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Cover Story
Enjoy Six Flags This Summer, The Ultimate "Quick Get-A-Way"!
Finding a summer destination to satisfy everyone is a common family challenge. The school age kids may reject what the younger kids enjoy, while the teenagers may grumble at the whole idea of a family getaway. But don’t let this stop you - summer wouldn’t be complete without a family adventure for everyone to look back upon, come September.
Six Flags Theme Parks can help you solve this problem, offering rides, entertainment and attractions to appeal to both the thrill-seeker and pleasure-rider of every age.
Two Six Flags Parks in close proximity make this southern California destination
a vacation success. Known world-wide for thrills, Six Flags Magic Mountain
features 15 world-class roller coasters and more than 100 rides, games and
attractions for the entire family. Just next door is Six Flags Hurricane Harbor,
home to numerous water rides and activities. The thrill lives on at Six Flags
Magic Mountain following the recent announcement that both Magic Mountain and
Hurricane Harbor Water Park in Los Angeles will remain part of the Six Flags
family; both parks will be fully open and operational for business in 2007
and beyond.
“We are excited about our future and the tremendous growth opportunities
under the Six Flags umbrella,” stated Del Holland, Park President of
Six Flags California. “We’re known world-wide as the industry leader
in thrill rides and appeal to young families. Our focus this year is on our
guests and providing a world-class experience.”
A Day at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags Magic Mountain contains enough rides, amusement and thrills to easily
fill a day or weekend. Plan ahead for optimal comfort. 
“Magic Mountain is actually built on a mountain. You’ll need comfortable shoes and appropriate attire,” shares park enthusiast Elizabeth West. “It can get warm in California, too. The lockers provided in the park allow you to stash your light sweater during the day, and pull it out when the night chill arrives.”
Each morning, one family is chosen to officially open the park with Bugs Bunny and Friends. A parade follows, complete with music and Justice League characters. Kids enjoy eating at Mooseburger Lodge, popular for Brunch with Bugs (reservations required) and for interacting with the Looney Tunes characters. Then, fill the day with thrill rides, shows, and street entertainment.
The day ends as the characters create a spectacular nighttime parade of lights, music and floats, concluding with a fireworks finale over Six Flags Plaza.
Especially for Younger Guests
The park offers special attractions to suit its younger guests. High Sierra Territory, a Nature Walk through the Redwood Forest, invites families to explore 6.3 lush acres abounding with exciting and educational family experiences.
A walk through General Sam Tree - a 140-foot walk-thru Sequoia tree - brings you to Bugs Bunny World, for little campers, featuring Bugs Bunny and all his friends, rides and attractions for younger guests.
Children looking to get
their taste of a thrill ride are invited to visit Goliath Jr., a gentler,
miniature version of Magic Mountain’s full size
coaster, Goliath.
Young families also enjoy Carrot Club Theater’s Extreme Parrots Bird Show, and Wile E. Coyote Critter Canyon, a friendly petting zoo with an array of farm animals.
Spend Less Time in Line
Once kids hit the park, the last thing they want to do is wait in long lines. Families with pre-school children should take advantage of mid-week visits to the park, particularly before school lets out.
Once school is out, the parks do become busy, particularly the more popular rides. Six Flags has provided one solution with its Flash Pass. Each pass purchased provides you with four priority boarding opportunities.
“The only way to beat the lines is to buy a Flash Pass. It’s worth it, especially when visiting the park during the busy season,” agrees park guest Vicki Wallen.
Another tip for cutting back on lines: eat lunch early. “Six Flags has a wonderful little park area outside in the parking lot, perfect for meeting up for lunch. It’s become a tradition for our family to meet for an early lunch packed in an ice-chest left in the car. We’re able to rest & relax for the second half of our day, and the kids were able to talk about the adventures. We created some nice memories, and returned to the park when lines were lowest since everyone else seemed to have lunch at high noon.” says West.
Though some lines are inevitable, use the time for snapping photos, comparing stories, or squeezing in a cool drink.
A Thrill Ride for Everyone
“I am the ultimate roller coaster junkie, and have ventured into many
theme parks over the years in expectation of the ultimate thrill!” shares
West. “We experienced X and Tatsu during the opening months. Despite
lines, on both occasions it was well worth the wait and we stood in line a
second time - and a third for Tatsu - to experience the thrill again!”
Roller coaster fan Vicki Wallen agrees: “Tatsu is amazing! We rode it three times one day and once the next day. It really does make you feel like you are flying. The drops literally take your breath away. I would recommend Tatsu to anyone who wants a real thrill!”
Scream is another coaster with a unique, floorless train design. Riders are strapped into flying chairs and ride at intense speed with their feet dangling in the air – no track above their head, no coach around their seats.
“Our children in their tween years enjoyed Scream. For me, it was a bit too loopy, and I sat out during their second ride,” recalls West.
Park guest Mike Diaz found his favorite ride in Riddler’s Revenge, a coaster where riders stand rather than sit. “There is a back support that you get strapped into, but you’re standing up on your own two feet. It goes through many sideways loops and twists and turns. The loops feel a lot different when you are standing! At several points you coast right over the lines of people waiting to get on. It was a very smooth ride though. Very fast, too.”
Other rides popular with thrill-seekers include Goliath, Magic Mountain’s monster coaster, and Dive Devil, which combines the excitement of skydiving and bungee jumping.
Welcome Batman Enthusiasts
Movie Buffs will enjoy a trip to The Movie District - The Ultimate Backlot
Experience, featuring the Batman Begins Stunt Show. In this live action stunt
show, the Caped Crusader returns to Gotham City to fight crime and corruption,
where Bruce Wayne conquers his fears and becomes the legend of Batman. The
show features amazing stunts and special effects, including an all-new Batmobile.
“This was a favorite for our youngest son, Troy. At 9, he was enthralled by the special effects and his favorite all-American hero,” shares West.
Batman fun continues at the Gotham City Backlot, which showcases Batman tm, The Ride. "That ride was pretty fast, and you go through it with your feet dangling in the air while you hang from the track - there's nothing underneath you! I’d have to say that’s the ride that did me in!”
The area features Gotham City facades; two themed rides, Atom Smasher and
Grinder Gearworks, food and Batman tm novelties.
Take a Break
from The Thrills
Those needing to catch their breath might enjoy a visit to Cyclone Bay, an authentic beachfront boardwalk featuring food areas and specialty shops.
Unscheduled entertainment also provides options for a break, as Mike Diaz found. “We ended up watching a magic show that was a great break from all the running around we were doing.”
No park visit is complete without a ride on a carousel, found on Magic Mountain’s restored 1912 Grand Carousel, brought to California from the Savin Rock Amusement Park in Connecticut.
Cool off at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
If your family just can’t stand another day in the heat, head for Six
Flags Hurricane Harbor. If you buy your park pass between May 2 and June 10
at Fry’s Food Stores, your day at Hurricane Harbor can be free with each
Magic Mountain ticket purchased!
Located next door to Six Flags Magic Mountain, Hurricane Harbor is a tropical paradise of pirate treasures, playful sea creatures, ancient ruins, scattered remains of Red Eye’s shipwrecked sea vessel and tribal artifacts.
Popular family rides include the Lost Temple Rapids, a family rafting adventure down the island’s ancient aqueduct, and The River Cruise, which takes guests on a scenic journey.
Thrill-seekers will enjoy Tornado, a six-story funnel of fun that drops riders from 75 feet in the air, banking back and forth down a tunnel before toppling into a pool below.
Older kids will have fun racing each other and other park guests on Bamboo Racer, while water slide enthusiasts will return to Black Snake Summit again and again.
Comfort and Convenience
Families who enjoy having a ‘home base’ will appreciate Hurricane Harbor’s new Cabana rentals. Cabanas provide a semi-private space for families to stop to relax, swap stories, and plan out their next plan of action. Rentals include 4 single or 2 double inner tubes. Additional charge applies; inquire ahead of time or at Buoy’s Raft Rentals when you arrive.
Don’t worry about keeping your cash dry with the park’s new Play
Money. Play Money is a waterproof, bar-coded wristband , which you program
with an amount of cash. Play Money can be purchased at Guest Relations and
Cabana Brothers gift shop. Unused balances are fully refundable.
Keep the Little Ones Cool
Little ones stay cool and busy at Castaway Cove, a large water play area designed exclusively for those under 54-inches tall. Castaway Cove features a variety of pint-sized water activities including slides, refreshing waterfalls, friendly sea creatures, hidden pirate treasures, and slides.
Children will also enjoy splashing in the secluded tide pools of Octopus Island, where the giant eight-legged creature squirts water from its ears and hat. Parents will appreciate the shaded structures with chaise lounge chairs surrounding Castaway Cove.
With two parks and lots to choose from, a weekend at Six Flags just might be your solution to an affordable and fun family trip!
© 2008 Good News Tucson™