Six Flags Magic Mountain, 10/12/09, A great day at the park, but somewhat bittersweet
Hours: 10:30-6:00. Park was nearly deserted. There was only one lot of cars, which usually makes for a perfect day with little to no lines. This is the third year in a row I have gone to MM on Columbus Day itself or the weekend leading to it. All three trips worked out very well, and I have found this to be a great option in order to go to the park in October without having to fight Fright Fest crowds. I got on 33 total rides, including 5 times on Terminator Salvation, which is the most I have rode that one in one day. Traffic was also very light. We left at 8:15 and got to MM at 9:20. Very nice for the 65 mile drive on a weekday. In fact we got to the park so early that the parking lot wasn't even open yet. That is the first time that has ever happened to me. When I showed my Xtreme Pass to get free parking, the attendant yelled over to the next booth that he had a VIP. I found this amusing and it gave me a nice, fun start to the day.
My coaster enthusiast dad, who got me started riding when he took me to MM for the first time in 1983, went with me for the first time since 12/2/07. Due to a long line of serious health problems he had been taking care of my mom. My mother was never a coaster or park lover but she always liked to listen to me tell her my stories about my visits. I feel somewhat sad typing this right now because I normally tell her about my visits before I post them here, but after struggling with detioriating health since March, 06, she passed away on 9/27/09. My dad has been unable to visit MM with me because he was her primary caregiver. He is 65 years old and still riding everything that I do. I hope I can still do this when I am his age. He sat out a few here and there today, but still rode every coaster which I did.
OK, back to the fun stuff. I used the $9.99 friend admission ticket in my value back to get my dads ticket. We did not use a Q-bot, since the park was nearly empty. I also used my Xtreme pass to get 25% off of our meal. For 2 meals and 2 sodas it was only $20. Although food at a park is always expensive, I think that this is a relatively decent price for 2 people to eat. I also bought a X2 t-shirt and a Tatsu t-shirt, using the buy-one-get-one-free coupon in my value book. This made it only $16 for 2 shirts, which I think is a very good deal. It drizzled on our way there and a little bit during the day, but not enough for any ride closures, so no big deal. It started raining fairly hard around 6:30, while we were in the souvenir shop, but since the rides were closed and technically the park was too, it didn't matter. I always look at the shops after the park closes so that it doesn't cut into my ride time.
Here is the day in order:
Tatsu: once, walk on
Terminator Salvation: twice, walk ons. My dads first rides on TS. He loved the air-time, speed and banked turns. He said that the ride felt much faster than it actually is, which I have thought myself. He also liked the theming of the queue and the sound effects and flame effects very much.
Deja Vu: twice, walk ons. Front row 2nd time.
Terminator Salvation: once, walk on
Tatsu: once, 10 mins.
Superman: 3 times, walk ons. On 2nd and 3rd rides, didn't leave the train.
Tatsu: once, 10 mins.
Revolution: once, walk onto front row.
Viper: twice, walk ons. Only had to switch rows.
X2: 3 times. 10 mins, then 2 walk ons. My dads first rides since the remodel. Loved the new paint job, flame throwers and sound effects. Also thought the new trains looked "cool", and enjoyed the big video screen in the station. He said he wanted to get one to watch football on.
Canyon Blaster: twice, walk ons. Just for the heck of it.
Goliath: once, 20 mins. Longest line of the day.
Colossus: once, 5 mins. If anybody wants to know, they are running the backwards trains on the left track. Ride was not nearly as rough as when I rode it in August.
Scream: twice, 10 mins, then walk on.
Batman: 3 times, walk ons. Didn't leave the station.
Riddler's Revenge: twice, 5 mins, then walk on.
Gold Rusher: twice, didn't leave our seats.
Terminator Salvation: twice, walk ons.
X2: once, walk on.
Totals: X2, 4 times, Revolution-1, Viper-2, Tatsu-3, Superman-3, Terminator Salvation-5, Deja Vu-2, Gold Rusher-2, Riddler's Revenge-2, Batman-3, Scream-2, Colossus-1, Goliath-1, Canyon Blaster-2
Last edited by SFMMAddict, October 13, 2009, 1:26A
My mother once asked me why I go to Magic Mountain so much. I said I feel the most alive when I'm on a roller coaster.