JimBeach Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I was last at Magic Mountain back in 1983, and pretty much the same for Disneyland and Knott's. I have always loved coasters and theme parks but just "fell" away from them due to crowds and prices. Finally going back to Disneyland for three days this Oct and when looking into it became aware of TPR as well as ACE. I joined ACE and am going to their day at SFMM on June 1st. I was just thinking about the changes since then. Lat time I was there the big new ride was Shockwave as well as rides like the Enterprise, Himalaya, Electric Rainbow, Swiss Twist, Mountain Express and lesser stuff like the Funicular, Dragon ride, Buccaneer. Remember the Galaxy, the boat ride (great for a liaison in the evening), Sarajevo Bobsleds, Spillikin Corners, Showcase theatre (featured in Spinal Tap). I was just wondering what others think or remember about all the old rides/attractions and the old park in general. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
signal Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 Try to change the topic so it is a bit more descriptive. You make it sound like the park has been closed/in the making for 25 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBeach Posted May 15, 2008 Author Share Posted May 15, 2008 Sorry Signal, I wasn't meaning to sound that way. Just trying to remember the old park and reminiscence about the old days. Back when they had the Trolls, etc... There is another site called Yesterland about the Disney of old and I was just trying to find some other memories. I'm not "dissing" MM at all. They are great. I just wanted to relate when the Gold Rusher and Mountain Express were the only roller coasters. When The Great American Revolution (then the Revolucion, and now just the Revolution) opened in 1976 it was unprecedented. I also think of the Comtempo Pavilion. Knott's replicated this with the Cloud 9 Ballroom as a spot for teens to hang out. I was there for opening day at Knott's for the Roaring 20's Airfield which had the Corkscrew. I'm just looking for cool memories of the old, while agast at where rides today have gone. The new Skytower exhibit will be a great treat for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 Try to change the topic so it is a bit more descriptive. Try not being a backseat moderator. I've had to delete and edit your posts and warn you over the last few days. Signal, this is your final warning. --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBeach Posted May 15, 2008 Author Share Posted May 15, 2008 In my previous reply I said "agast". That didn't sound correct. I should have said "amazed". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIP Psyclone Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 User EBL has visited the park at least once every year since the park has opened, so I hope he comes across this thread and shares his thoughts. Also, user montezooma is a bit of a historian and expert. His thread, Shane's Amusement Attic is a great thread and resource, with plenty of Magic Mountain stuff, so be sure to check it out. As for me, I agree with many that the park was in a state of decline for some time, but is now flourishing again. But I'm a little dismayed at the removal of classic, original rides and attractions. However, in about 5 years time, we've been promised the park will be at its best ever, and then some, so we'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyBo Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 ^Agreed, they will bring back the Tilt-A-Whirl and everything will be better again. I remember the first time I went to SFMM was in 1994 when Batman opened and my Dad and sister waiting in line for 3 hours while my mom and I rode Gold Rusher about 10 times. I wasn't a fan of coasters back then so I was in no hurry to ride everything. Although I did get my Wile E. Coyote coaster credit in that year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downunder Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I remember my first visit to MM in 1992, it was my first day on the American mainland, and I had seen Encino Man just before going which alerted me to MM's existence. Flashback was the big "new" ride that year - I still have the cup which celebrated the event, and Viper was my first ride ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebl Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 Yep, the Magic Mountain of today is a far cry from the one you last visited, JimBeach. But in the years since, it's seen a lot of rough times. Thankfully, it's definitely on the upswing despite having just removed a bunch of the flat rides. Over time, those will be replaced with newer attractions that park guests should enjoy just as much. I've already been out there about six times this year. During my last visit almost a week ago, I was able to ride all 13 operating coasters in under four hours. Right now is a great time to go---summer isn't quite here yet, so the crowds aren't that bad. X2 reopens soon, too. Like you, I too began falling out of this due to some personal problems and sort of wavering health. But things are getting back to normal for me, and I'm really enjoying the "rediscovery" of a hobby that goes back to my single-digit age years. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBeach Posted May 15, 2008 Author Share Posted May 15, 2008 Just another brag from myself, I LOVE the Gold Rusher. My first ever rollercoaster and still a sentimental favorite. I hope it stays forever! Does everyone know that "box" whether it is a speaker or vent that everyone sticks their gum onto? Great ride especially the state of the art, in the day, hairpin turn at the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebl Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 ^ Everyone sticks their gum on a rubber mat covering a support for the ride that is next to the first lift. To my knowledge, it isn't a speaker or a box or whatever. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packfanlv Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 I to love Gold Rusher and make it a point to ride it at least once every time I visit. As for memories, I fondly remember freefall as the scariest and my favorite ride. I also remember always wanting to ride Jet Stream and Tidal Wave as well. I usually only visited once a year while in summer camp since my parents preferred to take us to Disneyland so I was always at the mercy of others as to what I got to ride. During the mid 90's when I moved to Las Vegas I didn't get to visit the park and when I finally returned in 1999 the coaster boom was in full effect. I have visited several times a year since then and watched the park steadily decline as more coasters were added. With that said, it seems to be getting better and I can't wait to visit when I return to the states later this year. I am sad that they lost so many flat rides, but given their state of disrepair I understand it. Hopefully they will bring in good flats as opposed to rehashes and usher in a new era of a fully filled out SFMM. I certainly hope so! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebl Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 One time, my daughter and I were out at the park and rode Gold Rusher. When we got back, no one was waiting, so the crew let us go around again---with the train to ourselves. That was fun. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBeach Posted May 15, 2008 Author Share Posted May 15, 2008 One thing I mean to clear up which another poster criticized me of. In the heading I used "returning after 25 years". I never meant that about the park. It was about me. I am returning after not being there for 25 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packfanlv Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 One thing I mean to clear up which another poster criticized me of. In the heading I used "returning after 25 years". I never meant that about the park. It was about me. I am returning after not being there for 25 years. I wouldn't worry about it. It never confused me and I am pretty sure that everyone on this forum knows that SFMM hasn't been closed for 25 years. I think it is wonderful that you have reignited your passion for coasters and that you will go back to a park which is so very different than the one you saw in 1983. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjaco Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 Jim, I'd be interested in you doing Photo Trip Report and your experience seeing it for the first time in so long. That would be interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBeach Posted May 15, 2008 Author Share Posted May 15, 2008 mcjaco, Good idea! I'll see what I can do. Just need to plan a bit so my digital camera survives. Maybe a fanny pak or a large buttonable pocket. I'll talk to Robb about downloading the pics, I never seem to master how to do these things correctly. Stay tuned sometime in mid-June. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haiderodes Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 My first visit to the mountain was sometime around 87 or 88 but before Ninja opened. As I was a little kid at the time, I only remember snippets. I do remember riding the Tweety Cages and Log Jammer. Remember waiting for my mom to ride Z-Force, Reactor, Colossus and Jet Stream (my father wasn't big on the rides). I also remember sitting next to the Grecian Fountains (near where Superman's Tower is today). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montezooma Posted May 17, 2008 Share Posted May 17, 2008 I was last at Magic Mountain back in 1983, and pretty much the same for Disneyland and Knott's. I have always loved coasters and theme parks but just "fell" away from them due to crowds and prices. Finally going back to Disneyland for three days this Oct and when looking into it became aware of TPR as well as ACE. I joined ACE and am going to their day at SFMM on June 1st. I was just thinking about the changes since then. Lat time I was there the big new ride was Shockwave as well as rides like the Enterprise, Himalaya, Electric Rainbow, Swiss Twist, Mountain Express and lesser stuff like the Funicular, Dragon ride, Buccaneer. Remember the Galaxy, the boat ride (great for a liaison in the evening), Sarajevo Bobsleds, Spillikin Corners, Showcase theatre (featured in Spinal Tap). I was just wondering what others think or remember about all the old rides/attractions and the old park in general. Ahhh, just hearing the names of those old rides brings back so many memories. Those of us that grew up at Magic Mountain will always long for the gold old days of Bleep & Bloop. But a new Dawn arises over the mountain. Yes it is true the the Galaxy, Dancing Water Show, Mountain Express & chasing lights on the Revolution Loop are all gone, but many new great experience await you. As you wait in line for Ninja, let you mind wander back to the days of the Magic Pagoda. As you gaze up to the mighty heights of Goliath, picture the Jolly Monster spinning between the letters of "G-O-L-I-A-T-H" As the screech of Superman roars overhead think back to the tranquil grecian fountains...Yes love the past, but Embrace the Future. Deep Thoughts brought to you by "Shane's Amusement Attic" go back with me now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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