Article: Coaster Wars II: Magic Mountain vs. Cedar Point

[Manic Monte]

God I hope SFMM builds a GCI or Intamin wood soon. I don't care if it's only 75 feet high, SFMM needs a good wooden coaster.

 

As for Cedar Point, I haven't been there since 2000, and I was relatively impressed.

 

But IMO, right now I'd give Hershey Park the edge over CP and SFMM. It has good steel, and good wood.

[Carnage]

The whole "SFMM/CP" debate has been going on for years.

 

But the one point which keeps coming up is that only enthusiasts really consider the parks to be competing with each other.

 

The two parks are thousands of miles apart, and have completely different target markets. SFMM might pick up a bit more of the crowd going to California for vacation, but that's about it. Neither park draws from a common population pool.

 

They could call each park the best coaster park, and their guests wouldn't know or care if that wasn't techically true.

 

It's more likely to compare SFMM to Knotts, Disney,etc, and CP to KI,SFGAM, SFGAdv,etc.

[Jew]

^While they are certainly not competing for guests, I don't think enthusiasts are the only ones who care. Both parks marketing departments obviously care too. They must think that the record for most coasters is a valuable asset, which is probably true to a certain extent (more free publicity!). I remember when SFMM opened all those coasters in 2001 to take the record, CP's spokesperson tried to say that S:TE wasn't a coaster.

[FeelTheFORCE]

Magic Mountain's collection is better than Cedar Point's. This coming from someone who has always been biased towards Cedar Point. When I went to SFMM in the summer of 2006, I thought that their collection was far superior. They are fairly close, though, but SFMM has a slight edge for me.

 

But I do like Cedar Point, as a park, more because of the sentimental value. I've only bee to SFMM once, but CP probably over 50 times throughout my life. I know the park like the back of my hand, and have had so many memories there.

[downunder]

Ever since I went on Superman Ride Of Steel (SFNE) and El Toro, neither park has as much attraction to me. Though I personally think Cedar Point owns SFMM as a destination and also CP has better coasters in the types of coasters I really like, SFMM has more variety and the best in coaster types I don't care for like Flyers and Stand Ups, here's my breakdown:

 

I like Maverick better than any coaster at either park.

I consider X the only coaster that makes me want to go out of my way to get to SFMM.

Hyper : MF and Magnum far better than Goliath

Inverted: Raptor better than Batman - but they are both really good

Stand Up: Riddler's far better than Mantis but I don't care for stand ups.

Suspended: Ninja better than Iron Dragon - hangers are only OK though.

Wood: I enjoyed Blue Streak more than Collossus but Mean Streak is beneath both.

Launched: Dragster by a mile over Superman.

 

I'm getting bored of this, CP any day but if Magic Mountain got an Intamin pre-fab woodie and/or a decet hyper then that might change purely in terms of coaster line up comparisons.

[xingfu]

No matter how you slice it, numbers are numbers and i dont understand why they try to play who has the bigger sword game. If you want a true view of which of the two is better in comparisent then one must look at the experience as a whole. I love coasters but I also love a full day fun.

 

MM> overall its quick and easy place nice hills some green areas but mainly is coaster, coasters, coaster, hey look a flat ride, coasters, ooo kids area, coaster, games, coaster, rude people (not employees), food

 

CP> Overall nice location, lots of variety, coaster, coasters, coaster, hey look there more flat rides, coasters, ooo kids area, coaster, games, coaster, polite people (including employees), food. cottages (recomemded).

 

In my view of taking what each park has to offer they are both great for what they are. MM fast, intense, just coasters thank you and bye. CP is Variety with a nice change in atmosphere with great coasters.

 

Like it, Love it, Hate it its only opinions.

 

[SharkTums]

^Have you been to CP lately?!

 

A lot of us have noticed their employees and patrons going down hill fast.

[saxman47]

I feel that rather than comparing coasters individually, you could assign each coaster a rating from 1-5 and then tally the score for each park. Keep in mind that I’m considering the coasters only…..not the park atmosphere, flat rides, etc. I understand that Cedar Point has more coasters than MM, and this will skew the score, however, it can not really “hurt” to have more coasters. Even if a ride is terrible it is better than no ride at all. (at least it makes the lines for other rides slightly shorter).

 

The scoring system I’m using is as follows:

 

5 - This coaster is one of the main reasons for my visit to the park

4 - This is a great ride, which I enjoyed thoroughly

3 – This coaster is good, but doesn’t really stand out in my mind

2 – A so-so ride. I wouldn’t wait in line for it again.

1 – Either a terrible ride or one that simply just doesn’t interest me.

 

Keep in mind this list reflects my personal opinion only, and I have rated many coasters as a 1 even though they are decent rides, because they do not appeal to me. Wildcat is a good example of this.

 

 

Strictly coaster wise, here is my breakdown:

 

Cedar Point

Maverick - 5

TTD - 4

Wicked Twister - 3

Millennium Force - 4

Woodstock Express - 1

Mantis - 4

Raptor - 5

Mean Streak - 2

Magnum - 5

Iron Dragon - 2

Disaster Transport - 3

Wildcat - 1

Jr. Gemini - 1

Gemini - 3

Corkscrew - 2

Cedar Creek Mine Ride - 3

Blue Streak – 3

 

Total = 51

 

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Tatsu - 5

Scream - 3

X - 5

Déjà vu - 5

Goliath - 4

Canyon Blaster - 1

Riddler’s Revenge - 4

Superman The Escape - 3

Batman - 3

Viper - 4

Ninja - 3

Colossus - 3

Revolution - 2

Gold Rusher - 2

Percy/Goliath Jr. - 1

 

Total = 48

 

As you can see, it was extremely close, but Cedar Point edged out the win. If the coaster counts were equal, it could have been 49 to 48 assuming that 2 of CP’s rides which I did not care for were removed.

 

I’m sure if other people follow the same strategy they will get different results, because this is all based on opinion.

[alpengeist04]

The way I see it, the first park to get an Intamin pre-fab wins.

[PURE]

^Man an Intamin Pre-fab at MM would so boost the parks already great group of rides-much more than any steel IMHO.

 

As much as I'd love to give another park the greatest arsenal of coasters because it would be something to look forward to whenever I'd make a trip, I've been to Cedar Point enough times to know that when it comes to just coasters, there's really no comparison, MM takes the cake.

 

Although I will agree my last trip to CP (2 years ago) was nicer than my last trip to MM (1 month ago), Cedar Point definitely has it's grasp on a quality amusement park (although other CF parks of been to do not hold the standard of CP). But for some reason I have the feeling that this summers trip to CP will bring CF down yet another notch, I've heard the operations and quality of CP have been going downhill.

 

But coasters only, even some of CP's biggest and most popular rides (MF, Raptor, Mantis, Magnum) I find tame and disappointing. Match them up with rides like Riddlers, Deja and Tatsu (not even mentioning X) and it's almost laughable.

[Manic Monte]

The way I see it, the first park to get an Intamin pre-fab wins.

 

Yep.

[robbalvey]

No matter how you slice it, numbers are numbers and i dont understand why they try to play who has the bigger sword game.

Um...because the LA times will write an article about it?

 

--Robb

[robbalvey]

I feel that rather than comparing coasters individually, you could assign each coaster a rating from 1-5 and then tally the score for each park.

 

1 – Either a terrible ride or one that simply just doesn’t interest me.

Woodstock Express - 1

This is where this system is flawed. I doesn't make sense to have a scoring system that makes a ride that is "of not interest to you" on the same level as a "terrible ride." And even further flawed is that the number of coasters are not equal.

 

Because in this example, Woodstock's Revenge is probably a MUCH better ride for kids than either of the two SFMM kiddie coasters, yet it ranks the same as a "terrible coaster" in your system.

 

Is there a way to remove the coasters that don't interest you, score them, and then take the average?

 

--Robb "This is why I don't like making these kind of comparisons...if you like the park, go there, if not, go somewhere else!" Alvey

[RIP Psyclone]

The one thing Cedar Point has on Magic Mountain is that it's a "destination." Magic Mountain, is, has, and always will be a park for locals, die hard enthusiasts, and tourists of So Cal whose primary destination was not MM.

[saxman47]

I feel that rather than comparing coasters individually, you could assign each coaster a rating from 1-5 and then tally the score for each park.

 

1 – Either a terrible ride or one that simply just doesn’t interest me.

Woodstock Express - 1

This is where this system is flawed. I doesn't make sense to have a scoring system that makes a ride that is "of not interest to you" on the same level as a "terrible ride." And even further flawed is that the number of coasters are not equal.

 

Because in this example, Woodstock's Revenge is probably a MUCH better ride for kids than either of the two SFMM kiddie coasters, yet it ranks the same as a "terrible coaster" in your system.

 

Is there a way to remove the coasters that don't interest you, score them, and then take the average?

 

--Robb "This is why I don't like making these kind of comparisons...if you like the park, go there, if not, go somewhere else!" Alvey

 

I suppose that giving the coasters that do not interest me a score of zero would make it more fair. I just came up with this scoring thing in like 5 minutes, so I'm sure it is flawed. It was just a way for me to personally rank each ride without having head-to-head comparisons. Basically, Woodstock express being better than Goliath Jr. does not influence my view of either park's coaster collection, so a score of zero would be more appropriate.

 

Obviously, someone with young children is looking for much more than the biggest and best coasters. Even I think that park atmosphere and such are extremely important. The article seemed to focus on just the coasters, and that's why I only took those into account.

[FeelTheFORCE]

^Have you been to CP lately?!

 

A lot of us have noticed their employees and patrons going down hill fast.

 

Besides the Midwest trip, have you? If you have, then my reasoning is flawed, but basing the employees on ONE experience isn't very good. I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but I go every year, a few times a year, and I find the employees to be fairly decent. Definitely the best out of all the parks I go to. That list for last summer includes: Hershey Park, Kings Island and Kennywood.

[robbalvey]

^Have you been to CP lately?!

 

A lot of us have noticed their employees and patrons going down hill fast.

 

Besides the Midwest trip, have you? If you have, then my reasoning is flawed, but basing the employees on ONE experience isn't very good. I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but I go every year, a few times a year, and I find the employees to be fairly decent. Definitely the best out of all the parks I go to. That list for last summer includes: Hershey Park, Kings Island and Kennywood.

We were at the Point for three nights and I think our recent visit was a very good "sampling" of how the employees would react to a busy summer day.

 

It was a very different experience than our previous visit in 2003 and in years before. We had a 4 year gap in between our visits, but I'd say between 1996 and 2003 I went to Cedar Point at least 20 times.

 

I think it is VERY valid for someone to base on opinion on one visit. Most people will only go to a park one time per year so therefore a parks staff should strive for being top notch 100% of the time.

 

While I'm sure you weren't trying to be rude, I think telling us that we basically have no right to pass a judgement on a parks employees because you've been there more times that we have is pretty obnoxious.

 

And really I think you missed her point. It wasn't that they are "bad" employees, it's that they aren't what they used to be. They weren't as friendly and they weren't as efficient. And I completely agree.

 

Yes we did have some very good dealings with the employees there, but overall, it was a dissapointment compared to years past.

 

--Robb

[SharkTums]

^Oh! And don't forget that we RUN A FREAKING AMUSEMENT PARK WEBSITE AND TALK TO PEOPLE THAT GO ALL THE TIME!

 

LOL

 

[Jew]

One thing I noticed was A LOT of international employees. Even some of the former CP employees we were with on the Midwest trip visit noted that as well. Perhaps that is because CP can't attract the best anymore?

 

The only crew that impressed me at all was Raptor: they were actually doing a great job with three trains. Nothing else stood out. Well, except for being rung up for like $300 by an international for a soda.

[robbalvey]

^Oh! And don't forget that we RUN A FREAKING AMUSEMENT PARK WEBSITE AND TALK TO PEOPLE THAT GO ALL THE TIME!

Yes, but that means NOTHING to your Cedar Point fanboy who goes to the park all the time....

 

 

--Robb

[FeelTheFORCE]

I never said you or anyone doesn't have a right to voice their opinion. I said that I thought them to be pretty decent. I only mentioned that I go every year so that my comment had credibility and so you didn't think I was bluffing and pulling this information out of my ass. I WAS NOT trying to say that you don't have a right to pass judgment on anything, so I apologize if it sounded like I did. I agree that they aren't what they used to be, but the way I interpreted it was that she was saying they are rapidly declining and becoming among the worst she has experienced, and saying that means a LOT coming from you guys considering the amount of parks you've been to. Regarding my username, you're really going to "judge a book by it's cover" and base something on a name that I made two whole years ago? I thought you knew better than to do so. When I registered, I might add, I hadn't been to nearly as many parks as I have been to today. Hell, the farthest east I had ever been was Cincinnati (and even then when I was at Kings Island before last summer, I hadn't ridden anything because I was too little), and that isn't even close to being the case now. If I could change my username, I would, but I can't so I'm stuck with it.

[Carnage]

The only crew that impressed me at all was Raptor: they were actually doing a great job with three trains.

 

That's been true ever since the ride was built. Year after year Raptor has always had an awesome crew.

 

Personally though I've found the employees to be fairly average other then Raptor. Not bad, but not great either.

 

And I didn't really notice much of a difference this year. All my visits the last few years have been about the same. Although I also rarely go during the busy season.

[FeelTheFORCE]

^Oh! And don't forget that we RUN A FREAKING AMUSEMENT PARK WEBSITE AND TALK TO PEOPLE THAT GO ALL THE TIME!

Yes, but that means NOTHING to your Cedar Point fanboy who goes to the park all the time....

 

 

--Robb

 

Yeah, I'm a Cedar Point fanboy, that's why my favorite steel coaster is X, my favorite wood is the Beast (soon to be El Toro), and my favorite park is SFMM. Also, not to mention that I clearly stated I prefer SFMM over CP earlier in this thread. Going to a park a few times a year just because I want to have some fun automatically makes me a fanboy towards that park? If I had the money, I'd fly out to Valencia frequently.

 

Regarding Elissa's comment, yes I realize that and I did take that into account, but hearing someone's opinion on something and actually experiencing it for yourself are completely different.

[PKI Jizzman]

I really, really can't wait to go to SFMM in about a year from now and see how much the park has to offer.

 

Here's what I'm seeing right now.

-SFMM is making awesome, great improvements; yet CP is just kinda adding rides. All my trips to CP feel about the same; just adding a new coaster.

 

If SFMM keeps up what it's doing now, I could see a huge pull to SFMM. BUT. They need more thrill rides man! I mean look:

-No drop ride

-No top spin

-No Screaming Swing

Or any big name popular thrill ride I can think of. Yes, they have the coasters, but not the thrill rides. I really never hear about any.

 

Besides the removed FreeFall and Tilt-a-Whirl

[Wes]

I liked Cedar Point better but then again I haven't been to Cedar Point a bajillion times throughout my life and also I don't care.