News: Six Flags Over Georgia Prepares to Unleash a GIANT

Posted at 2:53 PM EDT (1853 GMT)

Sep. 1st, 2005 -- Atlanta, GA - Six Flags Over Georgia is preparing to unleash a GIANT in 2006. Soaring over 200 ft. above the park and covering an area 8.5 acres in size, this much-anticipated steel monster will appropriately be called: GOLIATH.

Not since the Six Flags Over Georgia's grand opening in 1967 has the park made such an announcement. Traveling over 4,400 feet on a journey that takes over 3 minutes and reaching speeds of 70 miles per hour, GOLIATH will stand as a GIANT among coasters. Beginning on a spot once occupied by the Great Gasp, GOLIATH will serve as Six Flags Over Georgia's new skyline icon, visible for miles around.

"Without a doubt, when it comes to thrills, Six Flags Over Georgia has always been the leader in the Southeast," noted Melinda Ashcraft, vice president and general manager, Six Flags Atlanta Parks. "Our guests continue to demand something bigger and better each year and we believe GOLIATH is the answer for both families and thrill seekers."

The park's 11th coaster, GOLIATH will be Six Flags Over Georgia's first "hyper" coaster, or coaster reaching over 200 feet in height. Because of its massive height and size, GOLIATH will not fit inside the park grounds and will actually travel outside the park and back. It will be the new welcoming landmark for guests as it screams overhead, just outside the park's front gate.

Riders on GOLIATH will sit four-abreast, strapped in bright orange and teal, open-sided trains carrying nine cars each. After the 200-foot ascent, GOLIATH will scream through the park's USA section, and outside of the park into a series of zero-gravity "floating" hills and drops, and a giant spiral. After a sweeping high-bank turn, the ride flies back into the park through several more hills and drops, in order to deliver the biggest thrill in Six Flags Over Georgia history.

GOLIATH is so enormous that it eclipses several other rides including the legendary Georgia Scorcher, which will now stand in its shadow more than 50 feet below. Giant oak trees, a unique feature to Six Flags Over Georgia, and natural treasures of the park will remain as more than just beautiful landscaping. GOLIATH will actually send riders up through the treetops and race back down within feet of two giant ponds.

GOLIATH was custom-designed and engineered by the industry-acclaimed Bolliger & Mabillard, of Monthey, Switzerland. Known for their quality and state of the art thrills, the same company designed the popular SUPERMAN - ULTIMATE FLIGHT, BATMAN THE RIDE, and Georgia Scorcher coasters in the park. Compared side-by-side, GOLIATH eclipses SUPERMAN - ULTIMATE FLIGHT's top height by nearly 50 feet and beats its top speed by over 15 miles per hour. It's length is almost twice that of any other coaster in the park.

Construction on this giant coaster has already begun and will continue through the winter. GOLIATH is scheduled to open April 1, 2006, just in time for Spring Break. Season Passholders will be given some of the first opportunities to ride during exclusive ride times scheduled for April.

Season Passes for the 2006 season go on sale early at the park's Guest Relations office beginning September 1, 2005.

Six Flags is open weekends until October 30, 2005 and will re-open March 4, 2006. For additional information, including hours of operation, pricing, and more, visit www.sixflags.com/georgia.

QUICK STATS:

Height: Over 200 feet at apex of first drop
Drops: First drop - 170 feet, second – 175 feet, third – 129 feet, fourth – 118 feet, fifth – 79 feet, sixth – 56 feet, seventh
– 48 feet
Top Speed: 70 miles per hour
Track Length: 4,480 feet
Ride Area: 8.5 acres
Cycle Time: Approximately 3.5 minutes total from load to unload
Number of Trains: 2 trains, 9 cars each
Capacity: 36 per train
1,220 per hour
Colors: Teal supports, orange box beam, silver rails
Station house and train cars also teal, orange and silver
Elements: GIANT, 170 foot drop
6 camel backs (“zero-gravity” hills)
1 high speed, banked curve
1 double helix (giant spiral)
1 over-banked horseshoe
Opening Date: April 1, 2006

VIA Press Release