The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[televisedconfession]

This sounds great and all, but I just hope they have learned from their mistakes last time they tried to open multiple coasters in one season. I doubt we will see another 2001 here, but if it does, I won't be surprised. This all looks awesome though. Very excited for the Green Lantern.

[WFChris]

^You also need to remember that in 2001, they were opening two hybrids. They have already done the Superman transformation on the other version, and ZacSpins have been done before. There really should be no delays.

[Xcoaster]

The Superman makeover was expected, but Green Lantern is very surprising. My experiences with the ZacSpins: I only had one ride on Insane at Gronalund (same layout shown for Green Lantern) due to a long-ish line, but I wasn't too impressed. I just felt like I was getting tossed around, and didn't enjoy the crotch smashing. However, I have heard a lot of praise for it from others, so it might've been partly due to the variation between rides, as it depends a lot on weight is distribution. Also, I think the backwards facing seats might be safer, as the crotch smashing usually seemed to happen when hitting the final brakes. I've also had a couple rides on Kirnu, and in contrast, I really enjoyed it's crazy weird drops, despite the much shorter layout. Anyways, while I'm not yet totally decided on ZacSpins, it does seem like a great fit for the park, as it provides a very unusual experience each time, it has a small footprint, and the theme fits the ride.

 

And Superman looks pretty cool. I'm glad they're doing something to improve what was otherwise a somewhat pointless ride. I like that Six Flags is starting to take the approach of fixing what's broken, instead of just installing something new.

 

Anyways, despite what seems like some negativity, I'm very excited with this announcement. After 2001 I'd never expected we'd see anyone crazy enough to add 3 coasters in a year (or somewhere between 2-4, depending on your whorishness). It's obviously not fitting so much with their attempted family-friendly park image, but if they can keep up the quality of the rest of the park, I won't complain, as this is probably a better direction for them. I even like the names (except maybe the kiddie coaster, but I really could care less). Plus, unlike 2001, this time their 3 coasters are all a much safer, smarter, cheaper investment, as they aren't installing a set of massive, expensive prototypes. I never thought I'd say this, but I think Six Flags knows what they're doing.

Edited October 14, 2010 by Xcoaster

[jdcoffeytime]

I remember at WCB them saying they like to break records and they are working with Intamin I believe haha! Well finally something has come from that. I think it is a great addition. They already have the cables up to paint SM too when I went to work this weekend. I was like WTH? Cant wait!

[sfmmfreak101]

I was already looking forward to next years WCB.....but now........*faints

[fatdaddy]

Ok, there was Termination Day, when's Green Lantern Day? I wonder if any of this is gonna be ready for WCB? So many questions.

[rosscoe]

Perfect time to be given a job as Cabin Crew.

 

The zac spin looks epic..

[Tmcdllr]

Wow, I totally did not see this coming, awesome!

[Guy T. Koepp]

I just pooped a rock!

 

This is awesome news. Can I just say that I think Superman looks awesome with those colors. Also, I think the new cars look amazing. I just hope that they actually go as high as the video showed. Also, did I see Superman missing? it looked as if they put up huge S sheilds in place of the "MAN O' STEEL"

 

Ooooooo! I've always wanted to climb the Superman tower. I wonder if MM is hiring painters? How much do high rise painters make per hour? Is any one in HR listening at MM? You all know how to reach me. I could do a weekly video blog with one of those body cams from high atop the trusses looking down. Hmmmmmmm!? Can anybody say awesome PR stunt? On the last day of painting, I could base jump in Superman costume from the top to signify the ride re opening. I'm all in!

[Tmcdllr]

Do it Guy, that would be cool. DO IT! I would for sure check out your blogs.

 

Okay so what is project 19?

[thunder001]

WOW...we need the Aussie parks to follow this lead big time.

 

Just wish they would stop advertising STE as the first coaster to 100mph...Tower of Terror beat it by almost two months....

 

Rant out of my system now...

[kf2010]

My experiences with the ZacSpins: I only had one ride on Insane at Gronalund (same layout shown for Green Lantern) due to a long-ish line, but I wasn't too impressed. I just felt like I was getting tossed around, and didn't enjoy the crouch smashing.

 

I too have ridden Insane and was not impressed. Crotch smashing, long line with minimal thrills. Even though I didn't like it, I suppose I could see how others will, but it just wasn't my thing. With this ride the biggest thing I'm worried about is capacity--if you thought Deja Vu was bad just wait till you see the lines on this ride. 800 riders per hour MAX!

 

Just wish they would stop advertising STE as the first coaster to 100mph...Tower of Terror beat it by almost two months....

 

They haven't given it up in 14 years, what makes you think they'd do it now?

 

Anyone notice the sweet paint job on the side of the Superman cars? I LOVE IT!

 

[Tmcdllr]

I dont care if it has low capacity or is croch smashing, ok I care about that, but I am still really excited to try it. Way to go MM this is so great!

[Lenaapple1974]

NICE! Love that paint job! ^^

 

I always wanted to ride that type of ride! I saw it in one of the videos last year and have been wondering about it since! My pending Cali trip for 2012 was already including SFMM! YAY! What a big year 2011 is turning out to be!!! It just keeps getting better and better!

[Lamoure]

That's f******** crazy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my god I love this park!

[Moose]

I loved both of the Zac-Spins I have ridden, both with and without balanced weights. That being said, this has the potential to be a capacity nightmare.

 

I think the crotch smashing comments are an overexaggeration, an extension of the fact that many guys overexaggerate what they have that could be smashed.

[cfc]

I was shocked that I liked the two Scandanavian Zac Spins in 2009 (especially Insane), because I'm not a fan of spinning rides. They're definitely a cut above the Tony Hawk-themed spinners. But, yeah, I see where capacity could be a problem; still, I'm glad these rides are finally making it to the U.S.

[Mark Rosenzweig]

The ZacSpin makes sense at a park like Grona and in "2nd tier" Flags parks like St Louis and America. From a capacity standpoint, they are essentially adding three new coaster experiences with a combined hourly capacity that a three train coaster like Viper or Goliath will run circles around on their own.

 

Not to say Superman will see waits like it did in 1997 (when the queue snaked all the way down the hill to near Jet Stream), but that ZacSpin may see wait times that can only be described as Yikes.

[rollin_n_coastin]

^^^ LOL Kinda like how everyone complains about the stand up drop towers. It's all about positioning! Ok...enough of that.

 

I hope Robb is right and that the park continues to improve/ maintain infrastructure. I can't wait to go one day because it does look like a beautiful park. They should be on the same track since one is a refurb, another already purchased in last year's budget and this one maybe having already been planned from some time ago for 2011.

 

The Zac-Spin. Can't believe one will be on this continent! It was like a cross between a drop tower and a coaster and one of the most intense experiences ever. Capacity should be no more of an issue than a mouse. I think they load four sets of cars at a time from what I remember on Insane and Kirnu? Could this mean a mega-lite somewhere in the near future?

[beatle11]

Didn't see this coming at all. I wonder what Cedar Point is gonna do to respond.

[alilstronger]

FINALLY a Zacspin in the USA!!!!!

 

Now we only need one on the east coast!!!!!!!

[ahecht]

Wow, I'm surprised no on mentioned the OTSR straps on Superman in the video.

[PKI Jizzman]

West Coast Bash will be effing epic.

[Ed Farmer]

Didn't see this coming at all. I wonder what Cedar Point is gonna do to respond.

 

They're going to drop everything and build two of whatever qualifies as a coaster because it matters that much to them.

[Airtime&Gravity]

Wow, like everyone else, while I saw the Superman transformation and Kids Coaster coming, the zac-spin, like with everyone else, was a huge surprise. Hopefully like Robb said the park continues to work on infrastructure, and while I'd like to see more flats, they just don't work at Magic Mountain. It is nice to Six Flags expand their new coaster offerings to something other than a Big Spin or Bizarro's. Six Flags seems to be building a lot of thrill rides this year(well more than since 06), and I hope they continue to put an emphasis on families and not let the parks become what they were pre-Shapiro. I know Robb has said that family rides don't work at Magic Mountain, but Six Flags has made some major improvements as a company where it would be a shame to see it go back to how it used to be.

 

On the other hand, I'd love to see a zac-spin at Great America even if it would be a capacity nightmare.