I'm a disney vet. but thanks to free tickets my wife and I will be going to six Flags Magic Mountain. It's my first time, but she has been in the past.

I know about the coasters, but is there anything else I should make time to do at Magic Mountain? Any food items or eateries that I should plan on going to?

El Torito across the street from the park, and further away, Mongolian BBQ :D

Be sure to get there for opening, and do the mad running of the bulls to get a ride on X - a truly unique, very fun roller coaster.

Use the Orient Express (Funicular) to get to the top of the hill, if you want to ride Ninja (Superman: The Mis- er, um ESCAPE has been closed lately)

Hrmm, having had a season pass to MM for 3 years, you'd think I'd have some great tips for you....but not really. What can I say, it's a coaster park.

If you want to spend park prices on food, I suggest Moose Burger Lodge. They've got pretty good burgers, AND bad animatronics. If you don't want to spend park prices, there's an In-n-Out at the freeway exit just south of Magic Mountain (Lyons Parkway). Just don't try to go there between noon and 1.

I don't know what show they've got going in the theater that's on the way to Collosus (shoot, I can't remember the theater's name) right now, but they've usually got some sort of acrobatic show that's pretty fun to watch.

Log Jammer, Roaring Rapids, Tidal Wave, and Arrowhead Spashdown all are good water rides for a hot day, with Rapids and Tidal Wave being the soakers of the group. The recently re-opened Atom Smasher is some good old school fun.

I don't know what show they've got going in the theater that's on the way to Collosus (shoot, I can't remember the theater's name) right now, but they've usually got some sort of acrobatic show that's pretty fun to watch.

Sigh..the Magic Moments Theatre...formerly home to a GREAT puppet show in the 80's and then the classic "VHS-A Living Dance Video" in the early 90's..RIP to both of you :)

As far as burgers, I'd totally recommend Hamburger Hamlet down the hill over any of the other suggestions.

Thanks for the info. What about any of the smaller rides. Any worth doing? How does Goldrusher compare to Big Thunder Mountain?

It's a got a longer operating record without derailing...

Goldrusher is fun, especially after dark, but be sure to sit in the very back row

Thanks for the info. What about any of the smaller rides. Any worth doing? How does Goldrusher compare to Big Thunder Mountain?Hrmmm, what can I say about Goldrusher.....we'd go on Goldrusher to get away from the crowds and have a nice relaxing 3 minute conversation. It's about the tamest thing around, really DOES make Big Thunder the "wildest ride in the wilderness."

If you have the time and the patience, I recommend going on the coasters in ascending thrill order. Gold Rusher, Ninja, Psyclone, Revolution, Colossus, Batman, Riddler, X-thing, Viper, etc.
I've never done this, but I do recall going on the fastest ride first many a time (Cedar Point, Kings Island, SFMM, etc.) and being utterly disappointed by the subsequent rides. Why for? All the thrill was wasted on the first one. "What's the point of all these other rides, when I've already done the most thrilling? Let's just go home."
Just a suggestion. You have an extra ticket?

Thanks for the advice sediment. I wish I had an extra ticket, but my wife's school district connections only netted her two. Anybody know how crowded Magic Mountain will be on Thursday April 8? Just looking for ballpark. Long waits, or not to bad?

So your wife doesn't go.
My kids' break starts the next day. Go early, jump on the rides, get a headache, go home.
This is a true teen-sitter park. DL's got nothing on SFMM. Be prepared.
Is it open early? If so, it must be spring break somewhere.

Ooh, just got this off the web site:
SPRING BREAK GOT THE LOOKS, GOT THE GROOVES CONTEST April 8
Calling all dancers! It's playtime!
Thursday, April 8 is playtime for the ultimate dance contest at Six Flags Magic Mountain. You've seen the commercials ... now it's time to get out your dancing shoes to dance and look like Six Flags theme park's new ambassador of fun. Enter the two contests to win major prizes. Music, dance lessons and trivia contests all day long. Power 106's Goodfellas and Tito will judge your dancing skills and broadcast live from the Golden Bear Theatre Plaza.
Click here to download a special admissions coupon for the day.
(eom)
Have fun, you dancer, you!

If you have the time and the patience, I recommend going on the coasters in ascending thrill order. Gold Rusher, Ninja, Psyclone, Revolution, Colossus, Batman, Riddler, X-thing, Viper, etc.
I've never done this, but I do recall going on the fastest ride first many a time (Cedar Point, Kings Island, SFMM, etc.) and being utterly disappointed by the subsequent rides. Why for? All the thrill was wasted on the first one. "What's the point of all these other rides, when I've already done the most thrilling? Let's just go home."
Just a suggestion. You have an extra ticket?Good theory, but I wouldn't put off X. Get there asap, the line's just going to get worse, and there's not a lot of shade at the back.

BTW, I highly recommend Scream. It's not much to look at, especially sitting in the shadow of Goliath, but it's a great ride.