The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[thrillseeker4552]

Whenever they do repaint Tatsu, they had better use the paint they used on X2, because man does X2 still look great.

 

Did they use some type of different paint on X2? It's amazing how leading into its 9th year of operation, X2 still looks brand new, but Tatsu, only 2 years older, is much worse. I'm very curious.

[SFMMGeek27]

Whenever they do repaint Tatsu, they had better use the paint they used on X2, because man does X2 still look great.

 

Did they use some type of different paint on X2? It's amazing how leading into its 9th year of operation, X2 still looks brand new, but Tatsu, only 2 years older, is much worse. I'm very curious.

 

They've used better, more expensive paint that penetrates the sun much better on everything since Tatsu. That's why Goliath and Batman (which were painted the year after in 2007) still look good as well. And Superman from 2011 still looks good too.

 

They used bad paint on everything before that back through the 90s. Old Scream, Goliath, and X looked terrible after like 2 years after they opened. Tatsu and Riddler's Revenge still do. The paint switch was a really great decision.

[mmkaycomputer]

I recall reading somewhere — not sure if it's true — that of any potential SFMM coaster paint job, Tatsu would be the most expensive. If that's been said here before, apologies.

[Vonni]

It is still possible Tatsu could be painted after Revoulution is complete. If it is not painted this season, I wouldn't be surprised if next season is its scheduled sprucing.

[Arthur_Seaton]

Did SFMM bail on the wait time function of the app? Took a quick spin up there today and that part of the app was dead. Also, the sign outside of Goliath said 5 mins but we found the line to be well into the switchbacks — which usually means at least 30-45 mins. Turned around to head out and asked the employee at the photo booth who laughed and said "yeah, it's not even close to a 5 minute wait — the sign is wrong" and that "the wait times on the app hadn't been working very well." Consequently, the visit started out a bit frustrating.

 

Füll Throttle was only running one train — which broke down three times in the brief time we were there. They got it up and running again fast each time, but the line was regular FT length and with only one train, things were going slow. Operations in general were rough for the first hour or so that we were at the park (about 4:30pm to 8pm), but this was partly due to the GP doing the usual GP stuff. Saw several people trying to take what looked like luggage onto rides, lots of people just staring at the trains rather than getting into them etc. Saw one woman on Ninja who was actually sitting outside of the OTT restraint (it was down, and she apparently thought it was part of the seat). Operations can be disappointing at SF, but the GP don't help much. Anyhow, things picked up soon after.

 

Jumped on Scream fearing for the worst and had two back-to-back excellent rides — very smooth with almost no rattle or head banging. Apocalypse, however, was in the worst state we've ever seen it and gave a brutal ride. It was jack hammering through most of the track, and at this point, it's far worse than either Ghost Rider or Psyclone ever were (IMO). Riddler gave a rough ride today, too. Massive amount of head banging going on that I'd never noticed before. Two rides on TC — one of which was perfect (impeccably timed races on both sides). Last visit, I noted that for a TC race to end at the same time, one of the trains must leave the lift a good 5 seconds or so in advance, but that wasn't the case today. From the first drop to the final bunny hops, the trains were perfectly in sync. Weight distribution? Weather? It was windy, which made for an interesting couple of runs through Goliath (complete stop on the MCBR for about 20 seconds gave a good sense of much that structure sways) Anyhow, we squeezed 11 rides into about 3 hours, and although the ops were a shaky at first, the night picked up soon after.

[coasterlvr]

No excuse why Tatsu can't be painted, especially considering it shares the same hill as Revolution. Yes it's much taller but if CP can paint TTD (in the same fiscal year as building a major new ride and painting Raptor) no excuse for Tatsu to continue to look like a faded bag of Skittles.

 

don't forget Raptor as well. but then, i don't think you can compare CP's maintenance to Magic Mountain. well, actually, i guess you can, but it's not fair.

[MagicMountainMan]

Whenever they do repaint Tatsu, they had better use the paint they used on X2, because man does X2 still look great.

 

Did they use some type of different paint on X2? It's amazing how leading into its 9th year of operation, X2 still looks brand new, but Tatsu, only 2 years older, is much worse. I'm very curious.

 

They've used better, more expensive paint that penetrates the sun much better on everything since Tatsu. That's why Goliath and Batman (which were painted the year after in 2007) still look good as well. And Superman from 2011 still looks good too.

 

They used bad paint on everything before that back through the 90s. Old Scream, Goliath, and X looked terrible after like 2 years after they opened. Tatsu and Riddler's Revenge still do. The paint switch was a really great decision.

To my knowledge they only used the really expensive paint on X2. Most of the rides after X2 got painted as part of a corporate alliance with Sherwin-Williams (something like two rides a year and has since ended).

 

Viper, which was painted the same time X2 was, and Goliath are starting to show off their suntan. However they are ageing with much more dignity and grace than Tatsu has. However X2, dark colors and all, still looks brand new.

[singemfrc]

When they finally do getting around to painting Tatsu they really need to go all out and use the best most expensive paint they possibly can. In my opinion it's the all around most visible coaster in the park's skyline maybe except Superman, and considering how logistically difficult it is to paint, better to spend more now and not have to do it again for many more years (or maybe ever, judging by X2).

[jonskinny12]

Did SFMM bail on the wait time function of the app? Took a quick spin up there today and that part of the app was dead. Also, the sign outside of Goliath said 5 mins but we found the line to be well into the switchbacks — which usually means at least 30-45 mins. Turned around to head out and asked the employee at the photo booth who laughed and said "yeah, it's not even close to a 5 minute wait — the sign is wrong" and that "the wait times on the app hadn't been working very well." Consequently, the visit started out a bit frustrating.

 

Füll Throttle was only running one train — which broke down three times in the brief time we were there. They got it up and running again fast each time, but the line was regular FT length and with only one train, things were going slow. Operations in general were rough for the first hour or so that we were at the park (about 4:30pm to 8pm), but this was partly due to the GP doing the usual GP stuff. Saw several people trying to take what looked like luggage onto rides, lots of people just staring at the trains rather than getting into them etc. Saw one woman on Ninja who was actually sitting outside of the OTT restraint (it was down, and she apparently thought it was part of the seat). Operations can be disappointing at SF, but the GP don't help much. Anyhow, things picked up soon after.

 

Jumped on Scream fearing for the worst and had two back-to-back excellent rides — very smooth with almost no rattle or head banging. Apocalypse, however, was in the worst state we've ever seen it and gave a brutal ride. It was jack hammering through most of the track, and at this point, it's far worse than either Ghost Rider or Psyclone ever were (IMO). Riddler gave a rough ride today, too. Massive amount of head banging going on that I'd never noticed before. Two rides on TC — one of which was perfect (impeccably timed races on both sides). Last visit, I noted that for a TC race to end at the same time, one of the trains must leave the lift a good 5 seconds or so in advance, but that wasn't the case today. From the first drop to the final bunny hops, the trains were perfectly in sync. Weight distribution? Weather? It was windy, which made for an interesting couple of runs through Goliath (complete stop on the MCBR for about 20 seconds gave a good sense of much that structure sways) Anyhow, we squeezed 11 rides into about 3 hours, and although the ops were a shaky at first, the night picked up soon after.

 

Where did you sit on Scream for the excellent rides? I've had mostly good luck with Scream in the past but haven't been to SFMM in about a year and a half and I'm going this weekend. It makes me sad to hear how terrible Apocalypse has become. I really enjoyed it when I was there last. Now it sounds like I might want to just skip it. I'm a little bummed that New Revolution won't be open in time for me, but I knew it wouldn't be anyway. I can't wait finally ride TC though! It will be my first RMC.

[coasterlvr]

 

Apocalypse, however, was in the worst state we've ever seen it and gave a brutal ride. It was jack hammering through most of the track, and at this point, it's far worse than either Ghost Rider or Psyclone ever were (IMO). Riddler gave a rough ride today, too. Massive amount of head banging going on that I'd never noticed before. Two rides on TC — one of which was perfect (impeccably timed races on both sides). Last visit, I noted that for a TC race to end at the same time, one of the trains must leave the lift a good 5 seconds or so in advance, but that wasn't the case today. From the first drop to the final bunny hops, the trains were perfectly in sync. Weight distribution? Weather? It was windy, which made for an interesting couple of runs through Goliath (complete stop on the MCBR for about 20 seconds gave a good sense of much that structure sways) Anyhow, we squeezed 11 rides into about 3 hours, and although the ops were a shaky at first, the night picked up soon after.

 

last time i did ghostrider, it was like my only ride on green lantern, i thought i could really have something irreversible happen to my body. serious. LOL apocaylypse hasn't made me feel like that, yet.

 

hate when goliath stops, wish they could just throw a small brake before the helix or something instead of that mid course brake. front left is a bit hairy if you're coming from a dead stop. lol

 

the TC trains definitely seem to be all over the place now. before, if you left exactly at the same time, you'd be going up the double up side by side. the high five would be off but the top gun and zero g would be right on. now i never know how the trains will line up. i figure it's just worn wheel bearings, weather, weight, etc. etc.

[Arthur_Seaton]

Where did you sit on Scream for the excellent rides? I've had mostly good luck with Scream in the past but haven't been to SFMM in about a year and a half and I'm going this weekend. It makes me sad to hear how terrible Apocalypse has become. I really enjoyed it when I was there last. Now it sounds like I might want to just skip it. I'm a little bummed that New Revolution won't be open in time for me, but I knew it wouldn't be anyway. I can't wait finally ride TC though! It will be my first RMC.

 

3rd row from the back, in the middle seats. I'd never really understood the animosity people had for Scream until recently. I'd enjoyed it for years with no complaints, then all of a sudden it started to feel very shaky. I tried it a few more times just make sure I wasn't imagining it, and sure enough, it was rattling like crazy. Yesterday seemed much better though, so I don't know if it's incremental maintenance or just the case of a good seat, but it was pretty great.

 

Apocalypse is so hit or miss. Just three weeks ago, I rode it several times back to back. It was as rough as it usually gets (it's a very rough coaster these days), but really only in the second half. Yesterday, however, was something else. I wouldn't skip it as, again, it's all a crapshoot it seems. Plus, roughness aside, it's a great layout with top-notch airtime in the back seat. I've never known Riddler be aggressive, but everyone in my train had their ears boxed in by the restraints yesterday. I've never liked that ride very much, but yesterday is went from "meh" to "side-eye."

 

TC is more fun than anything. As I'm sure you know, there are no guarantees it'll dual as the design makes that very difficult. However, I've experienced nothing but excellent ride ops there (and I've ridden it at least 60 times now). Front seat is fun and aggressive, but the back seat is the place to be IMO. I wish the whole ride was scaled up a bit — not for additional height or length per se — but because the elements come at you so fast.

[Arthur_Seaton]

it was like my only ride on green lantern

Ha! I've only ridden that once as well. It was such an abhorrent ride that I don't even care to find out if it was just an unlucky cycle. Conventional wisdom seems to suggest that it's consistently terrible, though. I'll be there with marshmallows on the day they burn it to the ground

[edgeboy]

Last time I rode Scream, I was shocked at how awful it was in terms of roughness. Roughness and B&M don't usually go together, even for Six Flags, but this for me is now easily one of the worst B&M rides out there. I generally skip it, even if it's a walk on. I just can't enjoy it anymore. Which sucks, because it's the only ride (locally) with a dive loop, one of my favorite inversions. :/

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

We were there February 1st, and it had been raining hard all morning.

Scream in the second row was surprising fun and only boxed my ear once hard during the cobra roll. I've had some worse rides on it but this one wasn't bad. I wonder if the cold/rain/wind made it better that day?

Apocalypse in the light rain was surprisingly great as well. I didn't find it too rough (there were a few rougher parts toward the end) and we enjoyed our rides both in the front and the back. Idk if I've just gotten lucky with it, but the last few times I rode it I enjoyed it and felt like people have been hating on it too much. The last time I rode Ghost Rider a few years ago was awfully painful and rough, I definitely don't see how the two can be compared in roughness.

[Condor]

Last time I rode Scream, I was shocked at how awful it was in terms of roughness. Roughness and B&M don't usually go together, even for Six Flags, but this for me is now easily one of the worst B&M rides out there. I generally skip it, even if it's a walk on. I just can't enjoy it anymore. Which sucks, because it's the only ride (locally) with a dive loop, one of my favorite inversions. :/

 

Riddler has two dive loops. I agree with you on Scream though, it was never one of the best B&Ms, but its aged into one of the worst.

[Arthur_Seaton]

Apocalypse in the light rain was surprisingly great as well. I didn't find it too rough (there were a few rougher parts toward the end) and we enjoyed our rides both in the front and the back. Idk if I've just gotten lucky with it, but the last few times I rode it I enjoyed it and felt like people have been hating on it too much. The last time I rode Ghost Rider a few years ago was awfully painful and rough, I definitely don't see how the two can be compared in roughness.

 

I almost always ride it when I'm there because I love the layout (same was true with Ghost Rider — even at its worst), but I've had a hard pinning down a pattern to the roughness. At times I've noted that one train gives a worse ride than the other, but it's inconsistent. I rode it a few months ago and found it absolutely brutal, then just a few weeks ago, I found it rough but tolerable. Then just yesterday, brutal bordering on Ghost Rider territory. Severe jack-hammering up into that first turn around, and then spine-readjustment-rough from the first tunnel through to the end. Maybe there is some luck to it, or maybe it's even something individual — like how tired one is at the point of riding it? Either way, it's a shadow of what it once was.

[MrSum1_55]

^It is still surprising to see a coaster that opened just seven years ago get that bad so fast, even with those quality trains. I am very glad that SFMM has TC, but sometimes I feel like it would have been better if Apoc got the RMC treatment instead of Colossus. Truthfully, Apoc needs some work now a lot more than Colossus did at the time of its closing.

[Eaanderson10]

I wish there was a like button... i dig this

 

?

 

 

thx dood...

[Eaanderson10]

Did SFMM bail on the wait time function of the app? Took a quick spin up there today and that part of the app was dead. Also, the sign outside of Goliath said 5 mins but we found the line to be well into the switchbacks — which usually means at least 30-45 mins. Turned around to head out and asked the employee at the photo booth who laughed and said "yeah, it's not even close to a 5 minute wait — the sign is wrong" and that "the wait times on the app hadn't been working very well." Consequently, the visit started out a bit frustrating.

 

In 2016 when social media is so big i wish this were more of a priority. With the App/Tweets/Website/etc. etc. It would be nice to see a daily tweet of park hours as well as whats already on the app and website. I don't see why not if anything that at least shows it's been updated. No biggie I live 5 mins from the park but i was thinking this on a recent rainy Sunday where someone who lives an hour away wants to come for the day and has no idea. I know we can call the park but eh in 2016 who does that with all the apps/etc. etc.

 

Scream to me has been a smooth ride (lately). Would love to someday see something done with the landscaping / parking lot... No big deal but would be nice to see. grass/plants/water i don't know.

Edited February 23, 2016 by Eaanderson10

[Eaanderson10]

 

Where did you sit on Scream for the excellent rides? I've had mostly good luck with Scream in the past but haven't been to SFMM in about a year and a half and I'm going this weekend. It makes me sad to hear how terrible Apocalypse has become. I really enjoyed it when I was there last. Now it sounds like I might want to just skip it. I'm a little bummed that New Revolution won't be open in time for me, but I knew it wouldn't be anyway. I can't wait finally ride TC though! It will be my first RMC.

 

that's awesome!! have fun and congrats haha. TC!!!! ahhhhhhhh thinking about my first ride on it last May.. it's crazy we are coming up on a year since it's been opened. so dope. anyway hahaha

 

On Apocalypse you don't see anyone with their hands up anymore... and the patch work too blah. it's rough

[805Andrew]

I have a question for Pass Holders. I have an unused Bring a Friend Free offer redeemable at the front gate and an unused 50% off General Admission offer redeemable at the ticket window for this Sunday, February 28 with my Gold Season Pass. Can I use both offers in the same visit?

[SFMMGeek27]

^Yes.

[jonskinny12]

Thanks everybody who responded on the current status of the coasters. It has been a while since I've been so it's nice to see updates from people who have been recently. Very much appreciated. Is Lex Luthor back open? I remember it was closed for a while previously but don't recall anyone saying that it's back open now and the ride list on the site doesn't say that it's closed.

[Arthur_Seaton]

Is Lex Luthor back open? I remember it was closed for a while previously but don't recall anyone saying that it's back open now and the ride list on the site doesn't say that it's closed.

 

For the past few times I've been (including a visit just a few days ago), it was open.

[coneyislandchris]

Is Lex Luthor back open? I remember it was closed for a while previously but don't recall anyone saying that it's back open now and the ride list on the site doesn't say that it's closed.

 

For the past few times I've been (including a visit just a few days ago), it was open.

Great to hear, thanks for the good news. Will be visiting first weekend of March, and was a little afraid that both Green Lantern and Lex would be down, but it's sounding like that won't be the case.