The first thing that I had forgotten about Magic Mountain was....yes, the mountain. In 2009, I spent my themepark days enjoying the AP at Disneyland. Sorry, DisneyLAND. Yes, level land.
Since this was a simple trip for Terminator, I used the secret shortcut behind Revolution to shorten my trip around the mountain. (Well, I guess it’s not so secret anymore)* After being the approximately the 200th person to enter the park in the morning, I was the second person in the queue for Terminator. The ride attendant at the entrance was surprised seeing people there that early.
Six Flags MM is notorious for not having any themeing in the queue. Yet they went all out on this ride. Creating pauses in the queue (in the shade) to setup this ride was wonderful. Although they stole the storyline from "Outer Limits: Flight of Fear" Coaster, the ride attendants were still performing, for two riders and a over a year after it opened, hurrying us to our “escape”.
The track is smooth and fast, banking turns right and left, acceleration and decelerating, tunnels (no mist) and final brakes in the shade! This coaster size is small, dwarfed by Deja Vu (how is that possible?). The first glimpse of this coaster is near the base of the hill coming down from Tatsu side. Yet this small woodie packs a giant punch of speed and turns.
From there, I went back up the hill, stealing a glance at the old monorail tunnel, to Ninja. Sorry, that’s The Karate Kid’s Ninja. Columbia Pictures has placed banners under the ride entrance sign, all across the building and queue, and even skinned one train. I have always loved Ninja and now with BBW retired, I think this is my number one suspended swinging coaster. The accel and decel on this ride is amazing and can be felt from any seat in the train.
A walk back down the hill and across to Colossus, seeing that Batman has received a paint job. Colossus is a old classic and a general favorite, but those MCBs really need to be dismantled and the track restored to its original design.
The day ended by using two dollars in quarters to help cool off some guests on Log Jammer that were ready to start escaping the increasing Valencia heat.
Since Robert’s “New Year’s Resolutions for theme park fans” http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200812/1012/ I’ve started carrying the current book I’m reading to the park with me. At Disneyland I would do my uniterrupted lap and find some shade and read for a while. As I have felt before about SFMM, they need more of these shady rest spots away from restaurants. I would’ve stayed longer at the park today, but I just couldn’t find a comfortable spot to read. And I’ve probably said this before, but they really need to clean up and refurb the monorail. SFMM is a thrill seekers park, but a gentle transport ride would be a pleasant resting ride.
*the Revolution shortcut - as you walk up to the entrance of the ride, go to the right and use the fastpass entrance. As you walk around the back of the station, take the next right and up the stairs to the park’s main path.
Was the onboard audio working on Terminator? Reports are indicating SF has given up on the audio portion due to an inability to keep things working on a ride as inherently rough as a wooden coaster. Did you notice?
Now, I just need to find me a job in New Jersey so I can get a visit in at Six Flags Great Adventure.
