Never Coming Back.

[Coolwowzer]

As an avid Disney Parks guest I decided to go to Six Flags Magic Mountain because i drive right by it every time I go to Disneyland and always look at the rides and my friend I was going with really wanted to go. I will not return after my last visit. I rode most of the coasters in the park, X2, Lex Luther and Green Lantern were 2 hour+ lines, I have never been more disgusted and frustrated at any theme thrill or regular park. Trash cans overflowing, Garbage everywhere, and what seemed like sewage coming down the mountain paths. Also my friend and I decided to ride the flume ride near ninja to cool ourselves off and the boat we were offered was clogged with junk and what looked like mold, there was even a band aid floating around, I nearly Puked. Then at the top of the ride drop we were greeted by a employee picking her nose before she waved us down the drop, I couldn't handle it at that point, I bought Hand Sanitizer and used up the entire bottle before we left. My friend joked that it was "all apart of the experience", but that was an experience i needed not to have. I also noticed that the fencing wasn't always bolted in correctly and moved when you touched it and I question their ability to put a fence around the path and not in the middle of the path. I personally do not understand the Flash Pass system so many frustrated people, including me were constantly kicked off the ride to go wait more time in line and split up from their family or groups that it didn't make sense. I could understand a train of Stand-by, then a train of Flash pass, but I dont understand the anything goes mentality. But on a positive note the park had some very good rides that made me stay despite the parks sanitary and service standards. I am happy to say I've been to Six Flags Magic Mountain, but I wont be heading back to that park anytime soon. I may head up to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom because Ive been there several times without a bad experience, but Magic Mountain was a one time deal.

[Maleficent4811]

This is so disappointing to hear! We live about 1.5 hours north of san Francisco up in the redwoods. We have a six flags pass in addition to our DL AP. We go to SFDK often but all day we say, "you know where this wouldn't happen....Disneyland." the place is dirty, the employees are beyond rude. And there are always police handcuffing someone and escorting them out of he park. Plus because it is inexpensive there are many teen groups that display less than desirable actions, clothing, lack or clothing, and attitudes.
Now I was born in vallejo and I have been going to Marine World, yes I still call it that, since it moved to vallejo from redwood city. So I am a very familiar with the park and its evolution.

But now we have decided to do the same as you, stop at SFMM on our way to DL on our trip in Sept and Dec because its free for us.
I know now to go into it with the same feelings as SFDK. Don't expect much, and don't touch anything lol.

So sorry you had an awful time with the park, glad you had a better time on the rides.

[Ryan120420]

Re: Never Coming Back.

Sounds like you had a typical Magic Mountain day. I was at the park on 7-11-12 and had a very similar experience, frustrating day to say the least.

The park is regressing back to its 2005/2006 state.

Its a shame too because from 2007-2010 the park made some great strides in guest service and cleanliness.

[TacAlert]

Re: Never Coming Back.

You know there is a problem with a park when you get there before opening and there is still trash on the ground from last night, the trash cans are still full, and when you get to a ride that just opened, there is still trash on the ground and in the surrounding landscaping.

Ryan you are 100% correct. It is starting to go backwards again. Remember when everyone was making a big deal about even the managers picking up trash and they had those sticks they used to do it? Do you see them with those anymore? NO!!! SFMM will always be about putting in rides, letting them deteriorate quickly, and then eventually close them.

Queenbee. I just went to SFDK. I think you will see that is a much cleaner and better run park than SFMM. I was actually impressed with SFDK and found that the employees, although still SF employees, were nicer than they are at SFMM.

[Broadway Guru]

Re: Never Coming Back.

I just went to SFDK. I think you will see that is a much cleaner and better run park than SFMM. I was actually impressed with SFDK and found that the employees, although still SF employees, were nicer than they are at SFMM.

Probably because SFDK is an animal park and must be kept clean for their sake.

[Maleficent4811]

Queenbee. I just went to SFDK. I think you will see that is a much cleaner and better run park than SFMM. I was actually impressed with SFDK and found that the employees, although still SF employees, were nicer than they are at SFMM.

I wish I could say I was impressed by the SFDK employees. I was just there, and will be there again 2 times in the next 2 weeks with kids in the family. I get a disabled pass when I go because I Don't find the park easy to navigate with a scooter, and it is expensive to do so each time we go. Most of the time I use the pass 1 maybe 2 times a trip because I can't ride much. But I used it to go on Medusa, took a chance here, and the employee wouldn't look at me when she talked to me kept walking and didn't help me at all. Then when she finally stopped she told me I had to climb the stairs to get to the elevator...odd so I did ... Horrible idea for my body...and when I got up there she was rude again, ignored me for some time, and didn't answer any of my questions. Apparently leaning on the wall and staring out at the park, not the ride, was more important. She refused to help me in the elevator to get down the stairs, saying I had to use the stairs again.
Finally I found someone helpful to sign my pass and let me know I was able to use the elevator and they were shocked someone told me I couldn't.
This happens regularly. They do not have a good system for disabled guests.
Heck I was just trying to find a pretzel last trip, asked 5 people including a manager and not one of them could tell me where a pretzel stand was. I gave up.
Ii stepped in gum last time, not entirely their fault but still annoying.
Ugh I could go on but ill stop my rant.
I just know to expect it as it has become the norm of our many visits so far this summer.

[Coolwowzer]

Re: Never Coming Back.

I've been going to discovery kingdom on my way to napa to visit my grandpa several times and enjoy the atmosphere, I know it's a good park to enjoy. I just hope quality improves at magic Mountian because my little brother is obsessed with going even after my expirence and I just hope that when or if he goes he'll have a good less disgusting time, because I ain't going back.

[TacAlert]

Re: Never Coming Back.

SFDK did have its share of bad employees, don't get me wrong. I just noticed a better feel of them compared to SFMM employees.

Park was much cleaner (good point by Broadway Guru) that it's an animal park also; makes sense.

The one thing that annoyed me the most, was each time I looked at my map, several employees asked me if I needed help. Nice touch, but got a little annoying after awhile. SFMM definitely doesn't ask you if you are looking at a map.

[planetsix]

Re: Never Coming Back.

Unfortunate that you all have had rough experiences at Magic Mountain (and maybe DK). Growing up and going, I kind of got used to the park, so when I go, I don't expect much anymore, but rather go for the rides. In terms of the Flash Pass, I too find it an awkward system to say the least, but I know it won't change. And while some employees are bad, there are a handful of them that I remember to this day that are nice and do their job well.

Not sure if I can recall the cleanliness of DK since the last time I went, but I believe it all comes down to each park's management team and how well they value certain aspects of park maintenance/cleanliness etc. I'd assume this is the case at DK, and I wouldn't automatically assume that it's necessarily because of the animals. The park is great but I don't like to go anymore out of the animals' sake.. I really don't feel like starting a debate here on this topic, but I don't believe it's necessary to use the animals as attractions in the park. :unsure:

[mratigan]

Re: Never Coming Back.

its just sad

[disneylandreport]

Re: Never Coming Back.

And this is why it costs so much more to go to Disneyland. It costs more to care as much as they do.

[Ryan120420]

Re: Never Coming Back.

And this is why it costs so much more to go to Disneyland. It costs more to care as much as they do.

Not really.


Busch Gardens parks, Herschend parks, and many family owed parks are right there with Disney (and Universal) when if comes to cleanliness, operations, and guest service. And all of those parks charge significantly less.


Magic Mountain just has terrible management and is run by a terrible operator.

[bigwavedave]

Re: Never Coming Back.

Say what you will about the cost but atleast DL is alwys clean

[DoomsdayFAN]

Re: Never Coming Back.

I haven't been to MM since 2001. But if it's as bad as you guys are making it out to be, then maybe for my upcoming trip I should just go to Knotts instead. What do you think?

[fifthrider]

Re: Never Coming Back.

Sounds like you had a typical Magic Mountain day.

I just about laughed coffee out my nose. I agree with Ryan though, there was a point where they were making strides and it was turning around. Then the rumors about the park being sold, service and cleanliness went downhill and now they're back to their state of hanging by a thread. It certainly feels that way when I'm there. "How much longer?" I hope someone else does buy this park out just to infuse a little more care into it.

[clara]

Re: Never Coming Back.

My last visit to Magic Mountain was in 2004 and I never returned. It was just as the OP described. And on that day I did go in 2004...my sister and I *barely* missed a park wide riot because we left 30 minutes before it. We lucked out that day. But my philosophy is..if they have to have a full out Sherrif's Station IN the park....there is probably alot of nastiness.

[GhostHostJeff]

Re: Never Coming Back.

I actually had the direct opposite visit then you had. When I went I thought the park has really shaped up since the last time I went 6 years ago. All the employees seemed generally happy to be at work and wait times were minimal. The only thing I didn't like what that most eating places didn't open til later on in the day.

[sir clinksalot]

Re: Never Coming Back.

Sorry you had a bad visit.

It's too bad you didn't visit in about 2009/2010 when the park was looking better than it has in the last 15-20 years. They were really making an effort to clean the place up, paint things, etc. Now, sadly, they've gone back to this "Xtreme Park" mentality. I guess on the bright side is every time they put in one of these new coasters they have been re-themeing the area around it. DC Universe last year, Lex Luthor this year and the Full Throttle area next year.

Also, in the parks defense, they have gotten a LOT better with security, etc. Yes they have a Sheriff sub-station, but guess what, so does Disneyland.

[TacAlert]

Re: Never Coming Back.

But my philosophy is..if they have to have a full out Sherrif's Station IN the park....there is probably alot of nastiness.

Yea...kind of like Disneyland having the Anaheim police department on site also.

[clara]

Re: Never Coming Back.

Yes I know that the Anaheim PD is on site. But how many times have you actually seen them in full force in the parks? That is kind of what I meant. This is almost a daily thing for Six Flags. Of course, I haven't been there since 2004 but I have heard as much.
Then again, the Disneyland Anaheim P.D. could just hide their physical arresst from the public by taking it out of public view as soon as it happens. I really don't know.