The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[Ryan King]

Since when does Tatsu open late? and how long has this been going on.

 

lolz

Tatsu crew is EXTREMELY slow...

So its a joke to say they "open late". They lag like none other and dont fill trains to full capacity. I seriosuly think kidtums could do better at loading Tatsu trains!!!

 

-Ryan

[GMAN962]

^ My guess would be -1,673 trains.

 

Just look at my siganture.

 

Ok, if you're Alexander "Hates Magic Mountain" Dickey, then WTF are you even posting in this thread!?

 

You're posting for no reason!

 

Anyway, Magic Mountain seems to be getting better and better by the day. I'm actually more excited for my next visit because of the quality.

 

As far as rides go, I'm glad to hear that spin out, and Thrill Shot are finaly working!

 

--Mike "But he's going to Knott's next Friday instead" J

[Mr.Six]

Since when does Tatsu open late? and how long has this been going on.

Just to clear this up to end any sort of confusion. Tatsu opens late A LOT. But its not one of the rides that's schedule to open at 11 each day. Such as Ninja, Jet Stream, etc.

Sometimes the problem is maintenance, and with that you kinda have to bite the bullet. But usually its simply just late block check. Tatsu's block check takes a bit longer than the other rides, and their crew arrives at the same time as all the other operators. I say schedule the Tatsu crew in earlier than that.

_six

[haiderodes]

^Whats so special about their block check that they have to open after the park has already opened? It seems to be a scheduling issue. If they are allowing time for the start up procedures.

 

Granted I have never worked at SFMM, but I have worked at a couple of parks and I never have seen a block check take more than 30 to 45 minutes. The only issue is if maintenence isnt ready to turn the ride over for the day and is still doing its thing.

 

Did they ever solve the 'slipping down the hill' issue with the ride?

[alexinla]

From Screamscape:

Park News - (6/14/07) We’ve heard that Shapiro may have reconsidered plans for SFMM in 2008 and that Thomas may be coming to the park after all.

 

Sounds good to me

[vedved82491]

yup yup. i saw that too...so are we still assuming flashback to go to psyclones former spot? i'd say so, cuz that area of land is kinda big, and i'm pretty sure thomas town could fit where flashback is...then again, maybe not...as i always say, time will tell.

[robbalvey]

yup yup. i saw that too...so are we still assuming flashback to go to psyclones former spot? i'd say so, cuz that area of land is kinda big, and i'm pretty sure thomas town could fit where flashback is...then again, maybe not...as i always say, time will tell.

I do not believe ANY rumors of Flashback moving and re-opening at all. It just doesn't even make sense that what was probably the most unpopular coaster in the park next to Psyclone which hasn't operated in 4 years would re-open in a new location.

 

Spending the money to dismantle, refurb, landscape the Psyclone area, and reconstruct Flashback there makes zero sense.

 

--Robb

[Manic Monte]

^ I agree. I think Flashback will get the same treatment that Windjammer did a few years ago. The coaster is old, rusted and pretty un-ridable. Not worth the money it would take to move, paint and refurbish it.

 

I still believe the ride was kept around so long for the coaster count anyway. Once Shapiro nixed that idea, Flashback became expendable.

 

I'd rather they spend that extra money to fix up Colossus. It's the only wooden coaster they have at this point.

[trcg721]

Even thought I like Thomas the train, I kind of hope it doesn't end up in the park. I wish they would add something like the soap Derby, But we all know it wont happen. Jahan, you should do another update soon. Its been a while since someone did an update.

[Mr.Six]

Its been a while since there's been anything to update on.

_six

[kraxleRIDAH]

yup yup. i saw that too...so are we still assuming flashback to go to psyclones former spot? i'd say so, cuz that area of land is kinda big, and i'm pretty sure thomas town could fit where flashback is...then again, maybe not...as i always say, time will tell.

I do not believe ANY rumors of Flashback moving and re-opening at all. It just doesn't even make sense that what was probably the most unpopular coaster in the park next to Psyclone which hasn't operated in 4 years would re-open in a new location.

 

Spending the money to dismantle, refurb, landscape the Psyclone area, and reconstruct Flashback there makes zero sense.

 

--Robb

 

It wasn't a rumor. It came out of Sue Carpenter's mouth -- quoted in L.A. Daily News and L.A. Times.

 

Then again, she only stated that Magic Mountain is "exploring the option to reinstall it in the future at a different location inside the park."

 

Which means it's not set in stone. Hell, the ride hasn't even been pulled down yet!

[arrowfanman]

^ That is all Sue Carpenter said, which means that "Flashback taking Psyclone's place" is a rumor. An ill-concieved one at that, in my opinion.

 

I personally believe this fall, when the ride gets the axe, that it will be gone for good. Having to tell the general public that your subtracting something from a park isn't necessarily good-press. You're essentially admitting something is expensive, old, and stupid. It's for this reason I can easily see her trying to put a sketchy positive "spin" on the removal with a false hope of a future for Flashback.

 

It isn't coming back.

 

 

 

Jahan, you should do another update soon. Its been a while since someone did an update.

 

As Mike said, there isn't much to update on.

 

So what's been going on? They installed several ads throughout the park, the Guest Necessity Center has been repainted pink on the inside, two "extreme sports" exhibitions have appeared in the park, and Magic Mountain parkway has been reduced from 6 to 4 lanes before the park as a part of Newhall Land's construction.

 

The summer season is here. The park is no longer refurbishing stuff. Just as I 'reported' before, the center-of-gravity has been shifted from "fixing stuff" to "park operation" as the crowds begin to swell. I hope to shoot an update soon, if I can get around to it.

 

-Jahan

[laqueefa]

Hey Jahan, with the summer season a-go... IYO, when are the best times to attend MM and get the most coastering out of your trip?

[Goliath513]

Hey Jahan, I heard that you, Robb, and some friends were at SFMM yesterday. Any updates?

[Arez55]

^Dude...he already explained this...

 

 

 

Jahan, you should do another update soon. Its been a while since someone did an update.

 

As Mike said, there isn't much to update on.

 

So what's been going on? They installed several ads throughout the park, the Guest Necessity Center has been repainted pink on the inside, two "extreme sports" exhibitions have appeared in the park, and Magic Mountain parkway has been reduced from 6 to 4 lanes before the park as a part of Newhall Land's construction.

 

The summer season is here. The park is no longer refurbishing stuff. Just as I 'reported' before, the center-of-gravity has been shifted from "fixing stuff" to "park operation" as the crowds begin to swell. I hope to shoot an update soon, if I can get around to it.

 

-Jahan

[Mr.Six]

Hey Jahan, I heard that you, Robb, and some friends were at SFMM yesterday. Any updates?

 

They found out what the 4th song that X plays is. Its "What Sarah Said" by Death Cab for Cutie. Who knew!

_six

[Goliath513]

^ Ha, very funny, but that's not the one that my friend recorded on the same day. And I've pretty much given up on looking for that song because nobody knows what it really is. I have better things to do with my life then just look for that song. However, if I come across information for that song, I will post it.

[GMAN962]

^You're looking for songs on X?

 

Well, there are some by The Crystal Method, and the last one is called "Confusion (Pump Panel Remix)" by New Order. The album is "The Rest Of New Order." It's a techno song...really good.

 

-Mike

[Goliath513]

^ Thanks for the help, but I already have that song. I know 3 of the 4 songs played in X. Here is more info:

 

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35749&start=0

 

Post anything you know about the song in that thread so we don't get on this topic in the updates thread.

[Spokker]

Does anyone have any experience/tips on taking Metrolink from LA/OC into Santa Clarita to get to Magic Mountain? The big update a few pages back made me really want to go this week but I don't want to fight the weekday traffic to get there. Is rail more likely to be a pain than driving?

 

I have my route all drawn out and the only drawback I can see is that I have to leave MM by 4PM or I will end up missing the last train at Union Station, but I usually get sick of MM by late afternoon anyway.

[alexinla]

I took the bus once from Union Station to SFMM years ago. There is a Santa Clarita Commuter Express Bus leaving Union Station in the morning that gets you fairly close to SFMM. You will have to transfer to another bus to get to your destinatin in Valencia, but it was a lot easier than i thought it would be

 

Edit, because i have nothing better to do, i looked it up for you. Here is how to get there by bus from Union Station

 

Ride Santa Clarita 794 ( VALENCIA INDUSTRIAL CENTER) heading north

From: PATSAOURAS PLAZA RDWY/BUS BAY 1(Union Station) Lv: 08:00AM

To: MCBEAN PKWY/MAGIC MOUNTAIN(SE corner) Ar: 08:50AM

Pay $4.00 + get Transfer for next vehicle,

Ride Santa Clarita 3 (MAGIC MOUNTAIN) heading south

From: MCBEAN PKWY/MAGIC MOUNTAIN PKWY(SW corner) Lv: 09:12AM

To: MAGIC MOUNTAIN PKWY/MAGIC MOUNTAIN Ar: 09:28AM

Use Transfer

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Ending at MAGIC MOUNTAIN

Total cash fare = $4.00

Trip time is about 1 hour and 28 minutes.

Trip distance is about 40.06 miles.

 

Return to Union Station:

 

Ride Santa Clarita 7 ( SECO CANYON) heading east

From: MAGIC MOUNTAIN PKWY/MAGIC MOUNTAIN Lv: 04:16PM

To: MCBEAN PKWY/MAGIC MOUNTAIN(NE corner) Ar: 04:37PM

Pay $1.00, Monthly Pass: $25.00, (EZ Pass accepted)

Ride Santa Clarita 794 (LOS ANGELES) heading south

From: MCBEAN PKWY/MAGIC MOUNTAIN PKWY(NW corner) Lv: 04:41PM

To: PATSAOURAS PLAZA RDWY/BUS BAY 5 Ar: 05:39PM

Pay $4.00, Monthly Pass: $133.00, (EZ Pass accepted)

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Ending at UNION STATION

Total cash fare = $5.00

Trip time is about 1 hour and 23 minutes.

Trip distance is about 40.08 miles.

[Spokker]

Thanks for the help. Taking the train to Six Flags from Orange County was surprisingly easy and I did not get lost once.

 

Today was lighter than I thought it was going to be. Has Summer even started yet? Goliath was a near walk on both times I rode it. Viper was also a walk on. I was able to take advantage of the single rider lines on Deja Vu (45 minute to 1 hour wait) and Ninja (looked like a 20-30 minute wait because it was running one train) to get on in less than 5 minutes. Did not even bother with X.

 

The only problem was Tatsu which was only running one station with two trains, and it was cycling VERY slowly. The line was approaching two hours according to park employees but luckily I was dumb enough to buy the OMG XTREME PASS a few months ago that gives you one THE FLASH PASS per visit.

 

I used two rides for Tatsu and gave away the other two to some couple and told them to use them for Tatsu since every other ride had little to no wait. I was happy to do it. Take that Disneyland Dream Squad. I make dreams come true.

 

Honestly though, they looked puzzled as if they didnt even know what the The Flash Pass was. I didnt have time to explain it to them so maybe they threw it away haha.

[TatsuXtreme]

lol, nice! good to hear that operations are doing alright.

 

 

im going to be going sometime within the next week or two, it depends on if my cuz has money

[EagleFan344]

Thanks for the help. Taking the train to Six Flags from Orange County was surprisingly easy and I did not get lost once.

 

Today was lighter than I thought it was going to be. Has Summer even started yet? Goliath was a near walk on both times I rode it. Viper was also a walk on. I was able to take advantage of the single rider lines on Deja Vu (45 minute to 1 hour wait) and Ninja (looked like a 20-30 minute wait because it was running one train) to get on in less than 5 minutes. Did not even bother with X.

 

The only problem was Tatsu which was only running one station with two trains, and it was cycling VERY slowly. The line was approaching two hours according to park employees but luckily I was dumb enough to buy the OMG XTREME PASS a few months ago that gives you one THE FLASH PASS per visit.

 

I used two rides for Tatsu and gave away the other two to some couple and told them to use them for Tatsu since every other ride had little to no wait. I was happy to do it. Take that Disneyland Dream Squad. I make dreams come true.

 

Honestly though, they looked puzzled as if they didnt even know what the The Flash Pass was. I didnt have time to explain it to them so maybe they threw it away haha.

Thanks for the update! I'm going to SFMM in July so I really appreciate these updates about crowds and operations. How many trains were on the other coasters you rode besides Tatsu?

 

And why didn't you bother with X?

[vedved82491]

Sweet. I'm also going next month. Sometime between the 20th and 27th, most likely the 24th [tuesday].

 

at least I know my way around and now what to expect. whoo hoo for season passes! i'll prob. head straight to X just to get it over with for the day, unless we end up getting there a bit late, then I'll just head over to the back of the park and get near walk ons for Deja Vu...that's how it was last time I went on a tuesday...although that was in October, but still, a tuesday is a lot less crowded. I'm excited. whoo hoo.