Call time: 7:30am Location: Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA
It's a rough job but somebody has to do it. I've been hired as a PARENT on a movie being shot here in the LA area. It's based on a series of children's books. Our location today is Magic Mountain Six Flags Amusement Park. In other words, we are going to be having fun all day. In fact, I was told that we will be riding rollercoasters all day. For some of you, this might be a nightmare of a job but for adrenaline junkies like me, this is pure NIRVANA! I arrive at base camp early wearing amusement park wardrobe; jeans, colorful t-shirt and sneakers. Wardrobe approves us immediately. That was easy. It's early so the PA's tell us to grab some breakfast...
BIG MISTAKE!
I will elaborate in a few minutes. After breakfast, we are shuttled into the park. It is closed to the public. We have it all to ourselves. Our PA told us that we would be riding COLOSSUS, which is the older wooden style coaster, ala THE CYCLONE in Coney Island but bigger. I'm okay with that but in truth a little disappointed. I was hoping for a more thrilling experience. I mean really the COLOSSUS? That's a baby coaster. Please!
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
As we stand around the entrance to COLOSSUS with the PAs waiting for the rest of the crew, we hear through the walkie talkie, "That's the wrong coaster...please take background to GOLIATH."
GOLIATH is a mega coaster well actually it's referred to as a hypercoaster. It has a 255 drop with speeds of 85 mph. G-Force...4.5! That is what we will be riding 5 or 6 times...in a row!
I was excited, almost like a kid again. I had not ridden a coaster since 1990 when Six Flags in NJ opened the BATMAN coaster.
So here we are on the platform ready to take our seats. The PA makes an announcement, "This coaster is fast, very fast, if anyone has a heart condition or feels they cannot ride it, please tell us now." Okay, that sounds ominous.
I take my seat, the bar drops on my thighs locking me in place. A few seconds pass and the bell rings. We are off. Here we go, slowly up the electronic ramp, higher and higher..."Geez, how high is this thing?"...."I think I see Mexico."...just a few more feet and we are at the top of the world. The coaster seems to stop for just one instant then suddenly....
The best way to describe what happened next is to imagine your stomach being ripped from your lower body and thrown upwards towards your throat, simultaneously an iron vice clamps down on your head so that your feet and head are now one. Both of these actions are occurring as you are thrust forward at 85 miles an hour and the bar which is meant to feel like a security blanket is now stopping the rush of blood to your legs...
I rode it 6 times...and I loved every minute of it...and yes, I am crazy. There were some BGAs that only did it 3 times. Those wimps!
But let me say that by the 6th go around I was turning green and the lovely eggs and sausage breakfast I had early was starting to venture upwards. I was extremely relieved when we were told that 6 times was enough. The camera crew on the ground got what they needed. As I got up from my seat, the entire platform shifted slightly to the right. I experienced some dark spots which only got worse as I made my way down. I can't lie. I thought I was going to hurl eggs and sausage with home fries on the beautiful bamboo lined exit path. However, I'm a pro. I kept it in by breathing deeply, very deeply. Some were not as lucky. Trust me, it was NOT a pretty picture.
All of this and it was only 10:30am!
The rest of the morning was the recovery stage. We sat around trying to get our bodies and stomachs in some sort of normalcy. At noon, the PA came over to see if anyone was willing to ride it again. This time they were going to put a camera on the back of the car to capture the actual ride. No, I don't think so. My stomach was still not in it's right place. All the adult BGAs stayed behind and all the 18 to look younger kids jumped up like they had never been on the damn thing. Ah, youth!
Lunch was called at 1:00pm. We were warned not to gorge ourselves on the delicious food being provided by catering since we would probably be riding another coaster later.
UGH!
Dilemma #1 - What should I eat?
Dilemma #2 - How much should I eat?
Dilemma #3 - Should I eat at all?
I decided to scout the food and see my options. Curry Chicken...NO! Cajun Shrimp...ABSOLUTELY NOT! Baked Ziti with Mozzarella cheese topping...UGH!
Finally I settled on a simple salad, a tiny piece of grilled chicken and some steamed veggies. No dessert, no sauces...and LOTS of water.
After lunch we were escorted back into the park for some "lets pretend we are having so much fun" scenes. Five hours of walking, standing and smiling. I was exhausted. But the good news, no more coasters. They decided it would not be a good idea and they had all the footage they really needed anyway. WHEW! But I really wish I would have know that earlier. I would have had a real lunch. After my stomach settled I was hungry and eating everything I could get my hands on at Crafty.
We wrapped the day by 6:30pm, exhausted and hungry I got in my car and drove home.
Sometimes, I think to myself, "I can't believe I get paid to do this." I spent the day at an amusement park, rode a hypercoaster and played with some kids and grown ups. I'm truly pleased...really.
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