The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[JimBeach]

I just went to SFMM as part of ACE Day. I know TPR and ACE don't get along so maybe this will be deleted but I just wanted to talk a bit about my day there after not being there for roughly 22 years. Last time I was there the big coaster was Shockwave. When I was there yesterday it seemed all of us went to X2 twice to start the day. Then we hit up Tatsu, Viper, Ninja, Riddler, and then back to X2 just before 10:00 when the park opened. Amazing to ride X2 with no one there, when we got off it was a barrage of GP storming to X2 so we all went to the other rides. They were empty. We were supposed to get on Deja Vu and Revolution but they had problems and were closed off and on. So the other rides had no one in line and we got , Batman, Scream, Goliath, Colossus, and Gold Rusher. After lunch and presentations/tours we hit up all those rides again and finally got on Deja Vu and Revolution. In fact during the day with the GP almost every ride except of course for X2 and a little bit on Tatsu had no lines. I used a Flash Pass for Log Jammer and that was it. Nothing else needed it since there was either no line or so short, like Jet Stream, there was no reason to use it. Got on Superman in the evening, still open to the GP and there was no one there, rode it three times non-stop, until it overran the stop point and was closed briefly. Overall for a guy, who hasn't been there for 22 years, it was an amazing day, 35+ rides and most of them I rode solo or with just a few people. In the end Jay Thomas and his head management staff were acting as ride staff and riding with us. And upon leaving at midnight they were all there to talk and hang out as long as it took. Kudos to them and the entire staff of the park. I know this was an ACE event, but SFMM did much the same for TPR's camp-out. This is a great group in charge who really appreciate their fans. I'm new to this and am a full true believer in what they're doing. I can't wait to go back, whichever group sponsors it

A final note, in the morning ERT on X2 they ran two trains, sometime in mid-day and throughout the rest of the night, and ERT, they ran three trains. No difference. They just backed-up waiting. Three trains seems to make no difference over two.

[Revolucion]

There's a difference between being cheap and being efficient. Back in the 80's the capacity/attendance trends/economy were different. Times have changed since then. A park has to find that balance between efficiency and fiscal responsibility. If the park is only predicting 10,000 guests, it doesn't make sense to run more than 3 trains (or whatever the number might be).

 

I'm OK with a park doing what you call "being cheap" as long as they react accordingly to any crowds/lines that do build up. It's being smart with their money.

 

This is another topic for another thread, so I'll leave it with this:

 

It's just amazing to me that any park would take the 10,000 guests they managed to get for granted like that, when operations would suddenly be different if those 10,000 all brought a friend with them. Joey I know you're a manager, and I'm not, but it seems to me like being smart with your money is giving those 10,000 people the time of their lives so they'll come back AND bring a friend with them. Might cost a little more initially, but that money will come back if done right. Making them wait 45mins when they don't need to doesn't accomplish that goal. That's all I'm going to say in principle about that.

 

Fortunately, it looks like Magic Mountain is at least trying to show that in some places, they're taking more of the 'give the 10,000 we have a great time' route. They're not perfect at it. There are some gaping holes still. But I hope the kind of 'invest in WOW' thinking they've been using eventually finds its way into all facets & all nooks & crannies of the park. That will be nice to see.

 

!Aye Carrabba! Every dollar spent running more trains is money that is lost to somewhere else. *All* amusement parks need to budget carefully. If MM, for example ran three trains on Goliath that were only running half-full, that means that not only does the park have extra direct labor hours, there are also indirect costs such as extra maintenance for the track and train.

 

I know that Pirates at Disneyland sometimes only loads the front boat when crowds are light but it only saves 2 positions and halves the capacity of the ride. So if the ride has a twenty minute wait it's probably worth it to add two positions to increase capacity by 1500+ riders per hour.

 

At MM, however, if Collossus is already running three trains on one side capacity can only be doubled by adding a full crew to the other side.

 

There is also a hidden cost of having lines that are too short--nausea and headaches. Maybe they should wait to run more trains until they make the Revolution OTSR's less painful!

[iamscottevil]

They told me that thomas town will have a media day this week and then open. Plus why doesnt anyone ever trip report about hurricane harbor? They're building something over there, what is it? Deluxe cabanas or more food? Are they bringing back Qudoba?

[Jew]

Hurricane Harbor is getting a new food venue. I believe it is a BBQ place.

[kidaftersunset]

Paying nearly 70 bucks for just Disneyland, 11 bucks for parking to stand in line for Space mountain for 45 minutes with them running 6-7 rockets....slightly more upsetting.

 

I would just like to point out ... Space NEVER runs 6-7 rockets due to budgeting. If only 7 rockets were available, it would be for unexpected maintenance issues. We are always staffed for at least 10 rockets during the week and are usually staffed for 10+1 (our current maximum capacity.) The ride used to be able to consistently run 11 rockets but is no longer able to handle it. Don't assume what you don't know. If Space has a 45 minute line, it is typically because we have that level of demand. I'm not saying that things don't happen to the rockets or the ride, but we are indeed staffed to run as efficiently as possible.

[GoogleMickey]

I stopped by the park today, to finally ride X2 and I have to say it was a HUGE let down. After waiting an hour and a half we found ourselves riding a train without the sound system working. This was the first huge disappointment, the next came with no fog. The mist/ fog was some what on, but in the end it was just making a huge green colored pool at the bottom of the first drop.

 

The ride was smooth in the front row, in the inside, but It wasn't worth to ride X2, when it was the same as X. I was so excited to have the on board sound system, but since it wasn't working it just ruined the experience. My friend and I were all happy because we were thinking Magic was taking a step forward, but they took two more steps backwards today. My only hope is that Thomas Town will be better. Walked by Thomas Town today, and they were testing the coaster, stocking up the store, and teaching the ride operators. Its really coming together, and as long as there is nothing for Magic to keep up with, this area of the park will be nice.

[SharkTums]

^Has anyone ridden without the music, then asked the ride op if they can go again WITH the music?

 

I know that at Disney and Universal if you get a 'bad' ride, most of the time they'll let you ride again teh way the ride 'should' be.

 

It's probably worth an ask! I don't think you can say SFMM took two steps back because your audio on one X2 ride didn't work.

[GoogleMickey]

^We did ask about it, and the train just wasn't functional. I know Disney would in a heart beat, but Six Flags, well I never except anything like that. I guess honestly the park hasn't taken two steps back, but being a local, and riding X2 in such a poor condition with it being new, just was sad. My friend and I just walked away really pist, and disappointed, so thats why they took two steps back in my book.

[robbalvey]

^ I rode Space Mountain with no music just after it re-opened for the 50th. It happens at Disney too.

 

--Robb "Test Track's video screens haven't worked in years!" Alvey

[SharkTums]

^^Wait, I'm still not understanding you...did you ask to reride on a train with music or not?

 

Like Robb said, the music not working happens all the times on rides with music. Unless they told you that you could not reride I don't see how this is any sort of step back or big deal.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

So all someone needs to do is lie about an effects malfunction and they get a free re-ride?

[robbalvey]

^ I'm not sure how someone would be lying. Usually the ops will know if the sound wasn't working on a certain train.

 

At Disney or Universal, if you care enough that your "show" wasn't working properly, I have seen people request another ride on Space Mountain, California Screamin', Indy, and Spider-Man and they have been granted it, if in fact their sound system was not working and they did not get to experience the full "show."

 

--Robb

[GoogleMickey]

I asked to re-ride with the other train with music, but they said no. I knew it was coming though because there are a few signs in the queue that say the park is not responsible if some of the effects don't work.

 

On the space mountain note, I rode it once last year, and the in the middle of the ride the music just cut out. That kind of ruined the ride some what, but everything else was working great. My problem with X was only half of the effects where working. The plasma in the station wasn't even working. I know with space that a simple error must have occurred, but with X they simply didn't 1 of the trains working with the sound system. At first you could tell from being near the lift that one of the trains wasn't working right, and then once in the station it was official that one of the trains didn't have the audio working.

[robbalvey]

We are about to head out for the Thomas Town media day and I realize there are still a few random pics in my camera from Memorial Day that I never posted...

FIRE!!!!

Yes that is Neal out there pre-selling parking to help get the line down! Way to go!

Some TPR members waited it out!

In the old days that would be about a 5 to 6 hour line for X. We were told people waiting about 3 hours for X2. Not bad!

Memorial Day the line got LONG!

I know I dropped my glasses in there somewhere...

KidTums invited you to X2!

[SharkTums]

KT LOVED Thomas Town!!! Robb's working on an update soon!

 

She played in the Cranky Water Play area for a long time until she fell and skinned her face! Then she still wanted to go back so that says a lot!

[mcjaco]

^ Abra wants to know if those are crocs in that picture. She sure has gotten big!

[SharkTums]

They're Robeez Tredz. Some sort of special toddler shoes that she really likes!

[rba13]

"Six Flags Magic Mountain, in the interest of the local community and the high brush fire conditions in the Santa Clarita Valley, will no longer be implementing summer fireworks," according to a statement from the Valencia theme park. "Six Flags regrets ending the summer fireworks tradition and asks guests and neighbors to understand and support the decision."

 

http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/2208/

[robbalvey]

I'll have a full update in a little while, but here's a few pics to hold you over....

 

Ps. Jay told me that all those flowers you see in pots are getting planted TONIGHT.

Thank you Jay Thomas for your town!

"My favorite is Gordon!"

The Percy the Small Engine makeover looked really nice!

"Hmmm...I really hope that's water and not acid."

Kranky has some wetness in store for you.

KidTums says "You all can have your X2...I'll take my Thomas Town!"

Here comes the star of the show!

The grand opening gathered a large crowd. Mr. Toppemhat was there to greet everyone.

[sixflagsmagicmountain]

Looks really nice, I was there on monday and they were close to finished, looks like I need to go back and check it all out now that it's open.

[ebl]

It's great to see SFMM with an honest to goodness train ride again. At ACE Day, the rumor that the Metro was going to get a Thomas makeover was confirmed, but the cost to do so would have been...up there. A great idea though.

 

BTW, the Thomas train has about 800 feet of track and is pulled by a diesel-powered locomotive.

 

Also, seeing KidTums walking!!! That kid is growing real fast!

 

Eric

[socalMAN123]

Awesome! Glad to see that everyone likes it, especially Kristen! Can't wait to get out there and check both of these things out.

---Brent

[downunder]

Is Percy the Small Engine the coaster formerly known as Goliath Jr, still no credit for all us overgrown kids I suppose?

 

Wow KT really is growing up, I didn't even recognise her in the photo of Elissa and her.

[socalMAN123]

^ Yes, Percy the Engine is the old Goliath Jr. And hehehe, I got that credit two years ago. Yay for laxed ride ops.

---Brent

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

Now that TT is officially open, where's Wiggles World?

 

 

WE WANT WIGGLES!!!