SFMM/Southern CA TR

[Mr Stratosphere]

Me and a couple of friends decided last week to make a trip to Southern California and hit up SFMM!!!

 

Since this is short notice we ended up staying in Sylmar, Ca. which is about a short 10 min drive to SFMM..

 

Anyways we left Las Vegas on Monday the 30the. It was about 7:30PM and it was getting stormy out but didn't think much of it at the time. Right when we got out of the city on I-15 it started to pour!! So it was a nice slow down on the trip but nothing bad.

 

When we got to Primm (CA/NEV Stateline) where Buffalo Bill's and the Desperado is at. We saw the sign get struck by lightning which was awesome!! The sign wigged out for a second and turned back on.

 

It was on and off rain and some heavy downpours until we got around the Zzyzzx exit and then it pretty much cleared up for the rest of the trip.

We made it into Sylmar around 12:30AM which really wasn't a bad travel time.

 

We checked into the Good Nite Inn which wasn't all that bad. It had free Wi-Fi which was an added bonus. My normal hotel of choice is the Best Western Valencia Inn.. But this was just fine for us.

 

Tuesday morning we didn't know exactly where we were going to go and my friend suggested San Diego i said no biggy and we left. It was about 150 miles on the I-5 and took us about an hour and a half to get there because of traffic.

 

First stop was mission beach. We hopped on the Giant Dipper it was family day and all rides were half off. So my friend and I got on for 3 bucks.. not bad at all. We then spent some time at the beach and headed into the city for some sight seeing.

 

We headed back to the hotel so we could wake up early and head to SFMM..

 

Wednesday we woke up early and headed to the mountain.. We bought our tickets online so it was only like 35 bucks to head into the park so we jumped onto that deal. I didn't get a season pass this year because I didn't know how many times id be heading up, but since i got a new car its on!!!!

 

We arrived to the parking toll booths around 9:30AM and there were alot of people there.. I was ssupprised because normally around this time they do their block checks on the coasters but there was no motion anywhere.

 

They opened the parking lot around 9:45AM and we got a parking spot right next to the handicapped spaces which was awesome..

 

My friend and I decided to try and get on every single major coaster at the park in one day so heres how it went..

 

Heading into the plaza there were many groups waiting to get it but to our relief most were going to Hurricane Harbor.. They opened the gates to the park at 10:30AM but I thought they were supposed to open at 10.. eh no big deal.. It was just hard having to hear "Celebrate" repeat for like 10 minutes.

 

First off was X. They were only running one train at the start. We got into the station and had a 4 train wait. Which took 30 minutes. But it wasn't the attendants fault they were kicking butt. It just seemed that people were being difficult and taking forever putting their loose articles on the floor between the load and unload platforms..

 

We sat on the back of the train and it was awesome.. Great ride to start the day off with. When we left the queue was already at the sign in the pathway.. I felt bad for them because i knew they were only running one train.

 

We walked passed up viper for later and we wanted to head to Tatsu. Tatsu had a huge line so we passed it up for later.

 

Next up was DejaVu, the crew was working really fast dispatching a train about every 3 minutes. impressive for this ride. We only waited about 5 mminuets for the ride and it was running great!! Weird not seeing Psyclone here.. I wanted to take my friend on it lol.. At least i got to ride it the last season it ever operated..

 

We decided to get a workout and head up Samurai Summit for Superman, I finally got my left side credit!!!!!! They were also working very fast the wait was only 10 minuets

 

Ninja was up next and boy did it look beautiful with its new sexy paint job!!! Ninja was a walk on so we got a couple of rides in.. It was shocking even though it was really slow they still managed to stack trains.

 

We headed back down the summit to gold rusher, they were running 2 trains and there was no wait.. Gold rusher is a great "breather ride" lol

 

Riddler's Revenge was next, the sign said a 15 minute wait but i guess that was just for the walking to the station. There was a 1 train wait for this ride and we got to ride it a couple of times. I was impressed with the crew as while we were there they NEVER stacked the trains..

 

On the way out I was pleased to see that freefall was open, I finally got to ride my first ever Intamin 1st Gen Freefall towers.. It was great......Except for the hard stop.. i slammed into the shoulder restraint and my shoulders still hurt lol.. but still i loved it..

 

Batman was next, we had a 15 minute wait for the front row so it wasn't bad. It was my friends first time on it so it was worth it.. He was shocked how intense this baby is for a small compact coaster. The only bad part was the awful smell in the station lol. They were running 2 trains and of course stacking.. we waited on the transfer table after our ride for about 5 minuets..

 

Scream was next.. no one in line great ride just a little head banging in the cobra roll lol.. but we all have heard that before. Running 2 trains stacking every so often

 

Colossus was next they were running the right side, still a great ride just bumpy at the bottom of the drops.. 1 train wait for this ride as well. Running two trains. We noticed that Psyclone's old trains are on the transfer table covered with tarps I hope they decided to just keep one side running backwards all year.. only one can hope.

 

Goliath was next.. the queue was back to the bottom of the stairs 10 minute wait for the front row.. great ride as usual. The last time i rode it seemed to attach to the lift rather roughly but nice engagement to the lift this trip. I also noticed that they touched up the logos on the front of the trains. They were running 2 trains and still managed to stack them..

 

It was about 92 that day so we decided to wait for the Log Jammer.. I love this log ride one of the best i've ever been on. about a 30 minute wait for this and there was no puddled water in our log this time lol.. My friend freaked out after the ride's second lift where it looks like your log will just float out of the channel..

 

Next up was Revolution.. Only 1 train running so it made for a 20 minute wait.. Flash Pass users were making the wait really long.. We got a seat in row 7.. just hit my head a couple of times. I wish they would just get rid of the OTSR's Montezoomas can do it.. why not Revy!?!?!?

 

Viper was up next I was supprised to see the train with the yellow stripe on the side running.. I haven't seen that train run in forever!!!! They were running two trains.. we decided to wait for the front 2 train wait.. It was kinda rough.. Kinda disappointing because last year was easily re-rideable.. But its okay I still love viper!! I noticed a train is being refurbished in the transfer area.. Looking nice!!!!!

 

It was 6:30PM and time for the last coaster.. Tatsu.. It had an hour wait.. they were only using Station 1.. They were running 2 trains and the 3rd train was sitting in Station 2.. It sucked.. They were dispatching a train about ever 4 minutes.. it sucked!!!!! I was disappointed with the Tatsu Crew.. It was my friends first time on Tatsu so we still decided to wait. While waiting to ride it made me mad because i noticed people using their car keys to scratch their name into the railings..Honestly how much did you pay to get into this park!!?? Don't they have anything else better to do and to tag up other peoples property?? Sure enough 7:15 we got on the ride. they finally started to speed up dispatches to about a train every 2 minutes.. People noticed that when they got back to the station people didn't seem so happy.. But when we got back to the transfer table people were very excited and wanted to go again. But 3minutes later they seemed to get tired of sitting in the flying position and start to complain.. So when they get back to the station they aren't really happy which is understandable. Anyways its a great ride.. To me i say the ride is "Relaxing" until the pretzel loop which is why Tatsu is still one of my favorite coasters. My friend really enjoyed this ride too.

 

After Tatsu we decided to leave the park. About 9 hours later we conquered all of SFMM's major coasters. I'd say it was a great day at Six Flags.. My friend has been there before but had only been there with his high school groups and didnt get to ride much. This made him like the park alot more. He was reluctant to going in the first place but I'm glad my friends decided to go.

 

We went into Valencia and ate at MiMi's diner which was great..

 

Thursday we checked out of the hotel and drove around LA for a while. Went to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica Beach. After that we headed back to Vegas and got back around 9:30PM.. Not bad considering all of the traffic we went though.

 

It was a short trip but was a blast!! We will be heading back to California later this year.. Hopefully for Halloween to SFMM. This trip I put on 1,069 Miles on my new car!! WOW

 

Thanks for reading!! I will be posting pictures soon. A little tired from the long drive back, so I will post them as soon as possible!!

 

John

TatsuFan@aol.com

[Groteslurf]

Thanks for the TR. Looking forward to the pics.

[worknman]

Hey guys,

 

My dad and I live in Texas, but we're going to be in LA this weekend, so figured we'd hit up SFMM on Monday, since we've never been there. I've got a few questions for the SFMM gurus here:

 

1. What's the best ride to get on first? I've heard X in the past, but from reading here, sounds like Tatsu is the one slowest lately.

 

2. From what the original poster stated, did I read right that Colossus is currently running backwards?

 

3. I tried to buy a flash pass online, but I couldn't select a date prior to like 8/16/07 .. anyone know why that is? Does that mean they've run out, and none will be available that day, even at the front gate?

 

Any additional tips/suggestions would be appreciated. My dad already has us a motel. I asked him which it was, and he couldn't remember the name right off hand, but said it was supposed to be within walking distance (or close to it) from the park.

 

Thanks

[jjeerr]

^

1. Tatsu or X. X doesn't have flashpass, but it doesn't have as crazy waits as before. The line was in the station in the middle of the day last time I was there (which still took a 1/2 hr...)

 

After one of thoughs rides, head to the 'Vu, and keep going that way hitting Riddlers, Batman, Scream,... and you should be able to get on nearly everything in the first 2 hours

 

2. Colossus is one side only now. Frightfest should get the backward side going again.

 

3. Just get the flashpasses at the park (they are the 4 tickets for rides type, not the q-bot BTW)

[rileybrands]

It was about 150 miles on the I-5 and took us about an hour and a half to get there because of traffic.

 

Wow, even with traffic in L.A. you can go 100 mph on the freeway? Sweet!

 

I envy you for getting to see the Buffalo Bill's sign zapped!

 

Sounds like fun!

 

Look forward to pictures!

[worknman]

1. Tatsu or X. X doesn't have flashpass

 

Are you sure? According to the web site, it's X and Deja Vu:

 

http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/tickets/flashpass.aspx

 

Anyway, thanks for the info!

[alexinla]

Btw, SFMM opens at 10.30am now on weekdays, not 1oam

[ECZenith]

Yeah, it's Deja Vu and X that don't have it, I just recently used flashpass on Tatsu.

[Mr Stratosphere]

We didnt use and Flash Pass on this trip. Our longest wait was for Tatsu. So it was no biggie. I also got a phone call this morning from Six Flags for a phone survey on my visit. They stopped me before at the entrance but this is the first time they actually called me back, I was kinda suprised.

 

John

TatsuFan@aol.com

[ECZenith]

How long did you end up waiting for Tatsu? I'm curious to know how its line is this time of year.

[Mr Stratosphere]

The sign at the entrance said 1 Hour, but we waited 45 mins. It wasn't that bad once they started dispatching faster.

 

Pictures will be coming soon.. Computer is having problems lol

 

John

TatsuFan@aol.com

[Mr Stratosphere]

Im posting some photos from My trips to the mountain last year. Im still working on the photos from my trip a couple of weeks ago. But since I finally have a fast Internet connection I wanted to share some photos with you all.

 

Some are from early spring 2006, and Tatsu Opening Weekend.

 

I will also be posting a video later of Deja Vu when the train failed to catch on the first tower on the return trip to the Station. Kinda neat seeing the train rock back and fourth to a stop.

 

John

TatsuFan@aol.com

 

I will post more photos when I get back from work.. Resizing takes a while..

Tatsu.bmp

And some Tatsu Shots from Public opening day.. I'll post some more when i get back from work tonight..

Psyclone.bmp

Psyclone was cycling on Tatsu's Openeing day to the public.. A few mintues later the ride valleyed..

Dejavu Stuck.bmp

Yep another kid getting stuck in the seat on DeJa Vu. Took them about 20 mins to get him out.

X Clouds.bmp

This is my favorite picture.. Look how X stands out amongst the black clouds..

Broken.bmp

They made it painfully obvious that the seat was out of order..

Revy.bmp

I love the paint job for Revy here.. Its like old meets new!!

X.bmp

Dispatches were fast that day.. only 1 person on the bridge.. NICE!!

Wheels.bmp

Can I have one??

Nemo.bmp

Can you find Nemo??

Viper.bmp

I really like this shot.. happened by mistake

It took a few shots to get this to come out right.

Someone will appreciate this more!!

Someone will appreciate this..

Eat Out Loud.bmp

We didnt EAT OUT LOUD that day..

sign.bmp

I noticed this last year, Did they ever change the height requirement or is this just a typo. Fortunately before the end of the year they fixed this sign at Batman

Batman.bmp

Batman had a nice short wait, this was where the line was at as well a couple of weeks ago.

Riddlers.bmp

It wasnt Busy at all at Riddlers that day.. Line was moving slow, and they were stacking.. UGH