Six Flags Magic Mountain always calls themselves the "Thrill Capital Of The World" Are they? Do they deserve the praise? And are their coasters good?
First off, let's look at how many roller coasters are located at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The park has a total of 19 operating coasters, with a 20th coaster under construction. Ranging from the biggest thrills to smaller chills, Six Flags Magic Mountain has roller coasters for anyone ages 1-100. But are they the best? Their biggest competition is Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio with 18 world class roller coasters. Let's put similar coasters to a battle and see how it plays out.
First, the Arrow Loopers. Viper at Six Flags Magic Mountain VS Corkscrew at Cedar Point. For starters, Corkscrew is 12 years older than Viper, it was the first roller coaster to go upside down 3 times, and features a simple layout of an airtime hill, vertical Loop, and double corkscrews. However, Viper has 7 inversions, is 100 feet taller than Corkscrew, runs a lot better, and is a longer ride. This point goes to Viper.
Currently, the score is Six Flags Magic Mountain: 1, Cedar Point, 0
Next, the B&M inverts. Batman: The Ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain VS Raptor at Cedar Point. Batman: The Ride is a classic Six Flags Batman clone, with 12 clones around the world. Raptor however, was an original at the time, but has now been cloned once. Batman has 5 inversions, Raptor has 6. Raptor is much taller, faster, more intense, and longer. This point goes to Raptor.
Currently, the score is Six Flags Magic Mountain: 1, Cedar Point, 1. (Tie)
Next, the B&M floorless coasters. Scream at Six Flags Magic Mountain VS Rougarou at Cedar Point. Scream is a clone of Medusa at Six Flags Great Adventure, and Rougarou is an original stand up coaster layout converted to a floorless coaster in 2015. They both feature a vertical loop and dive loop. Scream however features a zero-g roll. A defining feature in most floorless coasters. Rougarou, as it was a standup coaster, does not feature one of these. This point is gonna go to Scream, however it was really close.
Currently, the score is Six Flags Magic Mountain: 2, Cedar Point, 1.
Now, the RMC hybrids. Twisted Colossus at Six Flags Magic Mountain VS Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point. Twisted Colossus is a dueling coaster that opened in 2015, however a fatal flaw is that it hardly ever duels, and the layouts were designed to duel, so when it doesn't, it just seems repetitive and boring. Steel Vengeance however, is a hyper coaster with a crazy layout, over 5,700 feet of track, and world class airtime. This point goes to Steel Vengeance.
Currently, the score is Six Flags Magic Mountain: 2, Cedar Point, 2. (Tie)
Next up, the wing coasters. X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain VS GateKeeper at Cedar Point. X2 was the first roller coaster to put riders on the side of the track, with each set of seats rotating on their own axis, controlled by a 2nd rail on the track. X2 is known as one of the craziest coasters ever. GateKeeper is a B&M wing coaster, without rotating seats, this ride features on inversions, gliding, and headchopper effects as it soars through the keyholes over Cedar Point's front entrance. Overall, this battle comes down to ride experience, and I have to give this point to X2 for how crazy it is.
Currently, the score is Six Flags Magic Mountain: 3: Cedar Point, 2.
Next, the Arrow Suspended Coasters. Ninja at Six Flags Magic Mountain VS Iron Dragon at Cedar Point. Iron Dragon is the oldest out of these, opening in 1984 VS 1987. Iron Dragon has a first half that can put you to sleep, but an okay 2nd half, Ninja has a decent layout overall, but does end with a lift hill similar to Adventure Express at Kings Island. This point is gonna go to Ninja.
Currently, the score is Six Flags Magic Mountain: 4, Cedar Point 2.
Now, the unique B&M's. Tatsu at Six Flags Magic Mountain VS Valravn at Cedar Point. These coasters are different. Tatsu is a flying coaster, Valravn is a dive coaster. Tatsu is known for being intense with that massive pretzel loop, and Valravn is known for the hold before the drop. Overall, flying coasters are more unique than dive coasters, and because Valravn doesn't really have any different elements than most dive coasters, this point is gonna go to Tatsu.
Currently, the score is Six Flags Magic Mountain: 5, Cedar Point, 2.
Now, the mine trains. Gold Rusher at Six Flags Magic Mountain VS Cedar Creek Mine Ride at Cedar Point. Cedar Creek Mine Ride is the older of the 2, opening 2 years before Gold Rusher, however Gold Rusher is a longer ride with 3 lift hills compared to Mine Ride with 2. Overall, Mine Ride is a very tame coaster, and Gold Rusher, while not being the most thrilling, is still decently better than Mine Ride.
Currently, the score is Six Flags Magic Mountain: 6. Cedar Point 2.
Cedar Point is definitely falling behind, but they are about to redeem themselves in these next few battles.
Next category is Food. Six Flags parks (before the merger) were known for not having very many good food options outside of your standard amusement park food like pizza and burgers. Cedar Point however, has incredible food of all types from so many restaurants. Cedar Fair always focused on incredible food, and this definitely shows at Cedar Point, they win the food game.
Currently, the score is Six Flags Magic Mountain: 6, Cedar Point, 3.
Next is parking. Six Flags Magic Mountain has a terrible parking lot, all the way around the waterpark behind Twisted Colossus, so you have to walk all the way around the water park to get to the entrance. Cedar Point however, has a good parking lot where it is right in front of the park entrance and you have GateKeeper running against it for a good view. This point once again goes to Cedar Point.
Currently, the score is Six Flags Magic Mountain: 6, Cedar Point, 4. That is the last battle for this post. If y'all like it, I'll put out a part 2.