The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[cooksta77]

^You have a discover card? If so I believe you can get in what 10 minutes before the park opens?

-Cookie "Correct me if I'm wrong" Iorio

[harper83087]

I've heard the same thing but unfortunately I do not have a Discover card

[WFChris]

Here is the plan of attack when you get to the park:

 

Be there well before it opens.

 

Run to X2.

 

Get your Gold Flash pass.

 

Casually stroll to whatever ride you would like to go on and enjoy

[harper83087]

^I like that plan . Thanks again!

[Sir Clinksalot]

If you come in on the 10 from Phoenix, your screwed traffic wise no matter what...unless you try like 2;30 in the morning....with the 405 closed, traffic will be so much worse than normal...if you go north to the 40, then to the 15 and come in that way, you can always take my short cut,in Victorville, which is the 18 west to the 14 in Palmdale, then the 14 down to the 5...basically puts you 10 mins from the park....but, Like with me, I think your screwed either way this weekend

 

No way ... that's WAY out of the way.

 

Honestly, you will be fine if when you get to the 15 you take it north to the 210 and then take the 210 straight to the 5. You will totally bypass Carmageddon. There may still be a little bit more traffic than normal, but nowhere near taking a 100 mile detour.

[harper83087]

^yea, after looking at that route it doesn't make much sense to me, and looking at the standard I-10 route it doesn't look too terribly close to the I-405, especially with a slight detour.

[Sir Clinksalot]

^ The easiest way to SFMM from the Inland Empire (and all points east) is taking the 210 to the 5 anyway, so I think you will be fine.

 

I'd still give yourself AT LEAST another hour but as long as you avoid the 10/101/405/5 anywhere around Downtown LA/The Westside you should be fine. The 15 is far enough east and the 210 is far enough north where there shouldn't be "too much" additional traffic. You may get some around where the 134 crosses the 210 (that is the closest you will get to Carmageddon if you go that way) but that's it.

[harper83087]

^Thanks! We'll be traveling mid day on that Friday so hopefully that will help a little bit too.

[coasternut]

^You have a discover card? If so I believe you can get in what 10 minutes before the park opens?

-Cookie "Correct me if I'm wrong" Iorio

 

It's more like 5 minutes, but something is better than waiting in the long lines and getting in with the GP. The discover line is always short.

[MontagnaMagica]

Hi All, I'm a long time coaster nut and a this is my first post on TPR, I'm very excited to join your group! I'm planning my first trip to SFMM over the weekend of July 15-17, planning on spending only that Saturday in the park. I want to hit all 18 coasters somehow but I know crowds will probably be insanely large. If we have the extra funds we'll be getting a Gold Flash Pass but that has yet to be determined. Basically I'm looking for any tips and tricks for a first time visit. Thanks!

 

Since the majority of the people go to X2 or Tatsu first, it's usually a good idea to go to something in the back of the park like Goliath or Riddler's Revenge first. You can usually get a good three or four quick rides in before the lines start building up. If you can, wait until at least 2:30 to eat lunch. 11:00 - 2:00 is when most everyone else goes for lunch and the lines are a bit shorter. After lunch, I'd suggest getting on Viper next. For some reason, it doesn't seem very popular at that time (I could be wrong about that though). If lines are really long, go on Gold Rusher, Ninja, and Revolution since they are less popular attractions. I hope this helps!

[MrSum1_55]

^I am not a Discover cardmember, so I usually get to the park AT LEAST 30 minutes before opening, and RUN LIKE HELL to X2. As long as the ride is open, this strategy never fails!

[harper83087]

Thanks guys!!! Anything helps to try and beat the crowds.

[daveydo5172]

If you come in on the 10 from Phoenix, your screwed traffic wise no matter what...unless you try like 2;30 in the morning....with the 405 closed, traffic will be so much worse than normal...if you go north to the 40, then to the 15 and come in that way, you can always take my short cut,in Victorville, which is the 18 west to the 14 in Palmdale, then the 14 down to the 5...basically puts you 10 mins from the park....but, Like with me, I think your screwed either way this weekend

 

No way ... that's WAY out of the way.

 

Honestly, you will be fine if when you get to the 15 you take it north to the 210 and then take the 210 straight to the 5. You will totally bypass Carmageddon. There may still be a little bit more traffic than normal, but nowhere near taking a 100 mile detour.

 

 

I have actually taken this detour many times coming in from Vegas, and it shaves about 30 mins off the trip as opposed to driving thru the city....if theres traffic that is

[daveydo5172]

But yes, it is out of the way if he is coming in from Phoenix!

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Hey guys, don't forget - the 210 has been extended all the way to the I-10 now waaaaay the crap east. Taking the 210 all the way to the 5 is the most direct way, and has the least traffic.

[Chrisrad]

^ QFT

 

The 210 comes all the way over to the 15 now, and, coming from Temecula, that's a godsend.

 

I usually take the 15 - 210 - 5 route when I go to SFMM - I never hit much traffic.

 

I do remember when they opened the new portion of the freeway - there were a lot of cops enforcing the speed limit..

[RCFreak]

Hey guys, don't forget - the 210 has been extended all the way to the I-10 now waaaaay the crap east. Taking the 210 all the way to the 5 is the most direct way, and has the least traffic.

 

It's not THAT far east, yeesh.

 

You can grab the 210 in Redlands and take it all the way up, plus it has a much longer HOV access then taking the 10 (which currently has construction in Rialto and is frequently congested all through Fontana to Ontario with no Carpool lanes) and it probably won't be too bad as has been said. Other then that get there early and get the Flashpass blah blah blah.

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

Or you could buy a helicopter. Save Kobe Bryant all kinds of time in traffic...

[Sir Clinksalot]

If you come in on the 10 from Phoenix, your screwed traffic wise no matter what...unless you try like 2;30 in the morning....with the 405 closed, traffic will be so much worse than normal...if you go north to the 40, then to the 15 and come in that way, you can always take my short cut,in Victorville, which is the 18 west to the 14 in Palmdale, then the 14 down to the 5...basically puts you 10 mins from the park....but, Like with me, I think your screwed either way this weekend

 

No way ... that's WAY out of the way.

 

Honestly, you will be fine if when you get to the 15 you take it north to the 210 and then take the 210 straight to the 5. You will totally bypass Carmageddon. There may still be a little bit more traffic than normal, but nowhere near taking a 100 mile detour.

 

 

I have actually taken this detour many times coming in from Vegas, and it shaves about 30 mins off the trip as opposed to driving thru the city....if theres traffic that is

 

Yea, we always take that route from Vegas going through Victorville, Little Rock, Palmdale, etc.

 

That new stretch of the 210 is VERY nice as well, and very nice to have.

[TheErik]

I know that the "I'm going to SFMM on this date, is it going to suck?" topic is tired but you guys seem to love to answer them so I will wade into those murky waters once more

 

Planning on heading to The Mountain this Monday. I only live about 45 minutes away but historically keep my distance from May-Aug. I can't stand crowds. I have 2 relatives coming from out of town and I want to show them how we do it out here. CP is their home park and they are SFMM haters even though they have never been within 100 miles of the park. I hope to show them the glory that is SFMM.

 

My question to you:

 

Do I need to pick up Flash Passes for a Monday in late June? I'd really like to be able to hit the whole circuit. The plan is to be at the gate 45 min before opening and running up to X2 (10 bucks per ride via the flash pass is retarded) and maybe hit Tatsu before picking up the passes..if they are needed.

[Sir Clinksalot]

Monday won't be as bad as a Saturday or Sunday (or even Friday), but a LOT of schools just got out this week, so next week is really the first week that all schools are out.

 

As with anything, if you are planning on getting there at opening, I'd play it by ear and see if you really need the Flashpass. If you can get on X2/Tatsu within the first 45-60 minutes the park is open, you will most likely be ok.

[WFChris]

Flash Passes typically don't sell out mid week, so go to the park, feel it out, and if it sucks, buy a Flash Pass.

[MrSum1_55]

^Which brings me to my question of how quickly Flashpasses do sell out. I am planning on going to the park on 4th of July weekend (likely a packed day). I am planning on making a beeline for X2, then backtracking to get a Gold Flashpass. (I am trying to avoid the additional fee) I am sure they must not sell out THAT quickly (never bought one before), but I would just like to make sure for a crowded day...

 

Edit: I just found out GL now ONLY supports Platinum FP's, so I might so for that, not that that really matters for the question.

[Mr. Starr]

^Which brings me to my question of how quickly Flashpasses do sell out. I am planning on going to the park on 4th of July weekend (likely a packed day). I am planning on making a beeline for X2, then backtracking to get a Gold Flashpass. (I am trying to avoid the additional fee) I am sure they must not sell out THAT quickly (never bought one before), but I would just like to make sure for a crowded day...

 

Edit: I just found out GL now ONLY supports Platinum FP's, so I might so for that, not that that really matters for the question.

 

Knowing that it's the 4th of July, you would probably be better off with just pre-ordering your FP. Then you could run to X2 first, then trace back to the FP building and you'll be guaranteed a Q-Bot.

[TheErik]

Do the other Six Flag's have an up charge on their popular rides?

 

I didn't think that 15 bucks was to bad for the add-on till I found out it was per ride. Craziness.