 |
 |
| Of all the new coasters to debut for the 2006 Season, one of the most anticipated was TATSU at Six Flags Magic Mountain. I was privileged to have the opportunity to attend the Media Day for this ride, as well as the all-night campout held by Theme Park Review and was among the first public group to get to experience the coaster. How was it? In a nutshell, the best new coaster of 2006 in my opinion, and one of the best steel coasters I have ever ridden, quickly making my top five. |
 |
The first stirrings of something new and big coming to a park that many would argue already had too many coasters came in early 2005, when markings began to appear on Samurai Summit at SFMM. Rumors ran rampant, including a rumor that an announcement would be made at the West Coast Bash right after Knott's Winter Coaster Solace in 2005. That did not happen; the only hint that was allowed to be released was that this was going to be "big".
Speculation continued all through 2005, as markers began to appear and fencing went up around the areas. There were two big rumors that kept circulating the Net. |
| On ride photo with members of Waydd.net; I'm second from the left. This is from one of 24 rides that day. Yes, I am holding on for dear life. |
One was a West Coast version of Kingda Ka, the other, a B&M Flying Coaster that would be to the Flying Coaster design what Riddler's Revenge was to the Stand Up Coaster Design-the longest, tallest and fastest of its kind. More rumors pointed to the Flyer.
The park played it up and held off until November of 2005, even as B&M Flyer Track arrived in June making it very apparent which of the two rumors held any validity. Finally, in November 2005, the announcement came: Tatsu was to be the longest, tallest and fastest Flying Roller Coaster in the world, scheduled to open in the Spring of 2006. Season Pass sales began to escalate, and the construction began to do the same.
Rainy So Cal weather put a few delays on the construction, and even cancelled a scheduled tour of the construction site during the West Coast Bash of 2006. The eagerly anticiapted Media Day was even postponed due to inclement weather causing the construction to run behind. Finally, there was a set date for Media Day, May 11th, 2006.
|
 |
 |
| Signs of Life: Jan '05 |
Track: June '06 |
 |
While I was fortunate enough to be attending Media Day as a Guest and Member of RideWorld, I also had recently joined Theme Park Review who announced a Media Day Campout the night before. Since I was already going to be staying in Valencia that night, I decided to RSVP for this event. It was a great deal of fun.....but I got absolutely NO sleep that night. See the pics here. The buzz was strong all night that this ride was far more intense and forceful of a coaster than people were anticipating it to be.
And the buzz was correct. This IS one intense coaster, and it definitely took me by surprise. |
| The Beast Nears Completion: Taken from X Bridge at West Coast Bash, 2006 |
| I was going on no sleep, and finally managed to close my eyes for five minutes about 2:30am. Suddenly, the ride began cycling: I sprung awake. We were about to go in. |
 |
| The Pretzel Loop, which I have come to refer to affectionately as the "Whoop-A** Loop" |
|
