Six Flags Magic Mountains' Superman closed until Spring 2011

Superman was closed after a busy 4th of July weekend this year at Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM for short). At first, it was thought to be down for temporary maintenance but is now confirmed the ride is closed for the remainder of the season and will reopen in Spring 2011 with some sort of new change. It was originally rumored that it was getting a makeover and one of the tracks would be transformed into a Bizarro themed side. It was also an initial idea to have the new side run backwards, but it is very unlikely due to the force of the emergency brakes when needed. Currently, and rarely, when the magnetic brakes fail and the emergency brakes are used, the car is pretty much slammed to a hault. Since the car is moving backwards when this happens, the force is absorbed by the guests back and they just get pushed back into their seat. If the car was running backwards, guests would be facing the same direction as the force, and they would be pushed forward, putting strain on the lap bar or even potential over the shoulder harness. This would most likely cause extreme injuries to guests, so the idea is most likely down the drain. I will keep my ears open if I find out anything new, but we can only wait and see. I'm guessing this transformation will make use of both tracks, so they will finally run them together again.

To the right is a picture of the ride, with the emergency brakes in view. They are between the station and the ice wall with the Superman logo on them. Most people never see these brakes, even while in the station or on the ride because they are used so rarely, which is obviously a good thing

How Six Flags got its name

Six Flags opened its first park, Six Flags Over Texas, in 1961 in Arlington, Texas. The park was divided into 6 themed areas based on the six countries whose flags had flown over the state. The flags were The Republic of Texas, the Confederacy, Mexico, France, Spain, and the United States. The park was founded by Angus G. Wynne Jr, who wanted to create theme parks that were big in size and close to home.

Six Flags Magic Mountain Coaster Review!

Since I am a BIG fan of Six Flags Magic Mountain, I wanted to review all their coasters. The coasters are reviewed in order of best to worst (in my coaster-enthusiast opinion).

1.GOLIATH

Type: Hypercoaster

Manufacturer: Giovanola

Opened: February 11th, 2000  

Height: 255 ft

Max Speed: 85mph 

Goliath is my all-time favorite roller coaster. This is probably the smoothest coaster I have ever ridden. Alone from that, the massive 255ft drop is breathtaking (especially in the front seat). At the bottom of the first drop, you submerge at 85mph into a 120 foot long tunnel that feels like a 10 foot tunnel at that speed. The ride features a double-helix with such a high bank that you are almost parallel with the ground. This helix has such an intense g-force that it is difficult to keep your eyes open.

The themeing to Goliath is great as well, with a gigantic "GOLIATH" sign made of stone in the beginning of the line, palm trees, and shrubs to complete the subterranean theme. The ride line doesn't usually exceed 45 minutes (at least when I have been there), but to me, would be worth any wait. Best way to enjoy Goliath: the front seat. 
Rating: 10/10       

2. X2 (formerly "X")

Type: 4th Dimension Coaster

Manufacturer: Arrow Dynamics

Opened: January 12th, 2002 as X

Reopened: May 24th, 2008 as X2

Height: 175ft (first drop, 215ft)

Max Speed: 76mph

 X2 was the first, of two, "4th dimension" roller coaster in the world.  A 4th dimension coaster is one where the seats rotate 360 degrees, on a separate axis than the trains. It would be like hanging cars from the famous carnival ride, The Zipper, on the side of the trains. These seats rotate forwards as well as backwards, leaving you with no idea of what to expect.

X2 opened up as "X" in 2002. This ride became an instant success. People from all around the world came to ride this coaster, since it was such an innovative idea. It also was a rare unique coaster, being one of only two of its type. In late 2007, they closed the ride down to make changes and add new effects. In May of 2008, the ride reopened as "X2." The ride had a slick new paint job (black and red, from the old purple and yellow), new improved trains, and an addition of visual, audio, and sensory effects. The effects that were added were in-train speakers, making it possible to play music during the ride. The visual and sensory effects I have yet to witness myself, but there are fire cannons on one part of the ride that shoot fire out while the train passes by. 

As X2 takes you up the lift hill, Metallica's Enter Sandman plays through the in-train speakers, pumping you up for the ride. While on your ascent up the 175 foot hill, you are facing upwards, towards the sky. Once you start down the first drop, the seats rotate you 180 degrees, leaving you face down as you approach the ground. After many twists, flips, and drops, you approach the "raven-turn." This is where you start out on the top of the track, go up, do a half loop down, and then come out on the bottom of the track. This is only possible on flying coasters. The ride is so extreme, its almost impossible to try to explain in words. I waited 4 hours in the rain to ride X2, and this is one of the only rides that it would be worth it. There is no other coaster like it, so X2 is a must ride at Magic Mountain.

Rating: 9.5/10

3.SCREAM!

Type: Floorless Coaster

Manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard

Opened: April 12th, 2003

Height: 150ft

Max Speed: 65mph

Inversions: 7

Scream is a great floorless coaster that is very smooth and has some great inversions. It is a mirror clone of Six Flags Great Adventures Bizarro coaster (formerly Medusa), and also has the same components as Six Flags Discovery Kingdom's Medusa, but the track has a different layout.

The ride consists of 7 inversions, 6 of which are different types. It has a large 128 ft loop, a 96 ft dive (a loop that is entered from the top, then inverted, and finishes through a half-loop), a zero-G roll (similar to a barrel-roll, but at the top of a hill), a 78 ft cobra roll (half-loop, half corkscrew, another half corkscrew, and a half loop), and finally 2 corkscrews. If you want a smooth, fun ride, Scream is for you.

Rating: 9.5/10 

4. SUPERMAN THE ESCAPE

Type: Dual-track Reverse Freefall

Manufacturer: Intamin AG

Opened: March 15th, 1997

Height: 415 ft

Max Speed: 100mph

When Superman The Escape opened in 1997, it was the tallest and fastest coaster in the world. In was taken over for speed in 2001 by a coaster in Japan, and for height in 2003 by Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster. Superman is currently ranked as the 5th fastest coaster in the world, and was the first coaster to ever reach a speed of 100pmh. This $20 million investment is one of two of its type in the world today.

As you approach Superman, you enter a big ice cave known as the Fortress of Solitude. The line splits, and you have a choice; go left or go right. This is simply just a line for the right track and a line for the left track. Inside, blacklights lead the way down the chilled tunnel, and as you wait, a big statue of a Kryptonian Battle Suit overlooks the queue line, along with a statue of Superman's parents holding up a glove of Krypton. While waiting, you can hear the sound of the ride launching out of the tunnel at 100mph accompanied by screams. You have no view of the ride, because once in the front of the line, you must go through a door that only opens up to load people on the ride. 

Once you get on the ride, your nerves start to kick in. A small lapbar is all that holds to your seat. Then a countdown, "Three....two....one", and you're off. You slam to the back of your seat, the wind passes by your face as you reach 100mph. Within a matter of seconds, you are heading up the vertical tower, that stands 415ft tall. As you reach the top, you feel a sensation of weightlessness. This lasts for about 6.5 seconds. (If you bring a coin with you, when you are at the top of the ascent, let it go. It will float in the air with you for few seconds, and then fly off and head towards the ground). Then you head back down the tower, traveling backwards at extreme speeds until the brakes kick in, and you arrive back in the station. The whole ride itself is over in about 20 seconds, but its a 20 seconds well spent. The last few times I have been at the park, they are usually only running one side of the ride. This may cause a bigger line, but its worth the wait. Superman The Escape is a truly unique experience.

Rating: 9/10

5. DEJA VU

Type: Inverted Shuttle Coaster

Manufacturer: Vekoma

Opened: August 25th, 2001

Height: 191

Max Speed: 65mph

Inversions: 6 (3 forwards, 3 backwards)

Deja Vu is one of four "Giant Inverted Boomerang" coasters. It has the same layout as Boomerang (at many Six Flags parks, including Six Flags Discovery Kingdom). The difference with this one is that it is inverted, it is a lot taller, the ride crisscrosses under itself, and the towers are vertical, rather than on a steep angle. It is also similar to Invertigo at California's Great America.

Deja Vu pulls you up backwards, up a vertical tower 191ft in the air. Your feet dangle and your weight is all on your chest. Then the train is released and you fly down and through the station, up and into a cobra roll at 65mph, Then into a loop that stands 102 ft in the air, and up another vertical tower, this time, facing the sky. You are pulled up to the top, and then in an instant, released. You travel backwards through the loop, the cobra roll, and the first tower before you are lowered back into the station.

Deja Vu is a great ride; if it is open. Out of the last three times I have been to Magic Mountain, Deja Vu has only been open once. My guess is because of the maintenance and unreliability of the ride. This particular design has had many flaws. The original shoulder restraints were positioned too high, making it possible for riders to touch the track of the coaster if they reach high enough. This was soon fixed with new lower restraints. During tests, the vertical lift hill also proved to be unreliable. The ride opened at three Six Flags parks in 2001, and in late 2007, two of the parks closed the ride. They were both eventually removed and sold to other parks. Magic Mountain is the only Six Flags park with Deja Vu now. Vekoma, the rides designer, temporarily went bankrupt because the ride's were so costly, and it is even rumored that Six Flags is no longer purchasing rides from them.
Rating: 9/10

6. TATSU

Type: Flying Coaster

Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard

Opened: May 13th, 2006

Height: 170ft

Max Speed: 62mph

Inversions: 4

Tatsu is a flying coaster that was custom built for Six Flags Magic Mountain. It is currently the worlds fastest, tallest, and longest flying coaster. The name Tatsu is a Japanese word meaning "dragon." The ride opened in 2006, Magic Mountain had a big ceremony and celebration, with such stars as Paris Hilton, The Jonas Brothers, Jessica Alba, Rihanna, and Nick Cannon.

A flying coaster is one that is similar to an inverted coaster, where you are below the track. The difference is that in a flying coaster, your back is parallel to the track above you, so you face the ground, giving you a flying sensation. When you enter the station, the trains are in a vertical position, much like an inverted coaster. You enter your seat in a sitting position. Your feet are locked in through special feet restraints. Then the whole train rotates, pulling your feet up behind you, so you end up facing the ground. Tatsu has two sides two its station, making it very efficient. This makes it possible to load and unload two trains at the same time. They enter the main track using a switch track, which is a small track piece that rotates left and right, depending on which train is entering.

Tatsu has some very cool features, one being the record breaking 124 ft tall pretzel loop (shown above). This is a maneuver where you enter a half loop from the top, while below the track. You go head over heels in the half loop, end up on your back, and come upwards for another half loop. From one angle, this element has a similar shape to a pretzel. Many enjoy the extreme g-force of this pretzel loop, but I personally dislike it. When you are at the bottom of the loop, right after you go head over heels, all your weight is pushed into your shoulders and head, creating some discomfort. Tatsu is also unique to Magic Mountains landscape. Its layout is very open, plunging through the trees and on top of Samurai Summit. It travels through four different areas of the park.
Rating: 8.5/10  

7. TERMINATOR SALVATION: THE RIDE

Type: Wooden

Manufacturer: Great Coasters International

Opened: May 23rd, 2009

Height: 95ft 

Max Speed: 50mph

Terminator Salvation is another great addition to the never ending thrills Magic Mountain is continuing to provide. It might seem modest to build a wooden coaster with all the record-breaking steel coasters being built today, but Terminator Salvation proves itself worthy. Probably the best-themed ride in the park, this $10 million investment was built in a mere five months.

Terminator Salvation is a wooden coaster that features millennium flyer trains (similar to those of Roar at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom). These trains utilize one row of seats per car (seating two), rather than the traditional train that has two or three rows per car (seating four or six). This makes for a much smoother ride; sometimes you even forget you are on a wooden coaster! The ride also features a station fly-thru, where the track actually goes through the station above the exit. While waiting in line, you can see and hear the train fly through the station (hence the name). The trains also are equipped with audio, making the ride even more enjoyable. During one part of the ride, you fly passed some fire cannons that blast fire into the air. You also go through two tunnels, one of which has mist inside. These are similar to the effects that were added to X during its transformation into X2.

 The queue line for Terminator Salvation looks awesome. They have props, such as vehicles, that were used in the movie. Flammable barrels, cactus's, and mesh nets give a deserted-apocalyptic feel. The ride ushers wear camo to appear as the resistance. As you make your way inside, you watch a brief video about what's going on. Magic Mountain is an abandoned Skynet facility, and the unfinished terminators are coming to life. The only escape; the coaster. The video stars actress Moon Bloodgood from the feature film. You pass a few rooms with terminator torsos hanging from an assembly line, and as you approach, their eyes light up red. You finally make it into the station, climb aboard, and make it out alive.
Rating: 8.5/10

8. NINJA

Type: Suspended Steel

Manufacturer: Arrow Dynamics

Opened: May 18th, 1988

Height: 60ft 

Max Speed: 55mph

Although Ninja may be an older coaster, it still delivers the thrills. This coaster is very unique and one of only four of its type in North America. Ninjas Japanese themed station sits atop Samurai Summit. The lift hill is quite short because the ride travels downward, where it gains most of its speed. You swing left and right through the hilly terrain, as you whip passed the treetops. You even end up at parallel to the water at one of Ninjas 180-degree swings. Since the ride ends at the bottom of the hill, a lift hill is required to get the train back to the station. The wait time is usually short for this ride, so be sure to check it out!
Rating: 8/10

9. BATMAN: THE RIDE

Type: Inverted Steel

Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard

Opened: March 26th, 1994

Height: 105ft

Max Speed: 50mph

Inversions: 5

Batman: The Ride is featured at eight different Six Flags parks. The coaster was the first inverted coaster (one where riders are below the track, with there feet free to dangle). It was also the first movie-themed coaster. Batman's themeing is one of the best in the park. You enter Gotham City in order to make it to the ride queue line. Once at the entrance to the queue, you enter Gotham City Park. The grass is green and trees pruned perfectly. You make a turn and enter a run-down, crime filled Gotham City. There is graffiti on the walls, broken concrete, lots of wreckage, and an old police car with bullet holes in it. You then enter a building and climb up some stairs, entering the Batcave. This dim-light environment is filled with rock walls and even a Batsuit in a display case.

When you take your seat, the floor below you sinks down a foot or so, and you began your ascent. Batman features two vertical loops, a zero-gravity roll, and two corkscrews. Although the ride isn't very tall, the track layout is so compact that the ride is really intense, and it feels a lot faster than it really is. Batman has been noted to cause headaches with many people. It has happened to me once or twice, but I still do enjoy the ride. 
Rating: 8/10

10. RIDDLER'S REVENGE

Type: Stand-Up Steel

Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard

Opened: April 4th, 1998

Height: 156ft

Max Speed: 65mph

Inversions: 6

Riddler's Revenge is the tallest, fastest, and longest Stand-Up coaster. It features six inversions, which are two vertical loops (one of them goes around the lift hill), two dive-loops, an inclined loop (loop that is tilted on an angle), and two corkscrews. The ride is themed to one of Batman's archenemies, The Riddler. Question marks and quotes such as "riddle me this" line the walls of the station. Techno music plays in the background, which is pretty catchy and many people have downloaded it, including myself (Ecuador, by Sash!). Riddler isn't a rough ride, but it is rougher than many newer B&M coasters such as Scream and Medusa. Riddler's wait can get long sometimes, but if you haven't ridden it, give it a shot.  
Rating: 7.5/10

11. COLOSSUS

Type: Wooden Dual-Track

Manufacturer: International Amusement Devices

Opened: June 29th, 1978

Height:125ft

Max Speed: 62mph

Colossus is probably the most classic coaster at Magic Mountain. When it opened, it was the tallest and fasted wooden coaster, and first coaster to have two drops over 100ft tall. Colossus features two tracks, side by side. It would seem as though they would often race, but the coasters rarely are run at the same time (a big disappointment). The track layout is a double out-and-back. The ride is a little rough, but hey, it is a wooden coaster that was built in the 70's. During October's Fright Fest, one of the tracks is run with backwards trains. The trains are actually the old trains from Psyclone, a wooden coaster that was dismantled in 2007 to make room for Terminator. Riding backwards is even rougher, but it's not something you can do often, so it's always a good thrill. Colossus is a nostalgic coaster, still taller and faster than most wooden coasters today, definitely a must ride. 
Rating. 7.5/10 

12. REVOLUTION

Type: Steel Looping

Manufacturer: Anton Schwarzkopf, Intamin AG

Opened: May 8th, 1976

Height: 113ft

Max Speed: 55mph

Inversions: 1

Revolution opened up in 1976 as the Great American Revolution. The ride staff wore Continental Army style uniforms to fit the theme. In 1979, when Six Flags purchased the park, the ride became La Revolucion, named after the Mexican Revolution. In 1988, the ride finally became Revolution.

Revolution was the worlds first looping coaster. It received a plaque in 2002 from the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), for being a "Coaster Landmark." Revolution is featured in the film Rollercoaster, and in National Lampoons Vacation.

Revolution is a custom-built coaster for Magic Mountain. The track hugs the terrain and uses the hills to its advantage. The ride features a 144 foot long tunnel, and the track even goes through the loop. The trees hide most of Revolutions track now, making it more of an exciting ride.  
Rating: 7/10

13. GOLD RUSHER

Type: Steel Mine Train

Manufacturer: Arrow Dynamics

Opened: May 29th, 1971

Height: 70ft

Max Speed: 35mph

Gold Rusher was Magic Mountains first roller coaster, and opened along with the park. It features two lift hills, and goes under Superman and Log Jammer. Gold rusher uses the hilly terrain to its advantage. It does feel like a runaway mine train when you are on the ride. Although the coaster isn't the fastest or tallest, it is still a classic coaster and the wait time is usually under 15 minutes.
Rating: 7/10

14. VIPER

Type: Steel Looping

Manufacturer: Arrow Dynamics

Opened: April 7th, 1990

Height: 188ft

Max Speed: 70mph

Inversions: 7

Viper opened up as the tallest, fastest looping coaster in the world. It also held the record for tallest vertical loop, standing at 144ft tall, until Superman Krypton Coaster beat it at 145ft tall. Viper remained tied with Superman Krypton Coaster for fastest mulit-looper in the world at 70mph until 2004 when Hersheypark built Storm Runner, with a maximum speed of 75mph.Viper is currently still the tallest multi-looper in the world.
Viper features three loops, two corkscrews, and a batwing element, sometimes known as a boomerang. Viper has always been a rough ride, and the firm harnesses hurt when you bang your head on them. Many people, including myself, don't enjoy the ride because of this reason. A little tip: if you keep your head to the right, resting on the right side of the harness throughout the ride, you won't bang your head nearly as much. Some say the ride is smoother now since the ride had been repainted, I haven't been on recently myself so I am not sure. Viper is featured in the films Encino Man, True Romance, and Space Cowboys.
Rating: 6/10

Review: Six Flags Magic Mountain

Six Flags Magic Mountain is a park that most people should have heard of. It is not only one of California's most popular parks (following Disneyland), but it is the biggest of all the Six Flags. This year, Magic Mountain is tying the record (once again) for "roller coaster capital of the world", by adding its 17th coaster.

Magic Mountain is located right off of Highway 5 in Valencia, California. It is about 25 minutes north of Hollywood. It opened in 1971, and has held 11 different world records. Some of them include; the worlds first looping coaster (Revolution, 1976),  the worlds largest dual-track wooden coaster (Colossus, 1978),  the worlds tallest looping coaster and coaster with the most inversions (Viper, 1990), worlds tallest and fastest coaster (Superman, 1997), coaster with the longest drop (Goliath, 2000), and most recently, the worlds first 4th dimensional roller coaster (X2, 2008).

Magic Mountain is one of very few parks to stay open year round (weekends only during the off-season). One of its icons, the famous Sky Tower (384 feet tall), you can see from miles away. The park has 16 thrilling coasters, adding its 17th this year. During Octobers Fright Fest, the park has 4 haunted houses and fog surrounding Gotham City and the Sky Tower plaza, where gouls and goblins jump out and scare you. They run there coasters without any lights on at night, and if you want a real thrill you can ride Colossus; backwards.

The coasters aren't the only great part of Magic Mountain. For those hot, humid, L.A. summer days, the park offers some great water rides. There is a rapids ride, which you get drenched on, 2 log rides, and 1 boat ride. There are dozens of games, shops, and food venues. And if you want a nice sit down meal, you can dine at the Mooseburger Lodge, a restaurant offering half-pound burgers, sandwiches, salads, and a buffet.

So if you want to ride some of the worlds best coasters, or if you just want to see a great amusement park, be sure to visit Six Flags Magic Mountain. You can't do everything in one day, so if you are going to spend more than one day, the season pass is definitely the way to go (pays for it self in less than 2 visits). And if you go during the summer, be sure to check our Hurricane Harbor, a Six Flags water park located next to Magic Mountain.

Park Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Look for a Magic Mountain coaster review coming soon!

Six Flags Magic Mountain's 17th coaster on the way!

Six Flags Magic Mountain (in Valencia, CA) is adding its 17th coaster to the queue this year. The coaster is announced to be a "family" style coaster, and will open up in early summer. It will be titled Mr Six's Dance Coaster, named after Six Flags mascot, Mr Six. It will be located in the back of the park near last years addition, Terminator Salvation. With the addition of this coaster, Magic Mountain will be tied once again with Cedar Point (in Sandusky, OH), for "roller coaster capital of the world." Although it is not official, the coaster is rumored to be a refurbished ride from Six Flags New Orleans. The once Road Runner Express was shut down in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina caused damage to the park. It was then refurbished by an independent company, and is now relocated to Magic Mountain. The ride is 28 feet tall, and reaches a maximum speed of 21mph. This probably won't attract many coaster enthusiasts, but it's more-so intended to be a family-friendly addition to the park.