The Troubled History of Superman: The Escape - The Delayed FIRST Coaster to Reach 100 Mph

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

What Expedition episode do you want to go on next on the channel?

[@TravellingWithNathan]

Blackpool pleasure beach

[@coasters4life388]

Nagashima spa land

[@Wdast]

Icon at Blackpool.

[@shauniegirl5598]

Tomb Raider at Kings Island

[@SPRailfan4449]

Blackpool

[@NarutovsLuffyGirl]

40% of my memories at Six Flags consist of me covering my ears as I pass underneath Superman's track. So iconic, but so loud, lol

[@bravo562]

Whats the other 60%?

[@NarutovsLuffyGirl]

@@bravo562 Probably playing in the Looney Tunes fountain

[@thetempest33ify]

Super loud. That's one of reasons the Las Vegas city council wouldnt let the Stratosphere build one.

[@LewisSmithJr]

Never cover your ears walkin this epic sound for it only works 4 times a year this days so it's something of a rare sound to hear now

[@butterpecanbrielle]

I came to SFMM a couple days ago, that ride sounds like thunder lol

[@SeanFlaharty]

I know this ride isn't exactly a favorite in a lot of people's eyes but I have always enjoyed my rides on this. In the early 2000's, I rode this with only three other people in the train. My friends, who were local to the area, were extremely excited before we launched. I just thought they were happy to be riding but as it turns out, less people made for a much quicker ride. We made it all the way to the top and literally 'kissed' the brakes up there. I just remember realizing how damn close we were to the Superman sculpture and realizing that wasn't normal. I haven't had a faster ride on it since. It was one I won't forget.

[@dlrpmagic]

Cool! I wonder as I'm getting older now 🤔 how heavy is the feeling of the G-forces of the launch? Also because you are heading backwards now... and is it a shaky ride?

[@SeanFlaharty]

@@dlrpmagic The launch isn't nearly as powerful feeling as I thought it would be, however, it does seem a lot more intense while riding in reverse. I don't find the ride to be shaky at all.

[@dlrpmagic]

@@SeanFlaharty thanks!

[@bluex610]

The lack of weight probably made the ride a lot fast but also the breaks needed to work a bit extra due to that. Scary thinking you were close to the sculpture.

[@JungleJetAviation06]

I actually rode it yesterday with 3 other people (they need 4+ in order to launch it), it didn’t feel like 100mph but it was still fast. We rode it twice in a row and then it broke down and closed for the rest of the day lol we were the only guests in the park to ride it yesterday. A really good experience lol.

[@coasterloop8691]

“Coaster enthusiasts will travel hundreds of miles for a moment of airtime” Truer words have never been said

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Haha right

[@timlyz5884]

I live near Magic Mountain and Superman is the loudest thing in all of Santa Clarita! You can hear it from miles away

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

So loud haha

[@NickyD]

lol wait until those apts open next to the park oh the complaining will begin

[@a-rex5774]

Only when you're not on it weirdly huh?? Going under during its run was really rough. Didn't have that on the ride lol

[@kirakaffee9976]

@@a-rex5774 the wind in your ears and the screams of the riders don't let you hear anything else 😁

[@rroobnz]

I wonder what the cause of the sound is?

[@choo_choo_]

I'm so glad you mentioned the floating banana. This ride was always that "floating banana" ride to me and my siblings. Hell, we probably quote that dude and the floating banana at least once a month. It's just one of those things that's so ingrained into my psyche it's hard to forget. And I've never even rode this coaster.

[@kazzypoo]

I went to Six Flags MM during the summer of 1996. We were disappointed that Superman had not yet opened and watched as they tested the empty cars, none of them reaching even halfway up the tower. When I finally rode it in 1998, it was definitely worth the wait. Short but FUN! The launch was intense, the sound alone as you accelerated along the track was memorable. A great ride!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Agreed!

[@flamingliger5533]

I really miss the Tower of Terror. I know that these rides are a 1 trick pony, but the adrenaline was awesome :)

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Agreed!

[@thegamingfanboy8171]

Yeah, I still got one of the tower of terror mugs

[@GonzoIsCool]

...I don't miss it. At 16, I was much smaller than my ridiculously tall family at the time I rode it. The lapbar did nothing because it locked multiple inches off of my thighs. I had to hang on for dear life so I wouldn't get flung out. When I got off I sat outside the exit, curled into a fetal position, sobbed, shook, and rocked back and forth. It took me several minutes before I could explain what happened. Thankfully my hand strength was strong enough to hold onto the bar and I successfully locked my joints too. I hated the Tower of Terror.

[@MrPizza_0919]

⁠@@GonzoIsCoolthe lapbar is several inches above me on most coasters I ride, you're just overreacting.

[@GonzoIsCool]

@@MrPizza_0919 I was appropriately 5ft tall, and still wore size 14/16 girls slim because my hips were non existent. If I was a literal circle in the middle. the widest I could be was less than 9 inches at the hips. Because I wasn't a playmobile figure, I was more like 6 inches in depth, which I know because I like enclosed spaces. The bar ended almost 3 inches off of my lap. Since I could get exactly both sets of fingers to meet around the thickest part of my legs, I know that they were approximately 4" tall. So it was more than an inch bigger than the widest part of my body at the time. I made my own clothes back then, so I knew my measurements. I legitimately was hurt by the ride, and all of my muscles hurt from the strain of holding on. There was NOTHING but me trying to wedge myself between the seat and the floor and the strength of my hands keeping me from leaving my seat. Thankfully I am extremely short waisted so I had legs 9 inches taller than normal for my height. If I wasn't short waisted with the legs I wouldn't have been able to wedge myself in place. Having the legs of someone closer to 6ft tall is why I didn't fall out. I hope this more clearly explains what happened.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

You could say the delay... *was its kryptonite*

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yessss

[@happiestplace3754]

This ride had so many issues and down times when it opened. I remember I got cold waiting in line with my BF. I left him in line, walked out of the park, walked to the car, got my jacket, walked all the way back, then through the queue, and he was still where I left him.

[@thequackenscoasterchannel2927]

The epitome of a one-trick pony. Rode this once and didn't feel the need to get back in line. Plus it's insanely loud🤣

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It is really loud aha

[@mychemicalromancewillpierc5241]

That is exactly why I’ve never ridden it. I always dreaded going near it because it hurt my ears so bad. I remember hearing it CLEAR ACROSS THE PARK and having to cover my ears everytime I went under the bridge where the coaster would go over. We used to run underneath it to get it over with faster.

[@SarahThompson25]

I was waiting for him to mention how loud it was. I remember having to yell to be heard when in its vicinity!

[@JordanFilms2003]

I have ridden this ride back in 2018 and I would say it’s fun. What surprise me the most was the weightlessness, it is super noticeable and definitely my favorite part about this ride.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Agreed!

[@nathanbuchanan8171]

She might not be the tallest or fastest anymore, but surly must be the loudest

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It’s true!

[@jaredungar6552]

I feel like I'm the only one who actually loves its jet sound.

[@LewisSmithJr]

So loud you would think it was doing something epic.

[@OmacK550]

@@jaredungar6552 nah I like it too it allows it to shout it’s name in the park Just cover your ears while going underneath it

[@Villela19]

​@@jaredungar6552 Same I love the loud noise it makes !

[@disconnected5495]

I worked at superman the day it actually reached the top of the coaster. It took the power from the entire park. It happened early in the morning before guest were allowed in.

[@LewisSmithJr]

Did it? I always wanted to ride it when it got up there but they changed that quick.

[@disconnected5495]

@@LewisSmithJr yeah why the power was needed from the entire park was beyond me. It was even weirder cause I didn't know there was brakes at the top to make you pause and look at superman for a second.

[@LewisSmithJr]

@@disconnected5495 yeah the whole point was to get the the top hold you there for a few like something really quick like 3-6 then bring you back. It was also around the beginning time when if timed right pennies would float in the air for the same amount of seconds you are paused at the time. Then they went and changed things turned the cars around etc...now they damn ride barely works. You gotta catch it on a good Saturday

[@alilshellphish]

im glad you keep going over the rollercoaster tycoon coasters, this is one of my game favorites!!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Me too!

[@kebarosUK]

I want to go on something more thrilling than Superman the escape

[@RayLukard78]

If the trains launch backwards, shouldn't it be called "Bizarro Superman: the Not Escape"? 😎🤔

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yes aha

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

His name is just Bizarro. That would be awesome.

[@brentparker7359]

Here's my story with this ride. I was a teenager visiting Magic Mountain for the first time and by the time we went to ride Superman, I was exhausted. I told my friends that after this ride, I was going back to the car to go to sleep. I even stood under the blowers for the cold theming in the Fortress of Solitude to try to stay awake in the queue. After the ride, I was WIDE AWAKE. My friends and I rode the Gold Rusher and Spin Out numerous times as they had no line. I was totally unaware of the ride's history until this video.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Sounds awesome!

[@zacheryrankin7955]

I’ve ridden the “Tower of Terror” the Aussie version!! Loved the ride!! Was so fun. The ride will be missed.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah shame it closed!

[@yomammasboo713]

Superman and Goliath are the only rides at Magic Mountain where I always say I'm gonna finally go on but every time I go I'm like 'fuck that'.

[@popgaming4343]

Goliath is for baby’s Superman tho is some scary stuff

[@packzz3954]

goliath isnt that bad i find x2 more intense

[@actorleojames]

Could you do Rock N Roller Coaster next? Love your videos 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Soon and thanks!

[@Rickmarine1]

@Florida-By-Rail this guy seems to do a good job with his research so I def think he’ll include it’s sister coaster as well.

[@howiemuzika9131]

As always, another quality Expedition! I remember living in Los Angeles at the time, and you perfectly captured the frustration of the lengthy delays. That’s such a Six Flags Power Move to finish construction just weeks before the scheduled opening date. The ride is painfully short, and probably has the worst queue to experience ratios of any ride to date. That being said, the launch, hang time, and return is unlike anything I’ve encountered. It’s an amazing ride. I’m kinda surprised you didn’t mention the iconic sound that dominates the park. The screaming sleds are deafening, and I feel for the Park workers who are stationed directly below. Cheers!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!!

[@edbrown2998]

I LOVE this ride. It would be far higher up my coaster rankings than most people, but I love the speed and find it incredibly relaxing flying up the tower with the feeling of weightlessness and seeing the whole park down below. I know it shouldn’t be my favourite ride in the park but somehow it is. Lucky to have got on tower of terror II just a week or two before it’s closure, but hopefully this can keep going for a few more years yet 😊

[@gatelyproperties]

Really wish you talked more about the tires and the sound. The tires are made of urethane after rubber slowed down the vehicle, but the urethane tires changed the sound profile. It has the DB of a F-14 tomcat fighter and can be heard throughout the area when running.

[@rjkral]

SUPERb stuff Expedition!! I live here and didn't know so many of these interesting and important details about this ground breaking ride! Indeed the launch system has become of major importance as coasters continue to push forward today (literally!). I'm originally from Australia and around the opening years of this ride friends, and friends of friends, would visit asking about getting on this ride, I didn't know how they even knew about it like what you're saying word got around the world fast! Great info and video thank you Sam!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@stefangrozdic4369]

Sadly in the past years superman has only been operating with onside. It never duels anymore. I heard that thats beacause it puts too much stress on the tower. And ive heard that they used one side for spare parts.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I think it's days are numbered sadly

[@d34thstrik3]

They used our Tower of Terror for parts but even doing that the days for it will be numbered being it's now a one of a kind coaster.

[@bradgarrett2176]

One of the best parts of this ride was when the LSMs don't kick back in during the return and you fly through the station into the emergency friction brakes . Is way better than any roll back I've had on anything else....

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah haha I saw a video of it happen and looks crazy

[@TBanos]

5:01 THAT CLIP!!! THAT 13 CLIP AND THE DESPERADO CLIP IN BACK TO BACK VIDEOS LMAOOOOO

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Hahaha the dream !

[@joemomma5164]

Ya know I used to hate your intro but it’s grown on me so much and now I love it

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Haha welcome to the dark side!

[@OakViewFilms]

I’m old enough to remember when this was THE hot coaster. Back when it was featured on every Discovery Channel documentary about roller coasters, back when we were amazed at going 100 MPH, and the six seconds of substations floater airtime as the train lost momentum and fell back down the tower was considered the “holy grail”. For 5 years, this was one of the hot coasters in the community. Then Top Thrill Dragster opened in 2003, and suddenly this attraction looked like a “baby’s toy”. It was no longer the hot ride. Today's enthusiasts look at this and go "meh", which I can't blame them. But I remember when this topped every enthusiast's "Best of" list in the late 90s/early 2000s. It may not personally be my favorite ride at Magic Mountain, but it’s a fun ride for what it was. Though I miss when it went forward, as the launch backwards isn’t nearly as fun.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah!

[@M-NL2]

Sunday: The Ride

[@monkey3014]

Sunday the ride

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Monday

[@khaos5071]

Sunday: the ride

[@allyphay5929]

Sunday: The Ride

[@joeballad2079]

Sunday: The Ride

[@abbiehayhurst2143]

i love your videos!! this may sound weird but your voice is so soothing and i fall asleep to your videos (in a good way LMAO)

[@xcellorator]

14:24 And now, Magic Mountain has just turned around the train on the left side to face forwards! Also they received the parts from Tower of Terror 2 and now the ride goes back up to its original height.

[@TrevorCollin_]

Please please I beg you do a history video on ghost Rider from Knott's Berry farm please!!!your voice is perfect for narration and it would be awesome it would be one of my favorite videos ever also is my favorite wooden roller coaster

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I will in the future! Thank you

[@I41535D]

@9:18 I loved that! It gave me goosebumps and I was holding on to my seat for dear life!

[@ArchJ17]

Honestly I think that shuttle coasters and full circuit coasters should be separated always when it comes to awards. It’s easier and harder for each of them to do stuff so stuff like the worlds longest shuttle coaster should be awarded just as much as worlds longest coaster.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I agree

[@CaptainHarknesss]

The now extinct Tower of Terror on the Gold Coast used to vary wildly with its launch speeds as well, even in its hey-day of the early 2000's. I managed to get a ride on it a few weeks before it closed in 2019 (very suddenly, with no fanfare) and it was not the ride of my childhood - it was clunky, much slower, and had an aweful and jarring run back through the brakes, stopping halfway back down the tunnel to limp back to the platform. I hope that Superman remains well maintained and is given an eventual retirement that these two giants deserve. Dreamworld just took theirs out the back and shot it after leaving it to linger for years. Incidently, the Tower of Terror still has a drop tower attached to the structure too - in inovatively named Giant Drop... again, in need of either closing or some significant TLC.

[@berontil]

I love that now one side is forward and one side backwards and obviously this occurred after you made this video. We’ll see how long this ride survives as it continues to age.

[@puccipower]

Thanks for mentioning Desperado. That poor damn roller coaster needs some help.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Poor Desperado!

[@peanutismint]

I rode it forwards in 2004 and have ridden it backwards many times since 2011, and whether or not it's a roller coaster it's always one of my favourite moments of any Magic Mountain day.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yes!

[@morganeister6791]

Speaking as a rider from when this coaster was forward facing, it was and still to this day, is one of my favorite rides I've ever experienced. Only ever closely matched by a coater at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania. As many times as I visited the park, this ride had a 50/50 chance of being closed for the day. So the 3/4 times I was able to ride felt like a blessing. I'm glad my dad forced me onto this ride because it will be a moment I will never forget.

[@Chaoshero5567]

companies with new launch systems: Premier with LIM: Lets do something safe Intamin with LSM: WHO WANTS SPEED? WHO WANTS HEIGHT?

[@badatgaming]

I remember visiting SFMM when Superman was still in that testing phase. The other rides were making announcements that the ride would not be opening that day, even though it was test firing all day. I remember one of the launches, a car was sparking as it went up the tower. It didn't reach even a third of the way up. That was the last test run for that night.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Now people would wait all day for the chance

[@wickedphant0m]

Do I consider it a coaster? No. Do I ride it every visit? Absolutely. Dubious records aside, it's still REALLY fun.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Agreed!

[@thomaskylecreative]

Great vid as always! I wonder how many of us learned about Six Flags rides first through RCT2 😂

[@CoasterGen]

Is it a bird? is it a plane? No its another awesome Expedition!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yessssss

[@scottin360]

Such a great ride! During a Disneyland trip with the family, my brother and I took a detour to Magic Mountain to ride all their coasters including Superman: The Escape! A great ride experience and memory.

[@rpavlik1]

Makes me wonder if the controversy about shuttle coasters and records is why subsequent really tall coasters went to using a tophat instead of a shuttle, so they were technically full circuit roller coasters.

[@SidebandSamurai]

I rode Superman the escape. I was unprepared for the rides speed and how fast it went up the tower. It scared the crap out of me. I came off the ride shaking. That is how good this ride was at the time I rode it. I never road it again and I look at experience as one I will never forget. Thanks for the documentary.

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very nicely put together video and very entertaining as well. Thanks for posting this.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@DaturaDynamo]

Cedar point: *haha, we took your achievement of largest coaster* Six flags: *let's make the same layout with the same drop tower but just a tiny bit higher and add a little airtime hill*

[@markvolpe2305]

And add an airtime hill

[@theruleoffire]

If 36 feet is tiny to you sure.

[@theruleoffire]

@@markvolpe2305 yeah and that too. Good point. Lets not forget faster too.

[@KillJoy83]

and terrible restraints

[@brentparker7359]

6:26 -- That day it wasn't just a Superman ride, it was a Bananaman ride as well.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

The best kind of ride !

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

I actually get that.

[@diemfdie50]

Nice! I requested this video few days ago. Your fast 😉😉

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Ahah yepppp

[@Paolo8772]

When it comes to heigh and speed, my favourite bucket list launch coasters are Dododonpa, (for its rate of launch) Storm Runner (for its straight drop and having a somewhat full layout) and Top Thrill Dragster for only having lap bars and a 400' drop.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

All amazing rides!

[@Paolo8772]

@@ExpeditionThemePark Technically TTD isn't a bucket list coaster for me because I've already ridden it. But I've not yet ridden it in the front; only the back two cars.

[@peasy1719]

Great video! Sfmm is my home park and I remember loving this coaster as a kid but it never went over halfway up the tower. Operators would tell me it was too expensive, and they usually only run one side on less busy days. But when it got it’s backwards treatment the ride (tho not consistent) would actually reach higher altitudes more often! I miss it facing forward and the less obnoxious color scheme, but a solid “little” attraction!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Agreed

[@xhelix_reapzx9723]

Iron Gwazi plug 😂😂 “Roller Coaster fan continued to press the park”

[@SNORKYMEDIA]

and Velocicoaster

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Hahaha right?!

[@RichieJimyt]

I remember being so afraid of getting on this thing but it really is a fun experience and doesn't feel like you are that high compared to when you are slowly going up a hill

[@Flickawho]

“That was stupid. That was really stupid.” Indeed. Indeed, it was.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Hahaha yes

[@jefflong1799]

Very FAKE too.

[@mfl8276]

One thing most people don't realize that I actually like, is that Superman is the loudest roller coaster in the world.

[@kiolesmith7901]

You’re not lying!!! I worked at the arcade under it....it was CRAZY loud!! You couldn’t even talk to guest when they launched the cars! We also heard stories of test run dummies heads getting ripped off 🤷‍♂️

[@Bizness10]

"I want to go on something more thrilling than "

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yesss

[@tonyisreal446]

X2

[@UKFunfairsTV]

That has some crazy airtime! 😯

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yep!

[@JeaneGraye83]

I loved RCT (Roller coaster Tycoon)... @ 9:12 is exactly what I used to do when I build that type of ride 😂. Horrible I know.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Hahah we all did I think!

[@southpuddle]

Huge sentimental ride for me - I was a 12 year old enthusiast when S:TE opened and it was the most amazing ride at the time. The queue would go down the hill practically to Gold Rusher those first couple of years. That said, I wouldn't shed a single tear if it was removed. As a now 34 year old enthusiast, it's just so loud and obnoxious 🤣

[@LeeAnnaHolt]

As a Vegas native, your constant use of the Lance Burton clip brings me joy.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

My fav clip ever tied with 13!

[@LeeAnnaHolt]

@@ExpeditionThemePark Lance Burton is apparently a very nice man. Would have been a shame if he got ran over by a roller-coaster.

[@timk987]

@@LeeAnnaHolt would it be a shame or just “stupid”

[@LeeAnnaHolt]

@@timk987 The only stupid dangerous trick amongst magicians is the bullet catch. Everything else is fair game. 😆

[@timk987]

@@LeeAnnaHolt Not according to Lance! :)

[@maxhagenauer24]

These videos are amazing. Very very well researched and tons of time put into them. I think you should one off Hades 360 and how the Gravity Group started.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@JakeRanney]

Just wanted to point out that that epic music in the beginning has "The Lick" in its central melody

[@cobalt._.27]

thank god i'm not the only one who noticed!

[@lukegreen5341]

I'm A Huge Big Super Awesome Superman Fan. Thanks Mate. X

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thanks Luke!

[@offrails]

What I remember were the debates in online communities (including RRC) back in the late 90s over whether this was a coaster or not. Also, was this the ride that pioneered the Intamin tradition of innovative but frequently unreliable rides?

[@beejay271]

This ride is on my "no way" list as in there's "no way" I'd ride this! Lol. I've been on Top thrill dragster, I305, Millennium Force, and other giant coasters but there is something about that backwards plummet I'm like..." Nope" 😅

[@chiltonschilling2732]

Before this Coaster was changed to launch backwards, this was also a nope for me. But when I finally went on it, I was in shock that I was even scared of it. It really wasn't that bad, just fun. I have been fortunate to ride this ride forwards and backwards but never got an experience where both tracks were launched at the same time. Also I have been on TTD and Millennium force and Superman is weak forwards and backwards compared to those two. But SFMM being my home park, I still love to ride Superman. Even with its launch not being as strong.

[@WildOutdoorLiving]

I loved riding Superman in 2009, because Id been dreaming about it since seeing a science documentary that featured it back in the late 90s. No it wasn’t very forceful and it’s unbelievably loud but it was fast and it was tall and most importantly it was cool to say you rode it.

[@mcadr4925]

I’m having Six Flags Great America withdrawals, hope we get to see another video on one of the rides there soon lol!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I will in the future

[@kamsavart]

I remember visiting SFMM with friends back in the summer of 1996 and as we got to the parking booth I was shocked and ticked to find out the ride wasn't operational that day. We were nearly 300 miles away on that trip and stopped there before heading back home. But 5 years later I did get to ride it, and boy is it intense.

[@Happymali10]

8:32 Why are there tracks behind the station (towards the ice-facade)

[@brucemendelson1121]

It's a buffer in case the car doesn't stop in the station properly. I was on the ride during the first summer and occasionally you would see a car go backwards a bit past the station.

[@connor4186]

I was a former ride op there for the refresh and when we re-opened it was haulin ass up that tower. But they have slowed it down and even dropped to just one side operating.

[@codenameu.arctos3747]

Rode this back in 2001. It was fun.....and a walk on...so worth the time investment.

[@TheHoost2]

Great video. I remember going to sfmm in 1996 and seeing it advertised on flyers. It wasnt until we got the entrance that we found out it wasnt open. Spoke to a staff member on the sky tower..yes that was open...they said the problems it faced was due to the insane amount of power it needed. They couldnt run the other rides when testing it and had to get a seperate power source to run it..anyways i finally got on it in 2006 and loved it!!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@pupmadness]

The Joker Revenge, the first backward roller coaster.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Classic

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

Now it's sitting abandoned all because Six Flags was too cheap to fix their New Orleans park.

[@ThePirateprincess23]

I am among those who were fortunate enough to ride it when it was Superman: the Escape between the years 2001 (when I first rode it) to 2009 (the second year in a row that I had a season pass to Magic Mountain). I actually started to like better when it turned in Superman: Escape from Krypton in 2011 (there is just something about riding roller coasters backwards that I happen to like) but I do miss seeing the Superman statues that they had on both the tower and in the queue. Plus the Fortress of Solitude has the best air conditioning in the park on a hot summer day.

[@markjensen7091]

That wait from 1996-1997 was a pain in the ass. Also even though the ride opened it still had issues and would be closed. It took me THREE effing years to get a chance to ride this ride. I grew up in the LA area but we would only make the trip to SFMM about 2-3 times a year max and we always seemed to catch the ride on a down day. Then finally the year I got to ride it, the funniest thing happened. I think fate knew I had waited soooo long for this ride because something interesting happened. My friend and I were on the ride and the ride had a technical fault. Apparently the braking system had failed and behind the platform is the emergency braking section of the ride. We didn't brake in time and went thru the back of the station (this was the original forward facing cars). It took like an eternity for the park staff to get the mechanic to repair the fault and then winch us back into the station. The worst part was my friend had the lap bar stapled next to his nuts so imagine the agony on his face while we sat in the emergency braking area waiting to get winched and towed back into the station. The good news though we got to ride it a second time and that was awesome. I don't feel bad for the folks in the building because this ride is housed in an AC building and its wonderful in that hot Valencia, Ca sun.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I saw a video of this happening and it looks crazy !

[@moderndissident5930]

In what dispensation does a coaster go from Lap bars to OTSRs?

[@ZekeValdez122]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention how extremely loud this ride is when you’re just walking around the park lol

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Haha goes without saying

[@imdbtruth]

Yes! I visited Magic Mountain a couple of years ago, and I did ride Escape from Krypton, and it was fun, but I wouldn't want it at my home park of Six Flags Over Texas, because it's just too jarringly loud!

[@Joypyf]

Excellent video!! 👍🏼

[@ianrotten4453]

The first time I ride Superman, literally blew my mind. Oh, how I miss Magic Mountain!

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

Hey, Expedition Theme Park! Please do the History of Drachen Fire!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Sure!

[@jurassiccoasternerd1199]

@@ExpeditionThemePark wait until 2022. Busch Gardens is rumored to pay homage to Drachen Fire in their 2022 coaster.

[@Thestuffnope]

Defunctland already made a video on that.

[@trevler]

@@Thestuffnope Sure, but Defunctland and Expedition Theme Park videos have different vibes, and I'm always happy to get both perspectives.

[@Cyber_Chriis]

Hey, I love your videos and you’re one of my favorite documentary channels on KZbin. I’d like to ask you if you may include metric numbers in your videos. I need to stop about every 30 seconds to fire up my converter... Your videos would be better enjoyable if you’d integrate them, even if it’s only as a text. Coaster Studio makes a great job with that too! I’d really appreciate your effort! Best wishes from Germany!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I will try and include a on screen conversion! I always mean to but I just forget but will try make it easier

[@Paolo8772]

I've always wondered what piece of music you use for your theme (@ 42 seconds) it sounds like English Jazz from the 20s or thirties. What is the piece? when was it done and by whom was it written and performed?

[@Thelightning1out]

5:03 bro cannot be stopped, he is just immortal

[@astroluna2411]

I would just like to say that I appreciate you captioning these videos as they come out! It makes it a lot easier for me (and others I'm sure) to follow along :)

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you! I have been trying to do it earlier and I’m so glad it helps.

[@SeaSkyCity]

SFMM was my first job. I worked on Superman - was my favorite ride to work on. However, I never rode it haha. Too scared of heights.

[@SunnylandProds]

You can’t mention Desperado without mentioning Lance Burton

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Exactly!

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

Lance Reddick + LeVar Burton? (please tell me someone gets that)

[@rroobnz]

It's a good thing they fixed the ride and replaced its launch fins so now it goes higher than it has in years! It goes way into the red now!

[@naadeiashie6053]

Ik someone at Six Flags MM was like "How come Dreamworld got their sh*t together"

[@DisneyMarkUK]

I love this thing! Thank you Sam, you’ve made us start to plan a visit for next year. Hope you’re doing well.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

See you there Mark! 😂

[@TracksideViews]

I always hit the like button before I even watch because I know what I’m getting will be great!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!!

[@mack.attack]

They didn't know its longest-standing record would be world's loudest roller coaster

[@troyvsc]

I still enjoy this ride if there is no way. Year ago when it was still going forward when we came back backwards we went sped right past the station still carrying decent speed before abruptly stopping. The ride ops gave us a reride which at the time was over hour wait. Thought it was awesome. Still don't understand how going past the station didn't trigger some kind of fault shutting the ride down even temporary. Thankful for the reride and the unique experience.

[@derfvcderfvc7317]

Oh God that would be terrifying going over 100mph on 1920s technology

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Haha right

[@twinstarzeonx]

Just looking for something to watch and then this comes along 👍🏼😁. Thank you.....still waiting for Vekoma Canyon Trip 😉😂

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

One day!

[@tubbydubby_01]

wherte did you get the fotage at 5:42

[@robrr2000]

was there 24 (?) years ago on its opening weekend. I swear I can still hear the sound of those cars going down the track.

[@Randomperson-zt3il]

Omg yessss! I love it when u upload!! I’ve actually learned quite a lot from u

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@Randomperson-zt3il]

@@ExpeditionThemePark no problemo 👍🏻