The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[CoasterGuy06]

^Front row of the last car is the magic Arrow seat.

[robbalvey]

Viper is on borrowed time for sure. How much time? Only the park knows. They have a decent amount of parts for the trains so once that supply dries up and maintaining it becomes expensive, then it will be removed. This is exactly why I ride 2 or 3 times every time I visit as Viper is a pinnacle of engineering for its time.

 

Aren't there other companies that make parts for Arrow coasters? If so then as long as it does not demolish itself the park could keep it going for a long time.

 

Parts can also be machined if SFMM has the drawings (which Arrow should have given to the park). But I too am under the impression Arrow still makes parts...

 

-Joey

Arrow does still, in fact, make parts, and has many BRAND NEW ones for rides like Viper! Read towards the bottom of this report: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=66944

[Tmcdllr]

But in case you were wondering, yes, they still supply TONS of parts for all those Arrow rides out there!

 

Ok that answers that question, thanks Robb.

[gerstlaueringvar]

I am actually more worried about Ninja than Viper. I still need that credit!

 

I assume suspending coaster costs more to maintain. Ninja can't help SFMM with their total inversion count but Viper provides seven of them. Ninja is hiding behind the mountain so it doesn't contribute to SFMM's coaster sky line.

[singemfrc]

I am actually more worried about Ninja than Viper. I still need that credit!

 

I assume suspending coaster costs more to maintain. Ninja can't help SFMM with their total inversion count but Viper provides seven of them. Ninja is hiding behind the mountain so it doesn't contribute to SFMM's coaster sky line.

I don't think Ninja will be leaving before Viper (I don't think either will leave any time soon), and I don't know about the day to day mechanical maintenance costs of a suspended coaster versus a sit-down but as far as up time goes it seems to be just as reliable as Viper (it's almost never down) and I'd bet it has a higher ridership. I'm also guessing that the park would be more apprehensive to replace a coaster in the middle of the mountain than they would on the outskirts because I think it costs more to have one custom built for the terrain.

 

Personally I like Ninja, it's a fun relaxing ride through the trees, it's way better than the snooze fest that is Draggin' Iron at Cedar Point, that's for sure. Hiyah!

[Superbatboy]

I love Ninja and would be devastated if they ever removed it, I'd sacrifice Viper first lol

[coasterbill]

I love Ninja and would be devastated if they ever removed it, I'd sacrifice Viper first lol

 

Besides Tatsu, Batman and Apocalypse when it's running well Ninja is my favorite ride in the park. I think it's very underrated.

[robbalvey]

I am actually more worried about Ninja than Viper. I still need that credit!

 

I assume suspending coaster costs more to maintain. Ninja can't help SFMM with their total inversion count but Viper provides seven of them. Ninja is hiding behind the mountain so it doesn't contribute to SFMM's coaster sky line.

I don't think Ninja will be leaving before Viper

You know, I never assume anything like this. Nothing surprises me anymore. And besides, Ninja is the only 42" coaster left in the park so that on it's own means it's days are numbered.

[Wes]

At least Ninja killed that silly "Arrow Suspendeds have a 25 year shelf life" rumor.

[robbalvey]

I heard it was a 30 year shelf life.

[Wes]

I guess we'll see in 2018!

[Jew]

It's only a matter of time before Ninja and Jet Stream are torn out for some gimmick coaster to add to the Xtreme marketing campaign...

[JeromyL]

It's only a matter of time before Ninja and Jet Stream are torn out for some gimmick coaster to add to the Xtreme marketing campaign...

 

I could go with them turning 2 of the rear cars backwards

[singemfrc]

^ You know, I think Ninja backwards would actually be really fun. So would Gold Rusher.

[gisco]

^Gimicky but I like the idea!

[boardwalkbullet91507]

That's what they did with XLR-8 at Astroworld for a few seasons before the park closed. The front half of the train had forward facing cars and the back half had backward facing cars. It was very fun going backwards. The experience was so different. I have this vague memory of my mom grabbing me by the wrist and dragging me onto the ride (back when I was scared of coasters), and me exclaiming, "mom, no! It goes backwards now!" And her going, "no it doesn't, come on," as a train with backwards facing cars zoomed overhead.

[RandallDuell]

It did seem odd that only Astroworld, as far as I know, turned theirs around.....this concept (half and half) seems right up MM's alley.

 

(courtesy of TPR member johnychen)

[AusCoasterFan]

^Front row of the last car is the magic Arrow seat.

 

This is funny because I wanted to ride Viper towards the back and seat here. I was a amazed at how much sitting in a different part of the train could make such a huge difference to the experience of the ride

[DJeXeL]

Ninja backwards would be a great ride.

[Superbatboy]

It's only a matter of time before Ninja and Jet Stream are torn out for some gimmick coaster to add to the Xtreme marketing campaign...

 

Yeah it's probably inevitable, it's so sad they're slowly tearing away my childhood memories. That being said hopefully they put a dueling terrain euro fighter in their place

[rcjp]

I was just looking at a video of Lex Luthor DOD from when it opened and they were coordinating superman so that when the cars reached the top the ones from the drop tower were released and noticed that when the timing was perfect the cars from LL actually went slightly faster than superman's.

Now I remember being discussed why it doesn't feel as "free-fally" (yup, made that up) as other drop rides like intamin's previous ones and someone suggested (which made sense) that maybe because of the wheel assembly (possibly tighter) the drag was bigger and, therefore, it didn't drop as fast.

So this leads me to conclude that what somewhat neutralizes the experience has to be the restraints and so I'll ask: how tight are they?

[thrillseeker4552]

^ I found the restraints on Lex Luthor VERY comfortable and free while still feeling secure. It mainly just feels like a lap bar with two grab bars. Not tight at all.

 

But, as said before, the drop is okay. It is super fast and fun, but not as "free-falley" as other ones. Supreme Scream is still my favorite drop because of the first second or two of the drop where you are at -1G.

[Wes]

Ninja backwards would be a great ride.

 

Which means it won't happen because dreams go to die at SFMM.

[rcjp]

^^Yeah those S&S ones are fun but they're not really drop towers as the car actually gets pulled down and not just dropped, otherwise there would be no negatives, just zero G.

I mentioned this because (even though I haven't tried it) many have said it doesn't have the same kick as other drop rides.

[cal1br3tto]

IIRC, the restraints are tighter than what you may be used to considering many drop tower OTSRs allow for a good deal of space. But they might be the best restraints yet for maximizing the views and feeling of freedom. I mean, I know OTSRs aren't exactly blocking a lot on these rides, either, but these bars give even more of an open feel.

 

I do remember feeling like there was still a distinct advantage to sitting on the very edge...like, maybe the seats were a bit too close together for comfort? But that's life.