Six Flags Magic Mountain
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Magic Mountain is Los Angeles’ top destination for roller coaster enthusiasts.
Visiting Six Flags Magic Mountain: (Jump To)
If you’re a coaster lover or adrenaline junkie, this massive theme park, located in Valencia, California, will satisfy your thrill craving. The 262-acre park boasts 19 rollercoasters as well as a host of other attractions and an attached (separate admission) water park. The park is a short 40-minute drive from Hollywood. If you aren’t a rollercoaster junkie and prefer milder attractions (and or you have young children), head to Knott’s Berry Farm Instead.
If you’ve been to a Six Flags park before, there should be no surprise here that the park is loaded with superfluous advertising, apathetic employees, and is plagued by slow operations. This seems to be consistent with all the other Six Flags we’ve visited. In other words - bring your patience. However, if you manage to hit the park on a slow day, your planning will result in a day of non-stop thrill machines ranging from a rare 1980s swinging suspended roller coaster to a 400-foot tall freefall drop.
Six Flags Magic Mountain Roller Coasters
X2 - This is without a doubt one of the most intense coaster experiences in the world. A 195-foot tall steel coaster features a vertical drop and multiple inversions. The gimmick here is that you’re sitting on the outside of the tracks, in two0car vehicles that independently flip as you’re hurled along the track. Heavy metal music blasts into the ride speakers.
Tatsu - This coaster flies on top of a large hill and you’re suspended in a flying position below the track. The coaster flips you upside down four times and features a 124-foot-tall pretzel loop that will squish your guts.
Superman - This shuttle launch coaster was the first coaster in the world to reach 100 miles per hour. It launches riders backward down a straightaway before ascending a 400-foot tower. You’ll be propelled skyward only to face a 400-foot vertical plunge. You’re in for some serious air time.
Twisted Colossus - Opened in 2014, this steel, wooden coaster hybrid coaster features one of the longest track cycles out of any coaster. This unique coaster is one of a kind and was built using the structure of the park’s 1970s racing wooden coaster, Colossus. The coaster features an incredibly steep 80-degree, 116-foot first drop (which you’ll do twice), outward banked turns, a high five turn, and two unique inversions. The ride can be timed so that trains race each other.
Lex Luthor's Drop of Doom - At 400-feet tall, this is one of the world's highest free-fall drop towers. You’ll drop like a rock from the top of the tower until a series of magnetic brakes slows your fall.
West Coast Racers - This coaster, added in 2020, is a launch coaster with two tracks that make you feel like you’re racing the adjacent train.
Riddler’s Revenge - One of the last remaining stand-up coasters in the U.S. It boasts six inversions including a 45-degree tilted loop.
Full Throttle - A unique but short launch coaster sends you rocketing through the tallest loop in North America. You’ll launch forward and backward, eventually rushing over the outside of the loop before you plunge back into the station.
Revolution - The world's first modern looping rollercoaster is located at the front of the park. Built in 1971, it’s by no means the tallest or the fastest, but it’s a great ride for thrill seekers in training.
Justice League: Battle for Metropolis - A unique dark ride made specifically for Six Flags, this interactive, shooting style (video game) ride boasts multiple 4-D special effects and impressive animatronics. Surprisingly fun, it’s in the same league as many Disney or Universal attractions.
Goliath - This monster coaster has a 255-foot first drop and a dizzying array of helixes. The G-forces are enough to cause a greyout. If you’re prone to dizziness, this one is skippable.
Apocalypse - This fun wooden coaster is in the back of the park. It twists in and out of itself. We have no idea what the hell the theming is about, but try to just go with it.
Ninja - A classic suspended coaster that hangs from the track. It’s one of the few left in the country. It’s by no means thrilling, but it’s great for a breather.
Wonder Woman Flight of Courage - The park’s newest attraction is the tallest and longest single rail coaster in the country. It’s a quick and intense fun ride.
There are a bunch of other roller coasters as well as a few water rides as well. You can check out a full list at www.sixflags.com/magicmountain.
Six Flags Magic Mountain Tips
Avoid the park during the summer. It’s crowded and hot with minimal shade. If you must go on a weekend, skip Saturday and do Sunday instead. The park operates year-round. During the off-season, it’s only open during the weekends. Always go on a Sunday. Early September during the week as well as springtime is also a great time to visit. Just be sure to avoid spring break.
The park will give you free water at any concession stand that has a fountain soda. Just ask for a cup of ice water.
There are several ways to get substantial discounts to the park. Check the website before visiting for discounted ticket prices. Oftentimes, Coca-Cola will run a promotion where you get $25 off adult admission with a used soda can. If you pay full price, well, you’ve been swindled. If you are planning on visiting more than once, buy the season pass. It pays for itself in just two visits.
Do some research beforehand and make sure you’re not going on a “Bring A Friend” for free day. (Occasionally they’ll run a special promotion where park season pass holders can bring a friend for free.) The park is always slammed on these days. If you are the friend that got in for free, be a good friend and pay for flash passes for your group.
No outside food or drinks is allowed in the park. There are metal detectors as well as a bag check. They’ll throw your food out.
If you plan on visiting more than once, the season pass is well worth it. Also, if you think you’ll be visiting more than twice, it might be wise to price out the season dining pass. We visit often so the dining pass has probably saved us hundreds of dollars in food costs. You won’t get away with buying a full lunch anywhere for less than twelve dollars.
It’s called Magic Mountain because it’s on a BIG ASS HILL. Bring your walking shoes. The park is not flat. It’s one big loop. One big up-and-down loop.
Food At Six Flags Magic Mountain
Twisted Sandwiches is decent and you get a good size sandwich for your buck.
Ace of Clubs is also a decent option for a high-protein lunch. They have steak salads, sandwiches, and other BBQ options.
Six Flags Magic Mountain Flash Pass
This can be your best friend on a busy day. There are three levels with varying degrees of instant access (skip the line) opportunities. The price depends on the day you go and the level of Flash Pass you select. The individual rides on Flash Pass change from time to time so it’s best to check the website to see what’s available.
Six Flags Magic Mountain Itinerary
Get there before park opening. Once the park opens, head straight to Superman. The ride is low capacity and the park usually is only running it at half capacity.
After Superman, head partially down the hill and hit Tatsu. Despite having three trains (and usually only two are operating), the loading procedure is slow and arduous.
If it’s a hot day, now’s a good time to do Roaring Rapids. The line in the afternoon is unshaded and it crawls.
Head down the hill and ride West Coast Racers.
Head back towards the front of the park. Ride Battle for Metropolis, Riddler’s Revenge, and Wonder Woman.
Next on your hit list should be Twisted Colossus.
In the afternoon, enjoy some of the B0level attractions including Batman, Apocalypse, Ninja, Revolution, Jet Stream, Scream, and Full Throttle. They seldom have long waits.
The sweet spot to hit X2 is generally about 3:45 in the afternoon. By then, most of the crowd has dispersed to the back of the park.
Out of the big five theme parks in So Cal (Disney, Universal, Knott’s, SeaWorld, Magic Mountain) I’m gonna go ahead and declare this one the bottom of the bunch. The tradeoff is that the coaster collection here is stellar. Go in knowing that you’re probably not going to encounter the nicest employees. You may encounter single train operations and some parts of the park have seen finer days. The newer parts of the park that have been refreshed in recent years don’t look bad but in no way rival Disney’s level of detail. The crowd is mainly teenagers and young adults. If you want to impress your lover, they sell poop emoji hats.
Alas, we find ourselves coming back here time and time again to satisfy that sweet coaster craving. I’d imagine you might too.
Next, feel free to check out our visit to Six Flags Mexico!
