Terminator themed GCI to open at Magic Mountain on Memorial Day weekend 2009

^Oh please..Maverick's theme succeeds? Don't you have to do something, before you can succeed? That's like saying Blue Streak's theme succeeds.

I'm not sure how the theming will hold up over time. This is the first ride built at SFMM under new management. But if this is how they plan on doing things in the future, sign me up!

I liked how this isn't the same old boring queue with endless turnstyles into oblivion. It completely holds your attention and keeps you pumped (at least the first few times). Jay did say a few more things will be tweaked and added by Saturday's opening.

But I commend SFMM for the work put into this coaster. It's not Disney, but it's such a step up from what I've seen done a park like this before. And then at the end of it, you get a pretty darn good wooden coaster. Thank God now you can take SFMM off the list of big parks without good wood! :)

RockDown said:
^Oh please..Maverick's theme succeeds? Don't you have to do something, before you can succeed? That's like saying Blue Streak's theme succeeds.

Haha. I thought the same thing. I don't want to make it a CP vs. MM thing, but if someone is going to bring in Maverick as an example of good theming execution compared to Terminator Salvation: The Ride, I have to say something.

It's a wonder how Maverick never got any flack for being a high-tech electromagnetically launched coaster with inversions themed to the wild wild west. Isn't this exactly the same as theming a wooden roller coaster to metal robots? Please.

I am forced to wonder how well the electronics are going to hold up over time. I know GCIs are generally considered smooth rides (and typically warrant that), but the climate out there makes me wonder if it can remain smooth enough to not overly jiggle/jostle the ausio system. Roar West was surprisingly bouncy for a GCI, and the DRY climate isn't really conducive to treated lumber remaining in good condition. I may be concerned about nothing - or even overly concerned with roughness, LOL, but I tend to think of electronics as being more sensitive to that kind of thing than humans are...

The point is that a theme need not tell a story. Maverick's theme is old west, just as Space Mountain's is 50's sci-fi (which may not be intentional :)). When you commit to story telling, then you have something totally different. Look at the heat that Expedition Everest gets. With the Yeti going all mediocre, the story telling falls apart (not that it was complex to begin with), and the theme won't make up for it.

Well, if a theme does not have to tell a story why do we have 8 pages on coasterbuzz about a wooden coaster that is themed to the Terminator Movies? Apparently it DOES matter to people(of course why a coaster themed to the wild west is made out of steal was never a problem on these boards)

Magic Mountain did something different, they themed a ride and by all accounts it succeeded(btw, you see terminators attacking the building during the pre show which bill might have missed in his review)

It is is the most theming a ride ever got at any Six Flags park and if this is the direction the company is going, at least in my humble opinion, they will do very well.

Back to Terminator, lines are about 2 1/2 hours now and when people(general public) come out of the ride, they are pumped, on there cellphones telling there friends about the ride

It sure is a winner for the park

I don't think you've been paying attention. A theme does not have to tell a story, but if it does, the rules change. The story has to make sense. That's what the discussion is about.

In my opinion, once you've established that the theme does not make sense on paper, then what? The only place to go from there is whether the theme works in execution. Does the public like an accept it. The jury is still out on that one.

My opinion? It doesn't completely makes sense, and yet it still works. Because once you're in the queue and on the ride, it does feel like you're in a Terminator themed world. The fact that it's a wooden coaster feels no different than suspending disbelief when watching a movie. Yes it's silly upon reflection, but who cares when you're having such a great time with it.

That's been my point all along: if the ride is good who gives a crap if the theme works or not? I'd rather enjoy a good ride with bad or confusing theming than a boring ride with excellent theming (see: USH Mummy).

With the theming, keep in mind this was opening weekend after an extremely tight schedule. I just got back from working out there, and I can tell you there were some extremely late nights (and early mornings)...well heck some days that blended together and were both...and I am not sure of what everyone experienced opening day is the total finished project.

Honestly we were really amazed at how much did come together in the last two weeks of the project. So for this one...and really most coasters, experience has shown you get your best view of it about 2-3 weeks after opening. It gives the crews time to get used to operation, the ride time to break in, and the staff time to tie up any other loose ends.

For what its worth, the film won't debut at #1. That slot goes to Night At The Smithsonian. In fact Salvation made less in its opening than Terminator 3, which many feel was the worst of the series.

I knew they should've gone with the Night At The Museum theme!

But would a Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian theme go with a wooden coaster?

I think that's the most important question.

I'd rather see a preshow with Stiller than Common.

Bill said:
Nine inch nails music has clear lyrics and even discernible melodies on occasion.

On occasion? Do you even listen to NIN? lol I'd love to hear the ride's soundtrack. The way that you have discribed it, I probably would really enjoy it.

Now that a wooden coaster with a robot theme exists, I accept it. Steel would have made a thousand times more sense, but whatever.

My kids and their friends contributed to making Night at the Museum #1 this weekend.

Wanna talk about crazy food and drink prices? Amusement parks have nothing on movie theatres.

And I'm actually with LK on the music. I suspect it's probably a pretty badass experience.

Mamoosh said:
That's been my point all along: if the ride is good who gives a crap if the theme works or not? I'd rather enjoy a good ride with bad or confusing theming than a boring ride with excellent theming (see: USH Mummy).

Because they subject us to the themed story for ELEVEN MINUTES every time we ride, that's why we care. It's the longest pre-show in coaster history.

I was at the park this afternoon (taking advantage of the fact that Valencia isn't BLAZING hot just yet)...haven't been to the park since last August to try out X2.

Terminator Salvation: The Ride in a nutshell: Short, but sweet. I liken it to a wooden version of Batman The Ride, without the nauseousness at the end. And it's also VERY re-rideable. If it weren't for the long lines, I would have marathoned it. A very fun coaster.

On-board audio effects were a lot better than I was anticipating. It's very loud and really adds to the ride.

The GOOD:

- Fire, mist, and tunnel effects really give the ride that extra "umph."
- Coaster never lets up, is aggressive, and very "zippy," although it's definitely on the short side.
- Preshow buildings are air-conditioned. A welcome escape from the heat.
- On board audio is excellent.
- Thematic props in the outdoor queue area: good effort on behalf of the Six Flags team. Almost Universal Studios-caliber.

The BAD:

- They play pop music videos in the outdoor queue TV's. Talk about taking away from the "immersive" Terminator experience??
- Loading station is really tiny and cramped.
- The coaster doesn't really finish with a "bang."

Bill said:

Mamoosh said:
That's been my point all along: if the ride is good who gives a crap if the theme works or not? I'd rather enjoy a good ride with bad or confusing theming than a boring ride with excellent theming (see: USH Mummy).

Because they subject us to the themed story for ELEVEN MINUTES every time we ride, that's why we care. It's the longest pre-show in coaster history.

Oh for crying out loud. Does it bug you that much? I'm just glad they have part of the queue enclosed with A/C. Those Valencia summers beating down on you while you wait in line are the most brutal.

I was never one of the naysayers for having a wooden coaster themed to the Terminator, but I wonder if it would have shut alot of people up if they painted the wood black or silver? That IMO would have been a cool touch.

They have painted woodies with white, so why not?

There's only TWO colors for woodies in my book: White or natural. (okay, I'll cut CP slack actually painting the Blue streak pale blue :) )

Will you cut Knoebels slack for staining Phoenix green? (its stain, not paint)