Goliath opened at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois on June 19, 2014, rising from the site of the former Iron Wolf coaster. Built by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) and designed by Alan Schilke, it paired RMC’s steel-topped Topper Track with a traditional wood structure to create one of the most intense hybrid coasters in the world at the time of its debut.
The ride made history immediately, setting three world records for wooden coasters: the longest drop at 180 feet, the steepest descent angle at 85 degrees, and the fastest top speed at 72 mph. More than a decade later, Goliath still holds all three records, cementing its reputation as one of the defining wood-steel hybrid coasters of the modern RMC era.
Quick Answer
Goliath at Six Flags Great America is a 165-foot RMC hybrid coaster that still holds three wooden coaster world records: longest drop (180 feet), steepest angle (85 degrees), and fastest speed (72 mph). Riders must be at least 48 inches tall, the ride lasts about 1 minute 45 seconds, and it’s widely rated as one of the smoothest rides RMC has ever built, thanks to the steel Topper Track running surface.
Stats at a Glance
Park: Six Flags Great America. Manufacturer: Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC). Designer: Alan Schilke. Opened: June 19, 2014. Height: 165 feet. Top speed: 72 mph. Length: 3,100 feet. Inversions: 2 (dive loop and zero-gravity stall). Max drop: 180 feet at 85°. Restraints: individual lap bar with seatbelt. Minimum height: 48 inches.
The Ride Experience
Riders climb a chain lift that rises at a 45-degree angle — steeper than most lift hills — reaching 165 feet before plunging into an 85-degree, 180-foot drop that sends the train underground through a dark tunnel beneath the midway, descending roughly 15 feet below ground level. From there, Goliath keeps up the pace with a 125-foot overbanked turnaround, a small airtime hill, a dive loop, and a zero-gravity stall that suspends riders upside-down beneath the lift hill structure, all delivered at speeds up to 72 mph.
The coaster runs two trains of six cars each, seating riders two-across in twelve rows for 24 riders per train. Its blend of RMC’s steel-topped Topper Track with a wooden support structure — including grout-filled track joints and polyurethane wheels — gives Goliath a notably smooth, quiet ride for a wood-based coaster, which is what set RMC’s hybrid conversions and new builds apart throughout the 2010s. One tradeoff riders and reviewers often note: the intense elements are packed into a short cycle, so the sustained thrill time feels briefer than the total ride duration suggests, especially compared to longer RMC creations like Iron Rattler or New Texas Giant.
Height Requirements, Restraints & Accessibility
Goliath requires a minimum height of 48 inches (122 cm) to ride, and Six Flags rates it a Thrill Level 5, its highest intensity category. Each seat uses an individual lap bar, shin bar, and seatbelt rather than an over-the-shoulder harness, which keeps the ride feeling open despite its inversions. Because seating is fixed and fairly snug, larger guests should be aware that comfort can vary by row; if a seat doesn’t fit properly, attendants can typically direct riders to try another row in the train. Wheelchair users must transfer out of their wheelchair to ride, and the queue and station were rebuilt on the footprint of the former Iron Wolf to accommodate Goliath’s longer trains.
Best Seat, Wait Times & Tips for Riding
The back row is the most requested seat on Goliath, delivering a stronger “ejector” airtime moment as the train crests the lift hill and drops underground, and riders can typically request it at the station loading gate. The front row offers the clearest view straight down into the 180-foot drop and tunnel, which some riders find even more intense than the back.
Typical waits run anywhere from 20-30 minutes on slower days to well over an hour during peak summer weekends, so riding early in the day or during the last hour before closing tends to mean shorter lines. Goliath has offered a single-rider line at times, which can noticeably cut wait times if you don’t mind splitting up from your group, though availability isn’t guaranteed on every visit — check with a team member at the entrance. Six Flags also sells Fast Lane, a paid skip-the-line option, for guests who want guaranteed shorter waits on Goliath and other headliner coasters.
Records and Construction History
Goliath was built on the footprint of the former Iron Wolf, reusing much of that ride’s station and queue line before lengthening the station to accommodate Goliath’s longer twelve-row trains. Construction began in September 2013 and ran through May 2014, involving roughly 40,000 man-hours of labor. A lightning strike caused a minor fire at the station during testing on June 6, 2014, but caused no injuries and didn’t delay the ride’s opening.
At its June 2014 debut, Goliath claimed three wooden coaster world records simultaneously: longest drop, steepest angle, and fastest speed. It remains the record holder in all three categories today, standing as a landmark achievement for RMC during the company’s early years of building record-setting wood-steel hybrids. The ride was also RMC’s second ground-up wooden coaster build, following Outlaw Run at Silver Dollar City in 2013, and it earned a Golden Ticket Award for the #3 Best New Ride of 2014.
Planning Your Visit
Six Flags Great America generally operates on a seasonal schedule, with the fullest daily hours running from late spring through summer and a reduced, weekend-focused calendar in early spring and fall. Because hours shift week to week, always check the current calendar on the official Six Flags Great America park hours page before you go.
Tickets follow a tiered structure typical of major theme parks: single-day general admission bought online in advance is usually significantly cheaper than paying at the gate, and season passes or memberships can be worthwhile for repeat visitors. Add-ons like Fast Lane, parking, and dining plans are sold separately. For current pricing and to buy tickets, visit the official Six Flags Great America tickets page, and see the official Goliath attraction page for park-specific ride details.
Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Great America FAQs
What is the height requirement for Goliath?
Riders must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall to ride Goliath at Six Flags Great America.
Does Goliath still hold its world records?
Yes. Goliath still holds all three wooden coaster world records it set in 2014: longest drop (180 feet), steepest angle (85 degrees), and fastest speed (72 mph).
How long does the Goliath ride last?
A full cycle runs about 1 minute 45 seconds, though the most intense elements — the drop, inversions, and overbanked turns — are packed into a shorter, fast-paced burst within that time.
Is Goliath rough or smooth?
Goliath is known for being unusually smooth for a wooden coaster. RMC’s steel Topper Track, combined with grout-filled joints and polyurethane wheels, gives it a ride feel closer to a steel coaster than a traditional wooden one.
What is the best seat on Goliath?
The back row delivers the strongest airtime over the lift hill and into the drop, while the front row offers the clearest view down into the 180-foot plunge and tunnel. Both are popular requests at the station.
Does Goliath have a single rider line?
Goliath has offered a single-rider line at times, which can shorten waits for solo riders, though it isn’t always open. Ask a team member at the entrance about current availability.
What restraints does Goliath use?
Each seat uses an individual lap bar with a shin bar and seatbelt, rather than an over-the-shoulder harness.
Who manufactured Goliath at Six Flags Great America?
Goliath was built by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) using its Topper Track system, which combines a wooden structure with a steel running surface, and was designed by Alan Schilke.
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