Goliath is the 200-foot B&M hypercoaster anchoring the USA section of Six Flags Over Georgia — a no-inversions, all-airtime machine built for speed and floating hills rather than loops.
This guide covers everything riders search for before getting in line: exact stats, what the ride actually feels like, the height requirement, realistic wait times, and how Goliath stacks up against other steel coasters.
Quick Answer
Goliath stands 200 feet tall, drops 170 feet off the lift hill, and hits 70 mph along 4,480 feet of track with zero inversions. It opened April 1, 2006, was built by Bolliger & Mabillard for $20 million, and requires riders to be at least 54 inches tall. Expect airtime on six camelback hills and up to 4 Gs in the closing 540-degree helix.
Goliath by the Numbers
Height: 200 ft (61 m) | First drop: 170 ft (52 m) | Top speed: 70 mph (113 km/h) | Track length: 4,480 ft (1,370 m) | Inversions: 0 | Opened: April 1, 2006 | Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard | Cost: $20 million | Trains: 2, with 9 cars each seating 4 across (36 riders per train).
Those two trains are worth noting: with a modest fleet size, Goliath’s hourly capacity is lower than many modern coasters, which is the main reason its lines can swing from a walk-on to a long wait within the same day.
The Ride Experience
Goliath follows a classic out-and-back layout. The lift hill climbs to 200 feet, then the train plunges 170 feet at a steep angle, hitting 70 mph before it’s even level with the ground. From there, six consecutive camelback hills deliver sustained airtime — that floating, out-of-your-seat sensation — as the train crests each one.
Trains seat riders four across with individual lap-bar restraints rather than rigid shoulder harnesses, so even center-seat riders get an open, unobstructed view of the Georgia tree line during the climb and descent.
The finale is a 540-degree helix — a long, banked spiral that pins riders with up to 4 Gs of positive force, the direct counterpoint to all the weightlessness on the hills leading into it. That contrast between floating and pressing is the signature of B&M’s hypercoaster formula, and it’s what Goliath is built around.
Height Requirement and Who Can Ride
Riders must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall to ride Goliath, with no maximum height accommodation beyond standard restraint fit. Six Flags Over Georgia lists it at its highest thrill-intensity tier, so it’s built for guests comfortable with steep drops, sustained airtime, and strong G-forces rather than a first-time or family coaster.
Because the restraints are lap bars rather than over-the-shoulder harnesses, riders with mobility or fit concerns should check the ride’s accessibility notes on the park’s official attraction page before visiting.
Is Goliath Scary or Rough?
Goliath is intense but not disorienting — there are no inversions, so riders stay upright the entire time. The main sensations are the steep 170-foot first drop, repeated stomach-drop airtime on the camelbacks, and the pinning G-forces of the closing helix.
Ride quality has generally held up well for a coaster from 2006, which tracks with B&M’s reputation for smooth, low-vibration trains — a contrast to the rougher wooden and older steel coasters found elsewhere in the park.
Wait Times and the Best Time to Ride
Wait times on Goliath swing dramatically over the course of a day — often just a couple of minutes at opening, climbing to 30-60 minutes by mid-afternoon and evening on busy weekends. With only two trains in operation, the line can build quickly once crowds arrive, and any ride stoppage tends to cause a noticeable backup.
For the shortest wait, ride during the first hour the park is open, during a scheduled parade or fireworks show, or on a weekday visit outside of peak summer season. Six Flags Over Georgia’s app and website typically show live wait times if you want to check before walking over.
Records, Rankings, and Awards
In its debut season, Goliath placed fourth among all new rides worldwide in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards, an industry ranking voted on by park professionals and enthusiasts. In the following years it climbed the outlet’s Top Steel Coaster rankings, peaking at fourth overall in both 2009 and 2011 — a strong showing in a category usually dominated by larger, more heavily themed installations.
Note that several other Six Flags parks — including Six Flags Great America near Chicago — also operate coasters named Goliath, each with different stats and manufacturers. The Six Flags Over Georgia version is the B&M hypercoaster described here, distinct from those other rides.
Planning Your Visit
Goliath is a fixed part of Six Flags Over Georgia’s standard park admission — no separate ticket is required to ride, though Flash Pass options can reduce time spent in its queue during busy periods. Park hours shift seasonally, running shorter on weekdays in early spring and fall and extending into the evening during summer and around major holidays.
For current operating hours, ticket pricing, parking rates, and any temporary ride closures, check the official Six Flags Over Georgia website before you go.
Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia FAQs
How tall is Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia?
Goliath stands 200 feet (61 m) tall, with a first drop of 170 feet (52 m) off the lift hill that carries the train to its top speed of 70 mph.
How fast does Goliath go?
Goliath reaches a top speed of 70 mph (113 km/h), hit at the bottom of the first 170-foot drop.
Does Goliath have any loops or inversions?
No. Goliath has zero inversions. It delivers its thrills through six airtime-filled camelback hills and a 540-degree helix rather than loops.
What is the height requirement for Goliath?
Riders must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall to ride.
Who built Goliath?
Goliath was designed and built by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), a Swiss manufacturer known for smooth, airtime-focused hypercoasters.
How long is the wait for Goliath?
Waits vary widely by time of day, from a near walk-on at opening to 30-60 minutes during peak afternoon and evening hours, largely because the ride runs with only two trains.
Is Goliath the same as the Goliath at other Six Flags parks?
No. Several Six Flags parks, including Six Flags Great America, have their own separate coasters also named Goliath, with different stats and manufacturers than the Six Flags Over Georgia version.
When did Goliath open?
Goliath opened at Six Flags Over Georgia on April 1, 2006, replacing the Great Gasp and Looping Starship attractions.
Get More from Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Want the day’s theme park news in your inbox? Subscribe to ThrillZing Daily — free.