The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[gforce532]

Hey guys I had stoped by at the park today (4/19/2010 for those who don't keep track) for a few hours and here are a few notes I like to share.

1) Terminator's audio is still off. (shocker)

2) Roaring rapids still hasen't open and the lagoon has not been filled yet.

3) In regards to Thrill Shot, today I noticed it was not on the "rides closed today" list on the ticket booth. But when I walked by it, it wasen't open.

4) Ninja is back up and running, it was not open for the public today because aparently the "water dummies coaster club" had an ERT session on it all day. Darn those guys.

5) I had a very rare pain free ride on Revolution.

6) Sat outside on X2 and was a smooth clean ride till the final twist going into the break run when I had a big wham on the headrest. So that was my one and only ride on it today.

7) I got a solo ride on Batman.

7) They just released the new designs for the soda cups (I prefer last years). And on them they have this new acronym "CRPD" which stands for Coaster Rides Per Day. And its a new one that I will start to use from now on.

 

Overall the park was pretty dead, vertually everything was walk on except for goliath which had a 15 min wait with one train operation, x2, and deja vu.

Edited April 20, 2010 by gforce532

[austinlee]

^ I had pain free rides on Revolution on Friday and also in March. Those were my first two visits in a long time in which I rode it with no headbanging. I hope that continues. Ninja was testing on Friday too. Your description of the crowd sounds about right for an April weekday after Spring Break. I am going to try not to sit on the outside on X2 anymore. I sat on the inside twice last time and had no problems. I like the new acronym too.

[haiderodes]

I was at the park on Sunday 4.18. It was busy with the cheerleading/dance competition, but the vast majority of the crews were on point which meant waits were under control. We were there 11a to 6p and got in order - Revy, Tatsu, Terminator (still no audio), Jet Stream, Riddler, Tidal Wave, Batman, Colossus, Scream, Viper and X2. We could have hit more if we were serious about hustling around, but we were taking our time.

 

I was impressed with Colossus actually running three trains with no stacking, kept the line down to a one train wait! I cant even remember the last time that I saw that ride running three trains. The only hiccup we had was the Batman line. They were struggling. Sure the GP can be blamed for all the loose article issues, but some of it was their fault. at least 7 ops in the station with only three doing any real work. AND they really couldnt get the Flashpass thing figured out - they are supposed to alternate what rows they give, not keep putting people in the same row each time a train came in. Then when we called them out on it, they acted confused as to why we were complaining. Every other ride seemed to have together, so why couldn't Batman?

 

But overall it was a good, albeit warm day. Those Six Flags Funatic Rewards come in handy! Gave the free parking to my friends, and used the skip the line pass for X2. Here's a tip for the free soda one as it doesnt say this on the printed voucher...you have to take it to guest relations first for a date stamp and then you can only get it filled at the Cyber Cafe. Not a big deal, but when we first went to use it, we were all the way back by Terminator and had to wait till we made it back to the front. The good thing is that the cafe has Gold Peak iced teas

[Skycoastin Steve]

^ I had pain free rides on Revolution on Friday and also in March. Those were my first two visits in a long time in which I rode it with no headbanging.

 

Both my rides during WCB were absolutely pain free. I think my height may have had something to do with it, since my head was well above the OTSRs and my neck was only slightly smacking them through those turns, but I really didn't experience any discomfort at all. I actually enjoyed the ride thoroughly.

[ebl]

^ It's been awhile since I've seen Colossus running three trains---odd because that was the whole purpose in flattening the double dip on the parking lot side almost 20 years ago. But at that time, Colossus was more popular than it is now. Today, more often than not, there isn't enough of a wait to warrant three-train operation.

 

I may go tomorrow or Thursday, but it depends on how I feel.

 

Eric

[Sir Clinksalot]

^ I'm actually thinking I may go up for a couple of hours tomorrow morning as well.

[haiderodes]

^ It's been awhile since I've seen Colossus running three trains---odd because that was the whole purpose in flattening the double dip on the parking lot side almost 20 years ago. But at that time, Colossus was more popular than it is now. Today, more often than not, there isn't enough of a wait to warrant three-train operation.

 

I may go tomorrow or Thursday, but it depends on how I feel.

 

Eric

 

Exactly! I posted on twitter that I thought my eyes were deceiving me. They had two black trains and a red running on the right side. I am thinking they went with three train single station ops as it seems to use less manpower than two trains on each side. I wonder if the days of two sides three trains are out the window - they only had one extra red train chillin' on the storage track and it didnt even have the "Colossus" shell on the front. They were doing good though, they were dispatching as soon as the train in front cleared the lift.

[austinlee]

^^^^^ Glad you had a good visit. I haven't seen them run three trains on Colossus since the early 90's, but I haven't seen the line be long enough for three trains to be needed either. When I have used Flash Pass on Batman the way it worked was that you went through that door on the opposite side of the station, next to row 8, then chose your row after you got in. The ride ops didn't assign rows to Flash Pass users.

 

^^^^ I enjoyed Revolution too and I'm 5'9". It sounds like you're much taller than me. Maybe it's improving.

[cal1br3tto]

^I was wondering if Revo has been improved lately, or if it's just that the "lucky" people have been speaking up. When I rode it in March it there was a bit of headbanging, but it was really not painful. (I rode in the front seat and did not ride defensively, and I'm 5'6" which apparently is neither a particularly good nor a particularly bad height for OTSRs.)

[gforce532]

When I had my pain free ride I was in the back row of the classic red white and blue painted train. I think the back row is better because the parts which I find are really bad when your about to reach the crest of the hills, you are going at a slower speed when you hit those curves than say the front or middle.

 

I have also found viper to be pretty smooth lately.

[ebl]

To Gregg: If you're interested in going, get in touch with me and we can ride up there together. Of course, it depends on the weather.

 

Eric

[Skycoastin Steve]

^^^^ I enjoyed Revolution too and I'm 5'9". It sounds like you're much taller than me. Maybe it's improving.

 

Yeah I'm 6'5", and it might have been the first non-B&M coaster with OTSRs where I didn't feel even the slightest discomfort (yes, Maverick and I305 still cut my neck a bit).

[Sir Clinksalot]

Sounds good Eric, I'll give you a call or text in the morning. I will have to leave by about 12:30 (or 1:00 at the latest) though.

[Awsome Abomb]

^^^^^ Glad you had a good visit. I haven't seen them run three trains on Colossus since the early 90's. quote]

Colossus was running 3 trains back in December about 2 days before New Years.

I was pretty shocked too. Haven't been able to ride with both sides open yet though. =/

[ZeroG001]

Thanks to everyone that answered my question about crowds. If anyone is still wondering, my school district (CUSD in Orange County) gets out on June 23rd for our last day. The only days we off of between now and then are May 28th, June 1st, June 11th, and the obvious Memorial Day. I do live about an hour away from the park, though, so I don't know if my school district would influence crowds as much as LA does. Knott's and Disney are much closer to us, which are both only around a 25-30 minute drive.

[coaster_bob]

But overall it was a good, albeit warm day. Those Six Flags Funatic Rewards come in handy! Gave the free parking to my friends, and used the skip the line pass for X2. Here's a tip for the free soda one as it doesnt say this on the printed voucher...you have to take it to guest relations first for a date stamp and then you can only get it filled at the Cyber Cafe. Not a big deal, but when we first went to use it, we were all the way back by Terminator and had to wait till we made it back to the front. The good thing is that the cafe has Gold Peak iced teas

 

Interesting. I was there the same day and also used my drink voucher, but I took it straight to the Cyber Cafe. The host showed it to his lead and they rang it up, no problem and no need to get a date stamp. Maybe they're still working the kinks out.

 

I also used my skip the line pass and it was very odd that it told me to redeem it at Carousel Gifts, which, as most of you know, doesn't exist at the Mountain! So I took it to Guest Relations and they took care of it, no problem. I've also never seen a line for GR stretching about 20 people out the door -- I waited longer there than for some of the rides! If you're redeeming a voucher there on the weekend, go there early.

 

I don't think I've seen it mentioned here, but they now have a preferred parking lot (in addition to regular parking and valet parking); they've converted the tiny RV lot and sent the RV's over to the bus parking area.

[ebl]

Gregg, if you see this, be sure and call my cell phone because I won't be at the house. I'll PM it to you just in case.

 

Eric

[austinlee]

Thanks to everyone that answered my question about crowds. If anyone is still wondering, my school district (CUSD in Orange County) gets out on June 23rd for our last day. The only days we off of between now and then are May 28th, June 1st, June 11th, and the obvious Memorial Day. I do live about an hour away from the park, though, so I don't know if my school district would influence crowds as much as LA does. Knott's and Disney are much closer to us, which are both only around a 25-30 minute drive.

 

I have been to SFMM on a few school holidays, on Columbus Day, the day before Thanksgiving and Winter break, in the last three years in which most of Orange County was off and most of LA County was in school. Each time I have found crowds to be almost as light as a normal school day. Early June is much more crowded largely due to college students being off and school trips.

 

When I had my pain free ride I was in the back row of the classic red white and blue painted train. I think the back row is better because the parts which I find are really bad when your about to reach the crest of the hills, you are going at a slower speed when you hit those curves than say the front or middle.

 

I have also found viper to be pretty smooth lately.

 

In my last two visits in March and April I have sat in various rows all over both trains and found Revolution smooth each time. Before those two visits I have found it to be rough and have headbanging for quite a while. I have never had trouble with Viper. Although not perfectly smooth, I have always found it smooth enough to not have any issues.

 

^I was wondering if Revo has been improved lately, or if it's just that the "lucky" people have been speaking up. When I rode it in March it there was a bit of headbanging, but it was really not painful. (I rode in the front seat and did not ride defensively, and I'm 5'6" which apparently is neither a particularly good nor a particularly bad height for OTSRs.)

 

I have wondered the same thing. I am about the same height as you, 5'9", and when Revolution it as it's worst my temples hit the OTSR. Have any of you had a particularly bad ride on Revolution in let's say March or April?

[adrenaline90]

I haven't had any bad rides on Revolution lately. I am 6'2" and I manage to ride it. I just try not to lean my head against the headrest.

[ebl]

I'm 5'-8" and I just wedge my arms between the OTSR and my head and I don't have any problems.

 

On the same note, I stick my feet straight out on X2 to avoid the leg banging that I used to get when the ride was X.

 

When I ride Viper, I pull the OTSR down as far as I can and just sit up straight. My head is above the top and I don't get any headbanging there either.

 

On Batman, Riddler's Revenge, and Scream!, I get the restraint as snug as I can and lean forward a bit. No pain on those rides.

 

To me, you shouldn't have to "know" how to ride, but on some rides, being a little proactive can mean the difference between a good ride and a painful one.

 

Eric

[SharkTums]

From The Signal:

 

A felon on parole used stolen credit cards to buy $18,000 worth of Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm theme-park tickets and then attempted to sell them on Craigslist, authorities said Tuesday.

 

William Redd, 37, of Los Angeles, was arrested on suspicion of felony grand theft.

 

Undercover detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station set up a sting in Santa Clarita, working closely with park officials in following an electronic trail and ultimately unraveling the fraud, which dated back to last year.

 

He is also accused of buying parking tickets and at least 12 ticket packages.

 

Detectives also recovered additional evidence directly linked to the crimes at the suspect’s home in the 1100 block of W. 77th St. in Los Angeles.

 

Redd is being held without bail pending future court proceedings.

 

Man, some criminals are really dumb. If you're going to spend $18k on stolen credit cards, probably don't do it with traceable tickets!!!!

Edited April 21, 2010 by SharkTums

[Crazy4Coasters!]

Wow this guy lives pretty close to me. I'll see if I can find some extra tickets laying around my neighborhood

[AllenA07]

I'd love to know what this guy is on parole for! I'm curious (though I'm sure I'll never hear a thing about this case) what kind of penalty this guy is looking at. I'm not really all that up on my California Penal code (and yeah CA is weird in terms of their code, so I've really got no idea what the law there is) but as far as I know grand theft doesn't really carry that much prison time with it in the state. The prior felony however mixes everything up!

 

*EDIT* On a quick glace the most you can get in CA for grand theft (generally) is 3 years. Now what can be done is that the DA can attempt to say that each incident of credit card fraud was a different offense, in which case you could get a 3 year (maximum) penalty for each offense. So for example if this guy took 5 cards it is at least possible that he could get 15 years total assuming that he got the maximum penalty for each card and the judge decided to run the sentences consecutively instead of concurrently. Not to mention that I'm sure he is going to get his original probation revoked and is going to have to serve out the remainder of that sentence, so depending on how long that is he could actually end up doing a decent stint of time.

[fatdaddy]

LOL, a dude from texas says california penal code is wierd. That said, if he was gonna do this, why not do like all them dudes do on ebay and buy a bunch of disney multi-day park hoppers and he would have actually been able to make a profit by selling days at a time. You gotta figure that, he was selling them at a discount from what the ticket price was. In any case im wondering if this counts as a strike. Depending on what he already has on his record, he may be going away for a long time.

[haiderodes]

^I was wondering if Revo has been improved lately, or if it's just that the "lucky" people have been speaking up. When I rode it in March it there was a bit of headbanging, but it was really not painful. (I rode in the front seat and did not ride defensively, and I'm 5'6" which apparently is neither a particularly good nor a particularly bad height for OTSRs.)

 

Most of the headbanging on Revy is due to the transitions instead of any kind of rattle. It's not that they are rough, but rather they were designed with trains that only had lapbars.

 

I havent been on tons of Schwarz's but I notice that during some transitions, your upper body tends to shift from side to side. Add an ill-placed OTSR and there's your headbanging.