Superman Ride NOW facing FORWARD! | Six Flags Magic Mountain

[@rola3561]

Riding backwards imo adds suspense as you don’t exactly know when you’ll be going up and also the view up there is breathtaking

[@Eric-lq6yk]

yea it looks weird running forward

[@matthewclark4510]

@@Eric-lq6yk how

[@rola3561]

@Im just a Troll whos intentions are good i rode 2 weeks ago and it was pretty great, the car reached a little more past the red section too

[@spankyspork5808]

I like the feeling of falling as you stare at the sky, both directions have their pros and cons, it's great SFMM is offering both

[@GDNebula_]

i love it backwards the hangtime is incredible

[@Drummerstik]

Superman is the only ride I could hear before even entering the parking lot. That thing sounds like a jet.

[@danielsandoval5934]

You can hear Riddler's Revenge from the parking lot

[@nickmmm_yt]

Nahhhh have you heard Goliath 😭😭 shii is loud asf

[@thehorrormonster]

It’s loud asf lmao

[@Avazzz]

@@thehorrormonster bro the loudest shit in the park is Superman it nearly deafened me when I was on the pirate ship ride

[@B.Abbott25]

Never seen it go that high, even when it re opened in 2011, wow

[@VincentLobster]

I was at the park Friday and the right side was reaching the red area every single time! It was really nice to see.

[@tylerabbott7545]

Yea just went yesterday and it went high up in the red

[@tylerabbott7545]

@Fw.a4ron no it’s fun the drop isn’t even bad

[@bserpas]

@Fw.a4ron it's not bad but it is one of thee most intense. Also longest lines. Arrive as early as you can or get a flash pass platinum. It might make you think the other rides are dull afterward though

[@dimos6192]

@Fw.a4ron how was it

[@itsenchant]

it used to run forward YEARS ago, i know superman was standing there and i rode it as a kid, im happy it is facing forward lol but i love backwarrds too

[@chiltonschilling2732]

The forward launch will never be the same unless we get lap bars again.

[@matthewclark4510]

Yeah lap bars are better but I like best restraints

[@erik162000]

@Galaxyfnaf And Dino lapbars are fantastic on Lagoon’s Cannibal.

[@thelfinarcher]

As someone who rode it the first year it came out, I LOVED the front facing cars. It was awesome to have that 2-second weightless feeling, and get to wave a Superman back then. I took my kids to Six Flags for the first time a few years before Covid hit, and insisted on riding Superman, but hadn't been aware of the car reversal....and was NOT prepared to go backwards. I thought it was interesting, but wasn't thrilled with the reverse view, as someone who is terrified of heights. I'm very excited they brought back the front facing car, and think it's awesome to have an option, especially for those of us who enjoyed the original ride for several years.

[@xygomorphic44]

I actually had a conversation with one of the operators years ago, prior to the 2011 remake. I think it was around 2007, when I asked him why the cars don't go faster. He told me that the cars used to go further up the tower but sometime in the mid 2000s one of the magnets burned out. Apparently these LSMs were known to get very hot and being the prototype ride this was, they would wear out. The original design of the ride called for metal fins on the cars, but they weren't adequate and had to be replaced with much larger and heavier bar magnets. Another issue they ran into in the original design was that the ride ended up being a lot more power hungry than expected and a lot of energy got lost in the cables themselves due to the skin effect. They had to pull the original powerlines out and replace them with much larger diameter cables, then hook the power system up to a custom 2+ megawatt circuit off the Southern California Edison grid.

[@GMoney-B]

I worked at Lex Luthor as an op. It's not about stress on the tower that causes down time for superman or lex luthor. Superman is built to sway up to 8 feet safely. One huge reason why they always have to shut down lex and superman at least in the summer is if Lex's Gondolas get stuck at the top. When that happens we have to call superman to tell them to temporarily hold operations so guests are not freaked out while they wait to get dropped, ha. I would not be surprised if they waited to launch one side at a time because of the power draw. They pulled out separate lines from Socal Edison specifically just for Superman because it uses 1.5megawatts of power per launch. I believe that is per side as well.

[@mrlohan18]

Very fascinating. Thanks for the info. I havent been to magic mountain in over 12 years and unfortunately never been in superman but definitely want to go back some day and try it

[@GMoney-B]

@@mrlohan18 Seems like it's half and half. Some people like it and others don't and say it's boring. I personally find it one of my favorite rides with one of the strongest launches still with a heck of a view. Even if it's very short. Especially for when it came out, it was the most advanced coaster of it's time and record breaking.

[@mrlohan18]

@@GMoney-B i’ll have to see for myself! Although i will say im disappointed that they removed the superman statue at the top! Do u know why they did that?

[@GMoney-B]

@@mrlohan18 There were a lot of absurd and preposterous rumors as to why. "Someone jumping out of the car and holding onto it", lol yea right. Nothing to hold onto and also cars would come to an instant hault anyway 15-20ft from the top once they reach the permanent magnetic brakes at the top. I can only guess that it was degraded from the sun or pooped on by birds and while they do maintain their rides for safety very well, they don't put much effort into keeping up thematic or scenic decorations.

[@mrlohan18]

@@GMoney-B yes i feel like magic mountain doesn’t really have the best thematic asthetic like other parks like universal ect. But yea i I ish they’d have kept superman on theres or even replaced with a new one

[@ryanpenman251]

I'd imagine this must simulate what a Dragster rollback is like, excellent choice switching to forward.

[@seanlewis1148]

1 side backwards....1 side forwards...that is the plan.

[@treypohe4593]

Good to see that our Tower of Terror was able to help get Superman get back up and running like the opening days again... Never seen either rides go as high before too.

[@Rickmarine1]

I remember going on Superman the year it re-opened in 2011, riding it in the front row was awesome, and was pleased to see the red track when we got to the top, I'm glad they're still keeping the ride in good condition. I was kinda sad seeing it not even reach the red track a few years ago, but now it seems like its going all the way up to the brakes at the top! I need to get down there ASAP before it starts to slow down again. Very underrated ride imo, it's super fun but coaster enthusiasts never talk about it lol.

[@williampavichevich4877]

I ❤️ SUPERMAN, and I've experienced it both Fowards & Backwards. I prefer the Backwards Launch, as I feel the Launch is faster and better and so enjoy Looking down on the Park from the Top. It's A MUST to Experience. 😎🌴🎢👍🏻

[@LanesAviationYT]

I’d rather look down, yet this is my favorite ride!

[@Spacemountaineer92]

nice maybe they’ll have an option to guests riding forwards or backwards

[@TheEpic22]

One side forward one side backwards is the best way to go

[@noahjackson2]

Fr

[@seanlewis1148]

That's what's going to happen!!!

[@seanlewis1148]

@Im just a Troll whos intentions are good that's what's going to happen

[@jessen6700]

@@seanlewis1148 did you go recently? If yes what was superman like?

[@flowerpink33]

When I first opened in 2007 ( I think 🤔) I use to ride it back to back and it felt like it was gonna come off the track. I use to reach up and try to touch the Superman that had at the top. It was awesome 👏🏾 👏🏾👏🏾

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

1997

[@joeman8523]

Why they remove the Superman?

[@notmason69420]

ngl I like the idea of a new lsm launch system

[@coolplayer404]

For me I love backwards launch 😢

[@stanton1270]

The forward train should be opening around July 4th weekend!

[@EvilMaestro7]

I got the privilege of riding the OG 97 ride. Factory fresh launch system and forward facing. Also caught final launch of the day and staff members hopped on leaving the lap bar purposely looser. Let’s just say I lifted a solid two feet from my chair. Damn I miss the 90’s

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

I was only one when it opened. It was the first Superman ride to be opened, ever. I eventually got to ride it when I went to SFMM in 2005.

[@fablecio]

How come intamin can't just put a more reliable launch system on it?

[@seanlewis1148]

Six Flags is cheap

[@GMoney-B]

@@seanlewis1148 and also those stators are NOT cheap. they would have to pay a company to design and manufacture them. Since they would not be produced in mass quantities and one-of's, they would probably be at least 5x more expensive than something that is mass produced.

[@bserpas]

@@GMoney-B the ride was already a unique design. Six Flags just needs to pony up the money. It always has a line when being operated

[@MARKOUTTV]

$

[@verios44]

@@seanlewis1148 doesnt help that the franchise is kissing bankruptsy again, understaffs almost all of their rides, etc.

[@garrettdodson6110]

The loud roar is the very best part of the entire ride!!

[@DanielBlaney]

The issue with power usage is not necessarily the total power it uses but the amount of power it uses in a short amount of time. This was resolved by staggering the launches. The Chiller at Great Adventure had the same issue.

[@ThemeParkTracker]

Makes sense. Would be cool to see them launch together again!

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

The Chiller was all around messed up. They should've known what they were doing.

[@DanielBlaney]

@@YuukiTakemoto1996 the issue that killed the chiller actually had nothing to do with the launch but had to do with the wheel boggy assemblies.

[@Timecapsule96]

I used to get way more butterflies when it was facing forward for some reason. Came here on Saturday and it was still running backward, maybe it’ll go forward soon :)

[@zacheryrankin7955]

As an Aussie who’s favourite ride at dreamworld was the Tower of Terror. I would like to say, enjoy!! I’ll get to ride again soon!!

[@choppchopp9975]

I’m also a aussie and I also went on the tower of terror it was insane I went over and over again lol

[@j4kfamily684]

There’s a ride called tower of terror at the original Disney World in Orlando Florida

[@zacheryrankin7955]

@@j4kfamily684 yes there is. But Australia also used the name for their Intamin Reverse Freefall Coaster.

[@coastercosmo6154]

You cant ride it again tho...???

[@360coasters]

I'm an Aussie as well!

[@mlc285]

This is my home park, and I have never seen it go up so high! Hell yea!

[@SternLX]

Used to ride this all the time in the late 90's when it was new. Both sides facing forward and launching at the same time. Both cars always and consistently hit the Redzone every ride.

[@FrontRowCoaster]

Nice footage. I did a video similar the other day, but yours was far better. Great analysis.

[@jameshaning]

They could run one forward and the other backwards. Great ride either way!

[@seanlewis1148]

That's the plan👍

[@wickedphant0m]

Also... it's pretty shady that Intamin will sell an attraction for tens of millions of dollars and then decide to stop supporting it. I get it that eventually the service life of a ride ends, but coaster manufacturers are selling long term investments and Superman is still a long way off from the end of its service life. Goes to show why fewer parks are willing to work with Intamin anymore.

[@ShadowTD]

They're a bag of dicks to deal with for after-sales and support appa.

[@sharkheadism]

Look at it from the manufacturer's point of view: they only have so much manpower and if some of that resource is diverted to a 25 year old ride that is the only one of its kind, they can't put that resource into their more profitable products. Companies do this all the time.

[@wickedphant0m]

@@sharkheadism I understand their POV... it's more profitable to stop providing support after a couple of years. But it's definitely a reason that some parks have sworn off working with them again.

[@sharkheadism]

@@wickedphant0m I think there are other reasons for it. You can't expect a manufacturer to support older products forever. There are third parties the park could contract with if they're determined to keep it running.

[@choppchopp9975]

As an Australian I can say that the tower of terror is probably one of the best rides ever

[@ThemeParkTracker]

It was neat how that version of the ride had a tunnel for the entire launch portion!

[@360coasters]

I'm an Aussie as well!

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

I liked the story for that ride. Very sci-fi esque. It seemed like a story in a DC comic. But Superman's flight to Earth is like, the BEST theming for a coaster like this. It fits so well with the weightlessness aspect.

[@Brandonmtlhd]

I remember riding forward on it before. It was a much more thriling ride. Looking forward to going back.

[@clumsyninja1731]

No pun intended 😂

[@GMoney-B]

I personally found it way more exciting going backwards. Such a different experience to be launched backwards into the shoulder restraints, plus you get to see the ground and how high you are. Before you would have to turn around to look down. I doubt they will take it down unless the structure starts to show fatigue in like 10-30 years. It's too iconic of an advertisement driving by the park or on the freeways. I could see them converting the launch system to newer intamin stators. Probably a revision to the theming and experience too to re-introduce the ride to the public and make it worth the upgrade.

[@famous_sam_1]

Now we just need one of Mr. Freez'es trains to face forward and then ill be happy

[@ThemeParkTracker]

That would be neat. Might have to split the queue into two or let guests decide at the split point in the queue

[@princeerick11]

The best six flags Ever,Six Flags Magic Mountain ❤️

[@seanlewis1148]

Yessir

[@bserpas]

Eh Great Adventure gives it a run for it's money. More coasters for sure

[@Williamafton7891]

I freaking love this ride

[@stonefarmer3005]

We live two hours and are members, making the trip 1-2 times a month, almost weekly in fall and winter. Since the reopening of the park the lines have been loooooong for this ride, going back down the hill by the old closed restaurant.

[@ThemeParkTracker]

I recommend riding superman in the morning as most people haven't reached the top of the mountain yet

[@user-hh4jo2wc1w]

YESSSSSS I WANT TO GO SO BAD RIGHT NOW!

[@user-xy3mv8bg7j]

I was there just yesterday, it was hitting red zone allllllll day

[@seanlewis1148]

Just one side?

[@Alina-pp7bm]

how long was the average wait time for the rides?

[@weirdbeetworld4914]

i went a few weeks ago, most rides were around 30 min aside from like tatsu

[@la8208]

I know this ride is simple, the wait is long, and it is over quick, but for some reason it is one of my favorite rides in the park. Something about it is very interesting. Like getting shot off an aircraft carrier or something. Its basically a gigantic rail Gun.

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

I also learned that this coaster was closed down in 1999 for maintenance!

[@philbatten5863]

This ride seems great, but I wish they would have added other elements to this. It last only a few seconds. Even if it was a couple of simple twist and a 40ft drop, it would have added so much more!

[@fabiola9307]

i went yesterday and the ride shut down many times but me and my friends still waited in that 1 hour line. SO WORTH IT THO

[@gregg5958]

Needs the Superman figure on it again if you’re going to be able to face it.

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

I remember looking at that saying "Oh hey, Superman" then resuming freaking out. But it was a good ride. It helped me ride Kingda Ka again.

[@seanlewis1148]

That Superman statue has been long lost. It was blown away in a windstorm years ago.

[@xoxo4Korey]

This was so interesting!! Thank you for sharing!

[@The_young_cameraman]

sadly i was a week ago at sixflags MM and its barely reaching red zone again :(

[@quanworthwealth59]

I was at magic mountain back in November 2023 and I was told by one of the ride operators that superman was going to remain closed permanently. But then I asked another rider operator when I was in line for crazanity and he said there was no way they would permanently close superman. So I don't know who to believe now.

[@samm._.1847]

Can someone explain the forward and backward part? Which way is facing what bc I’m confuse.

[@santaclaritadrone2844]

If facing the ride while walking up to it, the left side will be forwards and the right side backwards.

[@jackschissler255]

I feel if a manufacturer is going to build a ride, it should continue to supply parts for that ride for as long as it’s in operation. OR decide hey, guess what we are going to change things to a different way to make it run better and convert it. And both Intamin and Six Flags knew how much power it required to launch each side This is why a lot of parks are getting rid of Intamin rides. The cost of the parts and the lack of availability of those parts.

[@masteryoda913]

This ride is almost 25 years old. There comes a point where they need to cease making parts

[@jaredstivers]

It might work if they go with the forward launch Mondays and Wednesdays and the launch Tuesdays and Thursdays and Fridays through Sundays open both sides since that the busy time of the week.

[@wickedphant0m]

I like the forward launch better, but looking down the tower is WAY more exciting than looking up at the sky.

[@Hi_Tamera]

But looking up to the sky makes sense because it’s like you’re flying up to get away from krypton 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@anonymousfrog1334]

I went last weekend and they were only launching one side, about 4-6 minutes between each launch. I didn’t even bother waiting in the line

[@Lillianp3473]

I went to magic mountain yesterday and they had both sides running with the option to choose between forwards and backwards. It was still going all the way up to the red and I ended up liking backwards more since I did them back to back due to the only 15 minute wait

[@theplanespotter2849]

Nice to know Sunday the ride is at its best

[@Escorpio123PS]

I prefer when it's going forward every time. The feeling of falling backwards is more scary than the acceleration backwards.

[@seanlewis1148]

Do you wonder what would replace S:EFK once the spare parts complete it's service life?

[@ThemeParkTracker]

Not sure as they would be getting ride of two rides SEFK and LLDoD. They could upgrade the launch system to a modern intamin system and alter the underside of the cars.

[@seanlewis1148]

@@MinerMends Not yet. One of the cars on Superman is gonna launch forward, as it did when it first opened to the public back in 1997, while the other train will still launch backwards.

[@gregg5958]

A gondola ski lift skyway type ride to bring things full circle? 😂

[@Buddy-2707]

Today, the ride ran in the morning a few times, but it seemed to stop running during the mid day. I wonder what is happening...

[@gregg5958]

Too hot for launch system I would say. Summers there can be brutally hot. Also, if this ride really uses as much electricity as people say, the power company would probably appreciate them not using it when power loads are high in the area. I am sure there have been such discussions on theme parks cutting their electric usage if they tell homeowners to.

[@liam-wg3gf]

Dang. Can't ride, la is so far from me, atleast I have SFGAD and SFNE nearby 😂👍will come to la maybe in a year or two on a vacation

[@mattguerrero3700]

Nice update! 👍

[@jakem7200]

So glad I got a ride in May, and hope the forward car is running when I’m back in June!!! 🤞🏼🤞🏼

[@maxpower8094]

You mean it's back to the original way? Woah....

[@seanlewis1148]

One side is, while the other side will still run backwards.

[@KOKOBC]

Just rode it today, was intense. Ngl, not as scary as I expected though

[@michaelhorio4046]

so cool.

[@AddATudez]

On the power consumption: I've heard Six Flags Magic Mountain's power take doubles every time it launches (so, it matches the electrical needs for almost everything else in the park), and Dreamworld Australia said part of the reason they closed theirs was it used up an equivalent amount of electricity that an entire house uses in a year in a single launch.

[@Eric-lq6yk]

But isn't more intense backwards? bc ur facing the ground high up and u feel the weightlessness.

[@Beastingcoasters]

It all depends they are both intense the good thing you can now choose what you want to ride. I love the idea it took long enough.

[@ThemeParkTracker]

@@Beastingcoasters yes! Having the ability to choose is going to be great! If both sides are open during your visit of course

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

It was intense forwards too. Watch the video on KZbin from a travel channel showing some guy holding a banana on it.

[@DJHARN147]

I don’t understand why they advertise the height of the track because the car doesn’t even go to the top. There is a pretty big gap in fact. They could make the track 1,000 foot tall, but as long as the car only reaches 360 foot, are they going to call it a 1,000 foot rollercoaster? At least with a full track coaster, you are getting the height that is advertised.

[@Camila-kh5jf]

IM GOING TODAYYYYY

[@peatier7626]

let s&s in there and do an air launch, put some rubber braceing in to stop noise and vibration

[@themagicboy6548]

Yea it's running real nice now

[@talonbottomley1800]

Sounds like an slight repeat of Batman & robin the chiller here at six flags great adventure in Jackson New Jersey.

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

B&R was a nightmare compared to this. Superman is nothing!

[@coopsauce112]

I was there two weeks ago, they only had the right side operating

[@camerican_gm]

I have a question tho? Is it 2 credit or 1 credit? Because they are 2 different experiences I would love to know

[@seanlewis1148]

I'd like to think that it is two.

[@asg7861]

Just went there last week and it didn’t go that high

[@gearsdan]

the backwards side is much better. better freefall sensation

[@mfl8276]

This is the loudest coaster in the world

[@adrianowallin]

Backwards was better 💯. Best drop feeling made it feel like a real roller coaster lol. I say they ditch Superman, use the existing track as part of the worlds biggest mouse coaster. Lift hill up one side, 90 degrees turn at the top then drop straight down 400ft. Tell me I’m wrong 😆

[@NickMcGrew1999]

Damn it. I’m going there in a few weeks and was so excited to ride it backwards. Oh well.

[@seanlewis1148]

One side will still run backwards while the other side launches forwards, so you still can ride the side running backwards.

[@samjacob2373]

R.I.P. Tower of Terror, you will be missed. :'(

[@daclassclown3154]

Bro the map literally said this ride is moderate but sounds like a fighter jet going 100 mph😂

[@notmason69420]

for real? like the actual map says that?

[@YuukiTakemoto1996]

They finally doing it like they did when they first opened? Awesome.

[@Meowmeow-nk7no]

How did I not see this

[@kevinowens8282]

I'd love to ride this ride

[@cizzelle7923]

They should have made the cars half and half. For those that want the to ride it the original way and those that want to ride it backwards.

[@rubenlaguardia180]

I think there should be 2 adjustments to this Superman ride 1st is the left side should stay back side and they should switch the right side to facing front that way the riders get their preference and the best of both world’s and second if possible find a way the cart should go just a lil higher and put something on top for a precaution

[@notmason69420]

i think the most likely way they could make the cart go a bit higher is if the choose to upgrade to a newer launch system

[@noahjackson2]

FINALLY IT GOES FORWARDS

[@seanlewis1148]

Just one side....while the other side will still run backwards

[@Montu-pc5gp]

I never got to experience it because it had the longest line in the park those 2 days i went. so I had to skip it.

[@ThemeParkTracker]

Hopefully next time! This ride is one of the lowest capacity rides in the park. Especially if only one side is open.

[@Montu-pc5gp]

@@ThemeParkTracker I can't wait to go back next time

[@StamfordBridge]

Cool news. I heard it here first.

[@mrstanleycup384]

So is it open for forwards yet??

[@mrstanleycup384]

cuz im going tomorrow (Friday 6/11)

[@ThemeParkTracker]

Not yet

[@laurs5551]

I don’t even see how they can claim this ride As however high it is when it NEVER reaches the top lmao. The height should be where it goes to not where tower ends(where it never goes).

[@arianna0238_]

God bless!

[@Thejeronhowie]

Oh wow...they put it back to how it was released...

[@seanlewis1148]

Just one side

[@natashautrera1617]

I love your video

[@Zurcleiru]

The only superman i kbow if up side down it is cool

[@jesseramos3300]

superman is going to blue zone launches again

[@Lucrativecris]

Inrode it on the right side it’s amazing too bad it they only use the left track

[@BlueUKLouis]

Just tear it down and replace it with launch coaster similar to Kingda Ka and the dragster.

[@buddyr3]

I don’t understand why after refurbishment with new trains that launched backward with new system and they said could finally run it at full power also safely lastly saying speed would be faster so how come trains never made it to red zone like did before facing forward before refurbishment while it wasn’t as powerful and faster as it is now even it should have never been able to reach red zone pre refurbishment with less power and slower speed compared to now with more power and faster speed that couldn’t never reach until arrival of added parts from identical copy of ride now which makes no sense period!

[@ferniegutierrez5605]

I wish they would make it higher

[@seanlewis1148]

The whole tower?

[@ferniegutierrez5605]

@@seanlewis1148 Yeah

[@coasternerd9637]

I’ve only rode this once because the park closed but I got the last ride of the night so it was super fast (but it’s already slow) (edit) by slow I mean going low

[@coastercountdowns7736]

Now the question is, ‘is each side a new credit?’

[@Cadventurer]

Probably yeah.

[@toddjones1480]

When they switched from forward launch to backward launch in 2011, the new version had a separate entry on RCDB. But they recently removed the older entry. So... maybe?

[@thegamingfanboy8171]

Rip TOWER OF TERROR II, in dreamworld Australia