West Coast Bash 2008 Announced - Six Flags Magic Mountain

[robbalvey]

Hey everyone!

Here are the official details for West Coast Bash 2008 at Six Flags Magic Mountain on Sunday, March 9th, 2008.
First off, download the event flyer below. This event is open to *ALL* websites, theme park enthusaist, and roller coaster enthusiast groups.

Yes, YOU are invited!

http://www.themeparkreview.com/store/products_pictures/WCBLogo_small.jpg
Download West Coast Bash 2008 Event Flyer (http://www.themeparkreview.com/events/westcoastbash2008flyer.pdf)

The 2008 West Coast Bash has been expanded from previous years! This year, in addition to the traditional FREE morning ERT, we are offering a FULL DAY option for only $20. (not including your park admission)

The $20 full day event includes:
- Morning ERT on Tatsu, Viper, Revolution, and possibly more! – 8:30am to 10:00am
- Night ERT on Tatsu, Goliath, Scream, Colossus, and possibly more! – 8:00pm to 10:00pm
- Two meals - Breakfast AND Lunch
- Multiple backstage tours of past, present and FUTURE Magic Mountain attractions
- Q&A Session with Six Flags Magic Mountain management
- Guest Speakers and presentations by Magic Mountain and industry representatives
- Advance screening of TPR’s “Coaster Expedition Volume 10” DVD
- Event T-Shirt
- LOTS of surprises and goodies that you don’t want to miss out on!

That’s a total of three and a half hours of ERT on at least seven different coasters!

You may register for the event two ways:
1. Online via TPR:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/store/index.php?categoryID=6

2. Download the flyer and send in the registration form.
If you have any questions, please first download the flyer as your question may be answered in our Q&A section.

See you at the event!

--Robb Alvey & Chris Godsey
www.themeparkreview.com (http://www.themeparkreview.com) & www.rideworld.com (http://www.rideworld.com)

ps. Get an idea of what West Coast Bash is like! Check out our recent SFMM update including ERT, X2 & Thomas Town backstage tours, Q&A session and more:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/sfmmdvdparty/sfmmdvdparty1.htm

[thatdancingbear]

Yes, YOU infinitethrill are invited!

Cool, but I probably wont make it out until later, I get home from Solace at 2am...

[robbalvey]

^ Well, actually you have been banned from TPR so you wouldn't be allowed into the event. Everyone ELSE on RCPro is more than invited! There will be plenty of backstage tours, ERT, and lots of photo ops for you all to take advantage of!

--Robb

[Jake]

^ I believe he could sign up with rideworld and still go.

What's up with this thread being posted multiple times?

[robbalvey]

^ Actually, no he couldn't. We share the same ban list for the event.

[JD71]

Well, I guess its not
open to *ALL* websites, theme park enthusaist, and roller coaster enthusiast groups. then, is it? ;)



Well I may be able to make it, since I missed the DVD party.

Put me down as a maybe.

[robbalvey]

If you have been banned from TPR, then you would not be able to attend the event, sorry, but we do have to protect ourselves from anyone who could potentially cause any problems.

--Robb

[Cody]

I'm 100% sure that I'm going.
I just need to see who will go with me.

[Dan]

I have a performance this day as well, or else I would go.

[Jake]

I was checking out the form..


Q: I'm not a member of or RideWorld Theme Park Review - Can I still attend the event?

A: Yes.

So.. what you are saying, and what this form says don't add up.

[robbalvey]

^ I will make it VERY clear.

You're banned from TPR. You can't go. Leave it at that.

Seriously to everyone else who is NOT banned from Theme Park Review, I think you'll have an AMAZING time at this event. Just ask anyone who was at the DVD Release Party last weekend.

As an example, we got the opprotunity to tour backstage areas like X2:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/sfmmdvdparty/dvdparty93.jpg

A behind the scenes tour of the new Thomas Town area:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/sfmmdvdparty/dvdparty02_chris.jpg

Where they revealed to us some brand new information:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/sfmmdvdparty/percy.jpg

A final look at Flashback (where everyone who attended got to take home a piece of the ride!)
http://www.themeparkreview.com/sfmmdvdparty/dvdparty_ryan01.jpg

ERT on both Tatsu & Viper:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/sfmmdvdparty/dvdparty14.jpg

And a presentation by SFMM's Park President Jay Thomas:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/sfmmdvdparty/dvdparty135.jpg

Where he talked about changes to come:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/sfmmdvdparty/psyclone_05.jpg
Old rides may be removed....

While other rides will see refurbishment:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/sfmmdvdparty/dvdparty74.jpg

And overall, they really showed us an AMAZING event:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/sfmmdvdparty/dvdparty01.jpg

And they have promised that West Coast Bash 2008 will be even BETTER!

So if you're a fan of the park at all, regardless if you like or dislike me, TPR, Rideworld, etc, I think attending this event could be the best time you'll ever have a Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Come to the event and see for yourself!

--Robb

[Jeff]

Thanks for sharing this Rob. I would go but then I would need twice as much money as I am going to spend on Solace. Plus, it's the next morning after Solace so I won't get any good sleep. I hope everyone has a great time at this event though! Maybe next year I'll attend this. :)

[thatdancingbear]

^ Cody is in the Tatsu pic! :D

[robbalvey]

^^ Remember that if you pre-register, you can show up late if you want to sleep in. Your event packet will be at will call. As long as you don't mind missing ERT in the morning, you can still get a good value for your $20 event fee if you show up by noon as you'll still get lunch, backstage tours, guest speakers, an event t-shirt, 2 hours of night ERT, and we are told there WILL be more surprises.

--Robb

[Cody]

^ Cody is in the Tatsu pic! :D

Yes I had front seat Tatsu ERT. Riddler's after that was like ERT because I went on it 4 times and nobody showed up.

[disneylhand]

Could we invite friends.

-disneylhand

[thatdancingbear]

Yep, anyone can go, even GP if they know about it.

[robbalvey]

^^ Yes, it is open to anyone provided your guest is not on any ban list from TPR or Rideworld and your guest must also fill out the registration form.

[robbalvey]

** Note - for those of you attending the full day West Coast Bash event, please register by Friday, February 21st to guarantee your shirt will be available.

Download the flyer here:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/events/westcoastbash2008flyer.pdf

To register either fill out the form on the flyer and send it in, or register online via the TPR Store:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/order.htm

Remember that you DO NOT HAVE TO PAY UNTIL THE DAY OF THE EVENT, but it will be helpful to know in advance if you plan to attend.

Simply click the "pay by check" option at the TPR store and bring the check or cash with you the day of the event.

See you all at West Coast Bash! Sunday, March 9th, 2008!

--Robb Alvey
www.themeparkreview.com (http://www.themeparkreview.com)

[SFMMDoRk]

im really gonna try to go, im not sure if i will be able to make it or not, but im gonna try, lol.

[Jumpman23]

This sucks I am visiting SFMM on saturday and fly back to Portland on Sunday in the afternoon, what timing.

[robbalvey]

Just a reminder,

If you are planning on attending the full-day West Coast Bash, please try to get your registration to us by this Friday so we can get a headcount and have your T-Shirt ordered!

Download the flyer here:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/events/westcoastbash2008flyer.pdf (http://www.themeparkreview.com/events/westcoastbash2008flyer.pdf)

To register either fill out the form on the flyer and send it in, or register online via the TPR Store:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/order.htm (http://www.themeparkreview.com/order.htm)

Remember that you DO NOT HAVE TO PAY UNTIL THE DAY OF THE EVENT, we just need your registration information.

See you all at West Coast Bash! Sunday, March 9th, 2008!

--Robb Alvey
www.themeparkreview.com (http://www.themeparkreview.com/)

[Dan]

Wish I could go, but I'm busy almost all day.

[Arez]

I'm 100% sure that I'm going.
I just need to see who will go with me.

I'm going..I'd be glad to meet up if you'd like.

I already placed my order, so I'm all set I guess.


-Alex

[thatdancingbear]

I remember last year at Solace, you and I were going to go in the morning, but you were too tired after all the Ghostrider: No Lights No Trims ERT.

Bring back lots of pictures everyone!

[JD71]

Well I finally got my pass renewed today. I shall be there!

[Cody]

Now I'm not alone. I'm going to make another VTR out of this.

[robbalvey]

Hey everyone!

If you are planning to attend the full day event of
West Coast Bash at Six Flags Magic Mountain on
Sunday, March 9th, please submit your registration ASAP!
We are putting in the T-Shirt order tomorrow, so we need
your size! For more information on how to register download
the flyer here: http://www.themeparkreview.com/events/events.htm (http://www.themeparkreview.com/events/events.htm)

Or simply register at the TPR store:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/store/index.php?categoryID=6 (http://www.themeparkreview.com/store/index.php?categoryID=6)

You will not want to miss this event! We are told by park
management there will be plenty of "surprises" in store for you all!

**NOTE - If you have already registered for the event, but have not
purchased your park admission yet (not needed if you have a season
pass to Six Flags) you may either purchase the $18.50 discounted
admission the day of the event OR you can phone ahead and have
your ticket waiting for you at the park. The number to call is
661-255-4500. Ask for the "West Coast Bash" ticket. We do
recommend phoning ahead so it's one less thing to worry about
the day of the event.

See you all on March 9th!

--Robb Alvey
www.themeparkreview.com (http://www.themeparkreview.com/)

[robbalvey]

Here is the West Coast Bash Update email I sent today -
Hey everyone!

With just one week away until West Coast Bash I have an update for you regarding the event schedule and more details. Please read this entire email and drop us a line if you have any questions.

If you have not pre-paid for West Coast Bash yet, you can either make payment the day of the event or you can send your payment now ($20 per person) via www.paypal.com (http://www.paypal.com) to account name store@themeparkreview.com

First off, Magic Mountain is preparing quite a few surprises for us. One of them which everyone will find out about during the Q&A session at Magic Moments theater, is something that I'm not sure I've ever seen at any other theme park or roller coaster enthusiast event! You will find out next Sunday! ;)

As for the schedule -

7:30 - 9:00am - Event Registration. **NOTE - If you plan on showing up after 9:00am you NEED to have pre-paid your event registration. If you have not paid in advance, your registration packet cannot be left at will call for you.

8:20 - Announcement & Gates Open. Magic Mountain will make a short announcement to the group and gates will open at 8:25 so you can be at a ride by the 8:30 ERT start time.

8:30 - 10:00am - ERT on Tatsu, Revolution, Viper, and possibly more! (We know, but we aren't telling!) ;)

12:00 - Lunch in the picnic pavilions - Originally we had thought we would need two lunch groups, but instead of breaking up the lunch into two groups, we will break up the backstage tours into 4 groups. If you have registered more than one person, you will automatically be grouped together, but if there are other people you want to be grouped with, please let us know ASAP as everyone will be given different colored wristbands for their group. We will try our best to accommodate everyone.

1:00 - 3:30 - Guided Backstage Tours

4:00 - 7:00 - Presentations in the Magic Moments Theater with a special announcement about night time ERT! You won't want to miss this!

8:30 - 10:30 - Night Time ERT. (**Note - While ERT starts at 8:30, you are welcome to get in line by 8:00, but there may still be members of the public in line until they can clear out the ride.)

A final schedule with more details will be given to you the day of the event.

MOST IMPORTANT!
** Don't forget that daylight savings time starts this day! Please remember to adjust your clocks!

** If you have not pre-paid for the event yet, you *NEED* to arrive before 9:00am. Your registration packet cannot be left at will call if you have not pre-paid for the event. Please make payment the day of the event or you can send us your payment now ($20 per person) via www.paypal.com (http://www.paypal.com) to account name store@themeparkreview.com

If you have any questions about West Coast Bash, please post them here!
See you on the 9th!

--Robb Alvey
www.themeparkreview.com (http://www.themeparkreview.com)

ps. Did I remind you to adjust your clocks that day? =)

[coastermatt]

You made a mistake by making it right after Solace, that really hurt your attendance, but other than that, it looks really fun! Think about the weekend after or something...

[Arez]

^The point is to make it a coaster event weekend..

I actually think more people will attend the West Coast Bash, it looks like the better event by far. I'll be there for sure, cant wait!

-Alex

[robbalvey]

^^ What are you talking about? The whole point was to have it the day after solace so that all those people who are coming from out of state for Solace will have another day of coaster event to go to before they leave.

A good 1/3 of the people attending West Coast Bash are from outside of California.

We have nearly 350 people signed up. I hardly think that's "hurt attendance."

Trust me, we've been doing events for a long time now, we know what we're doing! ;)

--Robb

[Cody]

I've been wondering why they put WCB and solace so close together. It's a pain in the butt to go to both when you live in the Ventura area.

[Jake]

^ What are you talking about? The whole point was to have it the day after solace so that all those people who are coming from out of state for Solace will have another day of coaster event to go to before they leave.

A good 1/3 of the people attending West Coast Bash are from outside of California.

We have nearly 350 people signed up. I hardly think that's "hurt attendance."

Trust me, we've been doing events for a long time now, we know what we're doing! ;)

--Robb

Do you (ThemeParkReview) choose the date for the event? Or is it a group thing with TPR, RideWorld and Magic Mountain?

I can't wait to see pictures and the like from the event, especially the backstage tour if pictures are permitted.

[robbalvey]

^ It really depends on the circumstances for events. West Coast Bash started because there was Solace on Saturday. So with all those people who were flying in from out of town and were probably going to visit SFMM *anyway* on that Sunday, why not turn it into an event?

Other events and trips we do, usually it's TPR that picks the date, and sometimes the park suggests better dates since they will know their group scheduled better than we will.

There have been quite a few times where we will pitch a park on an event and they will say "Can you do it a day or a week earlier because we have 5,000 people coming in that day for a special group?"

And if they can accommodate us better or give us more ERT on another date, obviously we'll try to change.

Hope that helps!

--Robb

[robbalvey]

While I am not going to give away any details, I am told that there will be five, that's right *FIVE* behind the scenes tours for everyone doing the full day of West Coast Bash.

See you on Sunday! =)

--Robb

ps. Do not forget to CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS on Sunday!

[robbalvey]

Also, I do want to squash a couple of rumors.

While there will be an "ERT Suprise" announced at the Q&A session, that surprise is *NOT* X2 or Goliath Jr. Trust me, it will be a lot of fun!

I'm really hoping that won't dissapoint anyone considering everything that the park is doing for the event.

But X2 is not ready for public riders, and adults cannot ride Goliath Jr per the manufactuerer's spec.

--Robb

[robbalvey]

I have just sent everyone that has registered a final update email for the event.

If you did not receive the email, please let me know!

NOTE - if there are more than one person in your group, the email is only sent to the person who registered.

--Robb

ps. There is one of the surprises posted in the schedule - see if anyone picks up on it! ;)

[Tom]

I really wish I could make it! But being in Kansas makes that impossible, if it were a week later I would be there. Sounds like you are pulling it off again Robb, I can't wait to hear about the event Sunday night/Monday.

[coastermatt]

I've been wondering why they put WCB and solace so close together. It's a pain in the butt to go to both when you live in the Ventura area.
That is what I meant. Why put it right after Solace? It's the reason I couldn't go, riding Ghostrider until 12 at night then going to SFMM isn't easy for people.

[Jake]

As Robb already said, it makes it much much easier for those who fly in for the weekend to hit up both events. So while it may not make sense for a couple of kids who can't handle it, or drive potentially. It makes perfect sense for those enthusiasts who are coming from long distances and want to do both events in a short period of time.

In short, the way it is scheduled makes perfect sense to me, and if I had the ability I would definitely try to do both events.

[coastermatt]

I probally would have, but my parents would never let me anyway, even if I did decide to do it.

[thatdancingbear]

I got up at 4:30 am, stayed at Knotts until 12:00 pm, got home at 2:00 am, and left for SFMM at 6:00 am, and stayed till 4:00 pm.

The hours are abit extreme, but I guess thats all apart of the fun!

[JD71]

Well, I just got home from the event. Very fun day. The surprise night ERT was Batman, Canyon Blaster, Colossus, Gold Rusher, Goliath, Ninja, Revolution, Riddler, Scream, Sky Tower, Superman, Tatsu, and Viper. :p

[p0tat0]

WOW thats some great ERT!

[robbalvey]

Hey everyone!

We just got back home from West Coast Bash 2008.

Once again just want to send a big THANK YOU out to everyone that showed up today. We had about 320 people in attendance which marks the biggest event we have put on and the biggest West Coast Bash to date!

And another big THANK YOU goes out to Six Flags Magic Mountain and the amazing staff at the park. I said it during the presentations today, but I just want to go on record to say that while Elissa and I travel the world and visit about 200 different parks a year, we have never seen a park make such a dramatic improvement as Six Flags Magic Mountain in just 7 months...EVER!

To give you a little re-cap of the day, we started out with morning ERT on Tatsu, Viper, Revolution and Superman: The Escape.

At noon we were treated to a very nice chicken and beef lunch. (Rhonda the spread was great!)

Then we were off to various backstage tours that included:

- X2 where we checked out the new trains in the station, and then walked between the station and transfer area to watch it cycle a few time.

- Psyclone bone yard to see some old relics of Magic Mountain's and other Six Flags' parks past including an XLR-8 train from Astroworld, Shock Wave train from Great America, Flashback, Freefall and many others from SFMM.

- Then we were taken to the base of the Sky Tower Museum where we were told about what was up in the tower, but unfortunately due to wind, they were not able to run the elevators.

- A tour at the new Thomas Town construction area ended the backstage portion of the day and we made our way to Magic Moments Theater.

At the theater we had several presentations from Magic Mountain Management about so many changes going on at the park. The Q&A Session with Jay, Tim, and Neal I think put many people at ease about some concerns they had with the park and spoke very strongly about the changes and improvements that are in the parks future.

Then Guest Speaker Kevin Rohwer from S&S Worldwide, Inc took the stage and told us all about the new Indiana Beach coaster, gave us the inside scoop on the new "fastest coaster in the world" being built in Germany, and rounded off the presentation with some new product from S&S.

Then came the big ERT announcement.....

*ALL* COASTERS AT MAGIC MOUNTAIN WOULD BE OPEN FOR ERT!!!

That's right, everything that was operational (which was 12 coasters including Canyon Blaster!) were open for our group.

This meant you could go anywhere in the park, and literally ride as much as you wanted to without waiting for ANYTHING. I do think this may go down in coaster event history as the event with the most coasters open at any one time during ERT.

Can anyone think of another event where 12 coasters were open at once?

But it didn't stop there....

We also got.... *ROCKIN' SCREAM!*

That's right! The speakers were back, and I gotta say that, while the placement of the speakers this time around wasn't quite as thumping as a couple of weeks ago, this is a HUGE improvement to that area!

But wait... there is even more!

Just before the presentations in the Magic Moments Theater was over we got some of the best news of the night....the winds had died down (Joey stopped farting) and SKY TOWER WOULD BE OPEN!!!

I think for me, and for many others, oddly enough the highlight of the night wasn't actually a roller coaster!

It was the brand new Sky Tower Museum "Magic of the Mountain." The displays of memorabilia and the work that was put into this display just simply cannot be put into words.

It by far exceeded my expectations. And I actually that going up there at night for the first time with the backdrop of a fully illuminated park made the whole experience, well..."magical."

This was truly a night to remember. Around every corner I would point the camera and ask "How many coasters are open?" and the response was always in amazement "ALL OF THEM!"

Well, this was supposed to be my 'mini-report' and has turned into nearly the full blown thing! I will have a complete photo report later in the week, but for now, here is the group photo from today (the sun wasn't acting the best).

THANK YOU AGAIN to everyone!

--Robb

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/files/wcb_group_photo_lo_923.jpg

[Tom]

Wow, that just sounds amazing! I can't wait for the trip reports. It seems like they are turning SFMM into the park we all thought/knew it could be.

[Youhow2]

Yeah^... but when do we get more flats?:tongue_smilie:


Sounds great...highly dissappointed I couldnt be there

[robbalvey]

Yeah^... but when do we get more flats?:tongue_smilie:
Jay Thomas in the Q&A session said he has a "5 year plan that addresses that."

He couldn't elaborate any more.

--Robb

[Jake]

Wow, the event sounds absolutely fantastic!

I'm looking forward to the pictures :).

[JD71]

I'll get my PTR up probably tomorrow, I'd like to do my Solace one first, which 'll probably be done tonight. Thing is, I took around 400+ pics from each day. :p So just be patient. :)

[vedved82491]

Sounds like an amazing event. Wish I could have gone. Hopefully in the future. As for future flats...before anybody jumps to conclusion, I just wanted to say this RUMOR...mere speculation came from screamscape. It stated that Six Flags does not plan on reopening SFNO and that they would be removing more rides...including their S&S drop tower. Of course it go anywhere...or nowhere...but we did just lose a tower ride and it's always a possibility...but I don't want to get too into that now. It could be anything...

[coastermatt]

A S&S drop tower at SFMM...

Hmmm...

[arrowfanman]

Hey everybody!

This event was amazing! Yesterday was the best treatment of coaster enthusiasts that I have ever seen by a park, personally! It was really fun for me to experience the event from both sides of the coin. I hope all of the attendees enjoyed the backstage tours! Go team yellow!

:lol:

-Jahan

[Jake]

^ Nice to see you post here again!

^^, ^^^ I think that should be discussed in the SFMM future thread as that information does not pertain to the event itself.