Took the teenage daughter and her cousin to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California as a reward for Honor Roll grades over her Spring Break last week. The trip was uneventful. I guess that is a good thing. We stayed at the Embassy Suites across I-5 from Six Flags. The hotel was everything we could have imagined and more. I don't have a huge history with Embassy Suites per se, but this was definitely the most well equipped Hotel for its location that I can recall. Children ran a muck, but what do you expect on the first day of Spring Break across the street from the best collection of roller coasters in North America. We stayed in a well priced suite over looking the hotel's outdoor heated pool with indoor/outdoor fireplace that the staff lit every evening. Free full hot breakfasts and complimentary Happy Hour from 3pm-6pm that included a nacho bar and snack bar for the kids. A free 24 hr soda fountain was well-stocked the entire stay. I highly recommend Embassy Suites Valencia to any family visiting the area. It was more than worth the few extra bucks. The kids loved it. Now, on to the amusement park.The weather could have been more cooperative. Very breezy, windy, weather pushed multiple ominous storm clouds by overhead causing the park to shutdown a ride temporarily only to reset its systems and reopen the same ride 45 minutes later. It was quite irritating. Mother nature was at fault and I didn't blame the park's engineers for the precaution. The kids did, of course.
The things that bothered me were much different.
- Almost every building had paint peeling and in dire need of cosmetic attention. Makes you wonder how much attention the coasters need. Kinda spooky. I thought about it all day.
- Several of the restrooms stunk to high hell. One, just inside the main gate near the flags fountain was down right nasty, reminiscent of a roadside rest area toilet that only sees janitorial service once a week. I wouldn't even let my nephew use it. Six Flags is a place where parents pay premium admission fees so children can enjoy safe, clean fun, not squalor in a breeding ground for Hepatitis A, B, and C.
- The food choices were abhorrent. The line were ridiculously long and only half the food venues were open. On Spring Break???? I understand Six Flags is not responsible my child's fitness and health. But shouldn't there be at least a little in the way of alternatives. How about frozen yogurt? Or smoothies? I did see one apple and banana stand near the sushi and french fry stands, but only one. Speaking of sushi...what is that about? What child chooses sushi as a first choice? Especially at an amusement park.
- The costumes of the super heroes are better on Hollywood Boulevard, seriously. Some were not even believable to a 5 year old. I don't understand why Six Flags has to skimp on costumes. It's not like they go bad or rot. You can use them year after year. The actors just stand there for heaven's sake. Get decent costumes!!!! Batman should look like Batman, not a drunk bingeing on Halloween.
- There was no water in the areas that were designed for water (the man-made ponds) and standing water in places where water obviously was hazardous. Now I realize this is a mostly cosmetic and decorative complaint/observation, but again, if the easy, simple, inexpensive stuff isn't being maintained then what about the high thrill rides? You know, the ones that rocket your child through the air at speeds over 60 mph. Parents need reassurances, too.
The last thing I want to mention is probably what disturbed be the most. It's our youth. What in the Hell is going on? There were more 15 year old thugs, pimps and sluts wandering about than I could ever experience in the seediest alleys of Las Vegas. Are there any parents out there?? I don't want to do this alone. But I will if I have to....
Until next time,
Al, the Travel Valet
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