Thrill Glider at Magic Mountain

Walt S:

I hope the track is smoother than the SLC's

I've never found the track to be rough. The layout and transitions are fine, it's the trains. My guess would be either the wheel assemblies or the restraints, or (more likely) both.

in all fairness, how can you make a distinction between the track and the trains? Is there a "Control" installation that isn't a torture device, with the same track and a different train design? (Not trying to be smart, but honestly, how can you tell if it's the trains or the track?)

Roller coasters are subjective, but I'm inclined to say that calling the transitions on SLCs "fine" is a hot take. :) I'd use "horrific", but that's just me.

T3 at Kentucky Kingdom- the problem was that the trains didn't track well. They shuffled not only from side to side, but from front to back. It was something I've never experienced.

Calling MM's new coaster Tron on a stick is really funny.

I'm excited when we start discussing Disneyland Forward, and the new parking garage. It's not time for that yet.

The smoothest SLC I've ridden is Nor'Easter.

When they put the new trains on it, it was better. When they replaced all the track, it was sensational.

That layout is actually really fun when you're not worrying about hitting the restraint with your ear.

Serial Thriller/Thunderhawk at Geauga Lake was always my guilty pleasure. It always ran significantly smoother than the rest and I have always enjoyed the layout. I also think SLCs (along with the massive Arrow loopers of the 80s) are some of the most photogenic coasters out there, despite their less than ideal riding experience.

Rick_UK:

Nor'Easter.

When they put the new trains on it, it was better. When they replaced all the track, it was sensational.

Ok, this is what I was looking for. I had forgotten that Nor-Easter had received new track (although specifics escape me as to how much, etc).

It certainly seems that Vekoma has (after nearly 40 years) figured out how to build looping rides that don't suck. I'm unsure how it took this long (and why the market supported them during that time) but thankful that it's the case.

I am intrigued by Thrill Glider. I wish it had one or two less inversions, but as stated previously, I'm old). I have always loved loved the suspended/inverted models (Flying not so much because of that pretzel loop), and the more "flying" and less "looping" the better (for me). I'm hoping that MM's new ride will be a winner.

As I read about Geauga Lake's Serial Thriller, I realize that I have no memory of ever riding it. I should have a memory of riding it, even if it was named something different. I remember where it was in the park. I remember that a buddy of mine has stories about working at the ride. I must have ridden it because it's on my CoasterBuzz track list.

I don't think I even remember what it looked like, apart from being a clone of other rides I have ridden. Maybe it's because I hated the ride so much, and enjoyed other rides in the park so much more? Weird.

Anyway...

Sounds like you're confusing it with the Mind Eraser, which has that effect.

Fun Fact: at Geauga Lake, Premiere Parks originally intended the Vekoma boomerang to be called Serial Thriller, the Vekoma SLC was to be called Mind Eraser.

I never knew that! I know we had the only Mind Eraser that was a boomerang rather than an SLC, but didn't know there had been plans for it to be the other way.

The Jr inverts that Verkoma has made recently (like Dragonflyer at DW) have been quite smooth, I’m hoping the company has turned over a new leaf.

You must not have much experience with new Vekomas. All of the rides they've done in the past decade have been phenomenal. They haven't just "turned over a new leaf," they've gone from being the joke of the amusement industry to the gold standard.

Very true. Guardians is an achievement, and fits perfectly in the sweet spot as thrilling but accessible.

Sharpel007:

If only some of the rest of the rides at MM got this kind of landscaping

It’s california. Southern California. In canyon country. It will not have that landscaping. You are more likely to be flying up the concrete steps of the former theater