Superman: Escape from Krypton at Six Flags Magic Mountain isn’t scheduled to reopen until March 19, but a select number of lucky individuals have already ridden the recently-modified coaster.
Brady MacDonald of the Los Angeles Times got the chance to ride the reimagined Superman coaster and had several good things to say about the new experience: “During the ultra-smooth magnetic launch, my body pressed against the new over-the-shoulder restraints as I rocketed backward at 100 mph. Hurtling along the 600-foot-long stretch of flat track, I was never sure when to expect the vertical ascent.”
MacDonald said the second half of the ride is now more thrilling than the first: “In many ways, Superman is still the same ride, but the experience is entirely new. The old forward launch always seemed like a mad rush toward a brick wall, only to be propelled skyward at the last possible moment. The new backward launch saves the best thrills for the second half of the ride, like a plane zooming toward Earth only to pull out of the dive just before smashing into the ground.”
However, he notes that there are some flaws with the new ride experience. You can read more about his thoughts on the ride here.
Season passholders can ride the new Superman: Escape from Krypton during the preview weekends leading up to the ride’s official reopening on March 19.
This is by far the loudest coaster I’ve ever been on, loud to the point of pain. I’ve been on two Intamin accelerators, a bunch of B&Ms and other noisy rides, but none of them had me concerned for my long term hearing. If I ever ride S:EFK again I’ll bring earplugs. The ride was OK, Xcelerator was a lot more fun and a good drop tower is more interesting (more time to enjoy the view).