General Information
Address: 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy
Valencia, CA 91355
Phone: 661-255-4100 or 818-367-5965
Website: www.sixflags.com/magicmountain
Hours: Open year-round. Hours are generally 10 am–10 pm, but vary daily. See website for specific hours and dates.
Entry: $64.99 adult fare, $39.99 for kids under 48” free for kids 2 and under for Magic Mountain; $37.99 adult fare, $29.99 for kids under 48”, free for kids 2 and under for Hurricane Harbor
Overview
The more viable option for those who prefer thrill rides to the G-rated fairy fare over in Anaheim. Though Six Flags, who acquired Magic Mountain in 1979, toyed with selling the park in 2006, a recent Q1 announcement showed that the Mountain would prevail. With the debut of the flying coaster Tatsu in 2006, Magic Mountain officially set the record (beating out Cedar Point in Ohio) for most roller coasters at a theme park with a whopping 17 rides; however, Cedar Point has since regained the title and, for the time being, locked it up. Meanwhile, recent additions include Terminator: Salvation and a kiddie land devoted to Thomas the Tank Engine. So maybe the mighty Mountain has to forfeit its title—for now—but it unequivocally holds the record for the highest concentration of obnoxious preteens in any given place. The motley equation of hormones, sunburn, and skewed centers of gravity combine to effect a navigational free-for-all. Be prepared to swim upstream, and if you’re bringing small children, consider leashes.
Tickets
Reduced rates are available for advance purchase through the website and via promotions throughout the season. You can also look for discounted deals at Ralphs supermarkets, as well as on specially marked cans of Coke. For those who live within 300 miles of the park, Season Passes are undoubtedly the best deal—a one-time cost of $69.99 will buy you a year’s worth of long lines and overpriced, greasy food. Individual tickets and season passes can be purchased online at www.sixflagsticketing.com.
For the Kiddies
Bugs Bunny World offers easy-going rides and games for kids 48 inches and under, while Bugs, Yosemite Sam, et al. amble around for photo ops. Goliath Jr., the choo-choo train version of the popular full-sized Goliath, offers
mini-thrills for tykes and tired-but-not-to-be-outdone parents alike.
Thrill Rides
The longstanding rival competition with Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, has upped the ante for Magic Mountain, which now houses 17 coasters and boasts 11 world records. The jewel of the park is X, a “four-dimensional” thrill ride that loops and twists riders strapped to 360-degree rotating chairs—it’s the only ride in the park worth the sometimes three-hour wait (what’s a wait, really, to those inured to Southern California freeways?). Park-goers can count on the same long lines at Déjà Vu and Tatsu, Magic Mountain’s newest “flying” rollercoaster. Goliath and Scream, both solid steel coasters, are always worth checking out if the wait at the other three becomes unbearable.
Hurricane Harbor Water Park
With the exception of a six-story blue-and-yellow funnel slide known as Tornado, Hurricane Harbor typically offers the same water slides and kiddie pools as most water parks. Expect speed slides, wave pools, and a “scenic” inner-tube river.
Insider Tips
To avoid the extremely long lines and young crowds, we suggest you visit on a weekday during the school year. The theme park is also sprawled across a mountain (hence the oh-so-creative name), so expect to give your thighs a solid workout while climbing up and down the park’s hills. Comfortable shoes are an absolute necessity, as is sneaking in your own bottled water—unless you don’t mind dropping $15 on a day’s worth of H20.
Make a Night of It
Where to stay in or near Valencia:
• Country Side Inn, 14955 Roxford St, Sylmar,
866-427-3219
• Holiday Inn Express, 27513 Wayne Mills Pl, Valencia,
661-284-2101
• Rodeway Inn, 31558 Castaic Rd, Castaic, 661-295-1100
• Hilton Garden Inn, 27710 The Old Road, Valencia,
661-254-8800
• Best Western Valencia, 27413 Wayne Mills Pl, Valencia, 661-255-0555
How to Get There
Take I-5 north to the Magic Mountain Parkway exit. 2008 brought a plan to widen the Magic Mountain Parkway and the erection of a new retaining wall, which means an ongoing detour is in place for the northbound I-5 off-ramp. But with a little magic you’ll get there just fine. Parking costs $15 per day.