Terminator Salvation: The Ride report

Rollerman87 · Terminator Salvation: The Ride report

Hello one, hello all. Next Thursday, I will be making a trip out to Magic Mountain to ride Terminator Salvation: The Ride (if its open Razz

), and X2 and the other great coasters Very Happy

I am writing this for 2 reasons. One, I promise to give a PTR of the day Razz

Two, I am inviting anyone in the area to join me, if you aren't working of course. If you want to meet up, send me a PM Very Happy

Rollerman87

It is the year 2009.

The economy is dying, and the country is going to hell.

But 6 determined people join the Resistance and take a ride on...

Terminator Salvation: The Ride

For those who may not know what this is, it is the newest coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain, a GCI wooden coaster featuring a first of its kind pre-show and audio system. As the park put is so nicely, this isn't just a ride, it's an experience.

And while the pre-show, audio, and flames (you read that right) were nice, the ride holds its own without the fancy extras.

Although the coaster tops out at 100ft, and only takes you up to speeds of about 52 mph, the 3 minute long ride offers such an amazing feel, that it truly creates its own experience. To get the full depth of the small pieces of airtime, a backseat ride is necessary.

For any who don't feel like reading the above, here are some pretty pictures to stare at:

While waiting in line, there is scant theming to please the eye. One centerpiece is this Jepp, an actual prop from Terminator Salvation (the movie)

One thing that personally impressed me was how close the queue is the track. You can literally reach up and touch the braces to the track in some areas.

Upon entering the queue right before the pre-show, this massive tow truck lies half buried in the sand. This is an actual movie prop from Terminator Salvation (the movie).

These tanks were part of the facade for the pre-show building. The theming, for being sparse, was quite elaborate and cool, especially for being Six Flags quality.

Another little piece of theming outside the pre-show building.

Station flyby. Would have been a lot better an element if the station could hold more, thus allowing people to be able to wait and see it pass.

I apoligize for the quality of these 2 pictures. But in general, the first one shows that they are trying to keep the theming up throughout the entire ride. The second is a really bad quality shot of what the first car looks like. Even with the blur, you can see the detail they put into the seats.

And now time to ride! Pic 1: (counter clockwise, starting at left) Me, Gene, Bolliger&Mabillard's girlfriend (don't know how to spel her name), Bolliger&Mabillard. Pic 2: (counter clockwise, starting in upper lefthand corner) Vekoma6382, Monica, B&M's girlfriend, Bolliger&Mabillard

The 100 ft. lift. It had a weird jolt to it that had you rocking back and forth a bit when the train first engaged the chain.

The predrop turn definitely gets you pumped up, in combination of the audio's machine gun fire and best quote of the ride: "They're coming!!!"

After the drop, there is a nice little airtime hill that takes you right under the exit bridge connecting the station to the stairs.

Great area for pictures, if you have a good enough camera.

Great little pop of airtime at the end of the deadman's turn and right before the...

Here's a hint

One of the two tunnels on the ride. When we were there, they did not have the fog on.

I end with 2 of my favorite pics of the ride.

Surprising enough, they have the ride in an area that allows it to stick out and be noticed, but it is not a very photogenic coaster. It seems to give you its rear end most of the time.

e_tapley0687

Great TR man!

So is the audio clear while your actually going through the main part of the ride?

Rollerman87

I know many people complained about how loud the audio was, but when we went, of the 6 rides I took, I only heard the full audio once. Some of the speakers, after a week of use, were already broken Sad

e_tapley0687

Wow, really? I hope that's not going to be a recurring problem.

Doug_Barnes

That seems ridiculous to spend close to a $Mil$ on a sound track/system and not have the durability worked out ahead of time... of course, this isn't Disney or Universal. Wink

I hear that even though it's short (and we all said it would be) it has many great and surprising elements. Was there any part that seemed intense or memorable for you during the ride?

Rollerman87

The ride isn't as short as you'd think. It actually clocks out at around 3 minutes. The deadman's turn is incredible though. That and the turn that encircles the queue. Those two parts were especially amazing Very Happy

And if you have a good set of speakers, the audio at the top of the lift gets your adrenaline pumping hard. You hear machine gun fire and "Their coming!" And then drop Very Happy

screaminman11

Okay so I just took a trip out to Magic Mountain back on Wednesday and finally got my chance at Terminator and I was not disappointed at all. It was nice to see Six Flags Magic Mountain going back to what we all miss about a good roller coaster...the FUN!! Who cares if it is not a record breaker? If it makes me laugh and feel very free and excited, that is good enough for me. The level of theme for Six Flags was very top notch and in some ways can compete with the big leagues. Very comfortable ride with nice pops of airtime, great turns and tunnels and interaction with the queue. Thumbs up for Terminator Salvation: The Ride

One other suggestion, give it two tries during your day. One in the morning with hardly any line at all...and another at night. This is most definitely better as a night-time ride.

I left a voice-mail as soon as I got off so hopefully it'll be played and discussed on the next episode.

Pal

How'd I miss this? Doug, there's no one part that sticks out - it's all good! This is a fast, never let up, constant change of direction, high (but not too high) intensity maze of wood and steel.

Terminator doesn't look like much. It's not very tall, it doesn't loom over the midway. There's nothing intimidating about it until you roll down that first drop and fall into the superstructure with a kick turn that pops you out of the seat. Great during the day, but better at night, this ride is a winner.

I have about half a dozen spins on this baby. The audio seems to give the park fits and starts. Finally during my most recent ride, last week at night, the volume was loud enough to truly enjoy past the lift hill. Think about it. Woodies are noisy, they groan and moan, click and clack. Getting the soundtrack to stick out above the ambient groove is no easy task.

Magic Mountain has so many great coasters, there's no way to pick just one favorite. Terminator proudly joins the ranks of the park's top flight rides. Tell me you'll head south once it cools down out there, or at least no later than West Coast Bash.

Doug_Barnes

^We're bringing the family to SFMM on Sunday October 11th, following our week stay at Disneyland Resort (10/3-10/10); and when I say family, I mean us & the kids, the in-laws, and my parents (yes that includes Mrs. "Rod Pockets" aka: Mom Smile

big group!). I can't wait to take a spin on TS:TR!

If anyone is around, you are more than welcome to join us.

screaminman11

^^^^Ahh Doug that is so awesome! First of all, about Terminator, you will not be disappointed. I had been waiting for that ride for a long time, ironically after wishing years before if SFMM could build a GCI woodie.

But, I will mark a date during that week when you are there at Disneyland. I have gotten a new annual pass and I would love to come out and actually meet you in person. This will be awesome.

Here is an idea...we should hang out and take a spin on the Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy overlay thats going in. Should be exciting Smile

And...even though I am no longer continuing Dudes 4 Life Radio, I am still interested in podcasting. I got a much better Internet server, thanks to Verizon Fios, I will most likely be able to work Skype much better and I would love to be a guest on your show. We can talk about all the Halloween magic at Disneyland.

I will let you know which day I will plan on going. Most likely, Thursday Oct. 8th, because I dont have work on Thursdays. I am excited and looking forward to meeting you all in person.

Pal

An entire week at the DLR? Have fun!

You'll enjoy Terminator. I hope you'll get the chance to ride it in the dark. Its great during the day but twice as intense at night. Maybe we'll see you there on the 11th. Sounds like a good day for a road trip.