Students offered first run on new ride

Published in Long Beach City College's Viking newspaper in 2006.

Tatsu roller coaster opens for biggest thrills at Magic Mountain.

VALENCIA-Press day at Magic Mountain on Friday, May 12 allowed college and high school students a chance to ride Tatsu, the new roller coaster specifically designed to fit the topography of Samurai Summit.
"Tatsu" is Japanese for flying dragon.
According to the Web site, Theme Park Insider.com, Magic Mountain was built by the same people who built Sea World.
"Tatsu took two years to finish," Magic Mountain public relations representative Sue Carpenter said. "Decisions went back and forth for a while, but we are extremely pleased with the final product."
Carpenter hosted a brief press conference next to Tatsu's entrance before anyone was allowed to cram in line. An estimated 100 students attended and after an epic composition of music, the bang of a gong, the explosion of black and red confetti and the chance to see Tatsu in motion, the students were allowed to ask questions, eat a free lunch and ride Tatsu how ever many times their stomach would let them.
"Our last press day was 2003 for the roller coaster Scream," Carpenter said. "I used to be a journalism student and we didn't have days like this back then.
We like to invite the student press out on a separate day then the mainstream media. That way you have easier access to us for questioning."
According to a Magic Mountain press release, Tatsu has soared into the record books as the tallest, fastest and longest flying coaster in the world. Designed by Bolliger & Mabillard of Switzerland, Tatsu marks the 17th record-breaking coaster for Magic Mountain.
The press release also states Tatsu reaches speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 170 feet.
Tatsu's ride time is 2 minutes and has a track length of 3,602 feet. Tatsu can carry 1,600 riders per hour and riders must be 4-feet, 6-inches tall.
Details may be found at www.sixflags.com.