Magic Mountain Press Photo - August 1972

Magic Mountain was just one year old in this press photo from August 1972. Up front is the wonderful "El Bumbo" gas-burning self propelled bumper-boats, it seems like it would be a lot more fun that it was. Have I mentioned the smell?

Up on the monorail beam would be the Metro Monorail. Faithful blog readers know this is where I would normally shout "Save the Monorail" but I'm saddened to report that the Metro Monorails have left the mountain... According to "Sir Clinksalot" over at Miceage "Last week, the Metro trains were finally removed from the park. There is no evident work going on near the old station (which was close to the park entrance). Don't expect the Metro to come back. (Link - scroll way down that link for the Magic Mountain update).







I'm due for my annual "May" visit to the Mountain, I need to see for myself if the Metro is indeed gone OR maybe they just sent the Monorails out to get refurbished? Yeah I don't think so either but this is one balloon I really wanted to keep.

The Magic of the Mountain - Revisted

Its time for another vintage Magic Mountain post, this time the clock is set way back in the parks history. While not dated, this souvenir guide book is most likely from 1971, the year the park opened. A couple of years ago I posted a similar souvenir guide book (link) which was probably from 1973 or 1974.

Be sure and check out the Bonus Video at the end of this post





On the left we’ve got a little history of the Valencia Valley. On the right is some stellar concept art (which leads me to believe this is from 1971) – do you suppose anyone has the original of that concept art?






The two top photos are screaming “before & after” – I’ve still got my 2010 pass, hmmm.





Metro Monorail spotted! Yankee Doodle Dandy was even more boring than it looks.





More METRO Monorail, this time its soaring over El Bumbo. In the video at the end of this post you’ll seem more of El Bumbo than you’ll ever want to see.






Here's my best attempt at now photo (link).





More METRO Monorail! Top right photo – wow that's a wide angle lens! The Spin Out was recently removed, there's just an empty cement slab there now. Eagles Flight – the steel tower route - El Dorado Station (right) was not nearly as high as the concrete tower route - Galaxy Station (left), they both make me want to pass out.






Magic Mountain at Night – is that something like Disneyland after dark? That's the Metro Monorail Contemporary Station on the lower right (link).





The Galaxy did look pretty cool at night – from the ground.






If your'e looking for a “moment of relaxation” you won’t find it at the Oriental Gardens, it’s now the load/unload building for Tatsu. “200 acres with 56 acres reserved for future growth”, I think they’ve used it all and then some, they are currently at 260 acres.







While recently cleaning out my blogger desk, I found an unmarked DVD. I have no idea where I got this or how I got it, but its some great home movie footage so if you’re a vintage Magic Mountain fan (or Knott’s or Lion Country Safari fan) check it out. Its from 1973 or 1974. If you gave me this, thank you.

Here’s a quick synopsis: By the way, the video is a so-so transfer, it has some flicker, so if it gives you a head-ache – stop watching it.

0:00 – 1:30 Film opens at Magic Mountains Valencia Falls, Valencia Terrace restaurant, then its a quick ride on the METRO Monorail over the Log Jammer lagoon & load building,

1:30 – 2:00 Petting zoo.

2:00 - 2:35 Panorama view of the park from a Skybucket on Eagles Flight- Galaxy route. Includes Log Jammer, Metro Station, Gold Rusher, El Bumbo and the Spin Out.

2:35 - 3:00 Walk down the Mountain

3:00 – 5:55 Yes its three entire minutes of EL Bumpo! You get to see the long queue path, the ride and the long exit path – twice!

5:55 – 6:30 The Grad Prix, a "sort of Autopia". The cars were great, but the track was too short and crowded, as you’ll see.

6:30 – 7:10 People being weird, it’s the early 70’s so we’ll let it slide,

7:10 – 7:40 The Trolls, the Wizard and a Band!

On to Knott's Berry Farm:

7:45 – 8:35 Knott’s Ghost Town, Cowboy points gun at Indian?

8:35 – 9:20 Mine Train Ride & Log Ride.

9:20 – 9:40 Don’t blink but it’s a few seconds of the rarely seen Gypsy Camp.

9:40 – 10:15 Back in Ghost Town

Moving on:

10:15 – 11:30 Seals, Dolphins and Coy Fish, is this Japanese Village?

11:30 – 13:48 Lion Country Safari. Looks like they were having some stubborn animal issues toward the end of the footage

SAVE THE METRO MONORAIL

7up's Un-Dollar at Magic Mountain - 1974

It's time for another Magic Mountain post. Located only two gallons north of Hollywood. Boy do I love that “Magic Mountain” type style; it makes me feel warm and fuzzy. This "Un-Dollar" coupon was for the 1974 summer season. 7up was a “Day One” sponsor for Magic Mountain; in fact the theater was called the “7up / Dixi Cola Showcase Theatre”. Dixi Cola?





Here’s your coupons, that’s right this “Magic” Un-Dollar is really three coupons in one that are worth a total of $1.05! As I recall the shooting gallery was pretty good. One large 7up was only 30¢, why is it $3.50 now?

Magic Mountain - Trip Report May 2010 - Part Two

Welcome to part two of my recent trip to Magic Mountain. Today’s post will focus entirely on the Sky Tower and its Museum contents. Come back on Friday for part three - a trip down to the back side of the mountain.





Are you ready for a trip up into the Sky Tower? I’m not! I can’t overstate how high this thing is. It's 320 FEET!!! I seriously almost chickened out. There were only two other people waiting for the elevator, a couple of guys from France and they were giggling like school girls at my apprehension to ride to the top. If a couple little French dudes can do it, so can I!






"If the power is on do not!! Turn off!!” This is not helping….






The elevator itself is triangle shaped and is almost completely covered in windows. The only “wall space” is this area is about four feet wide and contains the controls. I remember staring at this every time I’ve been on this elevator since 1971, I don’t think I’ve ever looked out the windows. Where’s the defibrillator button?






Lucky for me they’ve added a bunch of vintage photo’s on right side of the elevator wall. I didn’t actually “see” these until later since I was not breathing when I took these photos. To make matters worse that phone RANG on the way up the tower!








It probably only takes 90 seconds to get to the top but it seemed like 9 hours. I leaped off as soon as the door opened and found a troll!






The Troll and this great Trollywood sign are behind Plexiglas panels, but a lot of this stuff is right out where you can touch it.






They have a ton of paper goods and souvenirs.






I’ve posted that pre-opening brochure in the middle a while back (link) it’s a beauty.










Apparently they’ve only got a (poor) copy of the first concept art brochure for the trolls. Of course I had an original version with me in the tower.






The museum has a surprisingly large collection of employee uniforms.






Neat photo showing the train engineer costume. This park needs a train, or a MONORAIL!!! Oops, I jumped ahead to Saturday’s post – SAVE THE MONORAIL!!!






Here’s a few of the actual costumes. Do you think Magic Mountain saved them or did employees donate them to the museum?












There are several displays with photos graphs, I tried to get them all but I may have missed some. Bottom-center is a rare interior shot of the Buddha guy from the Magic Pagoda.






Second row from the bottom, far right is an extremely rare interior shot of the Magic Pagoda Bridge and Neon Light area, I had completely forgotten about this part of the attraction. I believe there was some sort of disappearing/peppers ghost effect rooms just beyond those bridges, but like Jeff in part 1's comments said I have “very grainy memories of the interior of the building”.





Lots of neato construction photos!






Pardon the blur but the Tower was starting to “sway” a bit so was picking up the pace. These are the short-lived Sarajevo Bobsleds (1984-86), Shock-wave would be built in this same spot, then Psyclone, and now Terminator Salvation sits on this spot.






Anyone else remember the bounce-house, I sure do! The park still has those square light posts around (you’ll see some in a later post), I really dig them.






Fun vintage map that highlights the transportation systems that are all gone expect the Funicular (Orient Express). The park is larger now and has only one tiny transportation ride, makes you wonder why they don’t have a monorail or something?






There’s not that many interior walls but boy are they filled, I know I missed another aerial photo on the opposite wall.






There was no room on the walls for this one, was that crane higher than this tower?






This early 70’s stylized wall map is splendid; I could stare at this all day long. I gotta get me one of these!






Proposed “Volleyball” attraction, I can see why they dropped that idea.






Viper chain link, its cool they have stuff out for you to touch. In the background are the stairs to the lower level. This used to be the area with open windows, well; they were caged in, but open still! I think the bathrooms were down there too. The employee in the Tower said it’s no longer used. It appeared to me to house the air conditioning unit.






Viper control Panel.






Psyclone control panel. I pushed the “E-Stop” button just for fun.






There was actually a fictional character named Spillikin? I never knew that.






Here’s a bunch of signs from closed attractions.






Spin Out was just removed in 2008, built as “Bottoms Up” in 1971, this was a classic “spin and barf” attraction.












This awesome artist sketch was done for the Texas Instruments Building in the early 70’s,.






I guess its time to look out the windows. Here’s the Texas Instruments Building, it’s now used as the Season Pass processing center.






Too high, they just announced the next elevator is leaving in one minute, I’m on it!






This is the Shangri-La station as seen from above. You can see how it used to serve two Skyway routes.






That’s Ninja in the red and white and the water ride is the Jet Stream, come back Friday for a closer look at this 1972 Water Classic.






Just for you guys I looked out the window on the way down.






I think I can see my house from here…






Heart rate returning to normal.





Whew, I almost kissed the ground.





I hope you enjoyed that little tour of the Sky Tower Museum, I highly recommend it to any Magic Mountain fan! Come back Friday and we'll head down the back side of the Mountain and check out he Jet Stream and a few other things.

Come back tomorrow for a special look at some rare photo's from Don Ballard's Disneyland Hotel presentation.