Design flaw forces indefinite closure of the X at Magic Mountain

This is very sad news. I'm glad I got a ride in on X while it was open. It was truly an out-of-this-world experience, especially the first drop, and seeing the whole SFMM skyline from the long lift hill.

That said, when I rode it, they only had one car up, and of that car, some of the seats were broken. The employees had to manually push several of the seats down to get them into the position so they could go down the track and up the hill.

Also, when I visited, SFMM really needed to get their acts together with the loading area. They were just letting WAY too many people up into the loading area, so it was a big mess. The "lines" were just a big blob of people and cutting was rampant. Even with my fast-pass tickets (which advertised a 30-minute wait from the point where we were in line), I had to wait a good 4.5 hours to ride on X, making me late for meeting up with the rest of my group. Needless to say, the wait, and being the victim of much abuse from the rest of my group was WELL worth it.

I hope they get the X problems sorted out very soon so others can enjoy the ride, too.

The funniest thing about all of this is that SFMM reps said that they closed it when one of the seats was not "running smoothly."

Fact is, I was told that the shutdown occurred when the train arrived back in that station with one of the pairs of seats bent downward.

I hope they get the issues ironed out. But this all smells of train re-design to me.

One has to imagine the stress those side seat supports must be able to take. I compare it to one of those long poles tight rope walkers use to balance themselves. The ends bend waaaaay down due to natural gravity. The same theory, it appears, applies here.

Shaggy

Does anyone know how long X was in the design, testing stages? Did they jump the gun too fast on installing it?

COREY

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RollerCstrManiac
Corey C.

Rollergator, as bad as I feel that no ACEr had the chance to ride Xcelerator at Con, there wasn't much they could do about that.

First, the ride was NOT ready for the public (and yes, ACE is public). There are legal issues with the state which dictate that the public cannot ride until they sign the ride off. That wasn't done until the next day. Therefore, Knotts would be breaking the law if they let ACE members ride.

That night was the first and only night that employees could ride. I'm not sure how you could blame them for clapping and re-riding. Had I not been out of town, I would have done the same.

Second, its not like employees were running away from their positions at Supreme Scream to go ride Xcelerator. They went on their breaks or went after work.

Like I said, I wish that everyone could have had a ride on Xcel, but there were just too many factors that were out of Knotts' control

CFM said - "but there were just too many factors that were out of Knotts' control"

Not being at CoasterCon, I don't really have any stake in this debate. That being said, I'll stick my nose in any way... :)

From what I gather, the issue people have with Knott's isn't what they couldn't control at the Con, but the poor manner in which they handled what they could control. At least that's what I get from reports such as gators and others like him.

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"drop rides, not bombs."

chris......the issue people have with Knott's isn't what they couldn't control at the Con, but the poor manner in which they handled what they could control.

Can you please be MY spokesperson, because apparently I am having trouble communicating today....

To Jeff-

I work at Six Flags Magic Mountain, And every day i have to tell people X is not open. X has not been Open Since it was Closed in May, Not once was it open, Not once!! Therefore you are not correct in Assuming since u live in Cleveland Ohio, that X was ever open.

Thank You for reading. *** This post was edited by Intamin AG on 7/2/2002. ***

That was I AG's own special "Hallmark Moment" for your birthday, Jeff.

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"drop rides, not bombs."

Rollergator- thanks for the details. I think I'm particularly empathetic because I'm a fellow Floridian- it could just as easily have been me that travelled all that way and spent all that $. As a former Disney intern, I agree that it was a customer service meltdown. I just hope that the rest of your coaster season makes up for it!

And to the peeps complaining about Xcellorator not and the ERT, Ever think to be grateful that u got to ride one of the Greatest Woodies ever made, And at that time Xcellorator had not gone through all its testing for certification. And Did u pay over 100 bucks to ride Xcellorator? If not why should you have the right to ride it? *** This post was edited by Intamin AG on 7/2/2002. ***

I'm just sick to my stomach over all this. Knowing that my first (and maybe only) trip to CA will happen next week, I can only hope that the lucky few who have been on it will treasure that moment for eternity! Some of us can only dream......I'm sitting here with literally no enthusiasm towards a full week of CA parks. Something is obviously wrong. Sure I didn't expect to ride it, but miracles do happen. Just not this time. There are those who look at it as another track record "check"; virtually just as important as a kiddie coaster. But I am among those who can't give up on this thing. I am someone that would go all the way back just to ride it, and I'm beginning to think that two trips will be neccessary. By the time it re-opens I'll have saved enough to go again! And don't forget peeps, we will have RCT2, with its own version, to help us pass the time. :)
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Brad Sherman
BuzzCon Frequent Flyer, responsible for guests fleeing the queue in horror!
Model coasters and rides

Before you guys start in on Jeff, he was in fact CORRECT. Originally the ride was to be closed for two weeks to do patch work on this trains and have it open by July 4th. This is what Jeff posted so technically he was right.

What I'm gathering is that the park is no longer comfortable re-opening a patched up ride and instead will go back to the drawing board with the trains which will probable take a full year I'm guessing.

What just kills me is this notion that this sort of thing has never happened before so therefore the ride has no chance. Rides from Volcano to Mr Freeze to Hypersonic to Perilous Plunge have all gone down for months at a time for modifications.

Just in terms of sheer technology, we've come along way since the Bat. I'd really be truly shocked if X were in fact done. It's not a matter of what can or can't be done, but how much money and time SF wants to put into this ride.

The ride is so radical and brilliant, it would be a tragety to lose it.

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"Escuse me, can you tell me where the heck the Mystery Lodge is"?

I'd still look forward to your trip. You have SFMM's other 14 coasters, Xcelerator, Ghostrider and California Screamin'. Thats quite a few excellent rides.

-Jeff

http://americacoasters.com

I would *think* after being around this place for SOOO long that people would recognize me, but I guess there are some new folks and whatnot. I am looking to have a good time, to PROMOTE the industry, and to say GOOD things about parks. No, I don't expect "special" treatment, and don't receive it. I am not "an insider". I enjoy promoting the industry to the Geeps, and feel that amusement parks are a fantastic way to have some G-rated fun......I just felt that Knott's missed out on a great *opportunity* to show us a good time DESPITE the Xcelerator situation. That is what chris was pointing out, and while some of you obviously understand where I'm coming from, some of you never will.

xbombman, I couldn't ask for anything more. I'm just highly frustrated with the timing......but the main reason I am going out is for PGA's shuttle anniversary. I cannot push that aside, especially after the warm welcome they have extended to me. It's gonna be one heck of an event, and certainly worth the time and expense. Hopefully I'll smother myself with a lot to do during the week to take my mind off of X. It's just hard knowing that I'll be that close to it, and can't do anything about it.
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Brad Sherman
BuzzCon Frequent Flyer, responsible for guests fleeing the queue in horror!
Model coasters and rides

just so happens that Anton's B'day is the coaster's anniversary....have a great time out there, Arrow Guy, and do check in on V2.1(semi-Vertical Velocity) while you're in the area....

Wow, I'm surprised to hear this. They must have been designing right on the edge...or perhaps there was a problem during the manufacture of the train or the steel itself. Bummer...I haven't had my taste yet.

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"If the beats were made of meat then they would have to be me ..." - L.L. Cool J

I've been lucky enough to get on X twice and both times were extraordinary with the second time being the best by far!(in the front row). Its truly amazing the view you get as your chest hits the OTSR's and you hang for about 2 secs staring down 200 hundred feet!!! while the rest of the train catches up lol. I heard X would be re-opening this winter(so as to not deal with "peak" crowds). As far as flashback...its closed ALL summer long due to the fact that it makes too much noise for neighboring hurricane harbor. Its a shame X had to tease everybody like this...fear not though...IT WILL BE BACK =)

Umm when did they pacth up the ride and reopen it? Its never been open since it closed, and it will not be ready for Thursday, I have been by the weilding center where the trains are currently at, and its a mess over there no wa y thell be ready for thursday

Damnit!!! I'll be there around the 20th this month and I can't do anything to take this trip back and delay it for a year or 2. This will most likely be my only trip out to Magic Mountain ever! I really hope B&M/ Intamin make a ride like this somewhere in the east. Is there any chance possible that it will be open by the 20th???/ Well I guess I'll look foward to Knotts.