The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[S33S313]

Does anyone know how often Superman performs tests? Are they at regular intervals or completely random? I've driven past the park many times in the past few days, but haven't seen any action.

[ebl]

I took a quick run out to the park today, arriving about 11:30. My plans were not to ride as much as I could, but rather just get out of the house for awhile.

 

The line for X2 completely filled the switchbacks and all the way to the sign, so I skipped it.

 

Viper's line was pretty short, so I jumped on that. I specifically rode in the front row of the sixth car on the yellow train...the so-called Arrow Magic Seat. Maybe it's just me, but there was no magic to be had there. Not a bad ride otherwise, though.

 

Tatsu was busy as well with what appeared to be a three-day line, so I just walked up the hill and went up in the Sky Tower.

 

Ninja had one train running with a fairly long line. Skipped.

 

I was hoping to see Superman testing, but nothing doing. Two more months till I can ride it. I'll wait.

 

Now it was time for Apocalypse. Strangely, a very short line. The first preshow: booorrrinnnggg... The second pre-show: See the verdict on the first one---exactly the same. Fortunately, the guy let us walk out of that not long after it started, so didn't have to watch the whole thing. but I figured it wasn't much better. However, the ride is about the same, though getting a bit bumpy. No fire effect.

 

Next up was Batman The Ride. Very short line, decent ride.

 

Colossus was closed and I didn't feel like riding Scream!, so I just got into Goliath's very short line and took a back seat ride. Fun as always.

 

Then I left.

 

Eric

[Midgetman82]

^^I don't think a park would want to continue to only test-run a coaster, they have to do other technical tweaks and safety inspections too.

[PortugePunk]

So STOKED to see Superman going full speed again... finally! The new paint job is STELLAR and could really pump some new life back into that thing. I'm ACTUALLY excited to ride it again at WCB!!

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

I'm impressed all this is on pace to be done in mid-march. Wasn't expecting this to be done so quickly, but here we are. Seems like the park really put a concentrated effort in this one

[coasterbill]

I'm also surprised that they released a POV at all but I agree that that video is awful. Six Flags really needs some help with their video marketing material between that shaky POV and the No Limits videos they used for Green Lantern at SFGADV.

[atem122]

^Why? No one in the GP is gonna realize that the Green Lantern was made in No Limits and is therefore crappy. They're just gonna see an animated rendering and think it looks awesome (or crappy). And I mean, as for this POV, it's not like it's the official B-roll footage, so it doesn't really matter. I don't know why they'd hire someone for a better quality video when they can just ask an employee who already has a camera to sit on it and film it (kinda like cheap porn!). Eventually, come Media Day, Superman will probably have a much better POV, but I don't think this video's target audience (not us) really cares that it's kinda shaky. I mean, it's like criticizing a company for having a lack of good grammar on its Twitter page. It's just to stir up internet buzz, and when the final product is released, it'll be much cleaner. Much like how a T.V. commercial is generally more well thought out than a company's Facebook/Twitter posts.

[Meteornotes]

^Why do something half-asssed when you can do it right? Why not make sure your spelling and grammar are correct on your Twitter and Facebook page? It's called being professional. Something that many, many people just do not get.

 

I know I'm not going to spend money with a business that doesn't put forth a professional image. Sure, you can have fun (like on this site), but you can still put forth a professional image that shows you care about your product. Because, if you don't care about your product, why should I?

 

This opinion brought to you by someone that has been involved in the entertainment and marketing business for over twenty years, so I know it will get no respect here...

 

dt

[Sir Clinksalot]

^ Exactly. There is no excuse for bad grammar.

[SharkTums]

^&^^ Speaking of that I did like that someone called SFMM out for using 'OMG' on their Facebook post.

 

I agree, I don't like shorthand and internet speak to begin with, but for a business to use them is worse. Of course, haven't we decided that this is kind of the route SFMM is going down on purpose? Trying to attract the teens only?

[DJeXeL]

^Cater to teens and the cash will flow in.................................."Xtreme Park" making a come back?

 

I sincerely hope someone smells the sarcasm in my post.

[Gmaster562]

^^ While I kind of agree with there marketing technique (trying to attract Teenagers) they should also try adults to. They've already tried kids and thats a disaster. I feel though, that teenagers are the percentage of people there now-a-days. Teenagers and camps. Most of the camps that go are also teenagers and the adults try to please the kids by taking them to SFMM because they here how fun it is for teenagers. It's smart, but they could be focusing on other people too.

[acq10uaz]

Anyone else see this in the LA Times? Some new revealings are posted!

http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-six-flags-magic-mountain-roller-coasters-01201117,0,5604411.story

 

Five 'new' coasters coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain? Not so fast

You're going to need a cheat sheet to keep track of all the new roller coaster names at Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2011.

 

That's not to say that Magic Mountain is actually getting five new coasters this year. The Valencia amusement park is adding only one truly new coaster. The four other coasters will be re-branded, relocated, re-themed and remade -- one of each, in fact.

 

Confused? Well, you should be. Most of the new coaster names are the result of a cost-cutting move to strip an array of intellectual properties from Six Flags parks.

 

Re-themed: In early January, Magic Mountain dumped the Terminator name from its apocalyptic-themed wooden roller coaster, which made its debut in 2009. The park kept the theme but revamped the pre-show and changed the name to Apocalypse.

 

Remade: On March 19, Magic Mountain will reopen the Superman: The Escape magnetic-launch shuttle coaster as Superman: Escape From Krypton, with trains that run backward instead of forward as they have since 1997. With on-track testing underway, Magic Mountain has begun teasing a pre-opening "technical rehearsal" for coaster fans on its Facebook page.

 

Relocated: A 28-foot-tall junior coaster -- formerly known as Road Runner Express at the now-shuttered Six Flags New Orleans park -- will also make its debut March 19 at Magic Mountain. The coaster was originally scheduled to open last summer at Magic Mountain as Mr. Six's DanceCoaster, but the park postponed the launch and dropped the name. After considering a new theme based on DC Comics superhero sidekicks, the park opted for simplicity and will name the coaster Road Runner Express. The coaster, which will have a 36-inch height requirement, replaces the former Sierra Falls water-tube slide.

 

Re-branded: The Percy's Railway coaster will get an as-yet-to-be-determined new name as part of a re-branding of the Thomas Town kiddie area of the park. Don't feel bad for Percy, though. The 10-foot-tall children's coaster has gone by many names over the years, including Goliath Jr. (2001), Wile E. Coyote (1985) and Clown (1971), according to Roller Coaster DataBase. Magic Mountain plans to unveil the re-branded Whistlestop Park kiddie area March 19.

 

New: The Green Lantern, a so-called fourth-dimension vertical coaster with zigzag track, is the one truly new coaster coming to Magic Mountain in 2011. Billed as a first of its kind in the U.S., the ride is set to open on Memorial Day weekend. The addition of Green Lantern will require renaming the Gotham City Backlot as DC Universe. It turns out that the Green Lantern and Batman can't exist in the same comic book "city," but they can coexist in the larger "universe."

 

What does all this mean? In a few short months, Magic Mountain will boast a total of 18 roller coasters and will reclaim the "Coaster Capital of the World" crown from Ohio's Cedar Point.

Edited January 18, 2011 by robbalvey

[SharkTums]

Glad to see someone finally got the memo and will make the kiddie coaster one that KIDS can ride! FYI, the Website still lists it at 42''.

[Hayzle]

I'm still wondering why they have only been testing the one side and why this conversion is taking 6 months or so. Hopefully it means they put a ton of time into revamping the system to give a better ride!

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

So...if Gotham City Backlot gets a title change, does that mean The Movie district is getting blended in too? Or will it remain its own area?

[ebl]

I've never understood the whole "Movie District" thing. To me, with Riddler's Revenge, it came off as sort of an extension of Gotham City. (The words "Gotham City" have not been on the arch in front of that area for awhile now.)

 

Honestly, the theming at SFMM is pretty weak, and the "themed" areas just sort of blend in with each other.

 

I, too, see a return to the whole "Xtreme Park" days. In fact, sometimes at Scream! you can still hear a reference to "The Xtreme Park!" during the recorded spiel. But that's what SFMM means to most people. I don't think being a "family" park was going to be any more successful than Las Vegas trying to remake itself as a "family destination" back in the '90s.

 

Eric

[Sir Clinksalot]

I'm ok with SFMM selling itself as the "Xtreme Park".

 

It wasn't really the coasters themselves that made the park crap, it was the way it was run and maintained.

 

Some things have me wondering if it's going back to the crap (1 train ops, late ride openings) yet others have me hopeful (Colossus bathrooms closed for remodeling).

 

One thing I did notice on Sunday though, were a LOT of employees talking on phones (not cell phones, the station phones) and it didn't look like they were talking business. I also noticed a LOT less in-station talking other than the "enjoy your ride". I still think the Ninja ride-ops/announcers are the best at this (Hiya!!!).

 

And I didn't see any of the managers walking around with the trash picker-uppers.

[cal1br3tto]

Darn it, I was pretty pleased with the Little Flash name. I don't personally care about the branding; I just thought it sounded cute. Oh well.

[ebl]

I hope the thugs don't return. I'm seeing more and more rude behavior coming back, but maybe that's just society in general. SFMM isn't as clean as it has been in the last couple of years---that I've noticed, and hope they address.

 

As for the "Xtreme Park," I don't think it ever really went away. It can't, really, when your park is full of roller coasters and little else to do. Thomas Town was a nice try, but with only one "family friendly" attraction, it just never really clicked.

 

SFMM has become known for its BIG THRILLS, so they should just stick to what they know best. But I did like the every two or three year spacing of the big coasters. That gives us a chance to get to know and enjoy the ones they have, and look forward to the next one.

 

Eric

[CGA_88]

One thing I did notice on Sunday though, were a LOT of employees talking on phones (not cell phones, the station phones) and it didn't look like they were talking business. I also noticed a LOT less in-station talking other than the "enjoy your ride". I still think the Ninja ride-ops/announcers are the best at this (Hiya!!!).

 

I'm really glad to hear that the ops are only saying "enjoy your ride." If there's one thing of a Six Flags park that gets on my nerves, it's the operators singing, saying jokes, rotating positions, etc. over the microphone. And I can't stand the station music they they play, unless it goes with the theme of the ride, such as Riddler's Revenge.

Edited January 18, 2011 by robbalvey

[DJeXeL]

It wasn't really the coasters themselves that made the park crap, it was the way it was run and maintained.

 

This lack of general maintenance/upkeep is noticed before you even step foot into the park.

Example: Arrive in the parking lot at 9:00 and there's a total of 10 cars in the parking lot......explain to me why 4 trash cans within my line of sight are brimming over with trash and have flies all around them??? So with this it's apparent the trash is from the day before. This is just 1 example but can put a sour taste into a guest's mouth, and quickly.

 

Some things have me wondering if it's going back to the crap (1 train ops, late ride openings) yet others have me hopeful (Colossus bathrooms closed for remodeling).

 

1 train operation isn't a problem for me so long as it's not the "norm." I understand trains need to be rehabbed and I appreciate the fact that the park is maintaining the ride vehicles BUT, on a coaster that can run 3 trains you shouldn't have 2 trains "unavailable" at any given time.

1 train on Ninja, Goldrusher......OK. However, 1 train on your major attractions such as Tatsu, Goliath and X2 is ridiculous.

 

One thing I did notice on Sunday though, were a LOT of employees talking on phones (not cell phones, the station phones) and it didn't look like they were talking business. I also noticed a LOT less in-station talking other than the "enjoy your ride". I still think the Ninja ride-ops/announcers are the best at this (Hiya!!!).

 

Efficiency is not on the daily agenda. I will admit, I don't usually see the operators using park phones but I do see a lot of them standing around doing nothing. If you're on break then go to your designated break area. Never fails when I ride Goliath (Just 1 example but happens at most rides)you'll ALWAYS see at least 3 or more people standing around in dispatch while 2 people check the train. Once operators are done checking the train, it will sit there while the dispatcher is distracted by the extra bodies in the dispatch booth.

Now surely this looks bad to the guests but I honestly wouldn't care if I waited 30seconds in line to ride. However when the line is 45+ minutes and you see this, your blood will boil.

Now don't get me wrong I'm well aware it's the off-season so reduced attraction capacities may be inevitable but with those reduced capacities the operators should be moving that much faster to maximize their attraction's throughput to the best of their ability. The off-season however is NO excuse for trash to overflow out of trash cans, the park to be dirty, or attractions not to open on time for non-mechanical reasons.

 

The park was moving in the right direction summer of '09 and this past summer. I think they were doing a damn good job as all attractions were open at park opening, park was clean, looked well maintained, employees were being efficient and providing good guest service. It seems that lately (past 3 months) they're starting to slip a bit. Hopefully this is only temporary as I'd hate to see the park back in its 2001-2007 era. It really has potential to be a gorgeous park.

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

...when I ride Goliath... you'll ALWAYS see at least 3 or more people standing around in dispatch while 2 people check the train.

Oh, they're not loafing...they're training...

[DJeXeL]

Haha good point

[ryanthekiwi]

I've read back a good 50-60 pages and it is great to hear what the regulars and enthusiasts are saying about the park. I'll be attending in March (5-6) for the first time in 7 years. Am really excited to ride Tatsu and X2, which was just X last time I was there.

 

A couple questions for the experts:

 

Other than scheduled re-tooling of Superman, are there any rides scheduled to be closed that weekend?

 

I will be at the park Mar. 5 from 5PM to closing, and Mar. 6 from opening to 2PM or so. Unfortunately I have a busy weekend and these are the only times avaliable. Do you think this will be a sufficient amount of time to do all the major rides?

 

I am 6'1" and 315lb. Are there any rides that should be avoided due to my size?