Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain launched on February 11, 2000, as the world’s fastest and longest-dropping full-circuit steel roller coaster — a title it held for exactly 91 days. Built by Swiss manufacturer Giovanola at a cost of roughly $30 million, this 235-foot (72 m) hypercoaster sends riders plunging 255 feet (78 m) into an underground tunnel at 85 mph (137 km/h) before hurling them through a 585-degree helix where forces exceed 4.5 Gs for more than six consecutive seconds.
More than 25 years after its debut, Goliath remains one of Six Flags Magic Mountain’s most physically demanding headline coasters. With zero inversions, every thrill is earned through raw height, a steep first drop, and sustained lateral force — a formula that was groundbreaking in 2000 and still holds up today.
Quick Answer
Goliath is a steel hypercoaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. It stands 235 feet (72 meters) tall and drops 255 feet (78 meters) at a 61-degree angle, reaching a top speed of 85 mph (137 km/h).
It has zero inversions, a minimum height requirement of 48 inches (122 cm), and seats 30 riders per train — 2 across in 3 rows per car, across five cars.
How Tall Is Goliath? Height and Drop in Feet and Meters
Goliath’s lift hill and structure top out at 235 feet (72 meters), making it one of the tallest coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain. From that peak, the ride’s signature first drop plunges 255 feet (78 meters) at a steep 61-degree angle — a drop that’s actually taller than the lift hill itself, since the track dips below ground level into a 120-foot enclosed tunnel before leveling back out.
Here are Goliath’s core dimensions converted to metric for quick reference: height 235 ft (72 m); first drop 255 ft (78 m) at 61°; second drop 185 ft (56 m); track length 4,500 ft (1,400 m); top speed 85 mph (137 km/h); height requirement 48 in (122 cm). The second drop, immediately following the mid-course brake run, is less famous than the first but still ranks among the tallest drops on any coaster in the park.
Stats at a Glance
Park: Six Flags Magic Mountain | Location: Valencia, California | Manufacturer: Giovanola (Switzerland) | Designer: Werner Stengel (Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH) | Opened: February 11, 2000 | Cost: ~$30 million | Type: Steel hypercoaster (Mega Coaster model).
Height: 235 ft (72 m) | First Drop: 255 ft (78 m) at 61° | Second Drop: 185 ft (56 m) | Top Speed: 85 mph (137 km/h) | Track Length: 4,500 ft (1,400 m) | Duration: ~3 minutes | Inversions: 0 | Trains: 3 trains × 30 riders | Capacity: ~1,600 riders/hour | Height Requirement: 48 in (122 cm).
What Is Goliath’s Top Speed?
Goliath’s maximum speed is 85 mph (137 km/h), hit at the bottom of the 255-foot (78 m) first drop. When Goliath opened in February 2000, that made it the fastest full-circuit steel roller coaster on the planet. Cedar Point’s Millennium Force eclipsed that mark just three months later with a 93 mph top speed, but 85 mph still ranks Goliath among the fastest non-inverting coasters at any Six Flags park anywhere in the world.
That speed is amplified by terrain. The first drop descends below ground level into a 120-foot enclosed tunnel at its base — so the peak acceleration happens in total darkness before the train bursts back into the open California sky. The contrast between the tunnel blackout and the sudden flood of daylight and speed is one of the signature moments of the ride.
Goliath Seats: How Many and What’s the Layout?
Goliath runs three trains, each made up of five cars. Every car has three rows with two seats side-by-side, giving each car six seats and each train a total of 30 riders. That 2-across layout means every rider gets either a window or an aisle seat — no center squeeze. With three trains cycling and a theoretical capacity of around 1,600 riders per hour, Goliath moves its queue faster than many comparable coasters.
For seat selection: back-row riders experience maximum ejector airtime on the 255-foot drop and through the airtime hills — the train crests each hill slightly ahead of riders, briefly yanking them out of their seats. Front-row riders get an unobstructed sightline straight down the first plunge and feel the tunnel rush most directly. The helix delivers its 4.5-G force equally regardless of row.
The Ride Experience
Goliath’s layout is a hybrid few riders notice until they think about it afterward: the first half follows a classic out-and-back structure — big lift hill, big first drop, return along a parallel corridor with the 185-foot second drop — while the second half transitions into a twister format with tightly banked turns and sweeping curves. That combination gives the ride a distinct two-act rhythm: open and airtime-heavy early, then confined and laterally punishing in the back stretch.
After the first drop and the tunnel, the train sweeps through a series of airtime hills and the second drop before reaching a mid-course brake run. The second half builds toward the ride’s most famous feature: the 585-degree descending helix — a full turn-and-a-half of sustained lateral G-force, pressing riders into their seats at over 4.5 Gs for more than six continuous seconds. With no inversions, Goliath’s classification as a ‘family-friendly’ hypercoaster relative to loop-heavy coasters is technically accurate but misleading in practice — the helix is more physically demanding than the brief, snappy upside-down elements on most looping coasters.
Height Requirement and Who Can Ride
Riders must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall to board Goliath. Six Flags rates it Level 4 — maximum intensity — making it one of the park’s most demanding attractions.
The combination of the 4.5-G helix and sustained lateral loading makes Goliath particularly hard on riders with neck, back, or cardiovascular conditions. Pregnant guests and those recovering from recent surgeries or joint injuries should skip it. The helix alone is a prolonged physical stress that most inverting coasters never approach, even with loops and corkscrews.
Records and Legacy
On opening day, February 11, 2000, Goliath simultaneously held the world record for the longest drop and the highest top speed among all full-circuit steel roller coasters. Cedar Point’s Millennium Force opened on May 13, 2000, with a 300-foot drop and 93 mph top speed, eclipsing both marks in one shot. Goliath’s run as world record holder lasted just 91 days.
Losing the records that quickly could have defined Goliath as a footnote, but the coaster instead became a benchmark. It helped cement Six Flags Magic Mountain’s identity as the roller coaster capital of the world at a time when the park was already accumulating more coasters than any other park on Earth. For the current schedule, ticket prices, and any temporary closures, check the official Goliath page on the Six Flags Magic Mountain site.
Goliath height, drop, and speed stats FAQs
How tall is Goliath at Magic Mountain?
Goliath’s lift hill and structure reach 235 feet (72 meters), one of the tallest coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
What is Goliath’s drop height?
Goliath’s first drop is 255 feet (78 meters) at a 61-degree angle. It also has a second drop of 185 feet (56 meters) later in the layout.
How tall is Goliath in meters?
Goliath is 72 meters tall with a 78-meter first drop and a 56-meter second drop.
How fast does Goliath go?
Goliath reaches a top speed of 85 mph (137 km/h) at the bottom of its first drop.
Does Goliath have any inversions?
No. Goliath has zero inversions — its intensity comes from height, speed, and a sustained 4.5-G helix instead of loops.
How long is the Goliath ride?
The ride lasts about 3 minutes and covers 4,500 feet (1,400 meters) of track.
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