Goliath (Six Flags Fiesta Texas) Explained

Goliath
Previousnames:
Gambit at Thrill Valley (1995–2002)
Batman: The Ride at Six Flags New Orleans (2003–2005)
Location:Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Section:Los Festivales
Extend:
Location:Six Flags New Orleans
Section:DC Comics Super Hero Adventures
Status:Relocated to Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Location:Thrill Valley
Status:Relocated to Six Flags New Orleans
Type:Steel
Type2:Inverted
Status:Operating
Manufacturer:Bolliger & Mabillard
Designer:Werner Stengel
Model:Inverted Coaster - Batman
Lift:Chain lift hill
Height Ft:105
Drop Ft:80
Length Ft:2693
Speed Mph:50
Inversions:5
Duration:2:00
Capacity:1400
Gforce:4
Restriction In:54
Trains:2
Carspertrain:7
Rowspercar:1
Ridersperrow:4
Virtual Queue Name:Flash Pass
Virtual Queue Image:Fastpass availability icon.svg
Virtual Queue Status:Available
Rcdb Number:3976

Goliath is an inverted roller coaster located at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, Texas, United States. Designed by Werner Stengel and Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, Goliath initially opened in 1995 at an amusement park in Japan, it then operated at Six Flags New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina caused the parks abandonment in 2005 and removal of Goliath to Six Flags Fiesta Texas where it has operated since 2008. It stands at a height of, reaches a maximum speed of 50mph, and features multiple inversions.

History

Goliath originally opened in 1995 as Gambit at Odakyu Gotemba Family Land, a former amusement park in Japan that was later known as Thrill Valley.[1] [2] When Thrill Valley closed on May 6, 2002, Six Flags purchased several of its rides, including Gambit, and transported them to various Six Flags parks. Gambit went to one of their newly acquired theme parks, Six Flags New Orleans.[3] It was repainted and renamed in accordance with the park chain's use of DC Comics theming and reopened on April 12, 2003.[4]

After Hurricane Katrina made landfall over New Orleans in 2005, the park's drainage system failed, leading to substantial flooding that submerged many of the park's rides in water and damaging them beyond repair.[5] Batman: The Ride survived relatively unscathed primarily due to its high elevation above sea level and corrosion-resistant support structure. When flooding retreated, Six Flags New Orleans was permanently closed, and any rides that could be salvaged were moved to other parts of the country.[6] Batman: The Ride was moved to Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio and would be refurbished and repainted.[7] The coaster reopened on April 18, 2008 renamed as Goliath.

Ride experience

After departing from the station, the train immediately climbs the 105feet chain lift hill. At the top, the train makes a sharp 80feet downward right turn into the roller coaster's first element, a vertical loop, reaching a top speed of approximately 50mph. After exiting the loop, the train enters a zero-g roll inversion before entering a second vertical loop. This is followed by an upward right-handed helix and a downward left turn into a series of corkscrews separate by a sharp left turn. The train then veers right into a brake run and returns to the station. One cycle of the ride lasts approximately 2 minutes.[8]

Track

Goliath has a track length of and climbs to a height of . As Gambit at Thrill Valley, the ride featured a painted black spine and black crossties, unpainted rails and grey supports.[9] When it was known as Batman: The Ride in New Orleans, the track was painted black and orange with grey supports. At Six Flags Fiesta Texas, the ride has a blue track with yellow supports. Friction brakes are used to control the speed of the train. The track was manufactured by Clermont Steel Fabricators located in Batavia, Ohio.[10]

Goliath is a clone of Bolliger & Mabillard's Batman model. The original was introduced in 1992 and became a huge success after multiple parks introduced it to their lineup. Today, the Batman model can be found all over the world. Goliath differs from other models as it is a mirror image.[11] It is not the only Batman model to be found in San Antonio; SeaWorld introduced The Great White first in 1997.[12]

Trains

Goliath operates two steel and fiberglass trains with seven cars each. Each car seats four riders in a single row for a total of 28 riders per train. The supports for the seats are orange, the seats themselves are black with yellow over-the-shoulder restraints connected to each one, and the coverings for the wheels are orange, blue, and yellow.[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Thrill Valley. 5084. September 24, 2021.
  2. Gambit. Thrill Valley. 1521. October 29, 2012.
  3. Six Flags to Fly Over The Crescent City in 2003. Roller Coaster Database. November 14, 2002. March 19, 2017.
  4. Batman: The Ride. Six Flags New Orleans. 1886. October 29, 2012.
  5. News: Six Flags, silenced by Katrina, creates uproar in New Orleans. May 31, 2009. USA Today. February 3, 2013.
  6. Web site: New Orleans: Six Flags New Orleans. Six Flags. 13 November 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20070327195321/http://www.sixflags.com/national/alert/neworleans.aspx. 27 March 2007.
  7. Goliath Soars into Six Flags Fiesta Texas Bringing Major Park Coaster Count to Eight. Roller Coaster Database. September 27, 2007. March 19, 2017.
  8. Goliath. Six Flags Fiesta Texas. 3976. October 29, 2012.
  9. Web site: Thrill Valley – ParkVault. parkvault.net. en. 2018-01-08.
  10. News: Guido . Anna . Steel plant's business on fast track . August 10, 2013 . Cincinnati Enquirer . November 7, 2005 . https://archive.today/20060107104601/http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051107/BIZ01/511070328/1076/BIZ . January 7, 2006 . dead .
  11. Web site: Batman (Model) . Roller Coaster Database . October 29, 2012.
  12. Great White. SeaWorld San Antonio. 278. February 3, 2013.
  13. Goliath Train. Six Flags Fiesta Texas. February 4, 2013. http://rcdb.com/3976.htm?p=21606.