The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[JeromyL]

^^^^ I think he was referring to when X2 broke in August if 2013. Wasn't up until January....

[singemfrc]

^^^^ I think he was referring to when X2 broke in August if 2013. Wasn't up until January....

Yeah. Took longer than a typical chain break, I assume because of an unusual chain for that huge motor.

[MagicMountainMan]

Considering how much money the park has been making off of the Capcom advertisements in the Goliath line, I'm sure the park will definitely be hurrying up to fix it.

[Sfne13]

I'm going for my first time next week, after the spring break promo ends, and I really hope it is open. Can anybody give me tips? I am getting a gold level flash pass and the x2 add on. I'm not expecting anything Screampunk to be open.

[Jew]

Considering how much money the park has been making off of the Capcom advertisements in the Goliath line, I'm sure the park will definitely be hurrying up to fix it.

 

I don't think you understand SFMM's operation very well...

[SFMM fanboy]

If you look close enough, you can see the stuck Goliath train. Ironically, it's the train with the monster wrap.

[MagicMountainMan]

Considering how much money the park has been making off of the Capcom advertisements in the Goliath line, I'm sure the park will definitely be hurrying up to fix it.

 

I don't think you understand SFMM's operation very well...

 

Hence the sarcastic

[KBrylczyk]

If you look close enough, you can see the stuck Goliath train. Ironically, it's the train with the monster wrap.

 

Obviously a disgruntled Got2B employee that was angry about them using a different train wrap.

[beenagins87]

If you look close enough, you can see the stuck Goliath train. Ironically, it's the train with the monster wrap.

 

Obviously a disgruntled Got2B employee that was angry about them using a different train wrap.

 

I just almost choked to death on my Snickers Egg, thanks for that.

[vedved82491]

 

Obviously a disgruntled Got2B employee that was angry about them using a different train wrap.

 

 

This is everything.

 

 

EDIT: They probably threw a bottle of their "finest" styling gel onto the chain as sabotage.

[beenagins87]

 

Obviously a disgruntled Got2B employee that was angry about them using a different train wrap.

 

 

This is everything.

 

 

EDIT: They probably threw a bottle of their "finest" styling gel onto the chain as sabotage.

 

I actually had a friend that use to put that stuff in his hair. eek is all I can say.

[laqueefa]

 

Obviously a disgruntled Got2B employee that was angry about them using a different train wrap.

 

 

This is everything.

 

 

EDIT: They probably threw a bottle of their "finest" styling gel onto the chain as sabotage.

 

I actually had a friend that use to put that stuff in his hair. eek is all I can say.

 

[steveinphoenix]

I'm going for my first time next week, after the spring break promo ends, and I really hope it is open. Can anybody give me tips? I am getting a gold level flash pass and the x2 add on. I'm not expecting anything Screampunk to be open.

 

 

I am trying to buy my tickets and platinum flash pass online but i cannot find anywhere on the website how to add X2 onto it? How much extra is it...and do you know how i add it to my check out cart?

[JeromyL]

^^^ you can't. It's an add on at the park. Because they will add the time to your qbot. As for the price. I haven't done it in a long time. Can't remember.

[singemfrc]

I'm going for my first time next week, after the spring break promo ends, and I really hope it is open. Can anybody give me tips? I am getting a gold level flash pass and the x2 add on. I'm not expecting anything Screampunk to be open.

 

 

I am trying to buy my tickets and platinum flash pass online but i cannot find anywhere on the website how to add X2 onto it? How much extra is it...and do you know how i add it to my check out cart?

You have to purchase that in person at the Flash Pass office. It's either $10 or $15 it's gone back and forth.

[Fidelity]

Yes, I have never been to Six Flags Magic Mountain and I have read the gripes, both legitimate and illegitimate. I find the gripes about rides being down consistently to be legitimate, as well as any subpar ride operations. Ride colors do not matter to me as much, nor do prices about certain items. I am not buying food in the park, nor will I invest in a pass. I am arriving at 9:15 am on April 16th and I will be ready to ride. My pertinent questions are:

 

1) Do I have a reason to worry about whether rides run at opening (specifically: Full Throttle, X2, Superman: EFK, and Tatsu)?

 

2) Will there be any Spring Break crowd this late?

 

3) Should I use single rider lines even with a college friend?

 

I only ask, because this is the premiere forum regarding these sorts of questions and my friend has no idea. I have one day and I want to maximize my experience. I reside in MInnesota and I have to maximize the use of my time when i visit friends and family in different parts of the world. My thanks in advance.

[vedved82491]

Yes, I have never been to Six Flags Magic Mountain and I have read the gripes, both legitimate and illegitimate. I find the gripes about rides being down consistently to be legitimate, as well as any subpar ride operations. Ride colors do not matter to me as much, nor do prices about certain items. I am not buying food in the park, nor will I invest in a pass. I am arriving at 9:15 am on April 16th and I will be ready to ride. My pertinent questions are:

 

1) Do I have a reason to worry about whether rides run at opening (specifically: YOLOcoaster, X2, Superman: EFK, and Tatsu)?

 

2) Will there be any Spring Break crowd this late?

 

3) Should I use single rider lines even with a college friend?

 

I only ask, because this is the premiere forum regarding these sorts of questions and my friend has no idea. I have one day and I want to maximize my experience. I reside in MInnesota and I have to maximize the use of my time when i visit friends and family in different parts of the world. My thanks in advance.

 

Ride operations really are not that bad. Most rides operate normally. X2 can be iffy at times, but considering it's spring break and the warm season, it should be running. I haven't heard of any problems regarding X2 lately. Goliath may be down depending on whether or not they get the chain fixed in time.

 

Superman only ever runs one side. Some rides will experience "delays" but in my experience, they're pretty good about keeping downtime minimal. I'd recommend hitting one of the big coasters first (Yolo, X2), then work your way around the park. If you start at Yolo, then you can work your way to Goliath and then up towards Lex Luthor, Batman, Riddler, Green Lantern, Apocalypse. If you decide X2 first, then continue up towards Tatsu, up the mountain to Superman, and then down the mountain to the back of the park. It's probably still going to be busy.

[rcdude]

^^Even though there are a lot of complaints about the park on here, try to visit with an open mind. If all you care about is riding roller coasters, you'll probably love the park. I would never say SFMM is the prefect park, but I do think it is above average compared to all parks I've visited and have plenty of friends who were surprised by it after what they had heard. In response to your questions:

 

1. X2 is delayed with some frequency, but it is uncommon for the others to not be ready at opening. As it is generally best to ride X2 mid-afternoon, it's not a big deal if the coaster isn't ready at opening. You will absolutely want to ride Full Throttle first thing as that ride will likely have at least a 30 minute wait for a good part of the day. After that, I'd either go counter-clockwise around the park, hitting all the major coasters as you come to them, or take the Orient Express up the hill, do Superman, Ninja, and Tatsu, then continue clockwise from there.

 

2. Probably not. I wouldn't expect the park to be dead, but I wouldn't expect lines to be too bad. Expect waits of up to 30 minutes for headliners, possibly more if only one train is being used. If it is bad, you can buy a Flash Pass to guarantee you'll ride anything, but you probably won't need one. Also, arriving at 9:15 A.M. for a 10:30 A.M. opening is a bit extreme...30-45 minutes before opening is plenty.

 

3. If the lines are short, there is no need for single rider. If lines are long, however (30 minutes or more), single rider is definitely recommended at Riddler's Revenge, Green Lantern, and Lex Luthor. You and your friend will likely end up either on the same train or within a few vehicles of each other.

 

In regards to the Goliath chain break, it's unfortunate that it happened but the timing could have been worse. Hopefully the ride will be repaired and ready to go again by the time the summer crowds arrive.

[coasterbill]

I just wanted to point out that when Gatekeeper broke it's chain they had a new one installed and running in about 2 1/2 days. So let's all keep that in mind when we laugh at how long this takes.

[steveinphoenix]

Well in SFMM defense, I also thought it was ridiculous that it took so long for X2 to get its chain replaced...UNTIL i did a little homework.....X2 is rare type of coaster and has an equally rare type of chain.....its not your everyday lift hill chain....for one thing the trains weigh in at a whopping 19 tons apiece EMPTY....so the chains are not only unique in how they work they are EXTREMELY heavy duty and MUST be completely custom made...since there are only 3 of these coasters on earth.....that type of chain isnt something that is kept in stock on the shelves lets say....NOW, i do think that since this happened, and they now realize how long their most favorited ride is down when the chain does give way...that requardless of how much that thing cost......have spare made and keep at the maintenance area for the next time... just sayin.

[Comeagain?]

Well in SFMM defense, I also thought it was ridiculous that it took so long for X2 to get its chain replaced...UNTIL i did a little homework.....X2 is rare type of coaster and has an equally rare type of chain.....its not your everyday lift hill chain....for one thing the trains weigh in at a whopping 19 tons apiece EMPTY....so the chains are not only unique in how they work they are EXTREMELY heavy duty and MUST be completely custom made...since there are only 3 of these coasters on earth.....that type of chain isnt something that is kept in stock on the shelves lets say....NOW, i do think that since this happened, and they now realize how long their most favorited ride is down when the chain does give way...that requardless of how much that thing cost......have spare made and keep at the maintenance area for the next time... just sayin.

 

You already answered why they don't keep one around....it's INCREDIBLY expensive....and there's only one 4D coaster in the entire Six Flags chain...so they can't buy one to be ready anywhere it might be needed....and it's only broken once...so it's hard to justify the cost....ESPECIALLY since we don't know the reason why they chain broke in the first place...which could have been a lot of different reasons...that may never repeat on the new chain... just sayin.

 

My god how do you write like that?

[DJeXeL]

Train has been removed from Goliath's lift.

[Guy T. Koepp]

How do they do something like that? Do they winch it to the top and then let it run it's course, or do they take it off car by car and crane it down. Seems like the first option is best when the train is stuck on the lift. I remember when X vallied just prior to the second raven turn, they had to remove the track and take out the train car by car and reassemble it in the maintainance shed. Not an easy task.

[DoubleDown]

^I think they winch it to the top as close as they can, then use the muscle of a half dozen mechanics to push it over.

 

I really wonder what it sounded like when the chain broke? I'm guessing the portion above the train would have snapped, and since the motor is at the bottom of the lift, would have allow the chain to freely slip through the crank at the top, possibly being pretty loud.

 

If you look close enough, you can see the stuck Goliath train.

 

I lol'd because how would we know from a still photo if the train is stuck or not?

 

I just wanted to point out that when Gatekeeper broke it's chain they had a new one installed and running in about 2 1/2 days. So let's all keep that in mind when we laugh at how long this takes.

 

I suppose if Goliath was a B&M (which probably has lots of chain sitting around handy and can ship quickly) they would be able to have a new one installed just as quickly. It all depends on the availability and compatibility of the chain that is needed to be replaced.

[singemfrc]

Yes, I have never been to Six Flags Magic Mountain and I have read the gripes, both legitimate and illegitimate. I find the gripes about rides being down consistently to be legitimate, as well as any subpar ride operations. Ride colors do not matter to me as much, nor do prices about certain items. I am not buying food in the park, nor will I invest in a pass. I am arriving at 9:15 am on April 16th and I will be ready to ride. My pertinent questions are:

 

1) Do I have a reason to worry about whether rides run at opening (specifically: YOLOcoaster, X2, Superman: EFK, and Tatsu)?

 

2) Will there be any Spring Break crowd this late?

 

3) Should I use single rider lines even with a college friend?

 

I only ask, because this is the premiere forum regarding these sorts of questions and my friend has no idea. I have one day and I want to maximize my experience. I reside in MInnesota and I have to maximize the use of my time when i visit friends and family in different parts of the world. My thanks in advance.

The only coaster that commonly doesn't open on time (Though I've been lucky in my visits, its always been open for me) is X2. If you're getting there before open, watch the test cycles. If you see the employee riding solo on the safety ride before the park opens, it's a good bet it will be open with the park. If you don't seen trains cycling before the park opens, assume its closed or opening late.

 

Like someone else said though, the best bet anyway is to ride it in the afternoon. Everyone still runs there first in the morning so for the first half of the day it has a huge line and then towards late afternoon/early evening it usually dies down to 15 min or less if it's not an unusually busy day overall. So my favorite plan is to hit YOLO first and then work my way back to X2 at around 4 or 4:30.

 

On a Thursday I doubt it will be busy enough to warrant doing SRL's with a friend. Maybe Riddler's, if only because the SRL is a virtually guaranteed walk-on, so unless the station is completely empty it's still an improvement.

 

---

 

Regarding the chain break(s) - I agree that I believe X2 took a much longer time to replace the chain for because it's an unusual sized chain that no other park would have, perhaps outside of Asia. Not that those 2 parks would share with Six Flags even if they had one - and Fuji Q is the only park in the world with a worse reputation for operations than MM anyway, I'd be shocked if they had a spare. I bet the replacement was made from scratch when the incident ocurred. In hind sight maybe it would be an idea to have S&S to have one spare chain on hand that they could send to either SFMM, Fuji Q, or China Dinosaurs Park (The only 3 parks in the world with a 4D coaster) in the event that a chain fails. WIth only 3 in the world it wouldnt be hard to have 1 spare total, ship it when needed, and then just remake the spare to have on hand for the next failure.

 

Wing riders probably use a heftier chain than say a floorless or standard sit down B&M, but I'd also not be surprised if Cedar Point had a backup chain on hand regardless, cause that's just the kind of thing Cedar Point (and Cedar Fair in general) does. 2.5 days is pretty damn impressive though even for CP. Also, what the hell caused GateKeeper's chain to break so early? That's definitely not just wear and tear on a coaster that new. With that said though, I expect finding a ready chain for Goliath will probably be much easier than X2, I doubt it will be down for more than a couple weeks even if they need to have it shipped from Europe.