Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain opened on February 11, 2000, and briefly held the world records for the longest drop and the top speed among full-circuit steel roller coasters. The Swiss-built hypercoaster in Valencia, California, lifts riders 235 feet, sends them down a 255-foot plunge into an underground tunnel, and reaches 85 mph. It has no inversions.
Millennium Force at Cedar Point took those records roughly three months later. Goliath never needed them. Its reputation rests on a big first drop and a long, forceful helix, and the ride has aged better than most coasters from that record-chasing era. This guide covers the height, drop, speed, height requirement, trains, layout, seat choice and how to plan a visit.
Quick Answer
Goliath is a steel hypercoaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. It is 235 feet (72 m) tall with a 255-foot (78 m) first drop at 61 degrees. Top speed is 85 mph (137 km/h). It has zero inversions, about 4,500 feet (1,400 m) of track and a ride time of roughly three minutes. The minimum height to ride is 48 inches (122 cm).
Goliath Stats at a Glance
Park: Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California | Opened: February 11, 2000 | Manufacturer: Giovanola (Switzerland) | Designer: Werner Stengel | Model: Mega Coaster (hypercoaster) | Cost: about $30 million | Lift hill 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: about 3 minutes | Maximum G-force: 4.5 Gs | Inversions: 0 | Trains: 3, each with 5 cars and 30 riders | Capacity: about 1,600 riders per hour | Height requirement: 48 in (122 cm) | Six Flags thrill level: 4.
Height, drop, speed and length match the figures on the official Six Flags Goliath page.
How Tall Is Goliath, and How Big Is the Drop?
Goliath’s lift hill reaches 235 feet (72 m). The first drop is 255 feet (78 m), which is taller than the lift hill. That works because the track dives below ground level into a 120-foot tunnel at the bottom of the plunge. The angle is 61 degrees, steep but not vertical.
The 85 mph top speed comes at the bottom of that first drop, inside the tunnel. Riders then climb out and reach the second drop of 185 feet (56 m). Six Flags lists Goliath among the world’s tallest coaster drops. Several taller coasters have opened since 2000, but a 255-foot drop is still a very large one.
Goliath’s Records: What It Actually Held
When Goliath opened in February 2000, it briefly held the world records for longest drop and top speed among full-circuit steel coasters. Cedar Point’s Millennium Force opened on May 13, 2000. It was 310 feet tall with a 300-foot drop and a 93 mph top speed, and it passed Goliath on all three counts. That makes Goliath’s reign about three months.
Goliath is no longer a record holder. It is best known as a big, non-inverting hypercoaster that still delivers a lot of force.
Ride Layout and What It Feels Like
Goliath combines two styles. The first half is an out-and-back layout, and the second half is a twister. The ride starts with the chain lift, then the 255-foot plunge into the tunnel. The rest is a mix of airtime hills, banked turns and the second drop. It ends with a 585-degree descending helix and a final brake run.
The helix is what most riders remember. Sustained forces reach 4.5 Gs, and Ultimate Rollercoaster reports over six continuous seconds at that level. That is why Six Flags rates Goliath a Level 4 thrill, its top intensity tier. The feeling is heavy and pressing rather than floaty. Riders who like inversions may find the lack of them surprising, but the sustained lateral load makes up for it.
Height Requirement and Who Should Skip It
Riders must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall. Six Flags posts the requirement on the Goliath page, and the park’s measuring stations are the final word. If a child is close to the line, measure at the park before queueing.
The strong, sustained forces make Goliath a poor fit for guests with neck, back or heart problems, and for pregnant guests or anyone recovering from surgery. The park posts health warnings at the ride entrance, so read them before you board.
Trains, Seating and Capacity
Goliath runs three trains. Each has five cars, and each car has three rows with two seats side by side, so a train holds 30 riders. Capacity is around 1,600 riders per hour when all three trains run. Lap restraints hold you in. Seat belts were added in November 2013, according to Wikipedia.
For seat choice, the front row gives the clearest view of the plunge into the tunnel. The back row usually feels the strongest pull over the drops and airtime hills, because the train crests each hill ahead of you. The helix feels intense from any row.
Planning Your Visit
Goliath is in the Goliath Plaza area of Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, in the Los Angeles area. Six Flags sells single-day tickets, season passes and memberships, plus group tickets and discounts such as military offers. Prices change with the date, the ticket type and how far ahead you buy, so check current pricing before you go. Park hours vary by season. They are typically longer in summer and on holidays and shorter on off-season weekdays. Some days the park is closed.
For current hours, tickets and closures, use the official Six Flags Magic Mountain website. It has a Calendar & Hours page and the ticket and pass pages. Rides sometimes close temporarily for weather or maintenance, so look at the day’s ride status before you head to the queue.
Several other Six Flags parks have their own coaster called Goliath, including Great America and Over Georgia. Check that you are reading about the Magic Mountain one, the 235-foot Giovanola hypercoaster in Valencia.
Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain FAQs
How tall is Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain?
Goliath’s lift hill is 235 feet (72 m) tall. Its first drop is 255 feet (78 m), which is taller than the lift because the track goes into an underground tunnel at the bottom.
How fast does Goliath go?
Goliath reaches 85 mph (137 km/h), at the bottom of the first drop.
What is the height requirement for Goliath?
Riders must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall, according to the Six Flags Magic Mountain website.
Does Goliath have any inversions?
No. Goliath has zero inversions. Its thrills come from the tall first drop, airtime hills, banked turns and a 585-degree helix with forces up to 4.5 Gs.
How long is the Goliath ride?
The track is about 4,500 feet (1,400 m) long, and a ride lasts about three minutes.
Was Goliath ever the world’s tallest or fastest coaster?
For a few months in 2000, Goliath held the records for longest drop and top speed among full-circuit steel coasters. Millennium Force at Cedar Point opened on May 13, 2000, and took those records.
Who built Goliath?
The Swiss manufacturer Giovanola built Goliath, a Mega Coaster-model hypercoaster designed by Werner Stengel. It cost about $30 million and opened on February 11, 2000.
Where do I find current hours and ticket prices for Six Flags Magic Mountain?
Check the official Six Flags Magic Mountain website (sixflags.com/magicmountain). Its Calendar & Hours page and its ticket and pass pages carry current information, since both prices and hours change through the year.
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