Six Flags Magic Mountain is known for extreme coasters and rides, something that started when the park first opened in 1971. Magic Mountain focuses on making rides that have extreme height drops and that have inversions which turn riders upside down. Magic Mountain has also built roller coasters that have new launch systems, flying coaster trains, and coasters that include all of the inversions. And in 2011, it received the record for having the most coasters at a theme park with 18.
Screams and the sounds of roller coasters and other rides fill the park. There are a lot of rides that test the limits of the riders, and there are several rides that test the limits on speed and weightlessness. Some of the historic rides at Magic Mountain are considered some of the best rides in the world like Goliath (a long steel coaster), Green Lantern: First Flight (the first 4D coaster), and Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom (a drop ride that is like the Tower of Doom).
The park allows for people of all confidence levels to ride. The less thrill seeking people can start with the tamer rides. More adventurous riders who start with the more extreme coasters will find the tamer ones extreme after. Guides are provided to guests, and these guides include the park's thrill rating system, which help guests to achieve their desired experience level for the rides.
If you really like launches and dramatic reversals, then Full Throttle is a must. It’s built all around speed, and features a giant loop and a sequence that will send the train backward and forward again. For those that can brave the heights, Goliath presents a steep drop and a sudden track drop designed to hide the track until the last moment. Twisted Colossus is a unique hybrid wood and steel coaster that uses the structure of the original Colossus ride. It has racing trains, a long course, and a very active layout.
X2 is a ride for hardcore enthusiasts and separates the novices from the pros. Seating is in a reclined position, and each row turns independently of each other which makes the ride very unpredictable. It can be distressing, but it is very popular and often has long wait times. Tatsu allows riders to experience the sensation of being over the landscape of California in a face down flying position. Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom is the greatest example of a vertical drop as it picks riders up and releases them to a fall from a great height.
Other notable attractions include The New Revolution, which combines a traditional coaster with virtual reality;
Scream, a floorless coaster; Batman, an inverted coaster; and The Riddler’s Revenge, a standing coaster that can be leg-aching. Viper has several inversions, but is rougher than most newer rides. Superman: Escape from Krypton is short but memorable for its backward launch up a tall tower. Apocalypse has the fast-paced rattle that is expected from wooden coasters, while Ninja takes you through a side-to-side swing at the bottom of the ride.
A water ride is a good break from the metal and wood coaster tracks, especially during hot weather. Jet Stream, Roaring Rapids, and Tidal Wave are less about the elegance of the rides and more about the fun of getting the riders wet. Roaring Rapids is the best choice for families. CraZanity, which opened in 2017, brought a large swing that reaches riders very high very quickly.
It is technically possible to experience the entire park in one day. You will need a solid plan to avoid waiting to ride the attractions to maximize the rides you can do. The best move is to pick a few top rides and do them first thing in the morning to avoid large crowds coming later in the day. You may need to plan on coming back to get the full experience.
Managing queues is an important aspect of the overall experience. While some patrons describe the venue as being less commercialized than Disneyland or Universal Studios, the venue has a loyal following, which generates extremely long wait times on busy operating days. To address some of the frustrations associated with long wait times, the venue sells Flash Passes. The amount of wait time savings increases with the tier of Flash Pass purchased. Waiting time savings, costs and ride availability change frequently, so it is a good idea for customers to check these items prior to purchasing a Flash Pass. For a one-day visit to the venue that is designed around a specific set of thrill rides, purchasing an express pass is highly recommended.
The same advise applies to purchasing admission tickets and reviewing the park hours. The venue has a history of selling advance-purchase single-day tickets, limited time online ticket specials, children’s tickets, and annual passes that offer a variety of exclusive benefits. The open attractions at the time of your visit may be different than the list of available attractions, and operating hours and days vary throughout the season, which may lead to a frustrating experience.
The best visits are typically those made earlier in the week, while weekends and school holiday periods can experience very high numbers of customers. Summer vacation is an extremely popular time to visit, but the number of visitors is likely to decrease in mid-August when the majority of U.S. schools begin their new academic year. Relatively few visitors are likely to visit the venue during the Fall and Winter seasons compared to the Spring and Summer, but the number of visitors is also likely to be influenced by the weather and any special activities that may be offered at the venue.
Los Angeles's Magic Mountain is most convenient to reach by car. It sits approximately 50 kilometers away from downtown LA and a 40-minute drive (assuming light traffic). Paid parking is available, and keep in mind that coding your car's location and section parking will be helpful for your return. If needed, public transport is available at a longer travel time;
in the past, you would have to take the Metro Red Line to North Hollywood, a regional bus to the McBean Transit Center, and connect to a local bus towards Magic Mountain. It is best to check transit schedules before traveling.
Magic Mountain should not be treated like a challenge to be completed. Some high-intensity attractions may not be able to accommodate guests with severe nearsightedness, cardiovascular and/or heart conditions, neck ailments, pregnancy, etc. There are health restrictions for rides regardless of size, with some attractions being inappropriate for younger children. Non-thrill seekers can choose from a number of gentler attractions, but the main draw for Magic Mountain remains its extreme attractions.
Good preparations will be important for your visit. Flip flops, and loose clothing that may be uncomfortable after multiple high-speed rides should be avoided. A small personal item will be necessary for many rides that restrict loose items and/or require you to store said items in a locker. It may be beneficial to have a phone on hand to communicate with other guests and to carry your valuables, as they should not be left unattended.
While there is food inside the park, it is often more convenient to eat before or after your visit. Arriving at the park after a big breakfast will help maximize the time you get to spend on rides without eating. There is an initial rush to get food after the park opens so pack some snacks and don't waste time having a long meal inside the park.
Six Flags Magic Mountain is not an immersive escape from reality like some other theme parks in Los Angeles. Instead, it is a great amusement park that focuses on the thrill of rides. If you are looking for an escape from reality, you might enjoy another theme park more, but this park is great if you want an experience with lots of roller coasters. It is best to wear comfortable shoes since you will be doing a lot of walking and screaming on the rides.
