The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

I would be honestly okay with not having another new ride at Magic Mountain (aside from the whole park-is-on-sale fiasco) for YEARS if operations reach their upmost peak. I haven't seen Goliath operate with three trains since I rode it its opening week back in February 2000. I was lucky enough to be at the park this year when Riddler was operating all three trains for some odd reason (you can imagine how surprised I was) --- and it's definitely one of those coasters that NEEDS a three train operation majority of the time.

A few special event in Golden Bear Theater/Magic Moments Theater like choir and dance events. All the Fright Fest stuff is gone with the exception of a few stray lights. The Magic Illusions of Ray Peirce will be going back in at Magic Moments Theater in early December. That's about it.

so does anyone have any updates from the world of magic mountain? unforutunatly, i havn't been able to get up there since halloween. so whats been going on there for the last couple of weeks?

Well, I haven't actually taken the time to do a complete look around the park. Lately the park's operations have been bad but not terrible. Tatsu has been running fairly well over the last few weekends, also Circus Wheel has been operating at a steady rate, free fall still goes off and on and appears to be open half the time. Orient Express also seems to be open a lot however, there always seems to be at least four ride ops just standing around in the lower station. Now I'm not one to really judge because I know nothing of OE's operaitons, but there just always seems to be more ride ops there than nessesary. Giving them the benefit of the doubt perhaps its training...but...eh. Sky Tower's elevator has been going up and down latley, although I can't confirm if the tower is actually open or not. So yeah, operations have slightly improved...but they still aren't too good.

_six

But geting rid of the flags logo hurts six flags inc that makes no sense at all.Thers are 3 parks that will be losing the SF name.Thats 3 less parks to promote the six flags brand.Its a end of year sale for the new 2007 merchendise this happends every year but everyone going all crazy because the parks for sale.People with too much time make this stuff up and it never seems to amaze me how everyone belives them.

 

~Chr!s-O

SFMM's future! Nostrodamos has spoken!

"Does anybody STILL find it incredibly odd that while EVERY Six Flags park's webpage share the same Six Flags logo and front page theme, Magic Mountain's is the only one that "does it's own thing"? The park logo is different and the front page is different. It's so weird. It's almost as if the park decided to be the rebel and not be a conformist."

 

I am 90 percent sure it is because magic mountain is open year around and it is promoting its new ride.

 

Good evening folks! I know it’s been quite some time since I’ve crapped out an update! I’ve gone to the mountain several times, but never grabbed enough to pull a whole update together, so I figured I would make my way down to the mountain today. That way I can combine a lot of my visits together and make it seem like stuff is actually going on at the mountain! Anyway, enjoy!...

 

Tatsu’s ‘Achilles Heel’

 

If this is a footer, just imagine where the “heel” would be. Then notice the chunk of land missing next to it.

 

Well, I’m sure this has gotten around to a fair bunch of you by now but I might as well cover it myself. A few weeks ago, the pathway between Roaring Rapids and Ninja (aka, the easy way up the hill) was suspiciously closed, once again returning the mountain back into a “cul-de-sac” as it was during the Tatsu construction, with all traffic forced up and down the steep side of the hill. Why? You’re not going to believe this…

 

The explanation that I am repeatedly getting (which is reinforced by the work I see getting done) is that someone on the surveying team during Tatsu’s prep work/pre-construction made a serious boo-boo. Now, you might have known that the hill (which Tatsu is located on) isn’t necessarily stable. …bear with me. I always have heard stories of the 1994 Northridge earthquake doing quite a bit of geological damage to the hill, threatening Ninja at times. Well now with Tatsu’s massive 170ft tall lift hill grappling onto the side of this hill, exerting great pressure on the land, in combination with the natural erosion cycle of a poorly vegetated hillside, essentially….what’s the nice way to say this…

 

…The hill is showing dangerous signs of erosion. The land around Tatsu’s lift-footers is giving out to gravity.

 

Now, as of current, Tatsu is still operable…well, when the damn thing isn’t broken down, that is. But I’m hearing people say that if the problem isn’t “fixed” or at least “bottled, dammed, stopped, or temporarily held off” in a reasonable time-frame, the ride may have to go down….just as X has….for some major structural work. Imagine, the parks two major“ist” rides, broken down. I can’t see that going well with the public.

 

Now what that “time frame” is, I don’t know. I won’t pretend to know. So the idea that it would go down is still speculation at this point…so no need to flip out quite yet. How about some pictures of the emergency quick-fix!...

 

As I made my way to Tatsu, I was greeted by an empty train, broken down on lift…figures. The train is also conveniently in the “area of question”, on the hill.

 

The entrance to the now-closed pathway. This cool little slide thing is probably for waste removal or something. No real clue on that one…but it looks cool!

 

Oh wow! Some heavy-duty wall building is going on now!

 

Grrr…I want my pathway back!

 

Looks like they cut away a lot of railing, to make room for all of their work.

 

An overview of the construction site thanks to Rapids queue…thanks Mike!

 

Wow! That actually looks like quite a heavy-duty retaining wall going in there!

 

And on a potentially related subject…

 

Remember that “bomb shelter” looking thing, they installed beneath the drop?...

 

 

Well, to this day I still don’t know what it’s for, but after the recent turn of events, my guess would be that it is itself, a retaining wedge (if you will). See its position in relation to that massive footer—my guess is it’s there to help hold the mountain back, so the footer can remain properly supported. Just a guess…sort of stretching it, but it makes the most sense to me.

 

As far as the “natural erosion” is concerned, the hill’s natural attempt to flatten itself has led to little brick “shields” being built around a few of Tatsu’s footers, to keep them from being over-taken by dirt.

 

It’s a little brick “dam”, to help keep the footers above-ground.

 

I sincerely hope that these are nothing more than different colored bricks—that they didn’t have to “add more” when they found out that their first attempt at damming the mountain wasn’t enough!

 

It should be very interesting to see what goes on in the coming months, especially once we enter January-March, when our sporadic rains begin. Remember last year, the West-Coaster-Bash tour of the construction site was canceled, as the wet mountain was too unstable? Well that same mountain now has a roller coaster on top of it.

 

 

 

Everyone’s Favorite Ride

 

Despite the fact that the mountain is once again “one way in and one way out”, regarding foot traffic, there is an alternative way off: everyone’s favorite ride, Orient Express. As reported earlier, the Orient Express has finally reopened after a seemingly-never ending hiatus, thanks to Tatsu construction. It was one of those things, like you left hand—you never realize how much you use it until you cant use it at all. It soon became apparent that this little transport system was everyone’s savior! A quick, efficient way up the hill.

 

And now that more and more staff has been trained to operate the ride, it is finally open more regularly. I thought I would include a little photo-tour of the ride, for you all to check out the “new and improved” Orient Express! Enjoy…

 

For those unfamiliar, O.E. is practically the most simple ride in the park. Two cable-cars transport SFMM’s regular barrage of gang members and crack dealers up and down the hill via a split track.

 

The interior has been repainted and has a few new signs. Unfortunately, the audio spiel has since been removed.

 

The lamps are so new, that they still have the instructions on them!

 

The only way they’ll be able to hold back the damn mountain at this rate, is if they tear all of Psyclone down!

 

…oh wait, that’s a good thing!

 

Footprints on the walls, as O.E. doubles as an anti-gravity chamber, during Magic’s private parties.

 

Ooooh…Impressive. The cars now have a brand-spankin-new WiFi system. I don’t know exactly what it does, but it has been installed!

 

 

Corey (in his jacket, as always, despite the 90 degree weather) shows off the simple little ride’s new Allen-Bradley touch-screen panel system. Again, don’t know what its for, but it looks all hi-tech and cool!

 

 

High-tech or simple, the point is we’re glad to have Orient Express back!

 

 

 

Cell Phones to Baritones—a Bunch of Random Crap!

 

Well as always, I’ve included a section in this update for the changes going on, that aren’t necessarily worthy of their own update “section”. I usually put this at the end, but for the sake of organization, I’m putting it right in the middle of this update…enjoy!

 

Feliz! New banners have gone up on the walk-of-shame to the park!

 

I don’t know how long this has been here, but it would appear that SFMM is experimenting with one non-turnstile counting thingy, like what the Disney-attractions utilize. Just one, at the moment.

 

Cell phone # 1

 

Again…a nice little band, shoved off to the side. These guys are real fun, but just don’t fit in at a non-family park like SFMM.

 

Robb’s modeling some leftover Fright Fest equipment!

 

I thought this photo was kind of neat!

 

…speaking of Goliath, it would appear that it has finally dropped the “Driving Force” sponsorship.

 

Cell phone # 2...I swear, I’m not even trying at this point!

 

…on that note, I don’t want people to think I’m just slandering SFMM! Please don’t! So I’ll take a moment to exhibit the hidden beauty within the park.

 

 

 

…the fact that the out-of-focus Valencia Falls still aren’t working in this picture, is irrelevant.

 

Some new plants have been planted in Revy’s exit. The fact I would notice them makes me seriously need to rethink my life.

 

I, too, need to seriously rethink my life.

 

And finally…

 

This SERIOUSLY ticks me off. I mean, these guys had their name tags on and everything, just with their shirts off and around their necks. It really makes you think…is ANYBODY running the damn park?! Hell…Magic: give me my camera and a week…see what I dig up for you.

 

Anyway, we’re almost done, so moving on.

 

I Told Ya’ So!

 

You know, as Tatsu-transfer station was being constructed, the coaster message boards were all lit up with jokes. A many “I bet they wont even enclose the transfers!” comments were thrown out there and seemed to summarize the general opinion. Despite it, many of us hoped this would not be true—only to be shot down by SFMM. Weeks passed, the transfers remained exposed, the ride opened, the transfers remained exposed, months passed, the transfers remained exposed. At this point, I’m sure that we have all given up!

 

That’s why I’m pleased to announce that something caught my eye as I was walking up Tatsu’s exit today…

 

WTF is that?!

 

That’s right folks! They’ve finally begun to enclose Tatsu’s transfer station!

 

Beware of the floating white-wall of doom!

 

A close-up of the roof reveals the design to be nearly identical to that of Scream’s (which also was enclosed after the ride opened, remember?).

 

More sheeting and supplies awaiting installment.

 

Now, I’m sure you may be wondering why the walls don’t go all the way to the ground. This is most likely because they aren’t enclosing the transfers for aesthetic reasons. They have probably gotten to the point where the on-board computers, unhealthily roasting in the sun (and furthermore causing a large chunk of the rides numerous breakdowns) have practically forced SFMM to finally enclose the damn thing…just as B&M had originally recommended.

 

I can just see them with their cool accents now…

 

“I told ya’ so!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freefall At Last!

 

There ya go Joey…it’s all yours.

 

It had been reported, as well as proven via some photo trip reports, that Freefall had left the testing stages, and was finally reopened last month. Despite all of this, I had yet to see it open myself…until today. (again, the staffing is beginning to become regular).

 

No closed sign!...Sweet!

 

Despite the fact that I myself don’t really care for Freefall, I had to ride it! Just because! It was open!

 

What goes up…

 

…must come down!

 

A look at the panel….just because.

 

Having it open just adds so much more movement and life to the area!

 

…indeed, it does. Having Riddler’s, Freefall, and Tidal Wave all going at once really makes it one of the nicer areas in the park, again. So major props to SFMM for finally getting it open again!

 

And just because I can, I’ve included a short POV of Freefall, at the end of this post! Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

Well, that should about do it for this update! Feel free to post any questions, comments, concerns, and of course, praise!

 

-Jahan (arrowfanman@yahoo.com)

Arrowfanman_Freefall.wmv

Freefall POV.

Maybe if they went to my dad's company for geoligical assistance, then Tatsu wouldn't be having these problems right now.

 

Anyways, glad to hear free falls up, I'll have to get back down to the mountain before my pass expires so that A) I can renew it without getting dinged for parking fees, and B) because I would like to use my pass 1 - 2 more times before the year is up.

Nice Update

True it brings new life to the movie district.That area of the park has been kinda dead with only riddlers open and stuff.

 

~Chr!s-O

Wow. Magic Mountain really is a very untidy, crap park.

 

I never beleived it until now.

So is x still closed or what?

^ Is it mid-January of 2007 yet? That's your answer.

That's all I wanted was a simple answer, thank you.

Wow. Magic Mountain really is a very untidy, crap park.

 

I never beleived it until now.

 

Actually, the park has been very clean recently. It looks like it is getting some of the TLC it so desperately needs.

 

I was there Saturday and found the entire park open except for X. Tatsu was running 3 trains with decent dispatch times and there were at least 2 trains running on all the other coasters except Deja-Vu & Ninja.

 

We had a great time and were able to ride everything we wanted without any major waits. I think we only used our fast passes on Riddlers, and they escorted us in the door right onto the train. Front row!

 

I know MM has it's problems, and for some reason seems to be the bastard red headed stepchild to Shapiro. However, I can't seem to help think that there is hope for this oft neglected park. I still love it and have a great time with my kids there. Call me weird, but I have yet to have a real "bad" experience there. And I'm there at least twice a month these days.

 

Call me lucky.

 

Oh, Great update Jahan. I love your MM updates.

 

It was such a pleasure seeing a shed being built for Tatsu.

^ I sort of felt the same way about my visit, Guy. I had a very nice time in the park, and only saw minor problems worthy of complaining about later.

 

I saw only two instances of less than stellar employees, and those were at Psyclone (four ride ops stopping everything to flip a coin and decide a bet) and when we passed a ride op lounging a little too comfortably at Jet Stream. Ops the rest of the time at least seemed average, which was much better than I was expecting, based on the stories everyone tells.

 

I also can't remember a single time when I saw trash or general dirtiness and thought it to be out of the ordinary(Ok, ok, Goldrusher's gum support was pretty gross! But lots of parks have places like that!). I thought the bathrooms were more than adequately clean, and I didn't notice any overflowing trash cans that I can recall.

 

So after hearing all the stories about how horrible and dirty the place was, how terrible the employees are and whatnot...I really saw almost none of that during my two days there. Most people seem to attribute that to the time of year that I visited, and the fact that we were at the park on two very light days. So it very well may be that I didn't get the "average" SFMM experience. If so, then I'm glad I didn't!

 

Frankly it really sickens me to hear locals talk so badly about this park, and how they hope it gets torn down. People talked the same way about Opryland before it closed, and now all anyone can talk about is all the good times they had there, and how they wish more than anything that they had the park back. As someone who's lost my home park, I'd be thrilled to have a park half as nice as SFMM in my back yard. Yet some people continue to complain.

 

-Julie

Dude! This Update really made me realize HOW MUCH SFMM Sucks! Come on! I hate it more then ever...

 

An Added Note (ITS A JOKE!)

 

So does this mean..if Tatsu's lift hill is relocated and footers are replaced..that we have a new credit?

 

Also..inquire the picture below...

 

-Ryan

JAHAN! Theres a HOT CHICK right there! And you talk about Freefall! Come on Man! A hot chick at SFMM is VERY Rare! I want a POV of THAT!

hey there guys how about you go to knotts and then try to say sfmm is a shit park!! i love sfmm you guys just live to close to love it and you compare it to that freakin cool mcdonalds by r&es house thats so clean that the people even turned shiney and bronze!!! i love sfmm and you secretly do too ... no one can compete with disney standards but you know you would pick a trip to sfmm over knotts

 

 

allison" damn knotts is nasty" alvarez

Wow. Magic Mountain really is a very untidy, crap park.

 

I never beleived it until now.

 

I'm totally with you on this. I mean if SFMM improved alot on custumor service (prices, staff, etc.) then it could be perhaps the best park in the world! They got every ride one could dream of (expept you-know-which )and still the park is crappy as hell!

No matter what anyone says, SFMM always has a special place for me. Sure, sometimes the ride ops can be REALLY bad. But, if you arrive at park opening and know how to do the park, I can garuntee that you will be the first people on some of the rides.

 

As for people saying how the park is dirty and unclean I have never once seen trash lying on the ground or the bathrroms dirty beyond belief. Dunno why people keep saying that the place is dirty. Sure, some places need some SERIOUS TLC, but that can be fixed if Shapiro knows what he is doing.

---Brent

<>

 

I am getting really sick of all this and have been silent too long. Jahan posted a very realistic, non-biased report of SFMM and people are still going crazy.

 

For those of you who have good times at the park, fine, that's great. If you want it as your home park, freakin take it! I agree with others, I'd rather see it put out of its misery! You're totally entitled to your opinions on the park (even when it's based on 1 or 2 visits!) and those of us who go all the time are entitled to ours as well!

 

Those of you who think it's perfectly acceptable to go to a park on a regular basis and see major rides closed for 6 months, employees constantly on cell phones and walking around half out of uniform, and much worse that I'm sure wasn't picturerd maybe you need to go to more parks!

 

I've always explained to people that the park CAN be nice (especially early in the season and/or when it's empty!) and even on crazy busy Saturday's in August you can have a great time if you get their early and have a good plan of attack. But this is now becoming more of a 'once in a while' type visit than the norm.

 

This park is in trouble, don't you find it odd that no one included it in their bid for the other parks??? Even if someone did buy this park it needs to be closed for a year, rides removed, more non-coaster activities to do, every employee from PSA to Managers fired and then everyone re-apply for their jobs.

 

Seriously...Jahan, great TR...and if we could post all the pictures we take, or the things we see when we don't have our cameras, this park would long since been shut down!

 

As for the Knotts comparisons. I think Knotts disappoints so many because it WAS such an amazing place. For years it even rivaled IOA for my favorite park! Seeing it take such a dive so fast really pissed people off. I now believe that SFMM has way more potential than Knotts, and I can have much better days at SFMM than Knotts. Knotts has equally as many problems (ride ops, operations, coasters with issues, etc.) as SFMM but SFMM is bigger, and therefore the problems are expanded.

 

I will continue to visit both of these parks but my visits have been much less these last 2 years than ever before. And I have pretty much given up on doing updates because they would be met by this same amount of fanaticism that poor Jahan is getting! If you remember Robb and I did several updates about all the improvements the park was doing earlier in the year...and then we had to be honest and show that most of them were gone.

 

This site is called Theme Park Review...everyone can review theme parks whether they had a good, average, or bad visit. Please respect that.

TRUTH

 

This is a HUGE breath of fresh air. Thank you.

Great post Elissa ... and I agree 100%.

 

In previous years, even years when there was no new coaster, even in the HORRID early 2000's we would still visit the park 10 - 15 times a year.

 

This year, even with a new coaster ... 3 visits. (although we did go to Hurricane Harbor 7 or 8 times).

 

And at this point we are planning on only going to 2 other SF parks next year ... so I'm not even sure if we will be getting SFMM passes. I'm waiting to see what happens in December about the parks future.

I 100% agree with elissa to be frank the park has been digging its own grave for almost 7 yrs with all the slacker employees talking on their cell phones. i saw that pic of the tatsu ride op pointing at somthing with cell phone hand. I do belive a new gm is needed to inforce park policy only then we will see the changes we want for this park and it does need to be closed for a yr or two to totally rebuild the park this my result in many of their world class rides removed to make room for the change in the layout all and all this may be the last season for sfmm REST IN PEACE SFMM

^ Yup.

 

And we all know that were due for a very wet year and how mudslides happen in SoCal.

 

Get your video camera's ready to see Tatsu, Ninja and the Sky Tower sliding off the hill!!!