In 1981 Dutch fantasy park Efteling decided to add their first roller coaster. Already a well established theme-park they chose to make an investment that would make a big impact on the European market. Working with Dutch manufacturer Vekoma they unveiled the largest roller coaster in all of Europe, Python. Although a copy of the existing Arrow Huss Carolina Cyclone, this 4 inversion monster was unlike anything in the region. It was only 2 years after Blackpool Pleasure Beach had unveiled Europe’s first modern looping coaster and the first time modern inversions appeared in continental Europe. Efteling had built something loopier, larger, and unlike anything else that Europe had seen and it became a phenomenon. Python has been featured in numerous Dutch TV programs, was used by Porsche to film a television commercial, and continues to be one of the most popular attractions in the park. So beloved is this ride that in 2018 the park spent an estimated 4.5 Million Euro ($5.3 Million USD) to re-track the majority of the ride and ensure it continues to run for future generations. Continue reading “5 of America’s National Coaster Icons”
Holiday in the Park Drive-thru Experience Review – Six Flags Magic Mountain
Holiday festivities have begun here in Southern California. And while it does seem quite a bit different compared to what it was in years past, we are still trying to soak in every single moment. The first park we visited this year for the holidays is Six Flags Magic Mountain. Because the park is currently not allowed to be open for normal operation, they have adjusted Holiday in the Park to make it a drive-thru experience. In this review, we’ll share some basic information on the event along with our review. Continue reading “Holiday in the Park Drive-thru Experience Review – Six Flags Magic Mountain”
California Theme Parks – Where Do We Go From Here?
After months on top of months of waiting, California theme parks finally received reopening guidelines yesterday during the state’s weekly COVID-19 briefing. Governor Gavin Newsom along with other high-level representatives from the Golden State have decided to split up theme parks into “larger theme parks” and “smaller theme parks”. The placement of a theme park is based on its capacity. The state says it will allow smaller theme parks to reopen at 25% capacity (or 500 people, whichever is fewer) once the county the park resides in is placed into the orange tier. Reservations will be required, all park guests must live in the same county the park is in, and only outdoor attractions will be allowed to operate. For larger theme parks, the restrictions are even more suffocating, with the guidelines stating that the county the park resides in must be in the yellow tier in order to reopen. Like the smaller parks, reservations will also be required and the park capacity will have to be 25%. Continue reading “California Theme Parks – Where Do We Go From Here?”
Neal Thurman Leaves Six Flags Magic Mountain to Join Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Neal Thurman, known to many for his work with Six Flags as Park President of Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Six Flags Great Adventure, and most recently Six Flags Magic Mountain, Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles and Hurricane Harbor Phoenix, has left the Six Flags Corporation and is joining SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (SEAS) as Park President for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Continue reading “Neal Thurman Leaves Six Flags Magic Mountain to Join Busch Gardens Tampa Bay”
Frontier City First-timers
Alexander: Eager to explore how different parks tackle CDC–based measures for limiting the spread of germs, Sean and I set off for a couple new parks (plus a 3rd, major favorite of ours) opening for the 2020 season.
The 5 Best B&M Flying Coasters
Alexander: Greetings! Who’s ready for another Coaster Kings Top 5? This time we’re looking at one of B&M’s most enduring product lines, the Flying Coaster!
The 5 Best Arrow Loopers
Alexander: Everyone that knows us knows we live for a good Arrow coaster – especially their loopers. We love nothing more than getting rattled around on some of Arrow’s rowdier concoctions, which brings us to this fairly-exhaustive list of our favorites (though we’re still missing some cool ones, like Fantasia Special and HotWheels Sidewinder). Continue reading “The 5 Best Arrow Loopers”
Permit Shows New Coaster Planned for Six Flags Magic Mountain
Documents have been uncovered on the LA County permitting website that show plans for a new roller coaster for Six Flags Magic Mountain! The proposed ride, an RMC Raptor/single rail coaster would re-use the former Green Lantern station and use some of the area currently occupied by Tidal Wave. Read on to take a closer look!
Continue reading “Permit Shows New Coaster Planned for Six Flags Magic Mountain”
Top 5 Six Flags-Built Coasters
Alexander: We’ve got a long road ahead of us, folks. In the ever-changing fight against CoVid19’s triple threat of illness fears, financial anxiety, and quarantine-induced boredom, we’ve decided to fight fire with Fives – Top 5s, that is. Continue reading “Top 5 Six Flags-Built Coasters”
Six Flags Fiesta Texas – Early Spring 2020 Trip Report
Alexander: Just a couple days before US amusement parks started announcing operational suspensions left and right, an idyllic day (at least, for a Six Flags park) was had by us at Fiesta Texas. Continue reading “Six Flags Fiesta Texas – Early Spring 2020 Trip Report”
Crazy Holiday Crowds at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Sean: This Holiday Season, like most, brings heavy crowds to some of our favorite SoCal parks. Six Flags Magic Mountain’s parking lot reached capacity at 4pm and the crowds inside the park confirm the craziness! Let’s take a look at some of the wild crowds, wait times and lines at Six Flags Magic Mountain on December 29th. Continue reading “Crazy Holiday Crowds at Six Flags Magic Mountain”
West Coast Racers at Six Flags Magic Mountain: Our First Thoughts!
Derek: The eagerly anticipated Premier Rides Inc. roller coaster, West Coast Racers, is having an action packed week at Six Flags Magic Mountain! After testing throughout the past month, the new CEO of Six Flags got to experience the brand new attraction on Wednesday, December 18th. Mike Spanos, along with other Six Flags execs, broke in the new ride with a team member party following on Friday night. Continue reading “West Coast Racers at Six Flags Magic Mountain: Our First Thoughts!”
BREAKING: Pass Holder Previews to be Offered on West Coast Racers!
Visit Six Flags Magic Mountain just before Christmas for an Exclusive Preview on West Coast Racers! Below find the dates and times for each of the pass and membership types!
Continue reading “BREAKING: Pass Holder Previews to be Offered on West Coast Racers!”
Holiday in the Park and West Coast Racers Testing – Six Flags Magic Mountain Park Update – December 7, 2019
Preston: This past Saturday, we had the opportunity to attend Magic Mountain’s media event for Holiday in the Park. We were able to sample some of the new foods and treats they have available during the season for their holiday food festival. And, we took a lap around the park to take in all the beautiful Holiday decorations. And as a special Christmas present, we have some photos of West Coast Racers testing! Let’s dive in and check out all the offerings this year!
Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – Holiday in the Park 2019
Derek: Holiday in the Park kicked off the season at Six Flags Magic Mountain and runs daily until January 5th. Many returning favorites are featured around the park along with some tweaks and new additions. A large Christmas tree now stands tall next to Santa’s Cottage and Coca-cola polar bear photo ops are positioned in a few locations including across from Food Etc. and next to Studio 6F.
Continue reading “Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – Holiday in the Park 2019”
Six Flags Magic Mountain / West Coast Racers Update 10/25/19
Derrion: With almost a month between our last update, I was super excited to get back to the park and get coverage for you all! The Fright Fest season will sadly be ending soon, but we have some neat tricks that will give you a treat on your next visit. Most importantly West Coast Racers is taking shape and we have an awesome update to follow. Let’s jump in!
Continue reading “Six Flags Magic Mountain / West Coast Racers Update 10/25/19”
Fright Fest 2019 Review – Six Flags Magic Mountain
Derrion: We had the pleasure of attending this years media event at Fright Fest! As always, Fright Fest does not disappoint and is sure to be a great season. Continue reading for an update on the continued success of Fright Fest and catch some of the spooky new additions to the park.
Continue reading “Fright Fest 2019 Review – Six Flags Magic Mountain”
Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – September 6, 2019
Derrion: Wow! What a hot day it was in the park today. After the major Six Flags parks announcement for 2020 I thought it would be a great time to get back to the park to give our opinion on the subject. Many of the Southern California theme parks are transitioning to the Halloween season and I could not be more excited. Here is a quick look at what you can expect from this years fright fest and new additions to the park. Continue reading “Six Flags Magic Mountain Update – September 6, 2019”
Six Flags Magic Mountain Park Update – August 11, 2019
Derrion: The summer season is coming to an end and I can not stress how great the visit to the park was this past weekend. Wait times were minimal and the coasters were running very well,for the most part. Read on to see progress on West Coast Racers and some frightfully new changes in the park.
Continue reading “Six Flags Magic Mountain Park Update – August 11, 2019”
FLASHBACK – The 5 Most Surprising Coasters We Rode in 2018
Sean: I know we’re already approaching the end of 2019, but we’re flashing back to 2018 when we traveled across the world to some memorable and not-so-memorable parks. Below we have listed some of the biggest surprises of 2018, both local and international coasters. Continue reading “FLASHBACK – The 5 Most Surprising Coasters We Rode in 2018”