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West Coast Bash 2011 - Part 1
April 6, 2011

Even though I live in a land of year-round theme park action, I still feel like the West Coast Bash is the event that gets a new season off and running properly. Great parks, great rides, great people, all basking in our common, dork-glazed love of amusement parkitude. And for 2011, the second year of a weekend full of stuff, at both Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm, it was my first time attending both days. ERT up the wahoo, backstage tours, great meals, and more. As the kids like to say, it was "phat," "dope" and "tight." Also, "bad" by which I mean very, very good. (Do the kids say these things anymore?)

Mother Nature appears to have not gotten the memo, so both days were cloudy, cold and sometimes rainy. Sunday was really cold, and really wet. But that barely mattered. (The only real downside was not seeing RideWorld's Chris Godsey, the creator of the WCB, who couldn't be there this year. Missed you, dude!)

Day One: Six Flags Magic Mountain

quack

I love the "Gertrude" meme for this critter over at Theme Park Review; it's very funny. But I include this shot first as it was one of the initial sights of the morning, and for another reason that will become clear at the end of this report. Looks pretty saucy up there, standing guard over the crowd below.

These awesome water fowl are quite friendly and don't mind the occasional pat. I tried to get this one to play a game of "Duck, Duck, Goose" with us, but he (or she?) did not find that very amusing.

cuteness

And once again, my hopes for winning "Cutest Bash Attendee" were annihilated by this little fellow, all of four months old, which means he nabbed the "Youngest Attendee" award as well. I'd harbor ill will towards him, but he's the newest addition to Season Pass' Doug Barnes' family, so he's my homie.

Our group decided to start with some Batman: The Ride during the morning ERT.

See? More trash cans than people. Again, "dope."

Theming!

B&M inverteds have come a long way since Batman, but these "little" rides are still glorious.

Love this coaster. Very intense, even after all these years. What a way to wake up in the morning.

 

The Tumbler is so badass I can't stand it, but the Burton Batmobile is still awesome.

"Na-na-na-na-na-na- LEADER!!!!" We rode twice in the space of about eight minutes. Sweet.

Morning ERT also included a couple of hits of Goliath. Would I like to see an Intamin giga-coaster at this park? Yes, I would. But this monster remains a favorite. That first drop, the ridiculous floater hill, the centrifuge, delish.

There was a stall on the hill and a couple from our party got to enjoy the high winds blowing up there for a few minutes. *Snicker*

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