Haven’t been to MM in years. Used to go like once a month back in college. Baseball team had a team trip and one of my good buddies threw up so bad after Spin Out. He drank a frozen lemonade that a stand next to it sold right before we got on.
Six Flags MM isn't the same anymore, I'm 41 years old and I got to experience Six Flags back in the 90s and it was the place to be back then, it was just simple but very fun and at night time we would ride the monorail just to relax our feet, I have worked at six flags before and did two fright fest and when I use to walk in those grounds now days it just doesn't feel like Six Flags anymore with all these changes.
Wow that park has changed a lot!! We use to go out there and watch the water-skiers and the fireworks at the lake. Rode Shockwave, the bobsleds and later cyclone. Remember the mini town where they use to blow glass, make candles and all the old time ironworks back there. Great work on showing us all that cool stuff!!
@@notedrockhistorian4382yep! Spilliken Corners. If I remember it was were The Underground is and the lake, which is now Hurricane Harbor was called Mystic Lake! I never saw the water skier show but I do remember that is where the fireworks were. Also, there used to be an aquarium where the Dive Devil is. In fact that area and what is adjacent to it used to be water. I guess there used to be boats. I never rode on the boats and hardly remember them but I do remember the water. There were several food stands there. But then again eating while at Magic Mountain isn’t what I remember much. I don’t think I ever ate in the park except for maybe caramel apples or ice cream or something like that. We were always too excited to eat. But we would go to In n Out burgers afterwards
Like many people here I lived all around socal, including Santa Clarita, which used to be canyon country, saugus, Valencia. From '79-83 I worked at magic mountain.. Spillikin corners, at the leather shop, Rock shop, Grandma's Kitchen, Laura Scudders cupboard... Many fond memories! The sounds and smells, how quiet it was after closing and walking from S. Corners all the way back to wardrobe, and payroll to drop off the days receipts. Different place at night. Raccoon, skunk, coyote, owls and a ton Of wild cats... which fed the coyotes and owls. Meeting Girls from outa town at the dance pavilion, cheesy live dance music. Bringing dates to see concerts and after, driving out to the bridge, which was later named after the Lost Boys movie... Did most of my growing up in this area of socal, even meeting my wife, raising 3 daughters out there. Good, bad, I would do it all...ALL again! Great video series!!!
I'm from the age of the Swiss Twist, The Galaxy, Octopus, Mountain Express, Log Jammer, The Enterprise, El Bumpo Bumper Boats, The Dragon Ride, Z-Force, Trains to Spillikin Corners, Monorail and Sky Buckets!
Thanks for the memories, or lack of I should say. I worked there May of ‘75 through October ,my last days of high school driving up there from Sylmar after school and weekends. I worked the carnival game booths run by Golden West Amusments, so I wasn’t a bonafide Magic Mountain employee, but my badge got me in for free whenever I wanted. There is nothing left there that I remember except for the Observation Tower. I can’t get over how much rot Six Flags leaves behind when they discontinue a ride or building, it really screams a low budget operation. Makes you wonder how much attention they pay to other things, like maybe ride or food safety. It is still fun to see the old place.
I currently work here, and glad you found the remaining dragon track. Also, those tables where Willouby's is, they do someone get used by employees on their breaks, and that old restaurant building gets used as a breakroom.
There was another eating place next to the log jammer called Valencia Terrace. I worked there in 1981, and I still remember the cost for a burger, fries and drink was $5.00 which was a lot of money back then since I made only $3.35/hour.
I went there in mid 80s with my breakdancing crew haha. We all wore matching sweatsuits that a skateboard shop got us bcuz we had there logo on in the back of hoodie. Good times!!
Thanks for doing these three part videos. Brings back soooo many memories of being a kid, happy. I'm glad to see I wasn't crazy in thinking that Magic Mtn. had a mono-rail. Nobody else in my family remembered. haha Also I agree with you about how cool some of those old rides were. Gold Rush seemed retro, even back in the 80's, but in a great way. Colossus always felt fun and epic. Log Jammer was really relaxing and you got to cool off in the summer from the cool splashes of water. Ninja felt "high Tech" when it first opened. There was another all wooded coaster that I still miss. I felt it was as good as Colossus. I forget the name but I remember the line/waiting area was indoors kind of with a speaker system playing commercials to get you pumped for the ride. The wood was "wood colored" when it first opened, then they painted it red or blue and rebranded it to go with whatever movie they were promoting at the time. Then shortly after, they torn it down. But my all time favorite ride was always...Revolution. And we always ended all our visits by getting a stomach ache from the funnel cakes hahah. Eventually, I stopped torturing myself and matured lol Take care. EDIT: after reading some of the comments here, i think the wooden coaster I was thinking of was called Cyclone.
I haven't been to Magic Mountain since 2000, and it's changed quite a bit since then as would be expected. I made sure to ride Colossus and Goliath that day. I think I got on Revolution, too. The truth is, I think I aged out of the place. It's a roller coaster centered park and my inner ear balance isn't what it was twenty years ago. I went to Knott's recently and one ride on Ghost Rider was enough to make me dizzy for the day. It's still a nostalgic trip with you, an insider, showing where the monorail stations were and abandoned tracks for Ninja. I think I went maybe one time in the '80s, in junior high, then most of the time I went was in the '90s, so I remember Ninja, Viper, and Superman.
I worked there in the early 80s. All those abandoned things that you discovered were operational. About the only thing that I recognize now is the Ob tower and Revolution. The way you see MM now is the same way I saw MM back when you worked there. It's looks like it's constantly evolving, not necessarily for the better. Great job on the research. By the way, Eagle's Flight was perfect for rounding the bases. ❤🔥👄💨💥🤟
WAs that weird silver tower thing there that was near the sky tower when you worked there? It would light up at night. Trying to figure out what it was. Part of the magic pagoda?
Thanks for this video! It brought back great memories from when I went in the 80s and 90s. I loved that Security Pacific Bank! We used to go in there to get money to enjoy in the park! We enjoyed the picnic area one time when we attended a company picnic there and enjoyed great tasting hamburgers and hot dogs. Is the building that housed Texas Instruments Computers still there? It was an interactive computer exhibit we used to visit in the early 80s. Were there any reminders of the old Spilikin Corners area? We used to love visiting all the crafters there! We used to enjoy great pizza at the Laughing Dragon Pizza Company restaurant. They always had great food! At the theater stage area that you showed, we used to see hypnotists perform there. It was fun to volunteer and get hypnotized to do all sorts of crazy funny things. I miss those good old days of Magic Mountain! Thanks again for helping me to remember those good old days!
Between Disneyland, knott's and Magic Mountain (it will never be "six flags" to me), i think MM had the biggest influence on me in my much younger years (1970s) of all those amusement parks. I have a distinct interest in the evolution and modifications of amusement parks and your video hit the target. Great sleuthing!
I remember the bank when people actually used it. I used to have a troll stuffed animal back in the 70's. I forgot about Z-force. Oh ya, Title wave, that was fun! Yes, the Sand blaster, that is what it was last time I went. Oh man, we use to love Spin Out!! When I went here in 8th grade, they had the Bob Sleds. That shows how old I am. I remember the Eagles Flight. Thanks, this was cool going back in time.
always was a special place. a heavenly place for a 3rd grade kid. won a trip here with my 3rd grade class for selling enough chocolate bars for a fundraisor. Had pockets full of cornnuts, nerds, and now and laters. lots of people killed there by rides, though. shockwave coaster flew off track. scary
When the park first opened the Dragon Pizza restaurant was The Four Winds Steakhouse, expensive sit down dining. The bank was a branch of Security Pacific Bank. I think they put it there because Disneyland had a Bank of America branch on Main St. There was also a gas station in the parking lot.
Great clip! After years away, we recently bought season passes and starting going to MM again. It is a trippy place, a mix of cutting edge coasters and dilapidated scenery. It is easy to overlook that though because the season passes and concessions inside are MUCH more affordable than Disneyland. Samurai Summit is in really poor condition, which is odd considering that Ninja is still running and there is a lot of foot traffic up there. The empty Pagoda building could easily be made into a nicer sit-down restaurant / bar with views of the park. We will see how MM changes since it is merging with Knott's Berry Farm. KBF became really run down and rowdy about 10 years ago, but it has really been freshened up recently.
Love your work. I was wondering when you make your 3rd film, if you could film some of the locations of The Film Kiss Meets The Phantom? I’m sure it looks so different now. Thanks for all your work
For the giant gazebo behind the Cheeto hut , from what I remember in the mid 80’s it was a ride , it would spin so fast we would stick to the wall . Belinda Carlisle recorded a video there too .
walking up Samurai Summit is hated by all... i always take the trolley up there. no way im walking it love some of these easter eggs hidden around the park showing its history. Thank you for sharing
I’ve been going to six flags since at least 06 and it’s been crazy to watch how Magic Mountain and Hurricane Habor have changed over the years. Great Video keep them coming Kurt
I rode the monorail many times... Miss the Giant tree in bugs bunny land. I miss the 'petting zoo' too. The Ft La John had a cannon on the walkway too.. its gone now
Last I knew, the Dancing Waters show was a planter. The tall, fancy wall behind it was still there, but the long thin fountain was filled with dirt and plants. I think it was a ross from a food area near-ish Colossus.
I used to go here as a kid all the time and loved log jammer. I ended up working here as a mechanic for about a year and was unfortunate enough to help demo the tide when they decided to take it out. Not sure why they decided to do that. Good kids ride I think
They got rid of the monorail? That thing was cool. I haven't been there since they had that. When did they stop running it? I saw 2 guys fighting in front of there. It used to be so much less controlled and monitored.
I don't know if the castle from Wizard's Village is unused today,but when you worked there you would have found the Entertainment department using it as a character break and changing room for Bugs Bunny World. And the break area was called Wizville
I have watched the 3 videos of MM and nowhere have you mentioned Spiliken Corners. Their version of the Renaissance Faire kind of vibe. I guess all that remains now is the glassblower. There used to be several other craft/medieval trade stuff. I first went to this park around '76-77 when it had only been open a few years. The Revolution was brand new. I loved it. I loved the park on the first visit. I think there were only 4 or 5 coasters there at the time. The were constructing the massive Colossus. What I really remember on my first visit, which was during the summer season, was the number of bands playing music. They were just all over the place. We must have passed by 6 bands before we even went on our first ride. The park was so energetic, vibrant, festive, alive, happy, on this visit. A couple of years later I went with my college group from UCSB. Not so impressed this time. I rode Colossus for the first and last time and was not impressed. There was so much hype with this. It feels like you are riding in a rut. You are submerged. On the Revolution, you are on top of the track, not submerged below it. The next time was in the late Eighties to see a concert at 3 AM featuring Missing Persons. They used to do this. I don't remember going on any rides. In fact, I don't remember too much about that visit. Again, it was 3 AM. The last time was in 1996 and now I am fully domesticated with a partner with a 10 year old from a previous marriage. Neither one of them are into coasters. I am now 37 and well, not so much either. My wife has Rheumatoid Arthritis and had some trouble with Ninja Hill and the Tower. We went up in the tower and were terrified by the wind making it sway back and forth about 5 ft. or so. I think we ended up crawling on the floor. Never again for that one. I have not been back there since. Question: MM became a roller coaster park. How many have they had, including ones no longer in service, altogether to this day? How many do they currently have? What year did they have the highest number of coasters?
20 coasters this year is the most and 25 altogether. 26 if you count colossus and twisted colossus separately. 27 if you consider Sarajevo bobsleds as a coaster
@@Jeysin 20 roller coasters now in operation. If you would have told me this was what would be coming back in 1977, wow. Unfortunately, I aged out of being able to enjoy most of these. What year would you identify as the beginning of the coaster craze?
@@Jeysin Thanks again for replying with the info. Yes, I think I was born about 10 years too early for the coaster craze. At 67 today I don't think it would be a good idea. But I love riding roller coasters. Sometimes I think it might be good for my cardiovascular system. A friend told me the look on my face as I went through the loop "You look like you are so ALIVE.
Great vid, haven't visited the park in twenty years, but went a bunch of times in the late 80s/early 90s. Have really fond memories of Psyclone and Viper when it first opened (and how Flashback was a painful, painful experience!). Now everything looks so sad, even the "new" DC area is a big downgrade from the Gotham City look. The Shockwave commercial brings back memories. They advertised the hell out of that and Ninja on local TV back in the day.
Hah Flashback! Went a lot in the late 90s, flashback was always closed but rode it a couple times. We figured out you had to really push your head back the whole time to avoid injury.
They got rid of log jammer? I got stuck on that ride one time. For a while! Right at the top of one of the drops. Sat there for about 20 minutes and then they took us off and walked us on trails not open to the public until we were back in a public area. The boss told us we could come back later and ride it without waiting, which we did!
I actually went to Magic Mountain just to get a funnel cake. My gf left her ID at the gate and ran in and grabbed two of them. Ah the memories. Shockwave was a fun ride, but it was sinking due to the weight of the cars and structure is what I heard. The Sarajevo Bobsleds were a total letdown though. Is spilikin corners still there?
Also got kicked out of the park for swinging back and forth, on eagle's flight !!! At least I'm alive to share that experience from the 80s...it's nuts to think about how dangerous that was
I worked in the cash control deptartment 1991. Although it didnt function as a bank to the public at that time, the back part of the bank building still had a safe. It was used as temporary place to hold the main gate admission money until it could be transported to the cash control building in back of the park. Part of the job required us to collect cash drops from the various food and store venues thoughout the park. We didnt wear uniforms as we needed to be inconspicous. I dont think Magic Mountain even accepts cash anymore. I am sure this solves alot of problems.
It's fascinating how many abandoned buildings there are in samurai summit: laughing dragon, eagle's flight, ninja dog cafe, magic pagoda, and of course the Sky Tower lol
You'll totally break your neck if you try to see the monorail track from Superman ha haa... I think, during launch, that would be tough.. thanks for the great video! Haven't been able to get to Magic Mountain in years, great tour of artifacts.
My uncle, Eugene "Doc" Lemmon (phonetically pronounce La-Mahn) while one of the VP's of Seaworld Inc. in 1969, was tasked with picking the site, and naming the then future park, "Magic Mountain". In the fall of 1969, I was age 12, when My uncle, with my mom, and my younger cousin and I , pulled up to the future site, before the earth movers got there. I remember seeing oriental looking people with the pointy straw-type hats picking green onions on the hills. I remember my uncle proclaiming, "we're going to build a theme park right here, called Magic Mountain". Warner Bros. licensed their characters to Magic Mountain originally, for about one year only in 1971. Above my computer as I type this, I have my uncle's giant artists drawing of Magic Mountain poster, that he had in his office there. I also have his hard-hat that he wore when it was under construction. My uncle was the president of Magic Mountain in 1971, and 1972, only. Hope that your viewers enjoy hearing of the original history of the park. I attended the first day that it opened in May of 1971. Thanks for your excellent historical perspective on the park.
@@kevelliot2928 Yes, I could hardly believe it myself, but true. My 80 year old cousin, that was his dad that did that. My cousin designed the original Magic Mountain logo, so I try to buy stuff with that logo for documentation sake. Cousin did logos for many other places. He gave me a copy for the logo for the very first discotheque in the USA that he did in 1975, (2 years before Studio 54 in New York). Cousin is extremely smart, and talented in many different fields, and shys away from any "official" recognition. He is a very wonderful human being!
Since you were there you could have also done the filming locations for the CHips episode that was filmed there at Magic Mountain. I think it was in season one. Ponch and John were at Magic Mountain and Ponch called the Sgt because he was upset that the Sgt had purchased the boat Ponch wanted buy.
Ironically the last time I was there it was for a company picnic/event. Ate like kings, won prizes, then spent the rest of the day in the park. Riddlers Revenge was brand new and a 2hr wait. I remember the sky buckets and rode it once. I was freaked out! I don't like heights. We also heard a rumor that a newlywed couple was swinging the bucket back and forth and it jumped off the wire and they fell to their death.
I worked at SFMM from 96 to 01. My first ride I started on was The metro not monorail. I made a mistake and said monorail to one of the longtime workers and they said we're not disneyland. In my time we had 3 trains red yellow blue and had 3 stations
My 2 favorite rides were the Goldrusher and Revolution. Do they still exist? I remember on the Goldrusher there was one beam where everyone stuck their gum as they went past on the ride.
I have great memories of travelling from AZ to MM a lot during the 70's and early 80's. It looks so run down now and appears to not be well-maintained at all.
Too "Slow and Boring" and young ruffians would inexplicably shake the car ??!!?? I mean, they are in the car...it's their neck if it comes off. No accounting for stupidity. It's too bad. Those are nice rides.
And where Spin Out used to be there is still a staircase that goes nowhere! There is a big sign on the staircase landing and that wooden fence blocking off the area where Spin out was.
Yeah, it was two sides that connected on top of Samurai Summit...one side was called Eagles Flight that took you down to where the Superman tower currently stands...whereas the OTHER side, called Ed Dorado, took you down to where Riddler's Revenge now stands. 3:54
Yes, that brick building was a bank once upon a time. I sort of remember that. And of course the gift shop was my mom’s favorite place while we were out running the park riding all the fun rides. My mom didn’t like roller coasters or anything that spun so she would stay at the front of the park and shop. Teen Titan used to be Electric Rainbow and then Turbo. I remember the Montrail and that gazebo thing has been there as long as I can remember. I never knew what that was. The Laughing Dragon used to be a restaurant called The Four Winds. It was a nice steak house place. I remember eating lunch there and I miss the Magic Pagoda. The house of mirrors.
Yes, Ma'am... great times! Great having this park right in my backyard. Seemed only natural that we all would work there at the same time. What a beautiful innocent time to be alive.
I forgot the name but there also used to be a mirror maze at the top of the hill with a talking Buddah inside that was later moved to the Japanese Gardens.
Six Slum lords..........Tell him how you really feel Heath.........Well...........So many abandoned show venues including the golden Bear theater which it has been 20 years or more since a show has been there and the Laughing Dragon was the Iconic Four Winds Steak House where you have epic scenery of the front of the park at least 20 years since the place has been open even as a pizzeria which is shame considering the views of the park that forgone. 262 acres and only one people mover and that would only be for half the park, they really need to install gondolas again it is not expensive considering the revenue they pull in every year from profit margins. The Wizards castle WOW yes there was a show where the Wizard would actually walk across the draw bridge and the Trolls would be running around it was like a small skit they had going on when the park was new. i actually attended a fund raiser at the Picnic Grove which was really good all you can eat BBQ and Ice cream and soda pop and we stayed in the park until at least midnight. Mystic lake i where Goliath now is and was a cool lake and Water Ski and Jet skii show and the used to blast Fireworks over the lake every night. Also the epic marching band parades that used to go up and down the mountain...........Such great memories Kurt I even stood on the observation deck underneath the Revolution when they were barley testing the ride.........The deck is still there next time you ride the Revolution look down when you go through the loop you can see the platform........you can also see it form the left side of the coffee cafe that stands by the Carousel....They also removed the giant Waterwheel that was on the side of the cafe..........Thanks for the video buddy
I remember trying to hit on this girl and I was doing all the talking to the point where she walked into the restrooms and never came out then walking over to Flashback by myself and learning who Lisa Loeb was cause her music video Stay was playing on the screens
They should put a plaque at each ride/abandoned building with pictures and info on what used to be at that site.
Yes, historical landmark type.
Your idea is an excellent one!
Seaworld in San Diego has something similar to that
I remember riding free fall there...wow that place has changed alot - excellent detective work Kurt!
Haven’t been to MM in years. Used to go like once a month back in college. Baseball team had a team trip and one of my good buddies threw up so bad after Spin Out. He drank a frozen lemonade that a stand next to it sold right before we got on.
Six Flags MM isn't the same anymore, I'm 41 years old and I got to experience Six Flags back in the 90s and it was the place to be back then, it was just simple but very fun and at night time we would ride the monorail just to relax our feet, I have worked at six flags before and did two fright fest and when I use to walk in those grounds now days it just doesn't feel like Six Flags anymore with all these changes.
Wow that park has changed a lot!! We use to go out there and watch the water-skiers and the fireworks at the lake. Rode Shockwave, the bobsleds and later cyclone. Remember the mini town where they use to blow glass, make candles and all the old time ironworks back there. Great work on showing us all that cool stuff!!
The mini town was called Spilliken Corners. It had a Renaissance Faire vibe, correct? Lots of crafts and such. Ironworks, glassblowing, etc.
@@notedrockhistorian4382 and vintage tin pictures you could have made.
@@notedrockhistorian4382yep! Spilliken Corners. If I remember it was were The Underground is and the lake, which is now Hurricane Harbor was called Mystic Lake! I never saw the water skier show but I do remember that is where the fireworks were. Also, there used to be an aquarium where the Dive Devil is. In fact that area and what is adjacent to it used to be water. I guess there used to be boats. I never rode on the boats and hardly remember them but I do remember the water. There were several food stands there. But then again eating while at Magic Mountain isn’t what I remember much. I don’t think I ever ate in the park except for maybe caramel apples or ice cream or something like that. We were always too excited to eat. But we would go to In n Out burgers afterwards
Like many people here I lived all around socal, including Santa Clarita, which used to be canyon country, saugus, Valencia.
From '79-83 I worked at magic mountain..
Spillikin corners, at the leather shop, Rock shop, Grandma's Kitchen, Laura Scudders cupboard...
Many fond memories!
The sounds and smells, how quiet it was after closing and walking from S. Corners all the way back to wardrobe, and payroll to drop off the days receipts.
Different place at night.
Raccoon, skunk, coyote, owls and a ton
Of wild cats... which fed the coyotes and owls.
Meeting Girls from outa town at the dance pavilion, cheesy live dance music.
Bringing dates to see concerts and after, driving out to the bridge, which was later named after the Lost Boys movie...
Did most of my growing up in this area of socal, even meeting my wife, raising 3 daughters out there.
Good, bad, I would do it all...ALL again!
Great video series!!!
I'm from the age of the Swiss Twist, The Galaxy, Octopus, Mountain Express, Log Jammer, The Enterprise, El Bumpo Bumper Boats, The Dragon Ride, Z-Force, Trains to Spillikin Corners, Monorail and Sky Buckets!
Thanks for the memories, or lack of I should say. I worked there May of ‘75 through October ,my last days of high school driving up there from Sylmar after school and weekends. I worked the carnival game booths run by Golden West Amusments, so I wasn’t a bonafide Magic Mountain employee, but my badge got me in for free whenever I wanted. There is nothing left there that I remember except for the Observation Tower. I can’t get over how much rot Six Flags leaves behind when they discontinue a ride or building, it really screams a low budget operation. Makes you wonder how much attention they pay to other things, like maybe ride or food safety. It is still fun to see the old place.
Awesome......I spent a lot of time at Magic Mountain before my college years...even used the "$20" coke can coupon hehehe.
I currently work here, and glad you found the remaining dragon track. Also, those tables where Willouby's is, they do someone get used by employees on their breaks, and that old restaurant building gets used as a breakroom.
There was another eating place next to the log jammer called Valencia Terrace. I worked there in 1981, and I still remember the cost for a burger, fries and drink was $5.00 which was a lot of money back then since I made only $3.35/hour.
I also worked at the park in '81.
So you lived in SCV? School?
I went there in mid 80s with my breakdancing crew haha. We all wore matching sweatsuits that a skateboard shop got us bcuz we had there logo on in the back of hoodie. Good times!!
Thanks for doing these three part videos. Brings back soooo many memories of being a kid, happy.
I'm glad to see I wasn't crazy in thinking that Magic Mtn. had a mono-rail.
Nobody else in my family remembered. haha
Also I agree with you about how cool some of those old rides were. Gold Rush seemed retro, even back in the 80's, but in a great way.
Colossus always felt fun and epic.
Log Jammer was really relaxing and you got to cool off in the summer from the cool splashes of water.
Ninja felt "high Tech" when it first opened.
There was another all wooded coaster that I still miss. I felt it was as good as Colossus. I forget the name but I remember the line/waiting area was indoors kind of with a speaker system playing commercials to get you pumped for the ride. The wood was "wood colored" when it first opened, then they painted it red or blue and rebranded it to go with whatever movie they were promoting at the time. Then shortly after, they torn it down.
But my all time favorite ride was always...Revolution.
And we always ended all our visits by getting a stomach ache from the funnel cakes hahah. Eventually, I stopped torturing myself and matured lol
Take care.
EDIT: after reading some of the comments here, i think the wooden coaster I was thinking of was called Cyclone.
You are right, the "monorail" was called the metro, and was an original ride from 1971.
Yeah I remember Psyclone, natural wood, more of a rough ride than Colossus.
I haven't been to Magic Mountain since 2000, and it's changed quite a bit since then as would be expected. I made sure to ride Colossus and Goliath that day. I think I got on Revolution, too.
The truth is, I think I aged out of the place. It's a roller coaster centered park and my inner ear balance isn't what it was twenty years ago. I went to Knott's recently and one ride on Ghost Rider was enough to make me dizzy for the day. It's still a nostalgic trip with you, an insider, showing where the monorail stations were and abandoned tracks for Ninja. I think I went maybe one time in the '80s, in junior high, then most of the time I went was in the '90s, so I remember Ninja, Viper, and Superman.
Boy, MM has changed so much since I've been there. I mostly went in the 70's and 80's (born in 71). I think the last time I went was about 1990.
I worked there in the early 80s. All those abandoned things that you discovered were operational. About the only thing that I recognize now is the Ob tower and Revolution. The way you see MM now is the same way I saw MM back when you worked there. It's looks like it's constantly evolving, not necessarily for the better. Great job on the research. By the way, Eagle's Flight was perfect for rounding the bases. ❤🔥👄💨💥🤟
WAs that weird silver tower thing there that was near the sky tower when you worked there? It would light up at night. Trying to figure out what it was. Part of the magic pagoda?
@@macreadyop31 It was the Magic Pagoda
Thanks for confirming! Could you do anything at it or was it just there to look cool?
@@macreadyop31 It was like a fun house. All I can really remember from it was the maze of mirrors.
Back when Magic Mountain still had class.
Thanks for this video! It brought back great memories from when I went in the 80s and 90s. I loved that Security Pacific Bank! We used to go in there to get money to enjoy in the park! We enjoyed the picnic area one time when we attended a company picnic there and enjoyed great tasting hamburgers and hot dogs. Is the building that housed Texas Instruments Computers still there? It was an interactive computer exhibit we used to visit in the early 80s. Were there any reminders of the old Spilikin Corners area? We used to love visiting all the crafters there! We used to enjoy great pizza at the Laughing Dragon Pizza Company restaurant. They always had great food! At the theater stage area that you showed, we used to see hypnotists perform there. It was fun to volunteer and get hypnotized to do all sorts of crazy funny things. I miss those good old days of Magic Mountain! Thanks again for helping me to remember those good old days!
Between Disneyland, knott's and Magic Mountain (it will never be "six flags" to me), i think MM had the biggest influence on me in my much younger years (1970s) of all those amusement parks. I have a distinct interest in the evolution and modifications of amusement parks and your video hit the target. Great sleuthing!
Magic Mountain was such a fun theme park
I remember the bank when people actually used it. I used to have a troll stuffed animal back in the 70's. I forgot about Z-force. Oh ya, Title wave, that was fun! Yes, the Sand blaster, that is what it was last time I went. Oh man, we use to love Spin Out!! When I went here in 8th grade, they had the Bob Sleds. That shows how old I am. I remember the Eagles Flight. Thanks, this was cool going back in time.
always was a special place. a heavenly place for a 3rd grade kid. won a trip here with my 3rd grade class for selling enough chocolate bars for a fundraisor. Had pockets full of cornnuts, nerds, and now and laters. lots of people killed there by rides, though. shockwave coaster flew off track. scary
Great vid! Nice to see the Magic Pagoda again. I had no idea the building still existed.
Haven't been in Magic Mountain in over 40 years; STILL recognize a LOT of the park.
When the park first opened the Dragon Pizza restaurant was The Four Winds Steakhouse, expensive sit down dining. The bank was a branch of Security Pacific Bank. I think they put it there because Disneyland had a Bank of America branch on Main St. There was also a gas station in the parking lot.
Great clip! After years away, we recently bought season passes and starting going to MM again. It is a trippy place, a mix of cutting edge coasters and dilapidated scenery. It is easy to overlook that though because the season passes and concessions inside are MUCH more affordable than Disneyland. Samurai Summit is in really poor condition, which is odd considering that Ninja is still running and there is a lot of foot traffic up there. The empty Pagoda building could easily be made into a nicer sit-down restaurant / bar with views of the park. We will see how MM changes since it is merging with Knott's Berry Farm. KBF became really run down and rowdy about 10 years ago, but it has really been freshened up recently.
Love your work. I was wondering when you make your 3rd film, if you could film some of the locations of The Film Kiss Meets The Phantom? I’m sure it looks so different now. Thanks for all your work
For the giant gazebo behind the Cheeto hut , from what I remember in the mid 80’s it was a ride , it would spin so fast we would stick to the wall . Belinda Carlisle recorded a video there too .
walking up Samurai Summit is hated by all... i always take the trolley up there. no way im walking it
love some of these easter eggs hidden around the park showing its history. Thank you for sharing
spot on! great video. great series. great channel.
I’ve been going to six flags since at least 06 and it’s been crazy to watch how Magic Mountain and Hurricane Habor have changed over the years. Great Video keep them coming Kurt
Last time I went @ Six flags was in 04 😬😳 but I remember been so crowded and now seem like a abandoned park
I just remember lines and lines of people in the 80s.
I rode the monorail many times... Miss the Giant tree in bugs bunny land. I miss the 'petting zoo' too. The Ft La John had a cannon on the walkway too.. its gone now
Last I knew, the Dancing Waters show was a planter. The tall, fancy wall behind it was still there, but the long thin fountain was filled with dirt and plants. I think it was a ross from a food area near-ish Colossus.
Not sure if it's still there but there was a Memorabilia display at the top of the tower in the early 2000s
I know exactly what you’re talking about and it’s no longer there. It was removed in 2011 and the Sky Tower ultimately shut down in 2014.
at 13:08 Don't forget right where the Apocalypse entrance sign is there use to be an AMAZING western themed shooting gallery.
Ah man, loved that place
I definetly memeber the castle and that entrance
I still remember the shop down from Gold Rusher that sold magic tricks, fake vomit, dog poop etc.
I used to go here as a kid all the time and loved log jammer. I ended up working here as a mechanic for about a year and was unfortunate enough to help demo the tide when they decided to take it out. Not sure why they decided to do that. Good kids ride I think
They got rid of the monorail? That thing was cool. I haven't been there since they had that. When did they stop running it?
I saw 2 guys fighting in front of there. It used to be so much less controlled and monitored.
I don't know if the castle from Wizard's Village is unused today,but when you worked there you would have found the Entertainment department using it as a character break and changing room for Bugs Bunny World. And the break area was called Wizville
I have watched the 3 videos of MM and nowhere have you mentioned Spiliken Corners. Their version of the Renaissance Faire kind of vibe. I guess all that remains now is the glassblower. There used to be several other craft/medieval trade stuff.
I first went to this park around '76-77 when it had only been open a few years. The Revolution was brand new. I loved it. I loved the park on the first visit. I think there were only 4 or 5 coasters there at the time. The were constructing the massive Colossus. What I really remember on my first visit, which was during the summer season, was the number of bands playing music. They were just all over the place. We must have passed by 6 bands before we even went on our first ride. The park was so energetic, vibrant, festive, alive, happy, on this visit. A couple of years later I went with my college group from UCSB. Not so impressed this time. I rode Colossus for the first and last time and was not impressed. There was so much hype with this. It feels like you are riding in a rut. You are submerged. On the Revolution, you are on top of the track, not submerged below it.
The next time was in the late Eighties to see a concert at 3 AM featuring Missing Persons. They used to do this. I don't remember going on any rides. In fact, I don't remember too much about that visit. Again, it was 3 AM.
The last time was in 1996 and now I am fully domesticated with a partner with a 10 year old from a previous marriage. Neither one of them are into coasters. I am now 37 and well, not so much either. My wife has Rheumatoid Arthritis and had some trouble with Ninja Hill and the Tower. We went up in the tower and were terrified by the wind making it sway back and forth about 5 ft. or so. I think we ended up crawling on the floor. Never again for that one. I have not been back there since.
Question: MM became a roller coaster park. How many have they had, including ones no longer in service, altogether to this day? How many do they currently have? What year did they have the highest number of coasters?
20 coasters this year is the most and 25 altogether. 26 if you count colossus and twisted colossus separately. 27 if you consider Sarajevo bobsleds as a coaster
@@Jeysin 20 roller coasters now in operation. If you would have told me this was what would be coming back in 1977, wow. Unfortunately, I aged out of being able to enjoy most of these. What year would you identify as the beginning of the coaster craze?
@@notedrockhistorian4382 2000
@@Jeysin Thanks again for replying with the info. Yes, I think I was born about 10 years too early for the coaster craze. At 67 today I don't think it would be a good idea. But I love riding roller coasters. Sometimes I think it might be good for my cardiovascular system. A friend told me the look on my face as I went through the loop "You look like you are so ALIVE.
Great vid, haven't visited the park in twenty years, but went a bunch of times in the late 80s/early 90s. Have really fond memories of Psyclone and Viper when it first opened (and how Flashback was a painful, painful experience!). Now everything looks so sad, even the "new" DC area is a big downgrade from the Gotham City look. The Shockwave commercial brings back memories. They advertised the hell out of that and Ninja on local TV back in the day.
Hah Flashback! Went a lot in the late 90s, flashback was always closed but rode it a couple times. We figured out you had to really push your head back the whole time to avoid injury.
Wow man,spin out!!!
Could have been called
🤮 out !!!
You rule bro...
brino- spin out was brutal! 🤮
They got rid of log jammer? I got stuck on that ride one time. For a while! Right at the top of one of the drops. Sat there for about 20 minutes and then they took us off and walked us on trails not open to the public until we were back in a public area. The boss told us we could come back later and ride it without waiting, which we did!
I need to get over there more, my in-laws live 20 minutes from Magic Mountain.
I actually went to Magic Mountain just to get a funnel cake. My gf left her ID at the gate and ran in and grabbed two of them. Ah the memories. Shockwave was a fun ride, but it was sinking due to the weight of the cars and structure is what I heard. The Sarajevo Bobsleds were a total letdown though. Is spilikin corners still there?
Also got kicked out of the park for swinging back and forth, on eagle's flight !!!
At least I'm alive to share that experience from the 80s...it's nuts to think about how dangerous that was
I worked in the cash control deptartment 1991. Although it didnt function as a bank to the public at that time, the back part of the bank building still had a safe. It was used as temporary place to hold the main gate admission money until it could be transported to the cash control building in back of the park. Part of the job required us to collect cash drops from the various food and store venues thoughout the park. We didnt wear uniforms as we needed to be inconspicous. I dont think Magic Mountain even accepts cash anymore. I am sure this solves alot of problems.
It's fascinating how many abandoned buildings there are in samurai summit: laughing dragon, eagle's flight, ninja dog cafe, magic pagoda, and of course the Sky Tower lol
This was awesome, thanks for all the insider info 👍
You'll totally break your neck if you try to see the monorail track from Superman ha haa... I think, during launch, that would be tough.. thanks for the great video! Haven't been able to get to Magic Mountain in years, great tour of artifacts.
Thanks!
My uncle, Eugene "Doc" Lemmon (phonetically pronounce La-Mahn) while one of the VP's of Seaworld Inc. in 1969, was tasked with picking the site, and naming the then future park, "Magic Mountain". In the fall of 1969, I was age 12, when My uncle, with my mom, and my younger cousin and I , pulled up to the future site, before the earth movers got there. I remember seeing oriental looking people with the pointy straw-type hats picking green onions on the hills. I remember my uncle proclaiming, "we're going to build a theme park right here, called Magic Mountain". Warner Bros. licensed their characters to Magic Mountain originally, for about one year only in 1971. Above my computer as I type this, I have my uncle's giant artists drawing of Magic Mountain poster, that he had in his office there. I also have his hard-hat that he wore when it was under construction. My uncle was the president of Magic Mountain in 1971, and 1972, only. Hope that your viewers enjoy hearing of the original history of the park. I attended the first day that it opened in May of 1971. Thanks for your excellent historical perspective on the park.
Wow!
@@kevelliot2928 Yes, I could hardly believe it myself, but true. My 80 year old cousin, that was his dad that did that. My cousin designed the original Magic Mountain logo, so I try to buy stuff with that logo for documentation sake. Cousin did logos for many other places. He gave me a copy for the logo for the very first discotheque in the USA that he did in 1975, (2 years before Studio 54 in New York). Cousin is extremely smart, and talented in many different fields, and shys away from any "official" recognition. He is a very wonderful human being!
Im almost assuming that when pauly shore references "the mountain" he was talking about this place in the movie "Encino Man"....
He absolutely is. I have a video on Encino man as well 🙂
Since you were there you could have also done the filming locations for the CHips episode that was filmed there at Magic Mountain. I think it was in season one. Ponch and John were at Magic Mountain and Ponch called the Sgt because he was upset that the Sgt had purchased the boat Ponch wanted buy.
Ironically the last time I was there it was for a company picnic/event. Ate like kings, won prizes, then spent the rest of the day in the park. Riddlers Revenge was brand new and a 2hr wait. I remember the sky buckets and rode it once. I was freaked out! I don't like heights. We also heard a rumor that a newlywed couple was swinging the bucket back and forth and it jumped off the wire and they fell to their death.
I'd love to go to this park
I worked at SFMM from 96 to 01. My first ride I started on was The metro not monorail. I made a mistake and said monorail to one of the longtime workers and they said we're not disneyland. In my time we had 3 trains red yellow blue and had 3 stations
Great video. Also, you look and sound like Jim LIndberg from Pennywise. )
Nailed it! Yes he does
Sad. Its looking a bit worn down. It reminds me of Santa's village in dundee Illinois
My 2 favorite rides were the Goldrusher and Revolution. Do they still exist? I remember on the Goldrusher there was one beam where everyone stuck their gum as they went past on the ride.
I have great memories of travelling from AZ to MM a lot during the 70's and early 80's. It looks so run down now and appears to not be well-maintained at all.
They got rid of the skyride??? I loved that ride!!!!!!
i have not seen one of thoose operating at a six flags park in 30 or more years
Too "Slow and Boring" and young ruffians would inexplicably shake the car ??!!??
I mean, they are in the car...it's their neck if it comes off. No accounting for stupidity. It's too bad. Those are nice rides.
it's funny how the labeled the burglar alarm just to let the burglars know where to cut the wires.. 🤔🤔
And where Spin Out used to be there is still a staircase that goes nowhere! There is a big sign on the staircase landing and that wooden fence blocking off the area where Spin out was.
I think it’s Tim Burton’s Batmobile if I’m not mistaken?
Cool vid again bro. Had a super heavy day and this brought a smile
Since when did Tim Burton's Batmobile have 4 wheels in the front?
That park is so ghetto, damn.
Magic Mountain looks beat!
come visit canobie. bring back the monorail!
The wizard's castle is used by employees to change into costume characters I think
The last time I was at Magic Mountain was in the early '80s.
I remember the monorail. Do you remember the cable cars that went from one side of the park to the other up on the really high wires?
Yeah, it was two sides that connected on top of Samurai Summit...one side was called Eagles Flight that took you down to where the Superman tower currently stands...whereas the OTHER side, called Ed Dorado, took you down to where Riddler's Revenge now stands. 3:54
Do you think it's possible to see the before and after of locations used for "Free Falling" video?????
Yes, that brick building was a bank once upon a time. I sort of remember that. And of course the gift shop was my mom’s favorite place while we were out running the park riding all the fun rides. My mom didn’t like roller coasters or anything that spun so she would stay at the front of the park and shop. Teen Titan used to be Electric Rainbow and then Turbo. I remember the Montrail and that gazebo thing has been there as long as I can remember. I never knew what that was. The Laughing Dragon used to be a restaurant called The Four Winds. It was a nice steak house place. I remember eating lunch there and I miss the Magic Pagoda. The house of mirrors.
Yes, Ma'am... great times!
Great having this park right in my backyard.
Seemed only natural that we all would work there at the same time.
What a beautiful innocent time to be alive.
Good job on your voice over can hardly tell.
Pagoda Forever!
Can you please link all the other parts to this in the description?
They are at the end of the video
Anyone ever skate the ditch that was near the entrance. Drove from OC once to skate that. It was kinda slow if I remember. Would've been early 90s.
🤩🤩
OH BOY, I didn't recognized Shit........don't blame me though, I haven't been here since 1996
It's really cool how much attention you pay/paid to your life. I was/am the exact opposite.
I assume you were probably dying to skate the back side of the park.
Do memories of Disneyland since you may have went there as a kid
What kind of Batmobile is that? That sucks!!
i think they mentioned Magic Mountain in Encino Man if my memory serves me
That's Mega Mountain they mentioned.
I forgot the name but there also used to be a mirror maze at the top of the hill with a talking Buddah inside that was later moved to the Japanese Gardens.
I remember that too. My buddies and I would go behind Buddah and spark up.
The mirror maze was in the Magic Pagoda Kurt mentioned
@@willg2414 yup, caught that after I posted my comment. lol
My Cousin worked there. I remember they shit down the park for all the employees. We got to ride wvery ride 3 or 4 times. Back in 1993
Is this place usually that deserted ?
👍
Six Slum lords..........Tell him how you really feel Heath.........Well...........So many abandoned show venues including the golden Bear theater which it has been 20 years or more since a show has been there and the Laughing Dragon was the Iconic Four Winds Steak House where you have epic scenery of the front of the park at least 20 years since the place has been open even as a pizzeria which is shame considering the views of the park that forgone. 262 acres and only one people mover and that would only be for half the park, they really need to install gondolas again it is not expensive considering the revenue they pull in every year from profit margins. The Wizards castle WOW yes there was a show where the Wizard would actually walk across the draw bridge and the Trolls would be running around it was like a small skit they had going on when the park was new. i actually attended a fund raiser at the Picnic Grove which was really good all you can eat BBQ and Ice cream and soda pop and we stayed in the park until at least midnight. Mystic lake i where Goliath now is and was a cool lake and Water Ski and Jet skii show and the used to blast Fireworks over the lake every night. Also the epic marching band parades that used to go up and down the mountain...........Such great memories Kurt I even stood on the observation deck underneath the Revolution when they were barley testing the ride.........The deck is still there next time you ride the Revolution look down when you go through the loop you can see the platform........you can also see it form the left side of the coffee cafe that stands by the Carousel....They also removed the giant Waterwheel that was on the side of the cafe..........Thanks for the video buddy
Anyone have the links to part 1 and 2
They are at the end of the video
I remember when it was a bank
I remember trying to hit on this girl and I was doing all the talking to the point where she walked into the restrooms and never came out then walking over to Flashback by myself and learning who Lisa Loeb was cause her music video Stay was playing on the screens
Sarajevo Bobsled preceded Psyclone and Apocalypse, it was a terribly boring ride
its still in use at Six flags over texas, rode it a few years ago there
Why you got to backhand compliment the tostadas bro?
The trolls were King Troll, Bleep, and Bloop...which coincidentally, are my new pronouns and I demand you address me accordingly.
Im shocked you didnt show where Revolution was that was the first looping roller coaster in the world they say