Magic Mountain's Magic Pagoda. Remember it?

[Fishbulb]

Hey guys. Being that I grew up in between three major theme parks (Disneyland, Knott's, Magic Mountian) I have very early memories of these places and their now-extinct attractions. You can generally do a search on the intrernet and find whatever you want about outdated or extinct attractions but one attraction in particular is very elusive. Magic Mountian's The Magic Pagoda.

The Magic Pagoda was situated on top of the mountain next to the Sky Tower. It was a walkthrough attraction themed after a mystical Chinese Pagoda in which visitors would venture through different rooms and experience different effects.

In particular I remember the walkthrough starting off in a long room with a Buddah at the end. It comes to life (through voice over i think) and invites you to tour the Pagoda. After that I remember there was a Mirror maze in which there were booby traps that would trigger loud noises and scary masks to appear on the other side of the glass, A miniture town with a bridge that you would cross, A strobe light room with a Chinese dragon circling the walls above on a track, and then this thing where willing participants could step into a tube and dissapear/re-appear before onlookers eyes.

The Structure still stands and is used as a haunted maze during the Fright Fests, but little of it's original appearance remains except for what's in my cloudy memory. So, do any of you guys remember this attraction? Do any of you have photographs? Would you mind sharing your memories or images so that I can clearly remember this cool attraction that gave Magic Mountain it's name?

[Olympicnut]

Magic Pagoda was great! It was the perfect getaway to cool down in. I remember everything you mentioned, and I remember there being water you walked over in parts of the interior over bridges right? Plus the fun mirrors like you find in carnivals. Then there was the weird abstract silver sculpture on top of it that you could see from all over the park (well most of the park) that lit up in neon light at night, blue and pink I think. Yup, I miss many of the old MM attractions:

The Galaxy
Jolly Monster
Mountain Express
Metro (even though the tracks are there, it hasnt run in years)
Eagles Flight (both of them)
El Bumpo
Chevron Grand Prix
The Dragon
The Troll Bounce
Swiss Twist
Circus Wheel
Centennial Grand Excusion Railway
Train to Trollywood

I could keep going but this is suppose to be about the Pagoda - lol.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

I miss the trolls ! ! !

[davebert4]

Originally Posted by Fishbulb

So, do any of you guys remember this attraction?

Very much... but only after it was closed . There are a few boards with links to very few pics of the outside and such. It is very hard to find info out there. If you google it, you'll come up with a lot of links to desk top fountains

[davebert4]

Originally Posted by Olympicnut

Yup, I miss many of the old MM attractions:

Mountain Express
Metro (even though the tracks are there, it hasnt run in years)
Swiss Twist
Circus Wheel

Isn't swiss twist still there, just renamed. I haven't been since they added the metal detectors (Actually, I think Goliath was the newest ride there)

[Matterhorny]

I remember the Magic Pagoda from my first trip to Magic Mountain back in 1976..I loved it!! It was like a mystical fun house....it is too bad they don't have it anymore...
My recollection of the inside is very vague, but I do remember the mirror maze!!

[Club22]

I loved the Magic Pagoda, especially the mirror effect that caused you to "disappear".

[Fishbulb]

Originally Posted by Club22

I loved the Magic Pagoda, especially the mirror effect that caused you to "disappear".

YES YES the mirror effect. How did that work? That was the last room. Right?

[MiceMan]

Originally Posted by davebert4

Isn't swiss twist still there, just renamed. I haven't been since they added the metal detectors (Actually, I think Goliath was the newest ride there)

The newest ride was Scream! A floorless rollercoaster designed by Bollinger and Mallibard

[Olympicnut]

Originally Posted by davebert4

Isn't swiss twist still there, just renamed. I haven't been since they added the metal detectors (Actually, I think Goliath was the newest ride there)

Well, I was there about a month ago and the train and track are gone but the middle mechanism that provided the power was still there <shrugs>. So I'm assuming that means buh bye.

The "Circus Wheel" is still there only its not the original ride, the original one was a spinner ride that lifted you at an angle and you went up and down. The current "Circus Wheel" is a Tilt a Whirl, formerly Baile de los Flores.

[Neon Cactus]

Funny how they can move the attractions from one section to the other but they can't pick up the Coke cup that's been sitting in the bushes for months!! (spoken as a true former employee).

I like that if you see the exit sign for the bumper cars, it still has the troll.

One funny thing I remember was about 8 years ago in Las Vegas, a friend and I were in the sportsbook at about 2 AM and they had a strongman competition on ESPN 2 that was filmed at Magic Mountain. So we were watching it, thinking it was taped from that day. Until the end when they had all of the competitors surrounded by the troll and the wizard. I don't want to think about how long ago that was!

[DifrntDrmr]

For the longest time, there was still a Troll sign on Colossus telling you not to raise your hands.

[TacAlert]

www.themeparkmemories.com

This is a small site from a friend of mine which links to two other sites. It has many pictures of the park before it turned into what it is today. Unfortunately, no Magic Pagoda pics. It is interesting to note how clean the park was, it was painted, and they actually used to have characters.

[horizons1]

Originally Posted by TacAlert

www.themeparkmemories.com

This is a small site from a friend of mine which links to two other sites. It has many pictures of the park before it turned into what it is today. Unfortunately, no Magic Pagoda pics. It is interesting to note how clean the park was, it was painted, and they actually used to have characters.

Thanks for linking to my site, T.O. I have been meaning to update it. An interesting note, Fish, is that during Fright Fest you tour the Magic Pagoda in reverse, going through the old exit and coming out the front door. Probably because they can't queue people up to the old entrance because the lift hill for Ninja is in the way.

I cannot, for the life of me, find the pics from the 25th Anniversary book. I thought they were scanned in somewhere on Screamscape, but I can't find them now. I think there was a pic or two of Magic Pagoda. Dang.

[DifrntDrmr]

Originally Posted by horizons1

Thanks for linking to my site, T.O. I have been meaning to update it. An interesting note, Fish, is that during Fright Fest you tour the Magic Pagoda in reverse, going through the old exit and coming out the front door. Probably because they can't queue people up to the old entrance because the lift hill for Ninja is in the way.

I cannot, for the life of me, find the pics from the 25th Anniversary book. I thought they were scanned in somewhere on Screamscape, but I can't find them now. I think there was a pic or two of Magic Pagoda. Dang.

I really enjoyed your site. It was fun to look back at what used to be, especially the Busch Gardens pictures. I live less than a mile away, so it was fun to show the kids the pictures and then drive by to see what it looks like now. I remember going to the park during my first visit to California and even have a souvenir book somewhere around.