Six Flags MM Rider Swap/Flash Pass

[mummabear]

We will be going in September around the 13th (I understand it is only weekend this time of year). We will have a baby, a 2 year old and a 4 year old.

Do SFMM do a rider swap? And how does it work? (I find the way US works to be a pain in the butt)
Would you recommend the flash pass? It would cost $40 for one person (because we couldn't both ride at the same time). Can it be used for both of us (but one at a time) or is it linked by name or photo or something so only one of us could use it (and could we use both it and the rider swap?)

 

[lk2500]

I have only been to SFMM once but I do keep up on news there via some coaster forums.

I do not believe there is any sort of rider swap there. As far as Flash Passes, you have one main pass and then add riders on to that. Each person on the pass has to pay.

As far as taking small kids there, keep in mind that this park is geared towards teens and coaster/thrill ride enthusiasts so you will find the crowds there to be very different than Disneyland or KBF, which are more family oriented.

 

[jetskigrl]

We just did the Flashpass in April for my dd's birthday (she had 4 friends come along). You can purchase two flashpasses units and then each person can register for the next ride separately.

If you purchase one flashpass and add a second person to it, I believe both would have to ride at the same time. When your time opens, you take the flashpass to the special loading area and the person working there (almost said CM, LOL) scans it to show that you have arrived. So I think everyone has to go on together.

But while a little more expensive, buying separate flashpasses units would allow you to go on separately and still skip the lines.

I do have to say that I was very impressed with how the flashpass worked there and we thought it was definitely worth the money for a busy day. I'm just not sure you would get your moneys worth out of it if the park is not very busy.

 

[mummabear]

I understand SFMM is more for coasters (which is why we are keen on going for DH &I) but need to make sure there is enough to keep the little ones entertained and that there is a way for both of us to take turns on the rides easily otherwise it is just not worth it.

 

[lk2500]

I understand SFMM is more for coasters (which is why we are keen on going for DH &I) but need to make sure there is enough to keep the little ones entertained and that there is a way for both of us to take turns on the rides easily otherwise it is just not worth it.

I went ahead and posted your question in one of the coaster forums I frequent, I will let you know if there are any replies.

I haven't tried toting kids around the parks like that but I would imagine it would be quite a pain. I suppose you could get 2 flash passes and then one would have to wait in line (let the people behind you go) while the other rides.

I do know that KBF is upgrading their Camp Snoopy area so that might be a better bet? Maybe buy some fast lane passes for yourselves and one can ride Xcelerator/Silver Bullet/Ghostrider etc... while the other entertains the kids?

Good luck, hope you sort it all out.

 

[lk2500]

I went ahead and posted your question in one of the coaster forums I frequent, I will let you know if there are any replies.

I will post those replies here:

Unless your friends are serious coaster enthusiasts (For regulars in this thread I just mean they really want to ride roller coasters more than anything else, not necessarily the usual definition of the term) and thrill coasters are their main interest, SFMM is not the most convenient place to take small children. The children will enjoy KBF way way more, and KBF still has a couple really solid coasters in Xcelerator and Silver Bullet. (Sierra Sidewinder is a pretty fun spinner too)

I'm not aware of any official ride-swap program like Disney has, but there are a handful of rides (Viper, Revolution, Green Lantern, Riddler's Revenge, and Lex Luthor) that have single riders lines that you could effectively use as a ride-swap. They have a separate line where a single rider can que to ride alone at a significantly reduced wait time (On most busy days you will walk-on to Viper, Revolution, and Riddlers, you may get a 10 min wait on GL and 15-20 on Lex) so you could have one person watch the children while the other uses the single rider line. With the short waits it wouldn't be that bad, but it's only available on these specific rides. Interestingly on busier days the wait can often be shorter for Green Lantern and Lex Luthor because there's a higher probability of a large group with an odd number of riders.

 

[lk2500]

Another reply:

SFMM offers a rider swap program,the same way Disney does and I think especially with the Bugs Bunny refurb and 4 coasters just for kids, the park has plenty to offer to keep kids entertained

I found this on the SFMM web page (https://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/plan-your-visit/park-services)

PARENT SWAP
Designed to accommodate groups with younger children who may not be tall enough to ride some rides or attractions. Here how it works: 1) The entire party should enter the ride queue. 2) When preparing to board, tell the Ride Attendant you are using the Parent Swap Program. 3) Children who are not tall enough to ride may wait at the exit with an adult from your party. 4) After the first ride is completed, the adult who waited with the child will be allowed to ride.

 

[mummabear]

I went ahead and posted your question in one of the coaster forums I frequent, I will let you know if there are any replies.

I haven't tried toting kids around the parks like that but I would imagine it would be quite a pain. I suppose you could get 2 flash passes and then one would have to wait in line (let the people behind you go) while the other rides.

I do know that KBF is upgrading their Camp Snoopy area so that might be a better bet? Maybe buy some fast lane passes for yourselves and one can ride Xcelerator/Silver Bullet/Ghostrider etc... while the other entertains the kids?

Good luck, hope you sort it all out.

Thanks for that.
Went to KBF a few years ago pre kids-worst park we have ever done. I would be willing to give it one more go but DH wouldn't go even if we had free tickets!
Busch Gardens in Tampa worked ok, we had a pass that allowed us front of the line once for each of their headliners and took turns riding while the other one was with the kids in the sesame st area. US on the other hand has a terrible rider swap programme that doesn't make visiting worthwhile until the kids can ride too....

 

[mummabear]

Thank you for your help lk2500
DH and I are serious coaster buffs, very keen to do SFMM for us but undecided whether to wait for another trip when the kids are bigger.
Their parent swap may not be too bad if the waits are short (under 20 minutes) but dragging the kids into line after line of rides that they can't ride seems a bit cruel and a recipe for grumpy kids.