Help With SFMM Trip
My wife and I are thinking of going to SFMM over Memorial Day weekend. So, we have a few questions we were hoping the CoasterBuzzers could help with.
1. Where's a good place to stay? Clean, close, relatively inexpensive.
2. Does SFMM have Lo-Q or FastLane?
3. Can we do the whole park on Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend if they do not have Lo-Q or FastLane?
Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
DEK
-----------------
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Everytime we've gone to SFMM, we've stayed at the Motel 6 in Sylmar, CA. You can find it on the Motel 6 website......its fairly cheap and a 10 minute drive or so from the park. It is south of SFMM right off of I-5.....but I forget the exit name. It is right after the merger of another freeway if coming from the south..............Kinda scary trying to cut across three incoming lanes of traffic to exit..... but we have always had a decent stay there.
There is also a Goodnite Inn right next door. Neither are that nice, but definitely cheap, and fairly clean.
*** This post was edited by Blaster_1578 on 3/31/2002. ***
I went to the park Sat and Sun of Memorial in 2000, the park was packed, we literaly had to wait over an hour to get into the parking lot, the line of cars was overflowing past where you turn to get into the park at the stoplight. Lines weren't that bad, except riddler, and Batman had 2 hour waits. That's how it was in 2000, i dont know about 2002, but that might give you an idea, but we got the whole park done in both days (except Riddler, and Batman)
my advice is get to the new rides ASAP, and get there EARLY, because if you don't get there at (or even before) park opening your chances for having short lines for X is shot. But you might have some luck in getting in deja vu since it is in the back, and most people work their way back there
-----------------
Welcome one and all, y'all come have a ball!
Things a bear-y fine, ridin' on the old Knott's bear-y line!
I usually stay at the Comfort Suites. It is at the Lyons exit. The hotel is about 2 miles from the park. Its' price ranges from $69-$109 per night, depending on the time of year/ nights of stay (call to find out for sure for that weekend). All rooms have 2 queen size beds and a fold-out sofa bed (This allows us to pack up to 6 people in one room, therefore cutting the cost of a two-room trip). The rooms are very nice, clean, and roomy. TV with HBO, small refridgerator, microwave, desk, iron, blow dryer, etc. Class Act! They also offer a deluxe continental breakfast from 6-9:30am. Selection of cereals, juices, milk, muffins, bagels, toast, coffee. It takes less than 5 minutes to get to the park from here.
Expect SFMM to be quite packed on Memorial Weekend. Be prepared for VERY long lines, especially on the newer rides (X and Deja Vu). My suggestion is to get there VERY early and wait at the gate. Follow the running mob to X and get that done right away. Then head right for Deja Vu. It is in the back of the park, and most people start from the front and work there way back. You may be able to get that one done, and move on. Hit Riddler right after Deja Vu (also in the back) and you may avoid the crowd there too. By then the park will start to become more evenly distributed. Just work back around from there, but dont walk UP the mountain from the back side. Go around it, hitting Goldrusher,Batman, Collosus, Goliath, Flashback (dont WAIT for this one), Revolution and Viper. Then, take the Orient Express (a small transport next to the carousel) up the mountain to Samurai Summit. It is a much more demanding walk up the back side than people think it will be, and an unneccessary one. If time allows, go back and ride Psyclone, but if you must skip any rides, make sure to skip Psyclone and Flashback. You shouldnt have any problem hitting everything in two days. But I wouldnt count on hitting too many things twice. If you plan on eating at the park, I would suggest The Surfside Grill in Cyclone Bay (GREAT chili dogs!) or the Mooseburger Lodge (no more expensive than any of the outside concessions, plus you get to sit down in the air-conditioning and the food is much better). Laughing Dragon Pizza on Samurai Summit has very good pizza and pasta, but is rather pricy (even for an amusement park).
If you choose to get the fastlane passes, still get there early, but go right to the fastlane sales booth. I would suggest using the fastlane passes on X, Riddler, and Goliath. Use the fourth pass at your discretion. If you approach a ride that hasnt filled up yet (X perhaps early, or Riddler if you go to the back early), save your fastlanes and use them on something with a larger line. If riddlers line stretches outside the queue area, expect nearly two hours. If X is anywhere in the "zig-zag" queue section, expect a multi-hour wait. Although Goliath's line may be long, and outside the queue entrance, it moves much faster than some of the other coasters, and the thick, dense mist system with the rainforest decor is a welcome surprise.
EXPECT the worst, and make the most of it. Try not to let the long lines get to you. If it turns out to be less crowded than expected, then treat it as an added bonus. Have fun!!!!!
-----------------
I've traded in my 2000 Giovanola for a 2002 Arrow X4D :)
My other car is now an Arrow X4D!
DEK said:
"My wife and I are thinking of going to SFMM over Memorial Day weekend. So, we have a few questions we were hoping the CoasterBuzzers could help with.1. Where's a good place to stay? Clean, close, relatively inexpensive.
2. Does SFMM have Lo-Q or FastLane?
3. Can we do the whole park on Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend if they do not have Lo-Q or FastLane?
Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
DEK
1. The two closest hotels to SFMM are the Best Western and the Hilton Garden Inn. They are both within walking distance and they are relatively cheap.
2. Yes, SFMM does have Fastlane.
3. I would be surprised if you will be able to get everything in on a holiday weekend going two days unless you stay from 10 am to 10 pm at least one of the days. My biggest suggestion is getting the the park early and hitting X first then Deja Vu. After that, crowds will definitely be at the park. Good luck!
-------------
http://home.earthlink.net/~sfmm84/
Six Flags Magic Mountain Xtreme Guide
1. I stayed at the Best Western Valencia (across the freeway from SFMM) in February, and found it to be quite nice. My room was $69 for a single room with a king size, and came with the hair dryer, coffe pot, continental breakfast, etc. It's within walking distance of the park, so it will save you some cash on parking.
2. Use the Fastlane if you can. Do like LoadedG said: Get the Fastlane right away, and then hit some of the major coasters while everyone else runs to wait in line for X. Use your Fastlane later for X. While they're waiting, you'll be riding.
3. I have no idea what crowds are like around Memorial Day, or how the park is when it's crowded. I live in Chicago.
-----------------
"He's blazin' away like the stars in the universe.." A. Vega + M. Rev "Ghostrider"
*** This post was edited by chris on 4/1/2002. ***
Thanks everyone for the help.
I don't get that upset about long lines. SFGAm is my home park so I've learned to expect long lines; especially on holiday weekends. And I've waited over 2 hours for rides on MF at CP.
Now, based on your responses, I have a few follow-up questions.
1. Where do you get the FastLane passes? Knowing where to go could help save a few minutes.
2. Is FastLane available on all the coasters? The wife and I don't do flat rides so I'm not concerned about those.
3. If we can't do all the coasters, which ones are a must ride? I would assume X and Goliath are but what else?
4. I've read a lot of disparaging remarks about the general public at SFMM and I'm a little concerned about that. Is it really so bad that we should be concerned about our safety (especially after dark) or is this just a few people with bad experiences being overly vocal?
Thanks again for all the help. As usual, the CoasterBuzzers come through.
-----------------
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
1) Not sure
2) Not sure
3) Add Ridller's Revenge...Best Stand-Up IMO
4) I was only there for 2 days last October and I did not have any problems or fears for my safety. Well-check that...once when I made a scene about a line jumper I did walk around watching my back after security booted the person from the line.
-----------------
Coming Soon: Coasters "American" Style.
Almost all coasters have fastlane, except Deja Vu, Kiddie coasters, Goldrusher, and (I think) Ninja & Psyclone.
If you will be there on BOTH Saturday and Sunday, I am sure you would be able to hit them all, even without the fastlane. Unless something breaks down for the whole weekend, you should get on them all without a problem.
About the so-called gangbangers, it's not even an issue IMO. If they line-jump in front of you, just ignore them. Think about it, is SFMM really a good place for them to start trouble? They would be caught for sure if anything "serious" went down. I have gone many many times and never once was even aproached by them. Have I seen them? Yes, plenty. But like mentioned earlier, they are there just to have fun too, not start trouble.
-------------
Nothing... NOTHING... can prepare you for... the Fourth Dimension!
Once you enter the park, head straight ahead. The lockers are about 100 yards forward, and the fastlane/twicket office is just to the left of the locker entrance. You want to PASS the guest relations building, and look toward the left as you approach the locker area.
Hit all the coasters except Psyclone and Flashback, go back to them after you've done the rest if you have time.
I have never had, nor seen, any incidents involving guest safety at SFMM. True that you may encounter some line-jumpers (usually 10year olds), but thats about it. Getting into SFMM is nearly the same process as getting on an airplane. Metal detectors, wands, etc. Most of the incidents that you hear of involve people who are detained at the gate for having weapons and such. Dont worry about it, no problems.
-----------------
I've traded in my 2000 Giovanola for a 2002 Arrow X4D :)
My other car is now an Arrow X4D!
You must be logged in to post
