Goliath (Six Flags Magic Mountain)

Goliath is a steel roller coaster made by Giovanola of Switzerland. The hypercoaster is located in the Colossus County Fair area of Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California and is promoted with a sub-tropical theme that is characterized by ruins of the ancient Mayan civilization. The ride is nearly identical to Titan at Six Flags Over Texas.

During a brief period from its opening on February 11 to May 13, 2000, Goliath's 255-foot (78 m) opening drop was recognized as the longest and fastest (85 mph) on a closed-circuit roller coaster in the world. Millennium Force at Cedar Point eclipsed these records when it opened on May 13, 2000 with a drop of 300 feet (91 m) and speeds of 93 mph (150 km/h).

Ride Experience

Once dispatched from the station, the train makes a nearly 180 degree right turn. The train then ascends the ride's lift hill, reaching a height of 235 ft (72 m). The lift hill slows down at the top, a safety feature that both reduces stress on the chain and increases anticipation for the drop. The train begins accelerating down the initial 255 ft (78 m) drop, into the underground tunnel, reaching a speed of 85 MPH. Upon exiting the tunnel, the train heads upwards into a banked right turn that towers above Colossus, Six Flags Magic Mountain's major wooden roller coaster. After completing the turn, the train heads down another drop, flattening out to pass by the onride camera. An airtime hill and banked left turn into the mid-course brake run follow. The train is decelerated quickly and makes a hard left turn out of the brake section. Another 180 degree banked turn directs the train into a 585 degree, descending helix. Then, the train heads upwards and banks left. Finally, after an ascending right turn, the train reaches the final brake run.

Facts

• There is a 120-foot (37 m) long tunnel at the bottom of the first drop.
• Ride capacity: 1,600 passengers per hour
• There are three five-car 30-passenger trains, with two abreast seating.
• Near vertical 61-degree first drop
• A small error was made while the ride's parts were being manufactured by Giovanola. The very last track piece before the final brake run was about 6 inches (150 mm) too short. The mistake was found while the final piece was being bolted to the ride, and a supplementary track piece had to be made to fill the 6-inch (150 mm) gap.

Blacking Out

Some riders get tunnel vision while riding Goliath during the helixes, while a few black out. This is due to the high g force sustained during the helixes.

External links

• Goliath at RCDB
• Goliath at the official Six Flags Magic Mountain website
• Goliath video onride pov
• Goliath video onride pov