Tips for visiting Six Flags Magic Mountain

Theme Park Insider readers submit, and vote on, their suggestions for getting the most from a visit to Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Click the "Yes" buttons on advice you agree with, and "No" on ones you don't like.

Click the button at the bottom of the page to submit your own tip.

Most Recent Tips

[3 + / 2 -] If you don't feel like standing in lines for hours, for a somewhat large fee you can buy a FlashPass for shorter lines.

[3 + / 0 -] No matter what anyone else says, go to X2 first if you don't have a FlashPass. During a Summer weekday, if you walk to X2 at park opening, your wait time will be about 45min. If you RUN to X2 your wait will be about 10 - 20min.Then, go to tatsu etc

[18 + / 2 -] When going to SF MM go either mid-week or on a Sunday to avoid long lines. Also save your shopping for AFTER you get on the rides.

All Readers' Tips

In descending order of popularity

[1420 + / 110 -] Get to the park early to be sure you can get on your favorite rides before the park gets too crowded.

[525 + / 49 -] Bring your own water bottles. It will save you time and money!

[404 + / 86 -] Don't use lifts or other tricks to make your kids look taller than they are. Height and safety restrictions are there for a reason.

[207 + / 20 -] Oldie but a goodie - Always work your way backwards through a park instead of stopping at the first attraction you get to. You will beat 60% of the crowds.

[125 + / 9 -] When approaching counter service eateries, review the menu and have your selections in mind before you get to the counter. The folks behind you and the cast member will be eternally grateful.

[102 + / 10 -] If you're going to get an annual pass, add parking to at least one pass (if it isn't included already). It seems expensive at first, but at more than $10 a pop for parking at most parks, it pays off in the end.

[108 + / 27 -] Don't look like some clueless, sun-fried British tourist. Wear sunscreen whenever you visit a theme park.

[99 + / 21 -] Theme park walkways are designed for traffic flow, keep to the right and keep moving. If you want to gawk around, step to the very outside. If you drop something, step to the right and look around before coming to an abrubt halt. Courtesy people.

[82 + / 8 -] I have noticed that if you go on a day less than perfect between Monday and Thursday you don't have to wait in line much if at all.

[79 + / 10 -] If choosing Tatsu first, walk into the exit path of Revolution and take the stairs past the actual ride discharge. This will place you past X2 and Viper half way up the hill. Saves time and energy.

[81 + / 13 -] Bring individual packets of Crystal Light etc, as all counter services in most parks will give you a glass of ice water free of charge. Make your own ice tea, lemonade etc!

[56 + / 1 -] Never try to make a crying child go on a theme park ride.

[56 + / 4 -] If you are going to visit a park more than once in a year, look into buying an annual pass. Most include discounts on food, merchandise and parking and some can pay for themselves in as little as two visits.

[63 + / 14 -] take a backpack with snacks and water for you and the kids it can save you some serious bucks

[69 + / 23 -] Smoke in the smoking sections! Because it is really annoying for the rest of us!!! Plus, you can get a misdemeanor if you don't!

[47 + / 5 -] Strollers should be parked in areas designated for them, covering every bench seating area is rude to other guests that also need some time out. As a Guest, our courtesy and common sense can make or break someone else's day at the park.

[42 + / 2 -] Take advantage of the free admission with Coke can offer! SFMM has been offering this deal since I was in middle school!

[44 + / 5 -] Have a large snack about ten o'clock, then don't have a meal until middle of the afternoon. That way you avoid the rush between noon and two o'clock.

[33 + / 0 -] Use parks' free package check services to store what you buy in the park and keep your hands free while you ride.

[30 + / 7 -] be polite to the cast members, most only make minimum wage and for some it is their first job. they may just be learning and if you are irritating to them they may make you wait longer, or charge you more.

[23 + / 1 -] Drink plenty of fluids on a hot day! The last thing you want is to become dehydrated. Try to stay in the shade as much as possible as well.

[28 + / 6 -] Be friendly and courteous, even when others are not. When that grumpy staff member at the front gate checks your bag, smile and say thank you. If someone drops something while walking on the path, pick it up and tell them!

[24 + / 2 -] Take a photo of where you park with your digital camera. Easy to remember.

[16 + / 0 -] Freeze water bottles the night before and they will offer cold water for a few hours as they melt.

[18 + / 2 -] When going to SF MM go either mid-week or on a Sunday to avoid long lines. Also save your shopping for AFTER you get on the rides.

[29 + / 14 -] if you ever go to 6 Flags M.M. go on X2 last, if you go on it first the other rides will not even come close and in the case when i went 1 of my friends only ended up only going on x2 .p.s. six flags isnt the best place for tots

[16 + / 2 -] Want to avoid the big crowds? Try going when the kids are in school on a weekday if you're able to. Families tend to come on weekend and when the kids are out of school.

[18 + / 5 -] Try ordering items from the kids menu. You will be surprised how full you get and you'll save a lot of money.

[19 + / 6 -] Buy your tickets/book your hotel through AAA ,if you are a member. If you aren't join, you'll save the fee with one trip and you'll have someone to call if you get a flat on the Beeline.

[12 + / 0 -] bring a wet washcloth on hot days in a plastic baggy- good for a quick cool off on the back of your neck and you can keep it cool with a few pieces of ice in the baggy

[15 + / 3 -] If you lost your hat/keys/sunglasses during a ride, it's possible that you'll be able to find it at Lost & Found the next day. Even if you are already back home, call and if they have the item, they will likely courier back to you free of charge.

[17 + / 5 -] If you want to get some great pictures of fireworks, make sure to use a digital camera with its night setting. Keep your hand still and you will have some great pictures!

[24 + / 12 -] Drawstring Bags are a great object to bring to a park. You can put all your stuff in it when going on roller coasters and wear it as a backpack.

[16 + / 5 -] if you want the quickest way trust the other ideas and try to go early and hit goliath first then go around also try to keep the phones in the lokers or in the hands of a person not going on a ride

[23 + / 13 -] Are your kids seat-kickers on airplanes? Take off their shoes. They'll be more comfortable, and not kick. Take off yours for comfort, too. Just, please, wear socks!

[13 + / 3 -] Ask the human resources department at your employer if it sells discount tickets to theme parks. Many do, as well as discount tickets to local theaters, zoos and attractions. Check those prices against the parks' websites and pick the better deal.

[9 + / 0 -] Using a spray bottle to spritz yourself with a water mist will cool you down a lot!!

[20 + / 12 -] Know the difference between a theme and amusement park and adjust your expectations accordingly.

[8 + / 0 -] If you are going with a group/family with older teens walkie-talkies are are good idea to have not everyone wants to do the same thing at the same time

[8 + / 0 -] Wear shoes that are comfrotable and that have proper support. Most parks will have you doing a lot of walking. A lot of folks get really fatigued (or hurt) due to wearing cheap sandals or flipflops. Good shoes make for a good day.

[9 + / 1 -] If you got really bad sunburn, witch hazel is a good soothing treatment to get rid of that annoying pain.

[9 + / 2 -] Don't EVER unbuckle your seatbelt while riding! The ride will stop, and YOU will be thrown out of the park!

[7 + / 0 -] Always try to buy your tickets online! They're usually cheaper and save you the headache you'll get waiting to purchase at the gate.

[8 + / 1 -] Crokies (adjustabel eyeglass holders) are indispensable if you're a roller coaster fan. Get them at a pharmacy or gas station, and make sure they tighten to your head. Great for sunglasses, too.

[10 + / 3 -] Your kids are going to get cranky no doubt about it. Carry crackers for when they get hungry an hour into a line.

[25 + / 19 -] Never close your eyes when riding a roller coaster. That will just make you dizzier, as your eyes help your sense of balance adjust.

[7 + / 1 -] If you're allergic to a certain food and are cautious about what goes into your food make sure to ask the server where or how will the food be cooked...saves you a trip to first aid.

[6 + / 0 -] Make Lunch your biggest meal of the day. Light eating (popcorn, pretzels, etc.) no big deal in the later evening.

[9 + / 3 -] Wear a wallet sized purse with long strap that just fits tickets, digital camera and cash. You can stash it in pocket of cargo jeans or inside your shirt when you go on roller coasters. No need for lockers.

[16 + / 10 -] most parks are less busy meaning shorter lines Monday-Friday

[7 + / 2 -] To treat sunburn, apply a heavy amount of aloe vera gel, maximum strength formula. Works wonders.

[7 + / 2 -] As soon as your flass pash is checked, find a row to wait in line and reserve your next ride

[5 + / 0 -] dont wear jewlery on the rides they come off during the ride... also dont bring extra things like a bag to the park or anything that you cant bring on the ride they get annoying when you have to put them in lockers or worry about it the entire time.

[6 + / 2 -] (1) Wear cargo shorts w/ zippers or snaps - saves valuables; (2) Rent locker for $1 at Tatsu, instead of $11 at entrance; (3) Take ziploc bag for valuables (if not using locker) on water rides - you will get wet!

[8 + / 4 -] Unless you get to it first thing in the morning, be prepared to wait at least hour or more for X2, as it is infamous for having long lines, slow loading, and lengthy down-times.

[3 + / 0 -] No matter what anyone else says, go to X2 first if you don't have a FlashPass. During a Summer weekday, if you walk to X2 at park opening, your wait time will be about 45min. If you RUN to X2 your wait will be about 10 - 20min.Then, go to tatsu etc

[3 + / 2 -] If you don't feel like standing in lines for hours, for a somewhat large fee you can buy a FlashPass for shorter lines.

[15 + / 14 -] If you have a flashpass, reserve for Superman. It is a good, short ride with lines too long for the ride time. With the flashpass, you can walk onto the front row if you have a flashpass reservation.

[4 + / 4 -] Don't pay the extra $10 for a X2 flashpass, X2 is good, but not 10 dollars worth. The flashpass is already over $50 extra to park admission.

[1 + / 2 -] If you go in march,april, or october, X2 is a huge line, but the rest of the lines are very short.

[3 + / 5 -] When visiting Magic Mountain you should walk to Goliath and start out with that then go to Colossus then Scream, Batman, Riddler, Gold Rusher so on and so fourth. But really though just enjoy the park and take everything in. ; )

For more attraction, ride and hotel reviews, visit our Six Flags Magic Mountain home page.

Get, and vote on, more tips about a variety of topics, including those not related to theme parks, at TipReel.com.

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