The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[MrSum1_55]

Hey everyone! So, I have recently moved to SoCal from Florida (Of course I move when Fantasyland and HP are expanding ) and I'm visiting SFMM next week for the FIRST TIMEEE!!! I'm usually insanely prepared for theme park trips; I practically study the map and make a plan of attack, but I just can't figure out SFMM. What's the best way to tackle this park? Should I go clock-wise? Counter-clockwise? Should I hit X2 or Tatsu or Goliath first? I need some help yall.

 

Get there at least 1/2 hour early, and head directly to X2. After that, head to Tatsu, and do the park clockwise.

 

HOWEVER, should you get there too late, and the X2 line is over 1 hour (sometimes it can reach up to 2 hours) head for Tatsu, and do the same thing, just come back to X2 later.

 

PLUS should you get to the park REALLY LATE (1 hour+) go counterclockwise, hitting up Goliath first and X2 last. However, should you stay until night, you can usually get on any ride in >30 min, even on moderatly crowded days.

[John Knotts]

It will be interesting to see how much the crowd splits in the morning, once Green Lantern opens. I hope they have something cool planned for next year to split the crowds even further.

[chickenbowl]

^It's hard to split the crowds because X2 is the first thing the GP sees when driving up to the park, so it's in their short-term memory. But I'm hoping for something big. 2012 seems like it will be a huge year for theme parks, especially in CA.

[daveydo5172]

What are unaceptable wait times for coasters at the park?

 

 

For me, personally, anything over 45 mins is unacceptable for any coaster at that park...but, realisitcally, anything over 1.5 hours is unacceptable, shoot, during the summer, anything over 20 mins is unacceptable!

[Tmcdllr]

It will be interesting to see how much the crowd splits in the morning, once Green Lantern opens. I hope they have something cool planned for next year to split the crowds even further.

 

Next year is the year of the 500 foot coaster! Its gotta happen sooner or later, might as well be sooner!

[JJ728]

It will be interesting to see how much the crowd splits in the morning, once Green Lantern opens. I hope they have something cool planned for next year to split the crowds even further.

The only time I've ever seen the crowds truly split and the majority of it not go to X2 is when Tatsu opened. I'm doubting this will happen at the magnitude it did then, but I'm sure a lot will head to GL.

[John Knotts]

^It's hard to split the crowds because X2 is the first thing the GP sees when driving up to the park, so it's in their short-term memory. But I'm hoping for something big. 2012 seems like it will be a huge year for theme parks, especially in CA.

 

 

That should be a good thing, especially for us! I'll be a happy camper if people continue to run for X2 and Tatsu, and I can get early morning rides on GL.

 

As for 2012, it's really hard to tell what SFMM will do if Knotts adds that rumored big ride, plus Universal and Disney. The company still seems unwilling to shell out $18-$20 mill on one ride like they used to. But with the major stuff opening next year, can they really stand pat with Green Lantern for next year?

[JJ728]

Same, I can't wait to see what they do.

 

Superman's return was predictable, but necessary. An overall good step forward for the park. Green Lantern was a "neato" move by SFMM, and a really creative addition to the collection of coasters. But I'm hoping for something on the scale of Tatsu. Who knows what will happen.

[drewelap]

Ok so from what I gather I should hit up X2 and/or Tatsu first depending on if I arrive early (which I will... hopefully). And if not, then I go counter-clockwise to go against crowd flow. Awesome. In terms of food, what places are the best quality and price? I enjoy vomiting up funnel cakes and fried chicken on rides as much as the next person, but healthyish food would be pleasant! Especially if I'm gonna be testing my thrill tolerance on rides I've never been on. Seriously, I may love roller coasters.... but X2 and Viper have me nervous!

[JJ728]

Ok so from what I gather I should hit up X2 and/or Tatsu first depending on if I arrive early (which I will... hopefully). And if not, then I go counter-clockwise to go against crowd flow. Awesome. In terms of food, what places are the best quality and price? I enjoy vomiting up funnel cakes and fried chicken on rides as much as the next person, but healthyish food would be pleasant! Especially if I'm gonna be testing my thrill tolerance on rides I've never been on. Seriously, I may love roller coasters.... but X2 and Viper have me nervous!

The cliche that answers this question is: Mooseburger lodge is the only sit down restaurant in the park, and has a lot of options, many of which are on the healthier side.

 

You can find some "lighter" food scattered through the park, but there isn't much. I think at Food Etc. by Goliath there might be some healthy choices. Cyber Cafe near the fountains at the front has "healthier" snacks. Otherwise the park has pizza, fried chicken, hamburgers, BBQ, or Chinese food.

[Tmcdllr]

I enjoy vomiting up funnel cakes and fried chicken on rides as much as the next person!

 

YES!!!

 

That makes it all worthwhile!

[Perilous Chris]

I went to the park today (6-21) and it was moderately crowded.

 

I rode Apocalypse and Superman for the first time today.

 

Apocalypse was running one train, and it took forever to get to the station. After the pre show, the wait was not too bad. This was my first GCI ever. I found the restraints comfortable, and the ride had some nice laterals. The station fly through was pretty cool as well. It's not the best woody I've experienced, but it's light years above Psyclone.

 

Superman:EFK had about an hour and a half wait. The ride experience caught me by surprise and it made me quite nervous. I found this to be way better than the original.

 

A couple quick notes:

 

Season Pass processing was short and easy.

 

Green Lantern looks a lot larger and more impressive in person.

 

The employees I encountered were very polite and more energetic than previous visits.

 

The parking lot could be better lit at night, but I've been to other parks that have the same issue.

[RandallDuell]

I went to the park today (6-21) and it was moderately crowded.

 

 

Did the Bulls win on 5/22? QUICK, I need to know soon time traveller! Actually, just let me know who won both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals while you're at it!

 

On a serious note, anyone else feel all of the computer aided graphics and photoshop stuff almost takes away from the "surprise" of what a new attraction actually looks like once built? I know there have always been renderings, but it's funny how the REAL pictures of Green Lantern seem like we've already seen it there before....

 

Also, did we ever figure out where the monorail cars went to?

[trcg721]

Just to let you know, Colossus was running both sides yesterday. Also Grinder Gearworks which is going is going to be Wonder Women Lasso, now has a blue color to it.

[Arkhamar]

Same, I can't wait to see what they do.

 

Superman's return was predictable, but necessary. An overall good step forward for the park. Green Lantern was a "neato" move by SFMM, and a really creative addition to the collection of coasters. But I'm hoping for something on the scale of Tatsu. Who knows what will happen.

 

I agree (hopeful wishing!). I'm so glad SFMM is out of that 'for sale' closure scare in 2006. There seems to be a lot more confidence now, even in this recession. It's good to know Intamin is back on board with S:EFK and GL, I feel these are only teasers for something huge possibly for 2012 or beyond. Intamin's latest creations like Intimidator 305 are killer!! I can definitely see something of that nature fitting into SFMM's 'X-treme' ride park. What's the new motto now?....GO BIG!!

[takedown]

I'm already making plans to change plane tickets for OKC to land in Dallas first and go to Six Flags Over Texas, can't wait to ride the Texas Giant I'm new to riding coasters and not picky at all, in fact I think Scream is a great ride and rode it the most on my last trip, so I'm open to going to any parks, Cedar Point included. What other parks, that you all have visited, are a must visit when it comes to coasters in the US?

[skaunit]

I would have to say Kingda Ka at six flags great adventure in new jersey, or its brother top thrill dragster at cedar point, are up there, amazing experiences... well I cant speak about TTD personally, but it is almost identical so... I really really want to get out to Cedar Point someday soon, though realistically it would probably be a year or so away...

[WFChris]

Being the Six Flags Magic Mountain Discussion Thread, I would have to recommend Six Flags Magic Mountain as a great park to visit

[TheErik]

Want to talk about the flash pass...

I'm an impatient bastard and usually avoid the park April-Aug. Lines piss me off. I've never paid attention to the flash pass because it doesn't apply to me (always feel bad for the poor SOBs scanning their passes on a dead Feb. weekend )

 

I have relatives coming from out of town in July and am looking into getting our group FP's. I have no problem paying an up charge for X2 but was DISGUSTED to find out it's "per ride"

 

REALLY!?!? Per ride?

 

X2 is a bad ass coaster but not worth a freakin 15 dollar surcharge .

 

Did i miss boat on bitching about this?

[Mechanic]

Then don't pay for the upcharge and wait in line. It's not like anyone has a gun to your head.

[READYdot]

We'll have FP for our day at SFMM. We do that more out of necessity, because we want to ride almost all of the coasters, this at the beginning of august. As it is not that often that we visit the US. If we ride X2 we'll simply do the queue as everybody else. Same will probably count for GL. I read the description of the Gold Passes that SFMM delivers, but am not that sure that I really understood how it works. Is it like an electronic Disney Fast-Pass? You "check-in" at a ride and wait until your time comes and than you have a time-window to get into the fast-pass-lane? Does it work well?

[PeoplemoverMatt]

I have relatives coming from out of town in July and am looking into getting our group FP's. I have no problem paying an up charge for X2 but was DISGUSTED to find out it's "per ride"

 

REALLY!?!? Per ride?

 

X2 is a bad A$$ coaster but not worth a freakin 15 dollar surcharge .

 

Did i miss boat on bitching about this?

 

I don't see the need to b*tch about it. Pay the upcharge per ride, or wait in the main queue. Choice is yours.

 

If I were you, instead of wasting time complaining about it, I'd pay for the group to ride it & have a great time on it, and then proceed to use the Flash Pass to have a great time on as many other rides as possible. Then if your group really wants to ride again, get in line 2 minutes before park closing. The wait time will likely be minimal, and it'll all be bonus time for you & your group. Focus the energies on having the best time possible.

[SoCalCoasters]

^ I believe that the reason they have the upcharge was because of the insane line X2 usually gets. I was surprised they did this, but I paid the upcharge and got a ride on it with no wait during Spring Break.

 

I'm not surprised they are doing this same style of upcharge for Dare Devil Dive at SFOG. The capacity of the ride simply does not allow for some many people to skip the line. The wait time would be astronomical. (although not as bad as the legendary 6 hour wait )

[CloneCaptain38]

Road Runner Express Now Testing...This was posted by 'In the Parks' 16 hours ago on the Six Flags Magic Mountain Facebook page.

 

[Sir Clinksalot]

^ I actually posted that as In The Parks. I forgot to post it over here. My bad.

 

They had water dummies in the cars later on in the evening but it was too dark to get good video/pictures.