Magic Mountain toutes 3 new coasters for the upcoming season...AGAIN. Just 10 years later.

Is it as simple as just flipping it around? Looking at the station set up at Dreamworld, I'm not convinced.

Also, to spend all this money on something new, to revert it back to the original way, seems stupid.

Rick_UK said:

Also, to spend all this money on something new, to revert it back to the original way, seems stupid.

This IS six flags we are talking about ;)

I'm not sure why that would seem stupid. It's another option for guests, and it encourages multiple rides for first timers.

^My snotty comment aside, I do think it's a great idea to start with 2 backwards sides then change back to one forward one. Best of both worlds. I'm sure the backwards launch novelty will wear off.

Going up that high with lap bars only is probably more exciting anyway ;) Provided they keep the old forward car.

Provided that they go all the way up the tower once the ride opens too, Billy.

^Agreed. And by painting the top of the tower red, they've made it even more obvious how high it's hitting.

I think the backwards-facing side would get a really long line relative to the forward side during the first operating season if they went directly to "one side each direction" - only one of them would offer a new experience. My guess is they'll keep both sides in reverse until Hallowen season, if not for the whole first year.

Having ridden one forwards and backwards, I really don't see the appeal of reverting it back to the original way - but we'll see!

SFMM posted a POV of the ride on there Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1739732886875

Edit: Tried to add the link directly but to no avail

Here ya go. Link.

On Saturday Seasonpass holders and SFMM Facebook friends were invited to be part of the "Technical Rehearsal" for S:EFK

Flying up that tower backwards is just breathtaking. I loved the anticipation of not knowing when you are going to hit the tower,it gives the ride a level of suspense that wasn't there before.

The airtime at the top is still amazing and the plunge back down is scary(but in a good way). It really is a different ride(experience) and I am sure the gp will love it like everyone else today.

Neil, which is head of rideoperations(I think) was at hand inside the Station and told us that they hit 104 mph now(which the ride has not done in 10+years). I know, it brakes no records anymore but I am happy that SFMM put some well deserved $$$ in an older ride to make it relevant again.

Maybe other parks should take a note...

104 mph, eh? Can't wait until it officially opens!

If/when they switch it to one forwards and one backwards they can remane it something like Superman vs. Bizarro... and again call it a "new" coaster.

This is good to hear. I'm hoping to get out there later this year to get the remaining credits at SFMM and ride this. I had a huge case of anticipointment the first time, and it only went about 1/2 way up the tower. Hopefully it's now the ride it was really meant to be.

Found a youtube video from Sat, it is just amazing how far it goes up the tower now...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIJwuSF-Lmc

Wow. That does look pretty insane. Still sounds like a jet flying overhead, too.

Nearly 7 seconds of uninterrupted weightlessness is hard to beat, really.

I was one of the people that got to ride Superman on Monday. Got to ride it three times when it finally opened for the season pass test rides at almost 4 in the afternoon. They allowed us to ride it a few times since we had waited so long.

I was hoping that they would do something to that weird ice cavern waiting area, but it has simply been repainted for the most part. Looks as if there was more work to be done to finish parts inside. You still wait in that final strangely organized room behind the metal doors that ultimately open and lead to your seat in the vehicle. That room is now lit in a green light instead of the black light that was originally in there. The "ice" statue that used to be in there is just literally ripped out at the moment. Not sure what will happen with that spot.

Interesting over the shoulder restraints, that on the edge seats include a sort of shield on the one side to keep you from putting your arm out the side of the car. I didn't find the restraints uncomfortable, they do not smash onto you.

They had told us prior to riding that there were misfires happening probably due to the cold, but they didn't know that was for sure the answer. And that if a misfire happened to occur when we were on it, there would be no danger (of course), but they would have to bring us back in and try the launch again. They were saying that a correct launch was doing about 104 mph and should take you very high to the top of the tower. While I was waiting to ride, or on the ride, I did not see any misfires.

The ride itself was very fun. I didn't expect it to blow me away or anything, but I was surprised at how long the acceleration goes on for. I was so used to the sub-par launches in the past, that it was pretty amazing to feel the continuous acceleration all the way down the track.

The view looking straight down from the top of the tower is MUCH cooler and the hang time feels much more pronounced simply from your visual orientation. At our highest point, I turned for a moment to check how far up the tower we had actually made it, and sure enough, we were right near the top.

It's a nice change from the way it was before and all of the other people who rode it were all really positive and excited about the new version of it.

Six Flags announced today that Superman will open on March 19.

http://www.sixflags.com/blog

Road Runner Express is now open, which makes it coaster number 17 for Six Flags Magic Mountain.

They did actually a great job on the new area and theming of the ride. Looking good!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agsfBiMQqe8