North America’s first virtual reality rollercoaster officially opened to the public Thursday when Six Flags Magic Mountain held a grand opening ceremony for the new Revolution.

The ceremony began with Magic Mountain President Bonnie Sherman-Webber explaining how much the park had changed, culminating in the design of the new Revolution.

“We’re extremely proud of the park’s transformation over the past five years,” she said. “We’re here to celebrate another milestone in our history: a classic blast from the past, transformed.”

The leadership of the Santa Clarita City Council spoke as well, honoring the park and the new ride.

“Every time I visit this park,” said Mayor Bob Kellar, “I have something new to look at.”

He added that the city would not be what it was without Magic Mountain.
“We are so fortunate to have this park in our valley,” Kellar said. “It has put us on the map.”

Mayor Pro Tem Dante Acosta echoed this sentiment, offering his congratulations and a certificate honoring the ride’s opening to Sherman-Webber.

“It’s really exciting to be at a park that is constantly reinventing itself and changing,” said Acosta. “What a gem this is to have in the Santa Clarita Valley.”

After a ribbon cutting to officially open the ride, a group of Valencia High School Air Force ROTC students were able to experience the virtual reality coaster as the first official riders.

“We thought it would make great sense to have ROTC for the Air Force here because it syncs up with the (virtual reality) experience where you are a copilot (in a military plane) fighting aliens to save the world,” said Connie Lujan, a spokesperson for the park.

At least one of the first riders believed that the new additions made the ride more exciting.

“It was totally awesome,” said ROTC Cadet Captain Michael Brown. “It was such a great experience.”

Brown specified that the virtual reality aspect of the coaster, fighting aliens as a pilot over a large city, was a highlight of the ride.

“It was my favorite roller coaster as a kid,” said Brown. “I like it better now. It’s got the same feel of Revolution, but now there is so much more. You can be looking around, and you’re just in this crazy world that you would never imagine you would get to experience.”