Magic Mountain is different, my grand parents (the coolest grand parents ever, who I love and miss dearly) took me and my brother to Magic Mountain just weeks after it opened in 1971 – it left a positive mark on me that I still feel today. I was hooked. Subsequently I spent many summers at the Mountain; in fact, I grew up at the mountain more than at Disneyland.
So please humor this blogger as we spend a few posts this week scratching the surface and looking for remnants of My Magic Mountain. No coaster mania shots here, this is going to be old school. I've got some Disneyland stuff to post this week too, so be sure to come back tomorrow and Thursday if the Mountain isn't your thing.
The entrance was totally reconfigured years ago and I still need to try and figure out what’s been done. It appears that Hurricane Harbor and the security gates were part of the reconfigured area. More shops were also added in the 1970's. As a side note on security; there is a Sheriff Substation right at the entrance and metal detectors at the entrance gates. It does make you feel safe.
This original 1971 building opened with the park as Security Pacific National Bank. It was later used as the Camera Shop, now it's used as Guest Relations, sort of like Six Flags version of City Hall.
Nice details, I’m glad they kept this building and re-purposed it.
It still looks like a bank inside. The workers (cast members?) were super nice, I even scored a free Coke!
Concept art for Flashback, those kids running towards it have no idea what they’re in for!
See, it used to be a bank!
Originally the "Holiday Bazaar", this store is from 1971. They actually keep it in pretty good shape.
They’ve been selling popcorn it this spot for 39 years! Those restrooms are also 39 years old; I recommend you try another one just down the walkway to your left or right, trust me on this.
The Valencia Falls are looking great as ever, even with all that steel in the way.
How about a couple of “Now and then” photos? Here are the fountains with the Gazebo and the Holiday Bazaar in the background as seen today.
From a 1973 brochure, the view hasn’t changed too much, just a lot more tree growth. You’ll notice throughout this series the trees and plants have really matured at this park.
To the left we find the 1912 Grand Carousel as it looks today.
As seen in 1972, the Grand Carousel has changed very little. Just like Disneyland, the grass areas were not fenced in the early days, in fact, I remember sitting on the grass nearby in the shade enjoying ice cream many times in the 1970’s.
The Grand Carousel still operates and even had a few guests.
Just in front of the Carousel is “The Gazebo”, later and still known as the “Carousel Bandstand”. Bands used to perform live here in the summers; “Saturday in the Park” was required to be on each set list. It's now the summer home of "Dance, Dance, Revolution Challenge" a dance contest.
Next to the Gazebo and the Carousel is the Cyber Café. This was originally “The Coffee Grinder” and later became the “Trollhouse” that's where I used to get my ice cream!
The Cyber Café has free wireless and about a dozen free Internet ready computers. I seem to recall a water wheel on the right side where that water is running into nothing!
.JPG)
They sell coffee, fruit, biscuits and stuff like that. And they still sell ice cream! They have a great patio in the back that overlooks the falls; I don’t think many folks know its back there.
Here’s the best part, they sell doughnuts, but not just any doughnuts, these are bite size and made fresh to order! I got a half dozen ($4, $6 for a dozen) half cinnamon sugar and half powdered sugar. These are warm, yummy and to die for, worth the wait and worth the $4. (of course I carry vintage brochures and tickets with me, who doesn't?)
Great views while getting a sugar rush.
This guy was all by himself for the entire afternoon, something we both had in common!
It’s really quite charming and peaceful sitting here.
As you step back out from the Cyber Café, to your right you’ll find the Orient Express. This attraction was originally called the Funicular Rail Road. I think they changed the name when they added Ninja in 1988.
No line today (or in the last few decades I would guess).
The Funicular is an incline railway, much like Angeles Flight in down town Los Angeles (Link to Daveland’s excellent Angeles Flight post). This one was built in Austria in 1970 and has been at the mountain since opening day 1971. This is one of my favorite attractions in the park so I was thrilled it’s still in operation.
Ready to take a ride to the top? Let’s go, it’s slow but sure beats walking up the mountain, they even have air conditioning!
The station at the top is great, again, no line!
The top of the Mountain or “Samurai Summit” is a mixed bag, some good, some not so good.
It’s pretty quiet in this spot.
It’s quiet because this attraction is closed. This was the Shangri-la Station for the Eagle’s Flight (Skyway style buckets) this station did double duty and handled both sky bucket routes.
They really need to do something with this building. I’ll spare you the really gruesome photos. Let’s just say it’s being neglected.
Walking up the path a few steps and what do we have here – Ninja! "Ninja is an Arrow Dynamics steel suspended roller coaster located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. It is the fastest roller coaster of its kind in the world, joint with Vortex at Canada's Wonderland, both with top speeds of 55 mph." (Wiki-link)
This was originally the Top Station for the Dragon, a tram like transportation ride that took you from the Jet Stream area to the Summit and back. The lower station still exists and is long since (1978) abandoned, I’ve got photos of it in an upcoming part of this series.
Not much of a line here! I rode it and its still a blast, in fact, I rode it twice! I highly recommend this classic thrill ride! From Wiki: "still considered by guests as one of the best rides in the park, even with newer and more modern coasters installed nearby."
.JPG)
Just in front of Ninja is what used to be the Magic Pagoda. I’m told there are still parts of the attraction in the building.
On top of the Magic Pagoda building is this abandon eating area. No where to buy food, but plenty of tables. You can’t see it, but to my right was an OPEN door that led down some stairs, I spent about 2 minutes debating going in, but common sense took over.
I think I’ll look for the Sky Tower, it is one of the main reasons I wanted to come visit the mountain again. It was closed on my last visit and I heard there was a museum up there so I wanted to check it out.
This is what’s left of the Japanese Gardens (thanks Tatsu!) I guess it’s the thought that counts.
Oh boy, here’s the tower and even a sign about the museum.
Oh my gosh, I forgot how high this thing is. The base is already 120 feet higher than the main gates and the tower is 365 feet high from there! Ok folks, I have a moderate fear of heights and this tower is very intimidating. As I saw the elevator coming down (with it’s exposed windows all around – even the doors have windows!) my heart had doubled its rate, I was sweating and starting to get that feeling in my stomach… I almost chickened out… take a deep breath... go...
Come back Wednesday to see what’s up in the tower, it's an impressive collection.
The entrance was totally reconfigured years ago and I still need to try and figure out what’s been done. It appears that Hurricane Harbor and the security gates were part of the reconfigured area. More shops were also added in the 1970's. As a side note on security; there is a Sheriff Substation right at the entrance and metal detectors at the entrance gates. It does make you feel safe.
This original 1971 building opened with the park as Security Pacific National Bank. It was later used as the Camera Shop, now it's used as Guest Relations, sort of like Six Flags version of City Hall.
Nice details, I’m glad they kept this building and re-purposed it.
It still looks like a bank inside. The workers (cast members?) were super nice, I even scored a free Coke!
Concept art for Flashback, those kids running towards it have no idea what they’re in for!
See, it used to be a bank!
Originally the "Holiday Bazaar", this store is from 1971. They actually keep it in pretty good shape.
They’ve been selling popcorn it this spot for 39 years! Those restrooms are also 39 years old; I recommend you try another one just down the walkway to your left or right, trust me on this.
The Valencia Falls are looking great as ever, even with all that steel in the way.
How about a couple of “Now and then” photos? Here are the fountains with the Gazebo and the Holiday Bazaar in the background as seen today.
From a 1973 brochure, the view hasn’t changed too much, just a lot more tree growth. You’ll notice throughout this series the trees and plants have really matured at this park.
To the left we find the 1912 Grand Carousel as it looks today.
As seen in 1972, the Grand Carousel has changed very little. Just like Disneyland, the grass areas were not fenced in the early days, in fact, I remember sitting on the grass nearby in the shade enjoying ice cream many times in the 1970’s.
The Grand Carousel still operates and even had a few guests.
Just in front of the Carousel is “The Gazebo”, later and still known as the “Carousel Bandstand”. Bands used to perform live here in the summers; “Saturday in the Park” was required to be on each set list. It's now the summer home of "Dance, Dance, Revolution Challenge" a dance contest.
Next to the Gazebo and the Carousel is the Cyber Café. This was originally “The Coffee Grinder” and later became the “Trollhouse” that's where I used to get my ice cream!
The Cyber Café has free wireless and about a dozen free Internet ready computers. I seem to recall a water wheel on the right side where that water is running into nothing!
.JPG)
They sell coffee, fruit, biscuits and stuff like that. And they still sell ice cream! They have a great patio in the back that overlooks the falls; I don’t think many folks know its back there.
Here’s the best part, they sell doughnuts, but not just any doughnuts, these are bite size and made fresh to order! I got a half dozen ($4, $6 for a dozen) half cinnamon sugar and half powdered sugar. These are warm, yummy and to die for, worth the wait and worth the $4. (of course I carry vintage brochures and tickets with me, who doesn't?)
Great views while getting a sugar rush.
This guy was all by himself for the entire afternoon, something we both had in common!
It’s really quite charming and peaceful sitting here.
As you step back out from the Cyber Café, to your right you’ll find the Orient Express. This attraction was originally called the Funicular Rail Road. I think they changed the name when they added Ninja in 1988.
No line today (or in the last few decades I would guess).
The Funicular is an incline railway, much like Angeles Flight in down town Los Angeles (Link to Daveland’s excellent Angeles Flight post). This one was built in Austria in 1970 and has been at the mountain since opening day 1971. This is one of my favorite attractions in the park so I was thrilled it’s still in operation.
Ready to take a ride to the top? Let’s go, it’s slow but sure beats walking up the mountain, they even have air conditioning!
The station at the top is great, again, no line!
The top of the Mountain or “Samurai Summit” is a mixed bag, some good, some not so good.
It’s pretty quiet in this spot.
It’s quiet because this attraction is closed. This was the Shangri-la Station for the Eagle’s Flight (Skyway style buckets) this station did double duty and handled both sky bucket routes.
They really need to do something with this building. I’ll spare you the really gruesome photos. Let’s just say it’s being neglected.
Walking up the path a few steps and what do we have here – Ninja! "Ninja is an Arrow Dynamics steel suspended roller coaster located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. It is the fastest roller coaster of its kind in the world, joint with Vortex at Canada's Wonderland, both with top speeds of 55 mph." (Wiki-link)
This was originally the Top Station for the Dragon, a tram like transportation ride that took you from the Jet Stream area to the Summit and back. The lower station still exists and is long since (1978) abandoned, I’ve got photos of it in an upcoming part of this series.
Not much of a line here! I rode it and its still a blast, in fact, I rode it twice! I highly recommend this classic thrill ride! From Wiki: "still considered by guests as one of the best rides in the park, even with newer and more modern coasters installed nearby."
.JPG)
Just in front of Ninja is what used to be the Magic Pagoda. I’m told there are still parts of the attraction in the building.
On top of the Magic Pagoda building is this abandon eating area. No where to buy food, but plenty of tables. You can’t see it, but to my right was an OPEN door that led down some stairs, I spent about 2 minutes debating going in, but common sense took over.
I think I’ll look for the Sky Tower, it is one of the main reasons I wanted to come visit the mountain again. It was closed on my last visit and I heard there was a museum up there so I wanted to check it out.
This is what’s left of the Japanese Gardens (thanks Tatsu!) I guess it’s the thought that counts.
Oh boy, here’s the tower and even a sign about the museum.
Oh my gosh, I forgot how high this thing is. The base is already 120 feet higher than the main gates and the tower is 365 feet high from there! Ok folks, I have a moderate fear of heights and this tower is very intimidating. As I saw the elevator coming down (with it’s exposed windows all around – even the doors have windows!) my heart had doubled its rate, I was sweating and starting to get that feeling in my stomach… I almost chickened out… take a deep breath... go...
Come back Wednesday to see what’s up in the tower, it's an impressive collection.
Come back tomorrow for a interesting Disneyland ticket from 1978.
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