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View Full Version : Goliath Coming to Fiesta Texas in '08



Michael
11-04-2007, 02:03 PM
Couldn't find a thread about this, thought it was worth a little discussion. :)

Here is the original press release:


The opening of "Goliath (http://rcdb.com/id3976.htm)," the ultimate inverted coaster, will add a powerful new dimension of thrill technology to an already astounding coaster line-up at Six Flags Fiesta Texas (http://rcdb.com/pd10.htm) in 2008. Set to open in spring of 2008, "Goliath (http://rcdb.com/id3976.htm)" will feature a unique radiating blue steel track and high-speed yellow, blue and orange trains that suspend riders from the coaster track.
Once aboard the unconventional suspended 28-passenger trains, the bottom drops out from beneath the riders and they soar out of the station four abreast to experience spine-tingling gravitational forces and the sensation of racing at 50 mph with nothing beneath their feet but earth and sky.
As riders race across the track, they climb skyward for 10 stories before literally flying up and over a heart-pounding vertical loop and into the ride of their lives! "Goliath (http://rcdb.com/id3976.htm)," which reaches 105 feet, gives riders the sensation of weightlessness as they race through a zero-gravity heartline spin. Riders will fly head-over-heels through five inversions, including seven-story loops and two additional corkscrews.
"Goliath (http://rcdb.com/id3976.htm)" will be located in Los Festivales, and will provide a colorful and visually striking landmark as guests enter the park. At a cost of $15 million, the ride is manufactured by Bollinger & Mabillard, the Switzerland masters of innovative coaster design and the pre-eminent creator of inverted coasters.
"'Goliath (http://rcdb.com/id3976.htm)' will add a new coaster sensation to Six Flags Fiesta Texas (http://rcdb.com/pd10.htm) next season, as riders are suspended from the track while their feet hang freely below. We constantly strive to add additions to the park which will complement our existing roster of award-winning shows and supreme thrills...and we believe our guests will agree that we've accomplished that goal with this exciting addition," said Six Flags Fiesta Texas (http://rcdb.com/pd10.htm) President Martin Bozer.
2008 promises to be another memorable season at Six Flags Fiesta Texas (http://rcdb.com/pd10.htm), with a return of the Summer Concert Series, the Lone Star Spectacular laser/fireworks extravaganza and, of course, the inclusion of a free waterpark, White Water Bay. More news is yet to follow with regard to specific shows offered; but guests can be sure that the park is sure to maintain the tradition of presenting the "best theme park shows in the country," awarded to Six Flags Fiesta Texas (http://rcdb.com/pd10.htm) by "Amusement Today" for nine consecutive years.
Fiesta Texas will re-open for the new season on March 15, 2008.
Be the first to pick up your 2008 Six Flags Season Pass, now available online at sixflags.com or at H.E.B. Business Centers and the park beginning the first evening of Fright Fest, October 6. Get your pass at the lowest price of the season, only $59.99(plus tax)! Our Halloween celebration, Fright Fest, will be featured Saturdays and Sundays in October with hours of noon to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Ghastly ghouls will perform in special Halloween-themed shows, Mayor Slayer, the official Mayor of Fright Fest, will roam the park with his posse to spook the unsuspecting, and phantoms from all over the park will create a terrifically terror-filled time!
An added celebration announced earlier this year is a brand new Holiday in the Park, a winter wonderland of holiday cheer that will take place every weekend beginning after Thanksgiving 2007. Guests will experience a park transformed into a magical Christmas extravaganza which includes Six Flags Fiesta Texas (http://rcdb.com/pd10.htm)' award-winning live holiday entertainment and extraordinary yuletide excitement for the entire family. Hours will be 4 to 10 p.m. with 5 to 11 p.m. operating hours on November 23 and December 21. The park will be closed on December 24, 25 and 31. Holiday in the Park will be offered as an additional bonus to Six Flags season pass holders.
Six Flags Inc. is the world's largest theme park company. Founded in 1961, Six Flags celebrated its 45th Anniversary in 2006. It is a publicly-traded corporation (NYSE: SIX) headquartered in New York City.

Original link: http://rcdb.com/document277.htm (http://rcdb.com/document277.htm)

So what are your thoughts? Will this bring the much needed attention to SFFT? Will it live up to the original BTR? Post what you think. :cool:

And on a side note, the newly painted track is looking absolutley beautiful, hopefully it will stay that way when complete.

http://cache.rcdb.com/pictures/picmax/p20654.jpg

-Michael

sirloin
11-04-2007, 03:08 PM
It should've stayed a Batman. Name recognition means alot. However, given the sheer amount of publicity Hurricane Katrina got (rightfully so), and given that Six Flags was mentioned from time to time and even seen in pictures, perhaps it's best to do as much to eliminate the association as possible. I'm not sure people would be too keen on riding a formerly ravaged coaster.

Dan
11-04-2007, 03:10 PM
Those colors look splendid! I wonder how long it'll take to put up.

Michael
11-04-2007, 03:24 PM
http://cache.rcdb.com/pictures/picmax/p20654.jpg

-Michael

Wait just a darn minute,

Are the supports going to be Yellow? Or Silver? Or both :confused:

sirloin
11-04-2007, 03:27 PM
My guess would be yellow, as I think it must be a repainted support. Batman's were silver. I know they have at times, but I doubt they'd have only a couple yellow supports with the rest being gray, and I KNOW they wouldn't waste the money to repaint it once and then repaint it again to the original color.

You can even see primer on many of the gray supports.

Wonder how San Antonioans will like having two of the same ride within maybe a half hour of each other?

mayoki
11-04-2007, 06:12 PM
^Seriously... and Great White is blue too. I can see it now.---(GP) "NOOO- the GOLIATH is so much more BETTER than the GREAT WHITE!!" "NOOOO- Dee GREAT WHITE is TALLER and has more LOOP-DEE-LOOPS!!!" Oh boy....

Maxamillious
11-04-2007, 07:35 PM
^ Yeah, I’m not really understanding why it’s been painted blue. It’s not really a ‘power’ color and that’s certainly the vibe that the name Goliath gives off.

Des anyone know where the track was painted at?

Steve K
11-04-2007, 07:46 PM
Track will be blue and the supports will be yellow. All you have to do is take a look at Six Flags' website...lol.

http://www.sixflags.com/fiestaTexas/rides/Goliath.aspx

Picture looks like Ryan's photoshop skills.... :rolleyes:

The Storm Runner
11-04-2007, 07:51 PM
"Manufacturer Bollinger & Mabillard" (Quoted from the Six Flags site)

Bollinger? I have a book that spells changes the name to Bollinger, also. It is Bolliger, right? :confused:

Steve K
11-04-2007, 08:04 PM
Yes, it is. http://www.bolliger-mabillard.com

Thrill Reconnoiter
11-04-2007, 08:29 PM
It'll definitely be interesting to see the reaction to this ride. I don't think people will catch the fact they're mirrors, since Great White and Goliath drop different ways.

Michael
12-31-2007, 01:22 AM
Here is the latest from sfftnet, what appears to be an official logo or banner has appeared:


http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g52/txnhrt/Fiesta%20Texas/IMG_0022d.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g52/txnhrt/Fiesta%20Texas/IMG_0022d.jpg

Photo by Stacy Bernal

Thrill Reconnoiter
12-31-2007, 01:59 AM
Same old (new) logo. It feels like such a weird fit for this ride...but I guess this way they don't have to pay someone to think of a new theme.

tycooner55
12-31-2007, 07:37 PM
I wish Kennywood would take a look at the B&M site. I continue to dream.

I like the unique colors for this coaster. The name is far from unique though.

Dan
01-01-2008, 02:05 AM
Same old (new) logo. It feels like such a weird fit for this ride...but I guess this way they don't have to pay someone to think of a new theme.

It's not even the logo...it's the name. What kind of Goliath coaster is 100 ft. tall?

Jake
01-01-2008, 03:28 AM
Dan, it flips you 1510351 x OMG times! How is that not a Goliath coaster?

;)

Thrill Reconnoiter
01-01-2008, 03:55 AM
Just pretend it's PKI where the tallest coaster is wooden. ;)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/w211_ryda/4l417og.gif
Eh, it's just a name. I'm sure the Texas enthusiasts will still love having B:TR mirrors 15mins apart...

Dan
01-01-2008, 01:54 PM
I thought that bug was inside my screen, lol.

A name like Viper is just a name. A name like Riddler's Revenge, or Batman, or X...they don't imply anything. While Goliath will work if you stick it on anything, it still implies 'big'.

sirloin
01-01-2008, 07:23 PM
I love SF dearly, and I love SFFT, but why would you name a B-TR clone at that park Goliath? You have Superman and Rattler, both of which blow Goliath out of the water in terms of proportions, and even Boomerang is taller.

Here I was, hoping that they'd give it a wicked Batman theme in keeping with SF tradition, as well as in keeping with SFFT's superb theming job, which is evident all over the park.

A shame, really, as I would have liked to think SF would maintain the high standards of Fiesta Texas (a park which they publicly acknowledge as one of their best in many respects), but such is life.

Goliath255
02-12-2008, 01:34 AM
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g52/txnhrt/Goliath%20Construction/004a-7.jpg

Jake
02-12-2008, 01:36 AM
Wow, it looks great! I love the color scheme.

ArrowOwnzU
02-12-2008, 01:43 AM
Not bad looking, really like the color scheme.

Tom
02-12-2008, 02:04 AM
The colors look better than I thought, the first loop seems like its higher off the ground than most clones. Might just be angle.

thatdancingbear
02-12-2008, 02:40 AM
That really looks great! Is it not against the canyon, because I see S:KC in the background still...

Ill definitely ride when I visit the park again!

ArrowOwnzU
02-12-2008, 03:29 AM
No it really is higher. SFNO shortened it for some reason.

mitchellPAUL
02-18-2008, 07:41 PM
does anyone else think those random shots of gray are a little, well... unnecessary?

Brandon
02-18-2008, 07:59 PM
does anyone else think those random shots of gray are a little, well... unnecessary?
I believe that those grey supports are still unpainted. They should be painted over by now...

Maxamillious
02-18-2008, 08:52 PM
It looks like Goliath was built in the parking lot or in the American Parade Grounds, both of which are located left of the park’s front entrance. Can anyone confirm the exact location?

This could be the second parking lot coaster for 2008. :blink:

EmperorNorton
02-18-2008, 10:01 PM
I love SF dearly, and I love SFFT, but why would you name a B-TR clone at that park Goliath? You have Superman and Rattler, both of which blow Goliath out of the water in terms of proportions, and even Boomerang is taller.

Here I was, hoping that they'd give it a wicked Batman theme in keeping with SF tradition, as well as in keeping with SFFT's superb theming job, which is evident all over the park.

A shame, really, as I would have liked to think SF would maintain the high standards of Fiesta Texas (a park which they publicly acknowledge as one of their best in many respects), but such is life.

I like FT, but it isn't the best SF park their is, but it is up their. GAdv. is the best in my opinion.

Goliath looks good, but with the recent better names for SF coasters (Tatsu, El Toro, Kingda Ka) I thought they would of got a better name for it.

sirloin
02-18-2008, 10:40 PM
In my personal opinion, with Goliath in their lineup, SFFT can ride this coaster selection out (no pun intended) for several years. It's a healthy balance of different thrill levels, and it's a good number of coasters to stick with. Add too many more and you've destroyed the natural beauty of the park (outside of the cliffs) by lining the sky with excessive amounts of wood and steel.

I will say that I'm slightly disappointed that they did not opt to give it a Batman theme simply because it would have been a great job, assuming they followed the trend of the park's theming capabilities, but even so, I'm thrilled to see one of my favorite rides (B-TR) going into one of my absolute favorite parks. But hey, I'm just as pleased to know that it didn't end up in the scrap heap. Getting it placed at SFFT is just a bonus.

EDIT: Wow, I didn't realize that I basically ignored my previous post in this one. Oh well.

Thrill Reconnoiter
02-18-2008, 10:53 PM
It looks like Goliath was built in the parking lot or in the American Parade Grounds, both of which are located left of the park’s front entrance. Can anyone confirm the exact location?

This could be the second parking lot coaster for 2008. :blink:
It's going in/near Los Festivales. It's not a parking lot, just a grassy/dirt field. The station and queues will be developed there.

And new photos from yesterday:
http://www.sixflags.com/fiestaTexas/rides/constructionphotos.aspx

rollercoasterfreek
02-18-2008, 11:18 PM
That won't take that long to construct right?

Thrill Reconnoiter
02-19-2008, 03:14 PM
That won't take that long to construct right?
The circuit is pretty much done, half the supports still need paint, and one could suppose the station/queues can all be built within a few weeks if need be, so there's no rush.

But that begs the question, what kind of queue are we going to see here? The Goliath's all have their own unique flare to them.

Michael
02-19-2008, 03:16 PM
^ I'd like to see something like Goliath at SFOG. That always seemed like a great building to me :001_cool:

theRock-steel
02-23-2008, 07:04 AM
The name may be a little confusing. The others with "Goliath" (except for jr.) are all hypers. At least we didn't have another "Batman"; fifteen is enough. I learned though at Great Adventure, that all of those don't feel the same. I'm looking forward to this next year, when I go to Texas.

SnooSnoo
02-23-2008, 03:21 PM
I'm just REALLY wondering if this bad boy will be done in.. 14 days when I go to SFFT.. lol

Mike T
02-23-2008, 04:45 PM
It'd be really nice to see the ride done in 14 days, but I think thats wishful thinking on anybodies part. Although steel erection is complete, the electrical components still need to be installed and tested, the structural integrity still needs testing, trains need testing, and painting still needs to be completed. Even if you don't get to ride this one, you'll still have two more to experience out at Sea World and Six Flags over Texas. If I were you, I'd be a bit more concerned about riding the Sea World version of this model, considering there are some improvisions made to that track to accommodate the plot. It might feel different, you never know...

Steve K
02-24-2008, 12:02 AM
When I went on Great White, it did feel slightly different and was actually pretty wierd not calling it Batman with a different color scheme and not hearing the Batman theme music in the qeue.

It's nice to see Goliath coming along nicely, and as Mike said, although construction is complete, several test remain before we'll see a public opening. I don't know about you guys, but the sky blue and yellow paint scheme for a 'Goliath' coaster just doesn't fit right...

WickedPhantom
03-10-2008, 03:32 AM
How much money has B&M made off that one design?

Jake
04-19-2008, 01:54 AM
Goliath is now open, and I must say that paint scheme is absolutely blinding.

You can see a trip report here. (http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43170&start=0)

coastermatt
04-19-2008, 02:41 AM
Yay for two Batman clones with different theming less than 30 minutes away from each other!

Thrill Reconnoiter
04-19-2008, 04:06 AM
While I still don't get the name, that Tonka Truck paint job is seriously just as bright as I imaged it would be. :thumbup1:

Michael
04-19-2008, 06:45 PM
Wow... stunning :smile:

I've never seen a paint scheme this vibrant before!

Voyage100
04-19-2008, 09:38 PM
That pure blue track will just make me feel as "Wow 'Sea Goliath' is up." So great impact though that is just a Batman Clone. : )

Dan
04-20-2008, 02:24 AM
I can't see!

That's ridiculous; I wonder how long the paint will stay so vibrant.

Tom
04-20-2008, 05:07 AM
I think I like the paint. I like rides that stand out that are B&M's, and in this case a beautiful one in that.

Maxamillious
04-20-2008, 08:55 AM
Dang. That seriously hurt my eyes, lol. It's nice that Six Flags actually put a good coat of paint on something but this is a bit overkill.

sirloin
04-21-2008, 08:57 AM
Making one of the most awesome parks out there all the more amazing.

I'm still a little surprise they passed on the Batman theme, but if it was skipped to avoid the association to the Hurricane Katrina disaster, I'll condone it in this case. Changing things to eliminate negative associations is a pretty common practice.

Patrick
04-24-2008, 12:22 PM
I love that colour sceme, It stands out and looks fantastic. Definitely one of the best looking Batman clones.

Steelinwood
05-02-2008, 06:43 PM
I finnaly saw this coaster in action and it looks pretty micro!

Voyage100
05-03-2008, 09:42 AM
^ You would say like this, because 'Batman The Ride' is kind of a really compact inverted looper that packs plenty of g's. But a sweet ride, specially for those who want to freak out a lot when they get so intense riding sensations. : )

Steelinwood
05-05-2008, 08:22 AM
oh ok thanks, I heard very little that is was a batman clone.

Astroworld
05-27-2008, 07:22 PM
Why does Goliath (SFFT) have a 7 car train, when the normal Batman: The Ride (B&M Inverts) have a 8 car train?

I have ridden B:TR at SFOG and I must say, it is one of the most intense coasters I've ever riddden!

-Tatum

Thrill Reconnoiter
05-27-2008, 08:11 PM
Some B:TR's have seven rows, some have eight, one even has six.

It depends on the capacity needs and footprint. B&M can slightly tweak the layout to fit whatever footprint the park needs...hence why not all are the same length.

Dietcokevan
05-27-2008, 09:07 PM
Witch clone has 6?

Top Gun/Afterburn/Flight Deck - I don't know the real name of it they seem to change it every day, has 7 rows aswell.

Thrill Reconnoiter
05-28-2008, 12:42 AM
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/54/145499424_f2047ddc13.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/54/145499424_f2047ddc13.jpg

Entertainment City - Lightning

Dietcokevan
05-28-2008, 12:49 AM
Thanks great picture by the way!

Airtime&Gravity
05-29-2008, 12:42 PM
Lightning has a beautiful color scheme

Wow, six rows on a B&M invert...that must look really small as the train looks small with eight rows.