The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[Manic Monte]

I'm predicting new trains for the ride's 40th. Tim Burkhart said a few years ago that the Revolution trains were nearing their end of life. I think they will work into some kind marketing plan for the ride. Just my guess though.

[rcdude]

^I'm not getting my hopes up, but that would be a really good follow up to Twisted Colossus for 2016. The trains on Sooperdooperlooper at Hersheypark were great, so SFMM could get those, give the ride a repaint, and promote a restored Revolution. Given how much capital investment has gone into the park in the past few years, it would be nice to have a year more focused on upkeep, but a restored Revolution (along with possibly a flat ride or two) could be their marketed addition for the year.

 

As for the Revolution video, if the ride still ran that way it would be one of the top five coasters in the park for sure. The ride is an excellent bridge coaster for those who are getting bored with the family coasters but aren't quite ready for an extreme thrill. With the effort SFMM has put into Holiday in the Park and next year's Screampunk District, it seems that they do care about the park to some degree so I hope they'll preserve the ride for years to come (whatever form it may be in).

[coasterchitchat]

I'm predicting new trains for the ride's 40th. Tim Burkhart said a few years ago that the Revolution trains were nearing their end of life. I think they will work into some kind marketing plan for the ride. Just my guess though.

 

Gerstlauer still makes parts to Anton's coasters and supplied SooperDooperLooper's new trains, but knowing what happened with NTAG, I doubt Six Flags would want to buy something from Gerstlauer ever again.

[Jew]

I think I've said this already...but why is everyone so obsessed with Revolution? Just my opinion, but I don't think a restored Revolution would crack any top-10 lists (except for those people blinded by nostalgia). Of course the ride would be better by default, but I'm guessing it would only take to slightly above average (read: make it at least rideable again).

[Gnome]

^ I'll take a rideable Revolution. It's not a bad ride but the OTSR make it unenjoyable.

 

But to answer your question, perhaps everyone thinks that by removing the trims, those hills will suddenly have forceful air hills, epic pacing, and strong g's throughout the helix and else where.

[singemfrc]

knowing what happened with NTAG, I doubt Six Flags would want to buy something from Gerstlauer ever again.

I don't think you have any idea what you're talking about.

 

I think I've said this already...but why is everyone so obsessed with Revolution? Just my opinion, but I don't think a restored Revolution would crack any top-10 lists (except for those people blinded by nostalgia). Of course the ride would be better by default, but I'm guessing it would only take to slightly above average (read: make it at least rideable again).

I think it's just the nostalgia. It's not a particularly thrilling coaster anymore but it is a historic one, and with comfortable trains could be a very nice relaxing ride through the trees. Slightly above average has always been it's potential, and that's worlds better than what it is right now.

[iloveblueberries]

I love how the G-forces on Revolution feel. Being able to ride it again without the OTSR's would be amazing.

[cfc]

I think I've said this already...but why is everyone so obsessed with Revolution? Just my opinion, but I don't think a restored Revolution would crack any top-10 lists (except for those people blinded by nostalgia). Of course the ride would be better by default, but I'm guessing it would only take to slightly above average (read: make it at least rideable again).

 

I see what you mean, but it would be nice for it to be at least a "good" ride again.

[Jew]

Don't get me wrong, I certainly wouldn't complain if it did get an overhaul...I also just wouldn't complain if it was torn out for a terrain Intamin mega-lite either!

[gerstlaueringvar]

Coming in 2016, worlds first RMC steel coaster. That long straight drop will be replaced by a double downwards barrel roll or four insane drops...

 

Just get the new trains, it's not like only Gerstlauer makes custom trains, if Six Flags aren't comfortable with hiring Gerstlauer again, buy trains from Intamin. Intamin is the train's original manufacturer anyway and those new multi-looper trains can work on Revolution with slight modification.

[JeromyL]

Don't get me wrong, I certainly wouldn't complain if it did get an overhaul...I also just wouldn't complain if it was torn out for a terrain Intamin mega-lite either!

 

I could go for both as well....

[AllenA07]

My guess is nothing at all happens when Revolution turns 40. I also don't see the park ripping the ride out, there is an iconic element to it, and due to the associated history, I think SFMM would chose to keep it in the lineup. I will say however that I do think Revolution will someday revert to a lapbar only ride. I think that day comes when the current trains reach a maintenance point where they cost more to keep up then replace. When the park reaches a point of needing to replace the trains I think they come back without the OTSR. Nothing is going to happen because the ride turns 40, new trains are not going to bring enough return on investment to justify until it becomes cost prohibitive to run the current trains.

[coasterbill]

I'm a sucker for nostalgia and if they ever removed the over the shoulder restraints on Revolution we would probably get plane tickets to Los Angeles and ride it (I mean... it wouldn't be the only thing we did out there but it would be a great excuse to go back... along with that Garlic restaurant in Hollywood that we didn't have time to eat at last time). I'm sure it wouldn't crack my top 20, maybe not even my top 50 but it would be a great experience on a piece of coaster history.

[singemfrc]

My guess is nothing at all happens when Revolution turns 40. I also don't see the park ripping the ride out, there is an iconic element to it, and due to the associated history, I think SFMM would chose to keep it in the lineup. I will say however that I do think Revolution will someday revert to a lapbar only ride. I think that day comes when the current trains reach a maintenance point where they cost more to keep up then replace. When the park reaches a point of needing to replace the trains I think they come back without the OTSR. Nothing is going to happen because the ride turns 40, new trains are not going to bring enough return on investment to justify until it becomes cost prohibitive to run the current trains.

I agree that I don't see the park replacing the trains just because its the 40th anniversary, but I think they trains are close enough to their end of life that they may choose to do it then anyway.

[DonGeorge]

What if Magic Mountain cut down all the trees for Revolution's 40th??

 

Now that I think about it, this sounds like something from an extended version of the Michael Rosen Rap.

 

When I was 44 I built an RMC,

When I was 45 I cut down all the trees.

So that's what I am, that's what I've been...

[KBrylczyk]

...but a restored Revolution (along with possibly a flat ride or two) could be their marketed addition for the year.

 

(along with possibly a flat ride or two)

 

flat ride

 

 

I mean, yeah, keep hope alive and all that, but SFMM is more likely to build a 600-foot Polercoaster than they are to install a flat ride.

[singemfrc]

I mean, yeah, keep hope alive and all that, but SFMM is more likely to build a 600-foot Polercoaster than they are to install a flat ride.

That may not be too far fetched. I'm hearing they're having more and more problems in regards to fixing Sky Tower. Reportedly (according to someone who recently spoke to park management) Intamin, who built it, no longer has the knowledge and/or equipment to bring it up to code and SFMM is having trouble finding anyone else that can make the necessary repairs and upgrades that it needs to continue operating in California. Sky Tower is a very unique elevator system, not only is it not like regular elevators, its also different than all of the other similar structures that Intamin built.

 

Mind you this is long term, but if it comes to a point where it's decided that the tower will be permanently shuttered, I think putting a polar coaster type structure in it's place would be prettty logical. A tower is a pretty important structure for the park and a polar coaster is a great way to attract attention and use space efficiently at the same time.

[DarienLaker]

Is the Sky Tower closing yet?

[singemfrc]

Is the Sky Tower closing yet?

I think its considered SBNO right now. It's definitely not considered permanently closed yet according to the park as of earlier this week. See my previous post..it's not up to code at the moment and the park is trying to find someone who can repair/upgrade it since Intamin apparently can't for some reason.

[DarienLaker]

I wonder if Six Flags Magic Mountain is going to relocate the museum in the Sky Tower to elsewhere in the park? Has any got any ideas on where SFMM should relocate the Sky Tower museum to?

[DoubleDown]

^I'm sorry to say I believe the Magic Mountain museum in Sky Tower has been obsolete for some time now. I think they left some things up there, but from what I remember the things they left up there are just a glimpse of what the museum used to be when it first opened (I believe this may have been back when Tatsu opened).

 

Reportedly (according to someone who recently spoke to park management) Intamin, who built it, no longer has the knowledge and/or equipment to bring it up to code and SFMM is having trouble finding anyone else that can make the necessary repairs and upgrades that it needs to continue operating in California.

 

Kinda strange that a company who built the tower and has been working with Magic Mountain to keep it operable during the past 40+ years suddenly no longer has the knowledge and/or equipment to bring it up to code or get it working again. I may be wrong, but I think it may be more that it's not the parks priority at this time what with all the other big things going on around the park.

 

Sky Tower has been down before for extended periods of time, then was opened back up and operable for a while. This just may be one of those times where the Sky Tower doesn't get some TLC for a while until the park gets back to it.

[iloveblueberries]

It would be tricky trying to tear that tower down...

 

Also, Magic Mountain, fix your tower don't tear it down. The longer they leave it SBNO, the longer it will stand as a symbol of the parks poor operations.

Edited December 4, 2014 by iloveblueberries

[DarienLaker]

I hate to ask this question again, where would the Magic Mountain museum go to now?

[singemfrc]

^I'm sorry to say I believe the Magic Mountain museum in Sky Tower has been obsolete for some time now. I think they left some things up there, but from what I remember the things they left up there are just a glimpse of what the museum used to be when it first opened (I believe this may have been back when Tatsu opened).

I hate to ask this question again, where would the Magic Mountain museum go to now?

I was up there on Labor Day of 2013 and there was no sign of the museum that used to be up there. The only thing in the room at all were trash cans.

 

Kinda strange that a company who built the tower and has been working with Magic Mountain to keep it operable during the past 40+ years suddenly no longer has the knowledge and/or equipment to bring it up to code or get it working again. I may be wrong, but I think it may be more that it's not the parks priority at this time what with all the other big things going on around the park.

 

Sky Tower has been down before for extended periods of time, then was opened back up and operable for a while. This just may be one of those times where the Sky Tower doesn't get some TLC for a while until the park gets back to it.

That was my first thought too, but when you think about it the thing was custom built in the 70s, it's very plausible that the people who designed and built it are no longer at Intamin (and may even be dead), and there werent computers then like there are now, so records may be hard to find and/or nonexistent. It's plausible. I wondered if a company like Otis who invented the elevator (the first elevator, elevators in general, not this specific one) would be able to be contracted..I'm sure they COULD, but I just don't know if the park would want to pay for it. I suspected (but it wasnt said) that it wasnt literally impossible, just that the park couldnt get it done right now whether it be for financial or logistical reasons.

 

It would be tricky trying to tear that tower down...

 

Also, Magic Mountain, fix your tower don't tear it down.

Aye, just as I would prefer Revolution be upgraded but wouldnt mind a new terrain coaster, I'd prefer the old iconic Sky Tower be kept, but I wouldnt be disappointed with a polar coaster either. Twisted Colossus is another good example actually - I was a bit sad to see Colossus go, but the blow was completely softened with the news that it was being replaced by an RMC!

[DarienLaker]

^I thought that there's museum with the history of Magic Mountain on top of Sky Tower, now I'm confused.