Vintage Magic Mountain Pics

janfrederick said:Was Trollywood the kiddie land?

Nope, Trollywood was just a mock town that the train traveled through, just colorful whimsical building facades, not much more to it. Location was where Goliath is now (per 1980 map):

http://members.tripod.com/heylownine/parkmaps.htm

Only pic I could find of Trollywood from the Train to Trollywood ride:

http://members.tripod.com/heylownine/troll.htm

Judging from this listing, seems as though 1979-1981 was the transition period when many of the original family fun rides were removed. The 1982 addition of Freefall seems to mark SFMM's change of direction into the extreme-thrill based park we know today (only 3 family rides have been added since 1982):

http://members.tripod.com/heylownine/rides.htm

*** Edited 9/19/2006 8:09:51 PM UTC by jomo***

Rob Ascough said:
American theme parks switched from kooky "niche" characters and theming to widely-accepted and highly marketable stuff. I think that did a lot to change the theme park landscape because it stifled creativity.

Thats the word i had in mind when looking at the pics and seeing how these parks were back then, "Kooky" or "quarky". I think its a terrible shame that atmosphere and charm was lost in so many parks. Looking at parks way back then in pictures and shows is sad because I wish I could go back to when they were like that instead.

jomo said:
(only 3 family rides have been added since 1982):

Geez, and just when you thought the thread couldn't get any more depressing...

I just took a look at the two pages of pics...then ran to the bathroom and threw up. Burke and Del Holland should feel shame for what they did to the park.

^ Burke shouldn't even be positioned for front line gunshots...anyone remember Gary Story? Kieran Burke's predecessor? No? The moron who was responsible for the decision to drop over $40 million in thrill ride capital into Magic Mountain in 2001 alone (X, Deja Vu, Thrill Shot, Ham on Rye, Goliath Jr., Euro-Bungee).

The same guy that approved the countless multi-million dollar scream machines Six Flags bought like they were discount t-shirts at K-Mart.

I knew I was forgetting a name. Story should feel shame too.

You can even see more than one train on the coasters in some of those pictures. :)

^ You should like. Write a joke book or something. 'Cause, funny people do that. Write joke books. I've never heard a joke like that. Ever. Especially not here on CoasterBuzz. Nope.

^That wasn't as funny. ;)

AV Matt
Long live the Big Bad Wolf

I remember about 10-15 years ago one of the engines from the railroad was on display in a booth on the edge of the walkway somewhere near Roaring Rapids. I don't know if it still there today.

*** Edited 9/20/2006 5:33:39 AM UTC by SONiC Senshi***

Who'da thunk we'd ever get nostalgic for the OLD DAYS of theme parks?

Well heck, I feel EXACTLY the same way about PGA.

Where have allllll the good times gone?

Long time passing...

When will they ever learn?

;)

"I go out at 3 o' clock for a quart of milk and come home to my son treating his body like an amusement park!" - Estelle Costanza

janfrederick said:
Wow, two railroads? How cool is that? Bring 'em back!
Was Trollywood the kiddie land?

rail roads or Scream, Goliath, Colossis? seems clear to me o.o

and thoes pictures feature revalution when i was thier last saterday that coaster is practicly hidden in a forest now!

Still fun tho :)

[http://img383.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nolimit4ze.png

Wasn't Colossus built in the parking lot? Scream also? As for Goliath, it could have been placed somewhere else. Besides, it's not a very good ride anyway, IMO. I'll take the train and other classic rides over mediocre coasters.

AV Matt
Long live the Big Bad Wolf

janfrederick said:

Where have allllll the good times gone?
Long time passing...
When will they ever learn?

It's not just amusement parks. It's movies, music, sports, journalism, education and even books.

As technology expands, heart and soul has been replaced by cold cynicism, greed and lack of imagination. Even Disney doesn't feel as magical anymore. As a culture we've grown up, seen it all and gone to sleep. :(

End of Rant.

And SFMM has PLENTY of mediocre coasters!

I mostly agree, DWeaver. I don't think that Disney has lost much of it's magic (although something could be said about recent Disney magic not being as good as older Disney magic) but heart and soul are definitely being replaced by cold cynicism. Being a Yankees fan, I am completely distraught over the replacement of Yankee Stadium in a few years. Sure the old building has it's flaws and the new building is inspired by the original but it's going to be "manufactured" heart and soul. The things that make the current ballpark so neat and charming will be added to the new ballpark but it won't be the same at all. Just an example of how the times they are a-changin'.

I totally forgot about the second railroad. I don't think I ever rode it -- probably thought I was too "grown-up" to ride some "kiddy" ride.

And, yep, Colossus was more or less built in the parking lot. Kind of along the very edge of the parking lot. I think it still looks a little funny today with nothing but a fence between you and it.

Visually, MM couldn't have picked a better spot though. Before Colossus, the sky tower was one of the few things you could see outside the park. When they added Colossus, you couldn't miss it -- a beautiful massive coaster structure for all to see.

Was Colossus the last attraction added before SF took over?

They're replacing Yankee Stadium? Crap! I've always wanted to see a game there. Hopefully I can swing through NYC again before it's too late.

AV Matt
Long live the Big Bad Wolf

Yah, that's news to me too. So they are replacing the house that Ruth built? Unbelievable. Will the new one be built in the parking lot or something?

"I go out at 3 o' clock for a quart of milk and come home to my son treating his body like an amusement park!" - Estelle Costanza

^^ Matt...enjoy the "troughs"... ;)