A Magic Day-cation

by Susan Chapman

Thomas the Tank Engine chugs along toting precious cargo, giggling youngsters and their parents, enjoying the fun-filled ride. The new ride and its companions Percy and Cranky the Crane form the center of Thomas Town, Six Flags Magic Mountain’s newly created area just for children.
“The best place for family entertainment in Southern California is right here in Santa Clarita,” Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President Jay Thomas explains. “The opening of Thomas Town highlights that there is a lot for families, along with our attractions for young adults and teens.”
Though new to the helm of Six Flags Magic Mountain, Jay is an expert at what makes a Six Flags theme park successful. He began his career as a ride operator at Six Flags Over Texas in 1988, and has worked at Six Flags theme parks throughout the United States in almost every business area.
One of the changes Jay has implemented since assuming his post is the Individual Business Unit model. Team members consider their attraction individual businesses and are encouraged to imagine ways they can help that attraction enhance the park experience.
Jay elaborates, “One team member thought of re-branding the Sky Tower as the ‘Magic of the Mountain Museum’ and filling it with park memorabilia. That kind of ownership resonates with our guests, and they want to come back again and again.”
Jay and his management team pride themselves on opportunities they provide the more than 3,500 team members the park employs each year. “A lot of people in upper management,” Jay states, “came from front-line positions, just like I did.”
Though there were rumors that Magic Mountain was slated for sale, Jay is quick to allay any fears. “We were approached by an outside company back in 2006 to sell the park along with others, however Magic Mountain escaped the sale and will forever be a Six Flags park,” he affirms. “The opening of X2 and Thomas Town, for example, are two significant investments that illustrate how committed we are to our long-term relationship with the Santa Clarita Valley.”
Jay and his team trust that their commitment will be rewarded.
“With gas prices on the rise, we believe everyone will realize that Six Flags Magic Mountain is a much better choice than driving all the way to Orange County for entertainment,” Jay says. “We hope that everyone will come here to experience a one-of-a-kind family ‘day-cation.’”
For more information, call 661-255-4100 or visit  www.sixflags.com/magicmountain.