The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[robbalvey]

I probably could...if I cared!

[Sir Clinksalot]

^

[kidcoaster 2]

I can't belive I guessed "El Bumpo"

[robbalvey]

^ El Bumpo IS a good guess since the tower in question is the one on the left hand side of that photo.

 

--Robb

[ebl]

 

Back in February 1978, one of the Eagles Flight gondolas fell from about this point and killed one of the two occupants. This was the park's first fatal accident---ten months before the infamous one on Colossus, but little was ever mentioned about this.

 

I, too, had guessed that an Eagles Flight tower was where that concrete pad was and e-mailed my guess to Dan, but I guess I didn't answer in time. I should learn to type faster!

 

And, by the way, the shorter of the two Eagles Flight lines (the one to where Riddler is now) was dismantled in 1981 to make way for Freefall, which arrived in 1982.

 

Eric

[Ccron10]

Eagle's Flight seemed like an interesting ride at the time. Does anyone know how tall it was?

[robbalvey]

Eagle's Flight seemed like an interesting ride at the time. Does anyone know how tall it was?

I don't know exactly how tall it was but man it FREAKED me out! Especially the side that went from Samarai to where Superman's tower is now. When the mountain dropped from beneath you if felt like you were 300 feet up in the air! Granted it was probably only 100 or so, but it just seemed REALLY tall with the way the ground changed form so quickly.

 

--Robb

[CreditCrazy]

I don't know if I just missed some major theme park news a while ago or something, but why did pretty much every park that had those type of rides remove them? I'm thinking there may have been some kind of accident, but then why do some parks still have them?

[ebl]

If I had to make a guess as to how tall Eagles Flight was, I'd say about 150 feet at its highest. The north/south (Superman) route was the highest and longest of the two lines, covering four towers vs. the two that the other side had.

 

The ride was indeed tall, and riding it in even the slightest wind was a bit scary. In fact, it was not uncommon at all to see all of the gondolas stopped at any given time. I don't know if wind triggered that or what, but stopping up there (I did a couple of times) could be really scary.

 

Regarding the accident I mentioned above, that had nothing to do with wind or the height. What actually happened was that the clamp that is supposed to grip the cable upon leaving the station didn't engage properly for some reason. To my knowledge, that was the only such incident on this ride.

 

I have pictures that I took from both sides of Eagles Flight, and I need to find and scan them so I can post them here.

 

Eric

[Crazy4Coasters!]

Thank you for all the info on the Eagle Flight accident. As for me I would rather walk and get some monster calf muscles than getting on those little dangling pods knowing that those notorious winds could pick up anytime. Terra Firme for me please!

[Aaron02]

^ I think this topic has been talked about both here and many other websites.

 

My concensus is, it's a free-market society. Those who can afford to pay the extra amount to "cut" in line should be able to do so. Not everybody can afford to go to the park in the first place.

 

It's not cheating, it's a benefit offered by the park. Easy as that.

 

If you don't want to use the system, go on a day where you won't have to. Unfortunately, many times you have no choice but to go on a day where you need it, and therefore, you need the system.

Applying the free market idea to justify paying to cut in line takes the fun out of going to an amusement park. Not only does it take the joy away, but it actually gives the park owners an incentive to keep the lines long, as opposed to speeding them up. It's not good business because it hurts the overall experience of going to the park, which leads to fewer return visits.

 

Plus, let's remember what park we are talking about. Magic Mountain gets scolding hot in the summer and I've seen people pass out because they are waiting in the blistering sun and didn't want to pay $5 or whatever they charge for a simple bottle of water. If Magic Mountain management was making good business decisions it would be a more profitable amusement park, so I think it's fair to say all of these decisions have hurt the park, not helped.

 

But while on the subject, how does the Flashpass system work now and about what does it cost? I think the last time I checked it was like $20 for 4 Flashpass tickets and you just went whenever you wanted. How does it, or will it be working now?

[Calicoasters]

But while on the subject, how does the Flashpass system work now and about what does it cost? I think the last time I checked it was like $20 for 4 Flashpass tickets and you just went whenever you wanted. How does it, or will it be working now?

 

The cost are not known yet. It goes live this weekend.

 

 

The Flash Pass Tickets did not get you where ever you wanted. Flash Pass only worked for selected rides not including X2.

[Aaron02]

Thanks for the vid, that actually doesn't look too bad with the little pager thingamagig, but I'd still rather they focus on running multiple trains and speeding up the lines. Not to go too off topic, but does Disneyland do this for free? My friend was saying they do, but that didn't sound right to me and I haven't been there in ages.

 

I hope the weather stays good, I want to make some good use of my new season pass before it starts getting packed and hot. Hopefully I won't even have to be tempted to get a flashpass

[Sir Clinksalot]

Wow, I didn't realize you didn't have to scan it at the actual ride anymore like with Qbot.

 

That's pretty cool.

[HEADCHEEZ]

^^ They do. Fastpass is 100% free at Disney.

[astroworldfan1]

^The price for fastpasses are already included in your ticket admission at Disney.

 

-Tatum

[Jew]

Applying the free market idea to justify paying to cut in line takes the fun out of going to an amusement park. Not only does it take the joy away, but it actually gives the park owners an incentive to keep the lines long, as opposed to speeding them up. It's not good business because it hurts the overall experience of going to the park, which leads to fewer return visits.

 

Plus, let's remember what park we are talking about. Magic Mountain gets scolding hot in the summer and I've seen people pass out because they are waiting in the blistering sun and didn't want to pay $5 or whatever they charge for a simple bottle of water. If Magic Mountain management was making good business decisions it would be a more profitable amusement park, so I think it's fair to say all of these decisions have hurt the park, not helped.

 

I hate to burst your bubble, but...

 

Amusement parks are businesses. Disney, Universal, Six Flags, Busch, Cedar Fair, etc. certainly aren't operating parks out of the goodness of their hearts because they want to see everyone having fun.

 

It's not fair at all to say that a park would purposely slow the lines down to increase sales of their "line cutting" option because slowing down the line also hampers the ability of the people using the "line cutting" system to get on the ride! Remember, Q-bot bases the ride reservation times based on the wait times!

 

That's a way to really ensure no return visits: charge them a crapload of money for a premium product that turns out to be not so premium.

[Mechanic]

Perhaps some of the revenues generated by selling a highly profitable "line cutting" system can be used to hire personnel to ensure that the old-school line cutting system (which is people simply cutting in line without the aid of any fancy pager type device) is sufficiently discouraged, so as to not further effect those guests properly waiting in the standby lines.

 

On an unrelated note, that may be the longest sentence I've ever written. Probably not, though.

[Mr.Six]

If Magic Mountain management was making good business decisions it would be a more profitable amusement park, so I think it's fair to say all of these decisions have hurt the park, not helped.

 

 

Something tells me the Six Flags management team knows a tad bit more about making 'profitable choices' than you do. As they are able to see every situation at EVERY angle. Something that is impossible to do if you are in fact not them. And that goes for ALL management teams for every corporations.

 

And its "only fair to say these choices have hurt the park"? Based on what? Your unbacked assumption? Because the numbers speak in a different direction.

 

Not trying to call you out or anything. But I'd like to see some facts.

[Calicoasters]

It's a success on my part! Between my girlfriend and I, only one of us has an Xtreme Play Pass. We used to get our 4 Flash Pass Tickets and split them for two rides (Usually Tatsu, Goliath, or Riddler's) If flash pass is indeed free for Xtreme Pass Holders (Two Employees have told me it will be) then next year we will both get Xtreme Play Passes! More money for Six Flags!

[PeoplemoverMatt]

But Flash Pass Q-Bot won't be free. At best it'll be a yet-unnamed discount.

 

Will this device count as a "loose article" that'll require being stored in the $1 lockers? Not that I'm trying to reopen that can of worms, but I would like to know.

[Guest]

No they are on a caribeener.

[Jew]

The discount will be the rental fee. So I would guess $15-20 off.

[haiderodes]

Anyone know if season parking passes can be used at all SF parks?

[packfanlv]

^Yes they can. I have confirmed that with Six Flags.