An overview of the new X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain, a reincarnated version of its predecessor, the X. The ride features a 200-foot drop and reaches speeds of 76 mph. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
One of the many gnarly turns on X2, which features shooting flames, new trains and audio speakers throughout the ride. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
Riders clutch their harnesses (save for one “no hands!” daredevil) as their legs dangle on the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain drops 200 feet, goes 76 mph and spins riders up, down and upside down. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
Just in time for summer, Southern California theme parks have rolled out a wave of new rides. Universal Studios Hollywood features a theme park-within-a-theme park as the fictional Krustyland plays home to the Simpsons Ride. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
Jimi Juggle performs outside the Simpsons Ride. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
“Who needs the Kwik-E-Mart? / Their floors are Stick-E-Mart / They made Dad Sick-E-Mart / Let’s hurl a Brick-E-Mart / Who needs the Kwik-E-Mart / Not me!” The Kwik-E-Mart themed gift shop next to the Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
Kids get drenched at the space-themed Adventures of Curious George attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
Kids scream with joy and relief as water crashes down on them at the newly opened Adventures of Curious George at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
