SFMM April 2nd, 2010

[KI Kevin]

First of all sorry for the large delay, I've been pretty busy since I got back from the cruise. Also, I wrote this on Word, and copy and pasted it on here. Don't know why, but when I posted it, about two spaces per line were deleted. No idea why, as this happened with my Knott's one. Here it is!

DAY 2:

SFMM

I woke up bright and early Friday. I knew I was in for a crowd, so I was planning on being one of the first to arrive.

We were heading into the mountains north of LA.

My first close-up glimpses of X2! SWEET!

Tatsu in the distance. My, that coaster looks fine.

Sky Tower, which looks similar to the Eiffel Tower at the top. However, there are no legs at the bottom; it's just a straight shaft down.

The sign above the parking lot booths, which I believe is supposed tor esemble Colossus, correct me if I'm wrong.

A blurry Viper through the back window of the car.

I arrived outside the entrance around 10:20, 10 minutes before opening. Six Flags staff made those 10 minutes very fun by having Mr. Six's Dance Party! I have a video of it on my phone, but I don't think I can get videos from my phone on the computer.

They opened the gates and I was off to the gut-wrenching monster they call X2. I tried sprinting the whole way, but once you start going uphill, it's difficult. Very difficult. The terrain here is beautiful, but if you're trying to sprint to almost the top, it can be strenuous.

To get to X2, you have to go up stairs to a circular platform, and then take a bridge OVER the path you were just on to find the entrance. Here's a link to the map so you can see what I'm talking about. You enter the station to a slightly irritating spiel. The seats are really comfortable, and the restraints are nice and tight.

Words cannot describe X2, but some that would come close are AMAZING. UNIQUE. INCREDIBLE. MIND-BLOWING. And those show only a fraction of its glory. I was among the first to the ride, and my heart was beating harder than probably any other time in my life, besides my first ride on TTD as a 9 year old. But this time, it wasn't beating out of the subcategory of excitement "fear", but the subcategory "anticipation". HUGE anticipation. You really can't think about how awesome it is unless you get out there and ride it. The new trains weren't rough, but they were a bit wobbly, it didn't feel like their positions were locked in place. As the ride begins, you leave the station backwards, listening to a completely awesome on-board audio track that fits quite well. It was a truly phenomenal ride. The audio plays Metallica, Beastie Boys, and creepy quotes from movies ("You can't handle the truth!"). This really helped the ride a LOT. Along with the audio, the X2 transformation also brought the addition of pyrotechnic effects. Is it better than Voyage? Diamondback? No. Is it a bit short? Yeah. Is it more unique than any other ride I've ridden? Heck yeah. Is it the craziest ride I've ridden? Yep. 10/10, easy. This video's not mine but it shows you the awesome audio.

After my insane ride on X2, I went to meet my mom and sister at the Flash Pass building to redeem my voucher for a Platinum Flash Pass. This little machine is like Heaven in a Game-Boy. How it works is all the rides are displayed on the screen, along with the next available time to ride it. With the regular Flash Pass, it's the same wait time, you just don't have to wait in the line. You enter in the Flash Pass entrance, usually an alternate line feeding into the main line about 7/8ths of the way through. But with the Gold, your wait is reduced by 50%, and Platinum reduces wait time by 90%, plus you could ride twice! So, I could reserve a ride, and within 5 minutes at most, I could enter. X2 is the only coaster not included, but for $10 you can add it to you FP if you have a Gold or Platinum. I HIGHLY recommend it .

I reserved Revolution, which was nearby. It immediately told me that I could go ride.

This was a pretty fun ride. I love those perfectly circular Schwarzkopf loops. It also took a trek through the trees (awesome). Overall, I think I like the Shuttles more just for the launch and the lap bar restraints, but oh well. Still fun. 7/10.

Next up on the circle called Six Flags Magic Mountain was Viper, aka Uber Vortex. I reserved it and immediately got on. It's fun, but nothing out of the ordinary or what I expected. Better than Vortex? Yeah. Loch Ness Monster? Nah. 7/10.

I had planned on going to Ninja next, but went to find a closed sign. It was probably for scheduled maintenance since there wasn't an attendant standing there. So we went up the Sky Tower, at the top of the central hill at MM. It's Intamin, so it's similar to the Eiffel Tower. I was thrilled to see that they had made the top platform into an enclosed museum, sort of, complete with old ads, maps, models, trolls, a Scream test seat, and old coaster cars. I really wish Kings Island would put glass windows up there and do something similar. Does anyone know if SFMM's Sky Tower has always had glass windows? I took a lot of pictures from the top. As you can see, most I posted were from there. We went down.

My sister then rode Tatsu with the Flash Pass. She likes Firehawk, so I skipped for now and let her ride.

Now Batman and Déjà Vu were open, but not available for FP, but we were told they may open later in the day, so I skipped for now and planned to do Batman, Riddler's, Terminator, and Déjà Vu in a row at the same time.

I stayed at the top of the hill and walked to Superman: The Escape, or Rollback: The Ride. Behold! The Second most awesome entrance, EVER! More on the first in a few moments.

I entered at the FP entrance. I was diverted very close to the automatic doors that motion you through to the car. There were about 25 people in front of me, and it took about 25 minutes to get on. I was a bit disappointed that I had paid a large sum of cash to wait 25 minutes on Superman, but it would have been MUCH longer without it. In fact, I estimate I would've only gotten about half of what I was able to in without the PFP. Good deal.

The ride was….eh. They were only running the left side. I took front row, though it was kinda pointless because I'm a short kid (ask Beast1979 or CryptRaider ha) and I couldn't really see over the wall thing in front of me. The launch really wasn't intense….at all. Though it did offer ample airtime at the top. TTD pummels it, though. 6/10.

I went to Colossus to find it down, so we went to eat and wait for it to open. We went by the food court-ish thing by Goliath. My mom and I had some sushi that was quite tasty, I might add. I then proceeded to Goliath.

The moment you've been waiting for people. Yep, THE MOST AWESOMEST BEST ENTRANCE EVER! Fo realz.

And a mighty ride to capitalize on that awesome entrance.

While in the station, I remembered something: I could ride twice with my PFP. But I heard the ops saying something about "If you have a silver wristband then you can pick another seat while they exit." I did not have a silver wristband, so I made a personal memo to go to the Flash Pass building.

Despite other reviews, I really liked it. The trains are laid out nicely, with low sides. The drop was sweet, straight down into an underground tunnel, at 255' in length. There wasn't any airtime cresting the hammerhead-ish thing, but it was made up for on the camelback after it. The MCBR kills the speed, but not the ride by any means. The second half is forceful and twisty. The helix wasn't as intense as I had expected by everyone saying so, but it was awesome. I'd put it above AC and about on the same level or a BIT below Magnum. YES, I said the same level as Magnum. Great ride. 9/10.

I then went to Scream!, the floorless mirror-clone of Bizarro/ Medusa. I've heard people say that it is rough COUGHterpyCOUGH, but I didn't find it to be any rougher than Dominator. The only notable moment was near the beginning by the loop. The zero-g camelback roll was my first real one and probably the finest inversion I've ridden through. I liked it more than Dominator. Unfortunately, it was a parking lot coaster, but it's still good. 9/10

Colossus still wasn't open, so we proceeded to the Flash Pass Building. We went to the desk, and they confirmed that I needed a wristband to ride consecutively, and gave me one. For the "inconvenience" (I hadn't noticed, I didn't mind), they added X2 to my list, free of charge! Unfortunately, it automatically reserved X2 at 4:30, and I couldn't reserve anything else, and I couldn't ride twice. It was around 3:45, so we decided to soak in the excellent landscaping and design of the park. It's really beautiful.

I was told to go to the entrance to X2 10 minutes early, so I did. I was escorted up to the station by an attendant, and went in line for the front seat. The man in front of me left the station with his iPhone facing backwards (remember, it's like Firehawk, youleave the station backwards), completely unnoticed by the ops. I was surprised, thinking "Wow. You've gotta be kidding me." Anyway, I was in for another fantastic ride on the REAL Mind Bender. This is a video I took while walking the ramp up to the station.

After that, I remembered that I had STILL not ridden Tatsu, so we took the Orient Express (one way tram thing from bottom of the hill to the top) to it. The place where the FP people entered with the general public was sorta far back in the line, so it took awhile. However, I finally got on, prompting to the back.

Yay for intense Pretzel Loops and B&M flyer's that aren't called Superman and are actually sorta long in length, with multiple corkscrews/ rolls!

/endrant

Anyway, I stupidly put my phone in the cubby. After a great ride, I utilized my new wristband to ride again, finding a group of three to not hold up the line. I got the second to back.

This ride is SWEET, easily the best flyer I've ridden, one of the best steels. The rolls are awesome, and the pretzel loop, as I believe UnrealSk8r said about Manta's, "feels like your face is being sucked backwards." It's that intense. Overall, my tie for second favorite ride of the day. AND nobody stole my phone. 10/10.

Batman and Déjà Vu still were still not open for FP, so I went on to Colossus, which had opened back up. This park is really fast with getting rides back up, and the reports that I had heard of several closed rides were stories of the past.

Colossus was nothing special. It felt like Gemini, except actually wood, and not as much airtime. I really didn't feel many forces on it. Not to mention they were only running one side . Oh well, another coaster credit. 6/10.

Batman had opened for FP, and seeing how those four coasters in the back were the only ones I had left, along with Gold Rusher, I started that strip of the park, beginning with Batman

It looks quite nice with the new blue paint job. I'm in front front row left in both of these.

I enjoyed the one at SFOG, and this one I liked more. I found it to be more smooth, I liked the colors (though I saw through gigacoaster2k's recent SFoG PTR that they had painted it that color, but when I was there it was black), and liked the theming slightly more. Not as good as Raptor, Silver Bullet, or Alpie, but still good. 9/10.

After Batman was Riddler's Revenge, the park's second stand-up coaster after Shockwave's two year run. Riddler's Revenge holds many world records, including tallest, fastest, and most inversions on a stand-up roller coaster. Again, great theming here. The station is set up like the Riddler's lair or something (sorry I have no idea, but it's really cool), with words written on the wall and everything….

….and a great ride to go along. It's my new favorite stand up coaster. I'm a fan of the B&M standups, so this one ranks pretty darn high. It's smoother than any of the others I've ridden, and has less head banging than the others except for Georgia Scorcher. Fun fun ride. 10/10.

After this, I walked onto Gold Rusher. Overall it was a pretty good mine train, just lacking theme. I'd say it's more intense than AE but the lack of theme drops it down to about the same level. 7/10.

Now the coaster I was almost the most excited for….drumroll please!

Terminator Salvation: The Ride! My first GCI! This coaster is easily the most immersive and themed ride I've ridden. While you walk through the excellent outdoor queue, you pass a totaled truck and a various mishmash of other awesome props. But the real theming and props starts once you enter the first (yes FIRST) preshow room. It's plastered with TV's, showing a woman (we're supposed to be with her) in the resistance staying behind cover from the machines. The setting is the coaster. They scream at us, the "recruits," to quickly file through to the next hallway, where TV's are hanging from the ceiling, telling the next tale of the story. The final room before the station is complete with the machines still in the buildingprocess, equipped with red eyes and they can move back and forth. Can you say awesome? I sure can. But this was only half the fun. The ride really delivered.

First off, I can say that the only wooden coaster I like more is Voyage. That's saying something. The ride was incredible. Everything about it. The drops, the speed, the airtime, absolutely no complaints, other than that it could be a bit longer. The station fly-through was sweet, and the truck spewing a large torrent of fire, bigger than BLSC, was warming and neat. I really can't say enough about the coaster. 10/10.

Unfortunately, Déjà STILL had not opened up for flash pass, and it was around 8:30, and the line was about 1.5 hours…I took a skip. Although I sorta regret it because it's one ofthe last of its kind, I had been there for 10 hours, my legs were aching, and I was tired from the night before and the time lag.

We climbed to the other side of the hill, where we turned in my beloved flash pass, and went into the nearby gift shop. I picked out a t-shirt. I had a great time here.

Overall, what can I say about the park? Well, first off, if you've heard reports of gang related violence on park property, uncleanliness, or unfriendly employees, I can easily say, with confidence, that these are false this day in age. The park was practically spotless, the ride ops were awesome, each one saying the "Six Flags day thing," and each one always said, "Don't forget to check out Scream!" or any other ride. I really felt like they were there to make sure my family and I had a great time, and they sure did succeed. The only area of the park I felt was a large weakness was flat rides. Although they seemed to have a fair assortment of water rides, they lacked almost any type of major flat. I heard they'll be replacing their 1^st gen Intamin freefall sometime soon with a new freefall attraction, but not sure when.

If you're remotely close to LA, be SURE to check this park out. As far as rides go, this is my favorite park, no doubt. Sure, Cedar Point has Top Thrill Dragster and Maverick, but SFMM has FOUR B&M's, all excellent, along with a great hypercoaster, a crazy 4^th dimension, and an awesome GCI. I really can't tell you how awesome it is. It's not my favorite park, only beaten by BGW, but still ahMAZING.

PARK SCORE: 101/10.

Ride Count:

X2: 2

Revolution: 1

Viper: 1

Sky Tower: 1

Orient Express: 1

Goliath: 1

Colossus: 1

Scream!: 1

Batman: The Ride: 1

Riddler's Revenge: 1

Terminator Salvation: 1

Tatsu: 2

THANKS FOR READING!

PS My Knott's TR is also up under Spring Break 2010, so check that out....it doesn't have really any photos of Knott's just a report.

[Coney Islander]

A lot of the photos aren't showing up... But the photos I do see look wonderful. I never knew California was so beautiful...

[KI Kevin]

It's extremely photogenic....yeah the pics will be up in a sec. I copied the wrong link from photobucket.

[KI Kevin]

Alright guys, the photos all work now, the deleted spaces are edited! Hope you guys like it.

[CoastersRZ]

It looks like you had a fun time.

Again, if I had the time and money, I`d love to go to several parks, including Six Flags Magic Mountain. But I think I will be hitting up other Six Flags before I make a trek out to the west coast. There are some that are closer to home and noteworthy in their own right that would lend themselves to having a great adventure.

[pkiboy]

It looks like you had a fun time.

Again, if I had the time and money, I`d love to go to several parks, including Six Flags Magic Mountain. But I think I will be hitting up other Six Flags before I make a trek out to the west coast. There are some that are closer to home and noteworthy in their own right that would lend themselves to having a great adventure.

A Great Adventure is always A blast.

[CoastersRZ]

I can`t comment as I`ve never been to Six Flags Great Adventure or Six Flags Over Georgia. In fact, the only Six Flags park`s I`ve been to (one was pre Six Flags) are no longer even amusement parks. (Kentucky Kingdom prior to it becoming Six Flags, and Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, prior to it becoming Geauga Lake).

[gad198]

Excellent TR!

I'm glad that you enjoyed Magic Mountain. I'm trying to find a way to get back out there once Xcelerator at Knotts opens back up, so hopefully that won't be too much longer. I think for getting the most out of a day SFMM is the best Six Flags out there, and that includes Great Adventure. You summed up the flat ride situation there nicely, and that's one of the few glaring things missing about the park aside from putting more shade up in the queues. The vistas from the tops of many of the coasters are simply amazing and the thrill ride collection is remarkably unique.

[KI Kevin]

^Yeah, the variety as far as coasters go is incredible? Want to ride a flyer? Got it. Or maybe you're in the mood for a stand up, or invert. Got that too! GCI? Yep. It's amazing.

[DaveStroem]

I am surprised that you didn't get more in with your flash pass. What day were you at the park?

[Dvo]

Glad you had fun, KI Kevin. I can't say I was very impressed by Goliath, but I'm glad you enjoyed it nonetheless . And you're right, that park really is incredible. Between the surrounding mountains of California (such a beautiful state) and the rides within the park, that place is tough to beat. X2 is certainly short.. but the entire time you're riding is just an unbelievable experience. Nice report!

[gigacoaster2k]

Great PTR, Kevin! I hope to make it out to MM someday. I love Six Flags parks.. I've only been to 3 and each one was clean, colorful, and friendly. I'm glad you got to use the Flash Pass and make the most of your visit, that had to be amazing.

[KI Kevin]

I am surprised that you didn't get more in with your flash pass. What day were you at the park?

I was there on a Friday, also during Spring Break. It also probably didn't help at all that they were promoting SPRING BREAK 2010 AT SIX FLAGS everywhere you look...billboards, radio, TV.

Glad you had fun, KI Kevin. I can't say I was very impressed by Goliath, but I'm glad you enjoyed it nonetheless . And you're right, that park really is incredible. Between the surrounding mountains of California (such a beautiful state) and the rides within the park, that place is tough to beat. X2 is certainly short.. but the entire time you're riding is just an unbelievable experience. Nice report!

Thanks! I found LA to be pretty clean (surprisingly). I like Goliath a lot. Not necessarily as much as some of the newer hypers (DB and Goliath SFOG), but its the only real hyper-twister I've been on and it was pretty intense.

Great PTR, Kevin! I hope to make it out to MM someday. I love Six Flags parks.. I've only been to 3 and each one was clean, colorful, and friendly. I'm glad you got to use the Flash Pass and make the most of your visit, that had to be amazing.

Thanks! People should really go out there. When I first started getting really into coasters (around DB opening day), I made it a personal goal to get out there. So when my mom said we might go on a cruise out of LA, I said, "Alright that means we're going to SFMM," haha. I love that place. In fact, of the SF parks compared to CF parks I've been to, I think I might like Six Flags more (GASP).

[gigacoaster2k]

I like Goliath a lot. Not necessarily as much as some of the newer hypers (DB and Goliath SFOG)

In fact, of the SF parks compared to CF parks I've been to, I think I might like Six Flags more (GASP).

Goliath at SFOG is my #2 steel coaster.. I love it THAT much. I really enjoyed SFOG.

Have you been to Carowinds? It's a BEAUTIFUL park.

[KI Kevin]

^No, I'm hoping to get down there in July(?) My friend went as a side trip to Myrtle Beach last year and really liked it.