The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[RoCo]

H...And now we have this...3 NEW THRILLS!! Sorta...we get superman...but we already had it. Its going to be an interesting upgrade for sure, but its not a huge new thrill. Green Lantern...ill ride it, it looks fun. But after we got Riddlers, Goliath, Deja Vu, X, Scream, and TAtsu all within 8-9 years, I dont feel like its the same thing...

 

I'm sure very few on this site are doing cartwheels of joy over the new kiddie coaster, but I must say, I think getting the U.S.'s first Zac Spin and a complete revamp of Superman in the same year is pretty freaking amazing. All other issues aside, I give SFMM a massive high-five for the goodies this year.

[forces]

I just encountered SFMM for the first time this past November (went on Veterans day.) The park was relatively crowded and yes they were only running one train on MOST of the coasters with the exceptions of Viper, Tatsu, Goliath, and Batman if I remember correctly. I do believe we waited well over 2 hours for Riddler's Revenge. We did not get all of the credits we could possible so we went back on the upcoming Sunday (after doing Knotts, and the Disney Parks.) I did not fully understand WHY they were only running one train but figured perhaps it was the fact that it was a holiday. Look, I am from the east coast (DC) and my home park is Six Flags America with Six Flags Great Adventure a mere 3 hours away. It is SICKENING how those two parks have changed over the past years for the better. I won't even begin to tell you the horror stories encountered from employees letting riders on (small children) not tall enough to ride, people getting mugged in the bathrooms, the overall "I don't care" attitude",etc... NOW I ask "where am I" when I frequent these parks because the employees and the operations are so much improved from where they were. The reason I am saying all of this is that I certainly did NOT get the old east coast Six Flags feeling when I was at SFMM. I thought it was a great park. I hope for all of the west coast family that it was just a faulty day....

[cooksta77]

SCREAMSCAPE posted a link concerning S:EFK's official opening date, March 19th. Also Lance reporting that after a few months one train will be turned back around so you can choose the way to go Backwards or forwards. More at the link.

The revamped Superman roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain, with new trains that rocket riders backward at 100 miles per hour, is scheduled to reopen March 19, just in time for spring break.

 

The streamlined trains, which are expected to arrive at the Valencia amusement park this week, will have lower-profile sides for a more exposed feeling but will also be equipped with more restrictive over-the-shoulder restraints.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-superman-escape-from-krypton-magic-mountain-01201112,0,33627.story

[ebl]

So it looks like S:EFK will be open for WCB. You guys will probably get the first ERT on it!

 

Eric

[Ace Of Spades]

^^I do like the "choose your fate" idea, but if the backwards run is a substantial improvement, I can't see why they'd revert back to the way things were.

[JJ728]

SCREAMSCAPE posted a link concerning S:EFK's official opening date, March 19th. Also Lance reporting that after a few months one train will be turned back around so you can choose the way to go Backwards or forwards. More at the link.

The revamped Superman roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain, with new trains that rocket riders backward at 100 miles per hour, is scheduled to reopen March 19, just in time for spring break.

 

The streamlined trains, which are expected to arrive at the Valencia amusement park this week, will have lower-profile sides for a more exposed feeling but will also be equipped with more restrictive over-the-shoulder restraints.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-superman-escape-from-krypton-magic-mountain-01201112,0,33627.story

That's a lot earlier then I originally expected, but with the way they busted through that paint job I guess I'm not surprised.

[robbalvey]

^^I do like the "choose your fate" idea, but if the backwards run is a substantial improvement, I can't see why they'd revert back to the way things were.

I'm sure the key words in there are "substantial improvement." If the backwards trains are getting HUGE lines even months later, I doubt you'll see the one train turned back around until attendance starts to drop.

 

Now the question - when the turn a train around are they going to put one of the old ones back on, or take a new one and turn it forwards?

[JJ728]

^^I do like the "choose your fate" idea, but if the backwards run is a substantial improvement, I can't see why they'd revert back to the way things were.

I'm sure the key words in there are "substantial improvement." If the backwards trains are getting HUGE lines even months later, I doubt you'll see the one train turned back around until attendance starts to drop.

 

Now the question - when the turn a train around are they going to put one of the old ones back on, or take a new one and turn it forwards?

Hopefully the old one since it only has a lapbar.

[John Knotts]

I have two questions actually. Will Superman hit the 100mph mark again? And will both sides operate at the same time? If the answer is yes and yes, color VERY excited to ride this. Otherwise, while I admire the effort, I will be only midly interested.

[JJ728]

I have two questions actually. Will Superman hit the 100mph mark again? And will both sides operate at the same time? If the answer is yes and yes, color VERY excited to ride this. Otherwise, while I admire the effort, I will be only midly interested.

I think that's why they painted the top portion red so it can be judged how far the car climbs the tower. It should run at 100 mph since there is a newly designed car that is supposed to help them achieve that again.

[chickenbowl]

I was hoping they would use a more modern system of propulsion vs. the dated 1996 LSM's that used a ton of energy to launch. A new system would be able to let the cars actually reach 100 mph without mechanical issues like how it was, but I doubt this happened/will happen. At WCB last year, one of the park reps said Superman was only going about 80 mph before it closed because of maintenance etc.

 

EDIT: Maybe the new cars could also help it reach 100 mph.

[robbalvey]

Now the question - when the turn a train around are they going to put one of the old ones back on, or take a new one and turn it forwards?

Hopefully the old one since it only has a lapbar.

That's why I ask the question. I just cannot see the spending millions on two brand spankin new cars, only to use them for a few month and put the old 15 year-old car with lots of wear and tear back on the tracks.

 

I see them putting the new train on forwards.

 

--Robb

[boywholaughed]

Now the question - when the turn a train around are they going to put one of the old ones back on, or take a new one and turn it forwards?

Hopefully the old one since it only has a lapbar.

That's why I ask the question. I just cannot see the spending millions on two brand spankin new cars, only to use them for a few month and put the old 15 year-old car with lots of wear and tear back on the tracks.

 

I see them putting the new train on forwards.

 

--Robb

 

 

exactly what I was thinking. I hope they run the trains at 100 mph for at LEAST this whole year. Heck, put solar panels in the park! Do something to keep that cost low!

 

edit** I have been thinking (since the early Bizarro rumors) why don't they place LSM's on the track even on the curve? That's a guaranteed launch to the top and cheap as heck.

Edited January 13, 2011 by boywholaughed

[Ace Of Spades]

To be honest, I don't see the problem with putting one of the new trains on forwards as well. Sure, the enthusiast crowd will notice that it's the same old ride with harnesses, but we'll be the only ones that will probably care.

[the ghost]

Am I the only one who finds it slightly sketchy SFMM is opening superman at the same day at WCB. I am not going to count on opening, but I cant WAIT regardless, but that would be an awesome perk!

[boywholaughed]

You guys are lucky.... riding rides on opening day and shiz....

 

 

Get some videos for me ok? Thnx!

[rcdude]

Based on the type of things SFMM has done for WCB in the past, I've been wondering if they'd have Superman open for this year's event. It looks like my prediction was correct. I really can't wait to ride this, as it is the new coaster experience of 2011 I'm looking forward to most (although Green Lantern also looks very interesting).

 

As for the forwards/backwards debate, I would guess that they will probably have both cars backward through the 2011 holiday season, then when the ride goes down for annual maintenance after that point they will turn one around. I highly doubt the old cars will ever run again because they are outdated and probably don't run as well as the new cars. For running both tracks, they showed them running simultaneously in the video, but I wouldn't be surprised if they switched to running one side while the other loads for actual operation.

[Mechanic]

I was cautiously optomistic that S:EFK might be open by WCB. I won't count on it, but I do hope they stay on schedule. It wouldn't be a deal breaker by any means if it isn't ready.

[cooksta77]

Opening on WCB day? I swear if TPR breaks S:EFK just like it KILLED Terminator's audio.....

-Cookie

[robbalvey]

^ We really did kill the audio didn't we? Little did I know then that when I took this video, it would be the very last time the audio would ever play on the ride!!!

 

[Stealthrider]

I may be posting late, but the Apocalypse pre show would have been better if the characters in the film actually looked like that they were in the end of the world. You know all dirty and beat up.

Edited January 13, 2011 by Stealthrider

[Mechanic]

Shoot to kill your loved ones?

[Gmaster562]

Well they were able to kill S:TE a few years back! They can surely do it again!

[Sir Clinksalot]

So it looks like S:EFK will be open for WCB. You guys will probably get the first ERT on it!

 

Eric

 

Are you not going to WCB this year?

[SFMM fanboy]

X2 surrived its Area 19 soundrack. And besides, S:EFK might not even have a soundtrack. So the only way to break it, we would have to gain 1.21 gigawats and send it BACK TO THE FUTURE! Or off the rails.