DAY TRIP: Six Flags Magic Mountain

Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park is spread out on 260 acres north of Los Angeles and west of Santa Clarita. It opened on Memorial Day weekend in 1971, and is well-known as the fictional park Walley World in the 1983 movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” With the opening of Tatsu (the world’s longest “flying” roller coaster) in May of 2006, Magic Mountain now has an almost record-breaking 15 roller coasters, along with five water rides, games and a variety of shows and concerts to choose from. Due to weather conditions and other circumstances, operating times and dates of events may be canceled, delayed, or changed without notice. Six Flags Magic Mountain is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is allowed in designated smoking areas only.

HOURS

Open 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday

10 a.m. to midnight Saturdays through Aug. 11

Hours vary per month — check the website calendar for specific dates.

ADMISSION

Adults $59.99

Online tickets are available for $34.99

Children under 48 inches: $29.99

Children 2-and-under: free

Season passes for $69.99 give guests unlimited park access all season and includes a Value Book.

VIP tour: $299

Includes parking, admission, front-of-line privileges, food, games and more for a minimum of four guests.

GETTING THERE

Take Interstate 5 north. Exit Magic Mountain Parkway. Turn left at the traffic signal at the bottom of the exit ramp going under the freeway overpass. Proceed along Magic Mountain Parkway to the parking toll booths and the park entrances.

KENNEL

Guests can board their pets for free at the park’s kennel, located in the main parking lot.

PARK SECURITY

All park guests are required to pass through metal detectors and have their bags inspected.

RIDE RESTRICTIONS

Guests with certain body proportions or of certain heights and/or weights may not be able to enjoy certain rides if the safety restraints will not operate as designed.

RIDES

Rides at the park are divided into three categories: mild, moderate and max.

X: This is the world’s first Four Dimensional roller coaster, where riders pitch forward and backward in seats that lie on a separate axis from the track. Rated: max.

REVOLUTION: Join the revolution and ride on the first looping roller coaster ever built. Rated: moderate.

TATSU: This is the tallest, fastest and longest flying coaster around, featuring vehicles that recline passengers with their backs against the track. Rated: max.

FOOD

The Justice League Feast is all-you-can-eat, offered Saturday and Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. through Labor Day weekend. Admission is not included.

Adults: $19.99; Children 2-11: $14.99

SHOW

BATMAN BEGINS STUNT SHOW

Learn about the Caped Crusader in this behind-the-scenes look at big Hollywood stunts and special effects. Show plays select days, May 26 through Oct. 31.

— Sue Thoensen