SFMM In February: Need some help...

[Xtreme Descent]

I have never visited Six Flags Magic Mountain before, and plan on making my first visit sometime next month with a few friends. I was wondering how the crowds are on Saturdays during February, and if I should get Flashpasses or not. Also, what rides to hit first, and if you guys have any tips or other advice for me. Thank you in advance for any help. :)

[Dan]

1) The lines shouldn't be bad at all, so flash passes won't be necessary.

2[a]) The Tatsu direction: Enter the park, and go towards Tatsu (to get to the entrance you'll need to turn left, go past the carousel, and continue up the hill until you reach its plaza). Hit Tatsu, and then proceed up the stairs next to the entrance of the ride, and hit everything on the hill (Ninja, Superman, Sky Tower if it's open). Then proceed down the hill and go to Deja Vu (at the bottom and to the left). Then, just follow the park's circular design and hit Goldrusher, Riddler's Revenge, Batman, Scream!, Colossus, and Goliath. Then, you should have time at the end to hit the smaller rides as well as Revolution.

2[b]) If Tatsu isn't a big deal for you, turn right after entering the park. Go in the opposite direction compared to the previous route, hitting Goliath, Scream!, Colossus, Batman, Riddler's, Goldrusher, and Deja Vu. Then, go up the hill and hit those rides, and then hit Tatsu...go down the hill to Revolution, and hit anything else you may want.

I personally prefer method B, as Tatsu isn't worth going in that direction, in my opinion. Good luck with your trip!

[Xtreme Descent]

Thanks a lot for your help! I really appreciate it. I'll take your advice and hope to have a great first visit. Thanks again! :)

[rollercoasterfreak91]

No offense Dan, but I'd like to say that Tatsu is the best coaster at SFMM, IMO. What I did about a month ago to get no lines was to
1. Show up one hour early and be first in line.
2. When the gates open, run (literally) to Tatsu. If you need to walk, use the shortcut of going through Revolution's exit.
3. Ride Tatsu, then run up the hill and hit Superman, run down the hill and hit Riddler, then ride Batman, and then Scream. Since X is down, that's one long line ride you don't have to worry about. That's almost the same as Dan's plan, but I just wanted to say that Tatsu is worth the run.

[Dan]

No offense Dan, but I'd like to say that Tatsu is the best coaster at SFMM, IMO. What I did about a month ago to get no lines was to
1. Show up one hour early and be first in line.
2. When the gates open, run (literally) to Tatsu. If you need to walk, use the shortcut of going through Revolution's exit.
3. Ride Tatsu, then run up the hill and hit Superman, run down the hill and hit Riddler, then ride Batman, and then Scream. Since X is down, that's one long line ride you don't have to worry about. That's almost the same as Dan's plan, but I just wanted to say that Tatsu is worth the run.

1) As I said, on a Saturday in February the park will be pretty empty, so that's a waste of 45 minutes.

2) I visited the park last Sunday (slightly less crowded than last Saturday), and Tatsu was a walk on in the afternoon.

As for your Tatsu claim, I don't take offense. As you said, it is your opinion. However, having been to the park many, many times, and seeing many types of crowd fluctuations, I usually stretch taking the other route, because lines usually work out the best that way. You are from Northern California, so I expect you've been to the park once or a few times. However, as you say you had no lines, I can't argue with that. The Goliath route usually works out in a more logical fashion, given the number of coasters, which ones occur where on that route, and the location of food, Orient Express, etc. Tatsu isn't worth the run, it's worth the leisurely stroll. Given that, as I said, lines will most likely be minimal, the route itself through the park and its terrain is more important than the rides met on it.

[rollercoasterfreak91]

^I actually enjoy running into the park and being on the first train. It's fun for me. And On the day that I went, Tatsu was packed from noon to about 5. Night rides on it are awesome too.

[Dan]

Ah, but were you there during Winter Break?

[rollercoasterfreak91]

With school, that and summer are about the only times I can go, esp. since I live in Norcal. I was surprised it was so crowded on the day after Christmas. (By so crowded I mean long lines on Tatsu and B:TR. Everything else was half an hour or less.

[cornman]

The day after christmas is going to be more crowded than february.

[Dan]

With school, that and summer are about the only times I can go, esp. since I live in Norcal. I was surprised it was so crowded on the day after Christmas. (By so crowded I mean long lines on Tatsu and B:TR. Everything else was half an hour or less.A half hour is three times as long as the longest line I saw Sunday (slow ops on Ninja), so he Xtreme Decent has nothing to worry about.

[Xtreme Descent]

Thanks for your advice guys. The date is set for February 9th, and I'm really excited! I think I'll take Dan's route "A", mainly because my friends and I really want to ride Tatsu. :p Once again, thanks for all your advice, and I hope to have a great visit. :D

[Sam]

I honestly have never seen inefficient ride ops at Batman, Ninja, Goliath, and Viper. The best crew (IMO) is at Goliath. With any luck, you'll get lots of re-rides on those. And you'll love it there! :D Too bad you won't get to ride X.

[Xtreme Descent]

^Yeah, I really did wish X was open. I could go after X2 opens but I really want to miss the crowds. :p Thanks for your input, too. :)

As of right now, it looks like I won't be able to make it this Saturday because my friend's parents said that since the park closes at 8 we won't be able to ride anything. Now I strongly disagree since I've been to Knott's tons of times on Sundays and have ridden everything I wanted to ride multiple times. They suggested we go during spring break, and I said no because of the crowds. I noticed the park closes at 10 on Saturdays in March, does anyone know how crowded those days are? Specifically March 1st or the 8th? Once again, thank you all for your help.

[Dan]

Wait...10am-8pm? You'll be able to get on everything.

[Xtreme Descent]

I know, I told his parents that, but they don't think we will.

EDIT: We'll be arriving around 12:30-1 but I think we'll still definetly have time to ride everything.

[EmperorNorton]

Depends on the lines. I went their last month and the only big line was Tatsu and Batman. Batman's goes quick so I didn't mind, but I rode everything, even Tatsu twice when I got their at 12:00 PM and left at 7:00 PM.

[Xtreme Descent]

Yeah, I know we'll be able to ride everything. Why does the GP think that parks are ALWAYS crowded? Is it because they only go to theme parks during the breaks, and summers? Thanks for the info too. I'd just like to know what the crowds are like during March, just incase we can't make it on Saturday.

[Dan]

Yeah, I know we'll be able to ride everything. Why does the GP think that parks are ALWAYS crowded? Is it because they only go to theme parks during the breaks, and summers? Thanks for the info too. I'd just like to know what the crowds are like during March, just incase we can't make it on Saturday.Yep, that's the reason. Just let them read this forum and show them. Show 'em some trip reports with pictures of the park because there aren't many people walking around.

In March the lines will be longer, but still not bad at all. My guess is you'll be able to get on just as many rides then as you would this Saturday.

[Xtreme Descent]

Alright, thank you so much Dan! You've been really helpful, I'll show them some PTRs and some of the posts on this thread and HOPEFULLY we'll still be able to go. If not, I guess we'll be going in March.