Goliath opened at Walibi Holland in Biddinghuizen, Netherlands, on March 29, 2002, and instantly became the park’s signature thrill ride. Built by Swiss manufacturer Intamin with track design from German engineer Werner Stengel, it was classified as one of mainland Europe’s first Intamin “Mega Coaster” installations, a smaller cousin of Intamin’s giant hypercoasters that still delivers a towering first drop and sustained high speed.
For nearly two decades Goliath held the title of the fastest, tallest, and longest roller coaster in the Benelux region. Kondaa, which opened at sister park Walibi Belgium in 2021, has since taken the height and speed crowns, but Goliath still runs the longest track layout in the Benelux and remains one of the most respected non-inverting coasters in Europe, prized for its cable lift hill, forceful airtime hills, and disorienting Stengel Dive.
Quick Answer
Goliath is a 153.7 ft (46.84 m) Intamin Mega Coaster at Walibi Holland in Biddinghuizen, Netherlands, that opened March 29, 2002. It reaches about 66 mph (106 km/h) on a 150.9 ft first drop, runs 3,983 ft (1,214 m) of track with zero inversions, and is still the longest roller coaster in the Benelux, though Kondaa at Walibi Belgium overtook it for tallest and fastest in 2021.
Goliath Stats at a Glance
Park: Walibi Holland (Biddinghuizen, Netherlands). Manufacturer: Intamin. Designer: Werner Stengel (Ing.-Büro Stengel). Opened: March 29, 2002. Height: about 153.7 ft (46.84 m). First drop: about 150.9 ft (45.99 m) at roughly a 70-degree angle. Top speed: about 66 mph (106 km/h). Length: about 3,983 ft (1,214 m). Ride duration: roughly 90 seconds. Inversions: 0. Trains: two 8-car trains seating 32 riders each in stadium-style rows.
How Fast and How Tall Is Goliath?
Goliath’s cable-launched lift hill hauls trains to a height of about 153.7 ft before sending them down a roughly 150.9 ft first drop at close to 70 degrees. That drop is where the ride builds its top speed of about 66 mph (106 km/h), which carries riders through the rest of the 3,983-foot layout without any additional boost.
Those numbers made Goliath the tallest and fastest coaster in the Benelux for almost twenty years. Kondaa’s 2021 debut at Walibi Belgium pushed past Goliath on both counts, but Goliath’s statistics still rank it among the larger non-inverting coasters on the European mainland, and its track remains the longest of any coaster in the Benelux region.
The Ride Experience
Riders are hauled up Goliath’s lift hill by a cable system, similar to the mechanism used on Expedition GeForce and Millennium Force, rather than a traditional chain. That cable lift launches trains into the first drop, generating the speed that carries the rest of the layout.
The signature moment comes shortly after, when the train banks through the Stengel Dive, an overbanked turn well past vertical that briefly turns riders upside-down without a true inversion. From there, Goliath weaves through a descending helix, an ascending helix, and a series of bunny hops that deliver repeated bursts of airtime before the trains return to the station. Enthusiasts generally point to the back rows of the train for the strongest airtime on the hills.
Goliath vs. Kondaa: Who Holds the Benelux Records Now?
When Goliath debuted in 2002, it was marketed as the fastest, tallest, and longest roller coaster in the Benelux, a distinction it held for nearly twenty years. That changed in 2021 when Kondaa opened at sister park Walibi Belgium and surpassed Goliath’s height and speed figures.
What often gets missed is that Goliath didn’t lose every record: its 3,983-foot track is still the longest of any Benelux roller coaster, even as Kondaa claims the tallest-and-fastest titles. Goliath remains a benchmark ride within the Walibi park network and a favorite among European coaster enthusiasts for its combination of height, speed, length, and airtime.
Planning Your Visit to Walibi Holland
Walibi Holland sells tickets in tiered pricing based on the visit date, with online advance tickets typically running cheaper than gate admission and the lowest prices available further out from peak summer weekends. Parking is a separate add-on fee, and the park also runs seasonal evening events with their own discounted entry windows.
Opening hours shift by season and by day of the week, with longer hours during school holidays and special summer evening events, and shorter hours on quieter off-season dates. Because both pricing tiers and operating hours change throughout the year, check the official Walibi Holland website for the current calendar, ticket prices, and opening times before you go.
Photos
Build a working coaster on the kitchen table and learn why the first drop has to be the tallest. A good gift for young coaster fans.
Over 3,700 pieces, a real vertical loop and a working chain lift. Display it on a shelf in the coaster room.
Rub-on sunscreen that fits in a pocket — reapply in the queue without greasy hands on the lap bar.
Goliath roller coaster stats and ride guide FAQs
Who built Goliath at Walibi Holland?
Goliath was built by Swiss manufacturer Intamin, with track and layout design by German engineer Werner Stengel, as one of mainland Europe’s first Intamin Mega Coaster installations.
How fast does Goliath go?
Goliath reaches a top speed of about 66 mph (106 km/h), generated during its roughly 150.9-foot first drop.
How tall is Goliath at Walibi Holland?
Goliath stands about 153.7 ft (46.84 m) tall, with a first drop of about 150.9 ft (45.99 m).
Does Goliath have any inversions?
No, Goliath has zero inversions, though its Stengel Dive element briefly turns riders sideways and upside-down without being a full loop.
Is Goliath still the fastest or tallest coaster in the Benelux?
No. Goliath held the fastest, tallest, and longest Benelux titles from 2002 until 2021, when Kondaa opened at Walibi Belgium and took over the tallest and fastest records. Goliath’s track is still the longest of any Benelux coaster.
How long is the ride on Goliath?
Goliath’s layout runs about 3,983 ft (1,214 m) and takes roughly 90 seconds from launch to brakes.
What is the Stengel Dive on Goliath?
The Stengel Dive is an overbanked turn, well past vertical, that briefly flips riders upside-down without a true inversion. It’s named for designer Werner Stengel, who created the element and designed Goliath’s layout.
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