The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[robbalvey]

If any employee at Magic Mountain doesn't know who Robb is, they've obviously just fallen off a turnip truck.

I dunno, as much as I like the fact that some people at the park know us, take the time to chat with us, etc, I kind of think of it like when you walk into one of your favorite restaurants and they already know your order, come over and chat with you and are very friendly.

 

I don't expect to walk around the park and be treated like some freaking celebrity or any special than the next normal person. That would actually creep me out a bit.

 

--Robb

[upfrontjwash]

Yeah that would creep me out aswell.

 

Oh yeah, apologizes about that one comment Robb, but you took it off before i had the chance to.

[RIP Psyclone]

I don't expect to walk around the park and be treated like some freaking celebrity or any special than the next normal person. That would actually creep me out a bit.

 

--Robb

 

I don't think even celebrities deserve to be treated like celebrities. However, if someone knows who you are and still gives you bad service, he/she is shooting his/herself in the foot since the tale of your bad experience will end up on here. And like you said, it's important that even the small issues are brought to the attention of management. I think posting about it on here is one of the best ways since Jay and Neal are TPR members.

 

I'll reiterate that point by restating how I thought I was overcharged by the park's vending machines (A $3.50 soft drink ended up being $14.) Well, it turns out the $14 was just a hold on my checking account, and it was released after the correct $3.50 was charged for each of the transactions. However, I greatly appreciated how Neal told me he would look into in personally. So, if there's ever a problem, let it be known, Jay and Neal (& maybe even Tim ) honestly do care, and will help you if they can.

[iamscottevil]

I rescind my vote for EL Loco and now vote for the EAGLE'S FLIGHT canoe.

 

Okay tired and rambling deleted, sorry.

[upfrontjwash]

I'll reiterate that point by restating how I thought I was overcharged by the park's vending machines (A $3.50 soft drink ended up being $14.) Well, it turns out the $14 was just a hold on my checking account, and it was released after the correct $3.50 was charged for each of the transactions. However, I greatly appreciated how Neal told me he would look into in

 

I'm glad you got that worked out.

 

I may be the only one the notices, but on my last ride on Tatsu last wednesday. When the train is on the second set of brakes going into the station. Their is what appears to be a huge mix of water and spit. The most ineresting thing was what appeared to be a bone from a turkey leg, which is near the entrance to Tatsu. On the platform of the second set of brakes. It was funny and kind of gross at the same time.

[Manic Monte]

I rescind my vote for EL Loco and now vote for the EAGLE'S FLIGHT canoe.

 

Okay tired and rambling deleted, sorry.

 

LOL!

 

I really hope the new ride isn't an S&S...

[robbalvey]

Interesting side note....

 

I just got a call from Jahan to let me know that Sky Tower is running and to look out my window (since I have a view of the park from my office) and sure enough, the flag on top of Sky Tower was blowing a lot more than it was last night.

 

So putting two and two together it would seem that it wasn't too windy for Sky Tower to operate last night and as of today that problem has been resolved.

 

Great to see SFMM taking care of these little problems as they come up!

 

--Robb

[nagro5]

Hey guys, I'm here at SFMM and I'll post a PTR later in the week.

[ebl]

^ I was out there earlier today for awhile just to get out of the house. Didn't do much riding (just Viper, Colossus, and Goliath).

 

Over by Food, Etc., I saw Tim Burkhart walking ahead of some other important looking people, but I didn't recognize any of them.

 

The park was quite clean today, but not very crowded.

 

Eric

[darklingscribe]

It is always frustrating when you encounter what seems to be an apathetic employee. It's inevitable at a place like SFMM, which employs so many, that not all of the staff is up to snuff at the end of their shifts. For two years I used to work at Borders Books and I'd usually hit my slump in the afternoon. It was hell some days, getting though the 3 to 5pm part of my 9 to 5 shift. I tried not to let it show and I think part of the reason why I got so tired is that I was stuck behind the registers all day. If they had moved me to the info desk, so I could walk around helping customers, I think I might have survived better.

 

I just recently went back to the same store to buy a magazine and everyone seemed to be a whole lot more active than I remember in the afternoon. I took a peek at a the day's schedule where it was taped behind the info desk and discovered that they had eliminated all specialized positions. There were no more cashiers, info people, and cafe workers. Instead everyone was working in two hour blocks at different stations throughout the day.

 

Does SFMM have similar shift change program, where employees are moved to different stations during the day? It might help with the apathy.

[sam06pr]

Hey everyone look what I found. It talks about troubled companies in bad debts, and six flags is one of them (as if we did not know), just thought I throw this out there in this thread since they have a pic of X representing SF lol

aol.com

[PURE]

I think the problem with any park improving is definitely going to be the fine details getting worked out after the gears are spinning and work is getting done. Robb, I understand you ran into a couple crappy employees at the park, but they're just that, crappy employees. Atleast now there are only 2, whereas 5 years ago, they were all that way. You can't let that ruin your entire experience of the park and the improvements that are taking place.

 

I never thought I'd ever see the eyes on Viper's sign being lit up again, I never even mentioned it and Bam!, it was done. These are things that are going on around the park that get the wheels in motion, hopefully to turn the park around in 5 years. Crappy employees and problems around the park are going to happen until the machine has been tweaked and adjusted. All in due time.

 

I think it should be a rule (both great for guests and for the park) that ALL employees closing the park are going to be staying an hour after the park closes no matter what. That leaves an hour after each park day for employees to go through the queue lines, clean up trash, clean up buildings, and prepare for the next day.

 

The problem is some people are off at 8, right when the park closes. That last hour, they don't give a crap about what's going on in the park, they're worried about going home. If they know they're going to be in the park for another hour anyway, it will discourage them from closing shops early, closing rides early, and keeping things open for guests to venture through as they're heading back to the exit gates. This leaves time for last minute shopping, snacking and donut and coffee pick-ups (at the Cyber Cafe).

 

In my opinion, NOTHING should be closed until the closing hour of the evening strikes. This bologna of not opening rides for the last 45 minutes, or not having fresh donuts the last hour of park opening, or shops being closed before the park making guests that have traveled from far away pissed off because they can't buy something they saw in the store earlier in the day, all of these things are not good for business.

 

The park says it's open till 8, they should damn well keep their word.

 

Other than that, I think the park is getting better. Perhaps not as much as some people are making it out to be (I think some of you are asking for too much, too soon), but the upswing is happening. During my last few visits I've been walking around thinking "Wow, I can't believe this is the same Magic Mountain."

[ghost007jas]

I never thought I'd ever see the eyes on Viper's sign being lit up again, I never even mentioned it and Bam!, it was done.

 

You can thank Corey (CoasterRealm) for that. I agree, it's little things like that that make the whole park look nicer.

 

As a wise man once said, it's the little things in life that make it special. Perhaps the same ideology can me used for amusement parks.

[upfrontjwash]

I feel the same way the last few times i have been to the park. The little things around the park, are making it better and better. It gives me a fuzzy feeling inside to see everything coming together.

[robbalvey]

Robb, I understand you ran into a couple crappy employees at the park, but they're just that, crappy employees. Atleast now there are only 2, whereas 5 years ago, they were all that way. You can't let that ruin your entire experience of the park and the improvements that are taking place.

Oh, it doesn't. But I still think the little things need to be pointed out. I'm not going to walk by an overflowing trashcan or not report a rude employee if doing so can help the park that much more.

 

Obviously you can't be everywhere and not every employee and trash can is going to be perfect.

 

I'm just continuing to report what I see, good or bad, because I think the park wants to know how our visits are.

 

--Robb

[Mr Stratosphere]

I'm just continuing to report what I see, good or bad, because I think the park wants to know how our visits are.

 

--Robb

 

I think this is great!! It reminds me as well. Think of the GP, people remember bad situations more than they remember the good ones. Just as the saying goes, "You are only as strong as your Weakest Link." All it takes is one person or situation to ruin a visit at the park. So I would believe that the park would want to minimize bad situations, no matter how big or small.

 

Think of a person who is a first time visitor to the park and would have crappy things like this happen on their visit. Would they recommend the park to others? I wouldn't think so. I like to remember that the best type of advertisement is word of mouth. It's the best way to promote the park and increases the chances of repeat visitors.

 

Anyways I cannot wait to head back to the park. It's exciting to see all the changes happening and everything looks great so far.

 

There was only one person at the park that knew me by name. She was the sweetest lady at the gift shop near the carousel. Her name is Verna and always remembered me by name, so I always made it a point to go and visit her when I come to the park. She was the nicest person in any of the stores that I could remember.

 

John

[AllenA07]

I agree with what one of the above posters said, that boredom likely becomes a problem from employees, and causes them to act rude occasionally. When I was working at the park I remember become incredibly bored by the end of my shift. I would sit behind a sound system all day and watch the same show over and over again. During Fright Fest I would run the Roadkill Kitchen which had me working for 10-15 minutes an hour and basically sitting around making sure the sound system didn't run away for the other 45 minutes. To avoid going crazy I ended up walking around and giving information to anybody who wanted it, I actually loved when guests needed directions or anything, because it gave me a chance to interact with people. A lot of time before shows I would talk to people in the audience and ask how their stay at the park was.

[upfrontjwash]

How was your over all experience while working at the park? Because i may be working their very soon.

[rba13]

Hey everyone look what I found. It talks about troubled companies in bad debts, and six flags is one of them (as if we did not know), just thought I throw this out there in this thread since they have a pic of X representing SF lol

aol.com

 

AOL? isn't that the same company that merged with Time Warner and also acguired Six Flags at one time? AOL should of put themselves on the list.

[rba13]

I like how they removed all those ugly tv monitors broadcasting those cartoons and ads. You couldn't see the monitors because of all the glare and scratches on it and the sound system was crap.

[Ryan King]

I like how they removed all those ugly tv monitors broadcasting those cartoons and ads. You couldn't see the monitors because of all the glare and scratches on it and the sound system was crap.

 

I know Jay Thomas has already mentioned the return of this system. It will be known as, correct me if im wrong, "Six Flags TV". It will broadcast a bunch of cool stuff! Something along the lines of commercials, shows, music videos, etc! It should be a cool thing to watch while waiting in line throughout the park.

 

-Ryan

[upfrontjwash]

That will be interesting to see the tv's make a return.

[ebl]

"...and basically sitting around making sure the sound system didn't run away for the other 45 minutes." (AllenA07)

 

Did one ever get away?

 

Eric

[upfrontjwash]

Hey rob are you going to MM for one of your nite walks at this saturday?

[AllenA07]

"...and basically sitting around making sure the sound system didn't run away for the other 45 minutes." (AllenA07)

 

Did one ever get away?

 

Eric

 

Actually once as I was returning from lunch I did see some activity behind the wall. I went to investigate and discovered two kids (13ish) attempting to unhook the sound system and make off with it. They wouldn't have made it very far, the thing weighed a couple hundred pounds, and was a pretty decent size. However that is the closest one ever got to running away.