Six Flags Magic Mountain Theme Park Review

You may not have realized it, but if you've watched the movie National Lampoon's Vacation (remember Walley World?) or even the series The Kings of Queens, then you've seen bits and pieces of Six Flags Magic Mountain Park already. Opened in May, 1971, Six Flags purchased Magic Mountain in 1979.

Situated on 260 acres of land, Magic Mountain has been dubbed with the honor of having "more roller coasters than any place on earth". Today they have 16 roller coasters and literally over 100 rides, games and attractions.

If you are considering a family vacation to Six Flags Magic Mountain, it's a good idea to review the small "mountain" of information in order to make your trip a smooth success. This article is divided into five main categories to help you cipher through the details and make this trip a lasting memory for you and your family.

Locations and Hours

Magic Mountain is located north of Los Angeles in Valencia, California, off Magic Mountain Parkway (Interstate 5 in Valencia). Their mailing address is 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355, and they can be reached at (661) 255-4100 for general information.

Hours do vary but generally are Monday through Friday, and Sunday 10:30 am - 10:00 pm, and Saturday from 10:00 am - 10:00 pm during the month of July. Upon checking the hours in August, there was a half hour variation in Saturdays, ie., the park opens on Saturday 10:30 am instead of 10:00 am. The best thing to do is go to Magic Mountain's website, www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/info/FAQ, and check the operating hours before planning your trip.

If you want to go when attendance is the lightest your best bet are weekdays in the summer, and anytime during the winter season.

Ticket Costs and Discounts

If you were to show up at Magic Mountain and purchase your tickets at the entrance, general admission at the time of this writing is $53.99. Children's tickets (must be under 48") cost $24.99, and 2 years and under is free.

To get the best value for your money, a Season Pass is the way to go. Season passes sell for $63.99 or you can pay $99.99 which also includes Six Flags Hurricane Harbor located next to Magic Mountain.

Discounts are offered, and again, at the time of this writing, you can purchase and print your tickets on-line for the following: $26.99 for each ticket for a one day visit only before December 31, 2009 (a savings of $33), or you can enjoy the buy one, get one free ticket when purchasing on-line (again must be used before December 31, 2009). Be sure and check the operating hours before purchasing your tickets this way.

Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Additionally, you may be interested in purchasing The Flash Pass starting at $34.00. If you purchase, for example, a gold Flash Pass, you can reserve your spot in line (saving as much as 75% of your wait time), or you can reserve a turn on certain rides such as the X2 or Terminator Salvation.

If you are planning to go all out, you can also spend more and enjoy a VIP tour. Tickets are $299 per person, but include first class service from a personal tour guide, first in line access, preferred seating at shows and an opportunity to meet with Bugs Bunny. There are additional perks.

Attractions/Events/Features

Six Flags Magic Mountain is best known for their rides such as Batman the Ride, Superman the Escape, and X2, a 4^th dimension thrill ride (the world's first!). Whether you're the kind looking for a huge thrill, or you're the parents with small children who also want to have fun, then everyone in the family is covered.

Magic Mountain also features special events such as concerts (big names and brand new talent) and even a Fame National Talent Search to be held in September, 2009. From May 18 through September 7, a Looney Tunes Parade is held every weekend. There are also shows such as CSI Live, which is based on the television show. This particular show is held at the Magic Moments Theater and runs from May 23 through September 7.

There is a myriad of information for shows, parades, and concerts so be sure to go to the Events Tab on the home page of Six Flags to find out specifics.

Details on Featured Rides

Probably most people come to Magic Mountain to enjoy the rides. If you are a thrill-seeker or a roller coaster maniac, you have definitely come to the right place! You can look up specific rides on the website by mild, moderate, or maximum thrill to help you determine where you'll spend your time. Here are some examples of rides from each thrill level:

Mild

• Grand Carousel - Carousel is from 1912 and there is no height minimum with adult, or 42" to ride alone.

• Canyon Blaster - This roller coaster falls into the "mild thrill" category and can be shared with your younger kids. 33" minimum with adult, and 36" to ride alone.

Moderate

• Grinder Gearworks - Ready to twirl around high up in the air and stuck against a wall at a 45 degree angle? Then this ride is for you!

• Revolution - The Revolution roller coaster boasts a loop which is 90 feet in height and 45 feet in diameter.

Maximum

• Goliath - This one is scary with a 3 minute long journey maxing out at 85 mph and going up at least 255 feet. It also has a 120 foot underground tunnel.

• Superman the Escape - Be prepared to go from zero to 100 mph in 7 seconds and enjoy (maybe suffer!) 6.5 seconds of weightlessness. At its highest point, Superman the Escape stands 415 feet.

Food Stands/Drinking/Smoking

Food is varied at Magic Mountain. You can get anything from Johnny Rockets hamburgers, Papa John's Pizza to Cold Stone Creamery are featured. There are also many restaurants and tons of snack areas in the park. To save money, you can purchase food vouchers on-line for certain places.

There are designated smoking areas in the park; otherwise, smoking is prohibited in all other areas. Alcohol is not sold at Magic Mountain and no alcohol can be brought inside the premises. (Please note that not all Six Flags parks restrict alcohol; each park varies.)

Remember, when planning your trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain, the wisest thing to do is to go to their website, www.sixflags.com, and learn as much as possible before going. By doing your homework, you and your family are sure to save money and get the most out of your trip!

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Flags_Magic_Mountain
www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/info/FAQ.aspx