intamin! I just don't trust their cables. S&S Power's drop towers are much more exciting anyway!

 

I think Revolution could use a makeover. You know, Removal of shoulder restraints, unnecessary trim braking, and maybe even new paint! That would be awesome!

[Tmcdllr]

^^ How do you think the mountain is unstable? There are 5 coasters that use the mountain, 2 flume rides, Sky Tower, Orient Express, etc.

 

I was just thinking because of the whole Tatsu problem, but they still have the other side of the mountain. I was just trying to make a generalization, so nothing happens in the future if they do decide to build on top of the mountain. Sorry if I made it seem like the whole mountain is unstable.

 

Wasn't the problem you are talking about the hill sort of having mini slides due to the fact that the rain runoff was causing excess erosion because of all of the vegetation that had been removed to build Tatsu? A minor problem at best, just some erosion, that's all, no coaster moving or anything like that....nothing a little retaining wall didn't fix so basically a non-issue.

 

And I don't think you need to worry about anything being built anywhere on the mountain, as pointed out, there are several structures and rides that have been on there for DECADES and have not had any problems, so it's a pretty good bet to say that they know what they are doing and know where they are building on so there is no need to worry about any of that.

 

If they do go for a drop tower, I hope it won't be Intamin! I just don't trust their cables. S&S Power's drop towers are much more exciting anyway!

 

What do you think connects the pneumatic launch/lift system to the ride vehicle?

S&S towers use cables too, a cable could break just as easily on an S&S tower, it just hasn't happened YET.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Tmcdllr

[chickenbowl]

^^I hope you're not serious about Intamin. Xcelerator's cable was Knott's fault and I'm not sure about the tower at SFKK, but that's a little outrageous to say that. And IMO, Intamin drop towers are FAR superior to S&S. They feel like glorified Frop Hoppers to me.

[Skycoastin Steve]

If they do go for a drop tower, I hope it won't be Intamin! I just don't trust their cables.

Intamin doesn't manufacture steel cables.

[Tmcdllr]

If they do go for a drop tower, I hope it won't be Intamin! I just don't trust their cables.

Intamin doesn't manufacture steel cables.

 

That's the other reason it's silly to say "I hope it's not an Intamin because of the cables".

[MontagnaMagica]

Well, there have actually been several cable snaps in recent years on Intamin rides. Intamin may not manufacture them, but something about their ride designs seems a bit problematic. They just make me feel uncomfortable now. For example, Expedition GeForce and Hurakan Condor both had cable snapping incidents, but since nothing major happened, they haven't been publicized much. There are a few more examples, but I don't really feel like looking for them again right now.

[Skycoastin Steve]

^We're all aware of the cable incidents. That being said, Intamin doesn't manufacture steel cables. You don't blame Honda if a tire blows out on your Civic, do you?

[MontagnaMagica]

Like I said, Something about the design of Intamin's rides seems a bit problematic.

 

Anyway, why don't we get back on the topic of the new ride for 2012?

[Tmcdllr]

Well it does kind of make you wonder why it SEEMS to have happened mostly on Intamin rides, but that won't stop me from riding any of them. If something is going to happen, it will and it's out of my control so I might as well just try to enjoy the rides.

[Silvano Perez]

What about the land where RRE was suppose to go back near Deja Vu and Apocalypse, that land seems ready for something to be put in it, they didnt clear it out for nothing?

[Gigalyte]

I was looking at some of those SF survey names posted on Screamscape and one in particular caught my eye was OMG! 400, I know that's most likely not a real name they would use, but could it be a hint that they are thinking of adding some kind of 400 foot tall ride maybe to a park that was just rumored to be getting a big thrill ride in 2012?

[Tmcdllr]

Can someone post a link? I can't find any of this stuff that's being talked about on Screamscape.

[megalyte]

Can someone post a link? I can't find any of this stuff that's being talked about on Screamscape.

 

Here you go: http://www.screamscape.com/html/industry_news.htm#SixFlags

[Tmcdllr]

Thanks.

[DBJ]

Love the idea of them using the old Eagles nest area for a new attraction. Hope they can use the refurb the building for at least a shaded line, if they are to use the summit for a ride. A Starflyer or drop tower up there would certainly give a great view. 2012 is going to be extremely competitive season. Transformers opens up, Carsland opens up, Manta in San Diego, Knott's is kind of mystery at this point. From a marketing standpoint, I would think SFMM has to question what kind of attraction(s) they can place that would make them stand out.

 

A drop tower, while fun, also currently exists at Knotts. Plus, with Superman now giving a similar experience (and one quick view!) to a drop tower at 400 ft., would a drop tower really be a selling point for the park? Unless they can shatter a record, like using the summit as the base to get a drop tower (or star flyer) up over 400 feet, I wouldn't see it as a huge selling point for the 2012 season. Maybe using the summit to hit 500 feet? Would not be that hard to build a campaign around that image.

 

Or, they embrace the coaster destiny to stand out in 2012. Put in two new ones, to hit that figure of 20. Could be as simple as a Disko coaster, like say next to Deja Vu. Another family coaster along the lines of RRE - lower cost but effectively themed. Or a themed dark ride coaster like what is found in some of the other SF pakrs. The first park to hit 20 coasters would be a historic milestone. I suppose that depends on how much of a audience RRE brings in.

 

True to form, in the ads for SFMM, I don't recall seeing the family ride even advertised. Superman yes, GL, yes (using the CG), RRE, no. If it's there, it's blink and you miss it. Oddly enough, don't even think the new "DC Universe" rebranding will even be mentioned in the marketing for 2011. I hope they keep pursuing that concept though up through Riddler's area, the makeover really is making the former Gotham area look quite nice.

[MontagnaMagica]

Can someone post a link? I can't find any of this stuff that's being talked about on Screamscape.

 

Here you go: http://www.screamscape.com/html/industry_news.htm#SixFlags

 

I saw a lot about ride naming and Six Flags' financial situation, but where was the part about a new attraction for 2012? Did I just scan over it?

[MrSum1_55]

I was looking at some of those SF survey names posted on Screamscape and one in particular caught my eye was OMG! 400, I know that's most likely not a real name they would use, but could it be a hint that they are thinking of adding some kind of 400 foot tall ride maybe to a park that was just rumored to be getting a big thrill ride in 2012?

 

A 400 foot tilt-a-whirl, perhaps?

[Skycoastin Steve]

^Nope, a 400 foot churro stand!

[Arkhamar]

Does anybody remember Condor? I believe it's in SFGA now. Would it be considered as a Starflyer? I never got to ride it, it had a very short time at SFMM. It didn't seem too popular, so I think a record breaking drop tower/gyro would better fit SFMM's Xtreme theme.

BTW, SFMM's website has announced Green Lantern's opening is July 1!!!

[Sir Clinksalot]

^ Condor was essentially a scrambler up in the air. I wouldn't consider it a StarFlyer.

[DJeXeL]

Condors are easily Huss' best creations. Too bad they are an endangered species.

Hershey Park's was running great when I rode it back in '09.

 

 

Images from FlatRides.com

[mr. cockblock]

Green Lantern has gotten a new sign, and DC Universe is really taking shape! Picture Update over at:

www.thecoasterguy.com/index.php/2011/06/12/dc-universe-update-5-at-six-flags-magic-mountain/

[cooksta77]

The whole area looks just amazing! I love the Green Lantern logo although if they don't light it up at night I'll be a tad disappointed.

-Cookie

[BlueFireCoaster]

The Green Lantern symbol on the side of the ride was ON Sunday night after midnight, and I could see it from the freeway as I drove by on the 5 South. Super bright and it looks pretty cool. Also, I don't believe anybody has mentioned it before on here, but the Superman "S" at the top of the S:EFK tower is now lit up again after more than a decade of being off! It looks awesome!

 

As for the quality of re-themes for Six Flags, I continue to be unimpressed. I saw DC Universe in person yesterday and I think the DC Universe sign looks ridiculously cheap and out of place and cannot believe the Gotham City Backlot met its demise due to these "improvements." Since when is DC so bright and colorful? I don't mind adding some new "theme" to the old flats, but to me the bright buildings and colors don't fit the main attraction of the area - Batman The Ride. I also don't like the cardboard cutouts either, and I know they have them to save money, but don't they know guests see right through that? Some statues would have been nice and would last longer, as I have a feeling the cardboard cutouts will be faded garbage in a year.

 

As for the park, go ride Superman: Escape from Krypton! SO much better than S:TE, and besides the big 3 (Tatsu, X, Deja) is probably now one of my favorite rides in the park. The wait wasn't too bad either!

[FrightFest1408]

Yeah finally they lit it up!!