The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[Bucket]

^^Looks awesome! But that site brings up a good point about that effect... how much would it cost to operate it? If that effect did end up in the final X2, I could see it never being used.

[mushrumjaz]

hey everyone~

Its been awhile since i have posted but I tend to read the MM Forum daily. I have been thinking and decided to see your thoughts on an idea. I have visited Cedar point a few times as well many international parks long ago. I work in the airlines and have the luxury to travel for little cost. At many parks awhile back they utilized DJ's either in the que or in the ride loading areas.

Give the size of X2's loading area, and que what would be the feeling to have a DJ work on high capacity days for the park. I ask because i am a DJ that owns all his own equipment including High Tech muti-colored lasars and effect lighting far more impressive that whats found at Riddlers. if you remember the Lasar show that used to be done at the Theater I have the ability to do the same in the loading / unloading area, feed live mixed music into their soundsystem as well extend out over the que. I have collected my own equipment from being a mobile DJ and as it sits now in my garage going to waste I have thought about putting it to use. Having grown up in Europe i still carry the same high energy music the park plays through out its rides.

I look for your general thoughts on this, as its not something I would wish to do all the time but to offer a change and variety during peak times for the park.

Rob or even Jay if you read this your thoughts as well...D'journey let the record spin....

 

While I'm not a particular fan of that brand of 'High energy music' I love this idea. In fact, every time I looked up at that bridge over the middle of the loading area I thought "That looks like a DJ Platform at an expensive night club"

 

Even if it was just a few times a year, like how they run colossus backwards every now and then, I think this has some serious potential. Say during the weekend over spring break, and Memorial & Labor day weekends?

 

I have been working on a letter to offer to SFMM to test the idea for utilizing a DJ along with club-lighting either in the loading station with music being broadcast through the que areas.

Fully understanding that the que line, the wait, the views of the ride in action and themeing if any all are part of the build up to the ride itself. The music is just another part of getting the crowd amp'd, excited and anticipating the ride. This is the main reason most ride que music is of the dance type, due to its build up of energy.

My idea to want to do this is so not to let my equipment just go to waste as well i think it will really enhance the experience and enthusiasm on any particular ride capable of enough room to accomodate the equipment. I agree Ihave always looked up at X's operators bridge and thought about dropping my turntables up there and firing 2 to 4 lasars across the roof in a cloud of smoke creating a liquid sky.

So lets see if SFMM is open for a regular season pass holder who just wants to have fun and make it better is open to ideas from us the GP....D'Journey the record has spun

[Bucket]

^YES! What a great idea transforming the station into a club-like atmosphere!

 

Wishful thinking but what if they made it look like this:

 

(Go to 1:21)

 

 

 

HOLY SH*T!

 

The stage in the video (where the infinity sign is) is where the control panel would be located and the lights could line the tall ceilings in the X station (if I remember correctly).

 

Like I said before, WISHFUL thinking! But still... cool to fantasize about!

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

That fire effect in the summer? Scorcher! Es muy caliente!

[Manic Monte]

Doesn't Great Adventure also use DJ's in some queues? I remember them at Superman and Nitro. This would work wonderfully in both X's and Deja Vu's queue areas.

[bflag]

I totally disagree with DJ's in the queue area. I for one don't care for this type of music and I know ALOT of others would agree. Just because a couple people think this is a good idea doesn't mean it should happen. I don't hate this music or Iam not putting anybody down for listening to it (so please no misquotes) Iam just saying that not EVERYBODY likes this type of music and to spend money on something that a few will like is the SFMM of old. I would much rather see money spent on bathrooms, Landscaping, new rides, ect. Once again Iam not trying to disrespect anyone's choice of music just stating my opinion.

[PURE]

I have to say I really don't get the decision making processes of Magic Mountain or their explanations behind them. They have to charge a buck for lockers to 'offset that cost' (I don’t mind, I’m just saying), they think tunnels, fog and lights are too expensive and are removed from the project, and now they're testing balls of fire that have to be just as expensive to install, and are going to be a constant running cost each day. I'm not sure if train 3 has been tested yet either, I think its either done being put together or its in the last stages.

 

All this on a ride they already dumped millions in for new trains, and it’s all being done in the last month before the ride opens. I’m not business major (yet), but this just doesn’t seem like the way I’d have things running if I was calling the shots.

 

Are those pictures on Screamscape recent? It looks like they were testing the fire on the old trains.

[mushrumjaz]

The images/videos posted above are very easy to duplicate. Most of the effects pictured are items I currently have.

As for music selection, here is a breakdown on music choice and facts. The music typically played does not feature vocals as you would find on everyday radio air played music. When any establishment broadcast music of that type there are heavy fee's associated with using commercialized music. Everything from BMG to royalties get paid out, whereas underground music as well music created by groups like crystal Methos, Darude, ETC. have provided their music for common use. ASs well havinhg been a DJ and a night club owner music selection is very critical.

As much as it would be nice to pump today's current radio hits, we all know how music like rap, hip hop and other genere's can lead to altercations as well. Don't get me wrong in any sense that i would play TECHNO as its being refered to here. There are many cuts out there that can be played that would fit for all types of people musical choices.

In no way would this take away from the ride or the experience, and as for cost. Thats the parks determination on how far trhey want to go. Someone like me who has a complete mobile set up could do a set up and tear down in a matter of 1-2 hours. It would probably cost more to plant trees to keep you shaded versus having a once in awhile ride enhancement. Seeing what the possible fire effect that was posted on screamscape today may look like, added with a strobe and lasars would surely highten the excitement....D'journey

[Kennyweird]

Are those pictures on Screamscape recent? It looks like they were testing the fire on the old trains.

 

No, they're not very recent, they're actually from march, and yes, those are indeed the old trains.

 

Effects like this are costly to maintain. An amusement park that really isn't very heavy on the theming (like SFMM) typically maintains these effects for a few years before giving up on them, especially if they're a maintenance nightmare (or a wallet drainer). I see this particular one lasting only a few seasons at the most.

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

I don't see this effect getting off the ground at all, but then again it is not my choice to make. My main concern is that with temperatures rising above 100 degrees in the summer, pyrotechnical effects don't seem like the best.

[wrs28330]

pyrotechnical effects don't seem like the best.

 

Pyrotechnic effects are not the same as fire/flame effects. X2 is testing flame effects.

[ebl]

Does anyone remember the "fireball" on Jaguar! at Knott's? (It was right over the station as the train passed it.) That didn't last very long.

 

Special effects are nice if they're kept going and maintained.

 

Add me to the list of not having DJs in queues. I just don't like prolonged, excessive noise---whatever it comes from---and ride queues tend to have plenty already.

 

Eric

[AllenA07]

^I agree, I would rather be able to talk to those in line with me, rather then listening to loud techno music.

[Team Thriller]

^

I know that Disney's attractions usually have music playing.

If the music in the queues aren't loud, it would really add to the excitment that many people have before riding.

But if its to loud, I agree, they shouldn't make you shout over the music. Although, I doubt any park would blast the station or lines with any type of music.

 

--James

[PeoplemoverMatt]

^ Disney's attractions couldn't possibly blare the music that you'll hear in some of SFMM's stations these days. It'd drown out the stupid safety spiels that have to play in 2 languages now just to make the scary corporate lawyers happy.

 

At this point, I could careless about fire effects, techno queue music or any of that. Just make the darn coaster work consistently with 3 trains, and a reasonable load/unload time. That's ALL I'm looking for with X2.

 

-- PMM

[NYTrojan]

As I said before, I don't like Techno, and I got really tired of it playing in the queue for X back in the day.

 

However, as a SPECIAL EVENT (read: Not every time you ride it) I recognize how adding a DJ playing music and displaying effects can create a special atmosphere, even if I personally don't like the music itself. I mean it doesn't matter what music you pick, it won't be for 'EVERYBODY'. Heck, X2 as a ride isn't for EVERYBODY. But special pluses that happen only every so often can make for a really cool event.

 

As much as I dislike techno myself, I can easily see something like this to cause a buzz around the park. "Did you ride X yet?... They've got a DJ in there with fog and stuff; it's crazy!"

[PURE]

Meh, I'm against the DJ thing, they had one at CP when I went, and the place was packed. Still, it didn't do much for me, or seem to do much for the crowd that was waiting in the sunny 3 hour line. I don't think it has to do with what type of music they're playing at all.

 

I'm glad the ride has new trains and I hope they help the ride run more consistently with a better capacity. I will be happy if that's all we get, because the ride will at least be improved. However, if things end up going sour and the park doesn't have the effects they marketed, I will kind of be disappointed that they didn't happen. Partly because they said they would and they didn't follow through.

[bflag]

^At this point, I could careless about fire effects, techno queue music or any of that. Just make the darn coaster work consistently with 3 trains, and a reasonable load/unload time. That's ALL I'm looking for with X2.

 

-- PMM

 

 

Nicely said. I personally don't care about effects or fire or music either....the new trains and new paint job is fine with.

 

If they do go through with these Flame effects, maybe they should think about just doing this at night and leaving it "as is" during the day. I didn't think about this but Bolliger&Mabillard made a very good point about the temperatures this summer. Something they should definitely consider.

 

I've been saying for months they should have two different rides like Rockin Space Mountain last year @ Disneyland. This would cut down on the cost as well as creating a major buzz as the sun goes down.

[vedved82491]

I'd definitely like to see the music show up in the station, however, I doubt strobes and lasers would make it in, due to the risk of epileptic people having seizures.

 

Whatever they decide to do, it's clear they're not giving up and they're not lying. Progress is visibly taking place and I have no doubts they're trying to get SOMETHING innovative to work out in the long run.

[nagro5]

I don't think that the fire effect will stay long unless they find a cheaper alternative to it. I like the idea of saving it for a night thing. X2 is sure to be great, but think about how much better it could be if there was fog and strobe lights along with it.

 

Now to the DJ's. I like the idea of a DJ playing songs while you're waiting in line. I know that I got bored when I was waiting in line, so some music to rock to would be nice. They could have a suggestion area so people could request a song. I wouldn't want music to be playing the whole time though. How about having a DJ stall at most of the major rides, but only having two or three DJ's that have hour shifts. They would rotate to the next ride in their cycle when the hour was up. If they ever do do that, I hope that they wouldn't play the music too loud. I want to talk to the people in line, and the people that don't like the song could tune it out.

[Jew]

I noticed Cedar Point had DJ booths in all their queues. I think if done right, it could be a nice addition to the park. Believe it or not, people actually want to be entertained in line. While we might be against it, I am sure there are plenty of guests who would enjoy hearing some of their favorite songs while waiting.

 

Distracting people in line makes them forget how long the wait really is. Anything to add to the queue experience is a GOOD thing for the park.

[BuddyChrist]

Personally, I don't like DJs. They can get obnoxious and really lame after a while. I do agree that they distract the general public easily (seems they're easily entertained anyway) and can make some waits seem more bearable to them.

 

I don't really see a big proliferation of DJs coming to any Six Flags park though. Since they announced their in-park television plan, Six Flags TV, I see the parks using those speakers to hook up to the TVs to entertain patrons in the queues instead of blarung music at them. Once they get the whole plan in place, I think DJs will be a thing of the past. The revenue from putting ads onto the TVs will be good but what good will they be if you can't hear them over a bunch of music?

[PeoplemoverMatt]

If 'queue entertainment' is anything like what happens in Medusa's queue up at SFDK, then I'm wholeheartedly against it.

 

You want to have queue entertainment? Think up a bloody theme for the ride, and have some entertainment associated with that theme. If I have to walk into a giant blaring iPod everytime I want to ride a coaster, I might rethink riding that coaster.

 

And the fact we're discussing this while there are still maintenance, reliability, and capacity issues with a coaster like X2 to me is ridiculous. As I said before, invest in the coaster running right consistently first. THEN you can think about frilling it up with extra expenses like DJ's, dancing donkeys, or whatever you want.

 

-- PMM

[robbalvey]

Just make the darn coaster work consistently with 3 trains, and a reasonable load/unload time. That's ALL I'm looking for with X2.

Let's go back to this post you made earlier.

 

This is the goal. Let's give them a chance to make this happen. I'm confident that it will.

 

And remember, there was capacity and maintenance issues with "X", not "X2"

 

Give them a chance to get it right, please!

 

--Robb "Did you say dancing donkeys?" Alvey

[NYTrojan]

Also remember that nobody from Six Flags ever brought up a DJ. A DJ here did.