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, a reputation it kept until Kondaa opened at Walibi Belgium in 2021. Despite losing those regional records, Goliath remains one of the most respected non-inverting coasters in Europe, prized by enthusiasts for its cable lift hill, forceful airtime hills, and disorienting Stengel Dive.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Walibi Holland
- Manufacturer: Intamin
- Designer: Werner Stengel (Ing.-Büro Stengel)
- Opened: March 29, 2002
- Height: About 153.7 ft (46.84 m)
- Drop: About 150.9 ft (45.99 m)
- Top speed: About 66 mph (106 km/h)
- Length: About 3,983 ft (1,214 m)
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
Riders are hauled up Goliath’s lift hill by a cable system, similar to the mechanism used on Expedition GeForce, rather than a traditional chain. That cable lift launches trains into a roughly 151-foot first drop at a steep angle near 70 degrees, generating the speed that carries the rest of the layout. The signature moment comes shortly after, when the train banks through a Stengel Dive, an overbanked turn exceeding 90 degrees that briefly turns riders upside-down without a true inversion.
From there, Goliath weaves through a descending helix, an ascending helix, and a trio of bunny hops that deliver repeated bursts of airtime before the trains return to the station. Two eight-car trains, seating 32 riders each in stadium-style rows with hydraulic lap bars, keep the line moving quickly even on Walibi Holland’s busiest days.
A Record-Holder in the Benelux
When it debuted in 2002, Goliath 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 regional numbers, though Goliath remains a benchmark ride within the Walibi park network and a favorite among European coaster enthusiasts for its combination of height, speed, and airtime.
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Goliath FAQs
Who built Goliath at Walibi Holland?
Goliath was built by Swiss manufacturer Intamin, with track and layout design by German engineer Werner Stengel.
How fast does Goliath go?
Goliath reaches a top speed of about 66 mph (106 km/h) during its first drop.
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.
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Photo: Stefan Scheer / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.