The Ride
Magic Mountain has been releasing record breaking coasters ever since they opened Revolution. The bragging rights returned to SFMM when they announced Goliath, the tallest and fastest continuous circuit coaster. SFMM contacted Giovanola to build their first coaster in the US. The teal and orange structure rose to a towering 23 stories. Making the once tallest wooden coaster Colossus look like a kiddie coaster. Goliath opened on February 13, 2000, to be the first coaster of the 21st century.
The Experience
Riders board sit down trains, fitting 2 per car. The trains leave the station and round a 180 degree turn, and the car engages on the chain and climbs up the 235 foot lift hill. While the riders are towering over the once tallest wooden coaster, Colossus they have a wonderful view of sunny California. They down have a long sight seeing trip, because it's right down the 61 degree drop into a foggy tunnel. Reaching speeds of 85 mph, the trains once again make a steep climb towards the sky. The riders ride right over Colossus and then they dive down a 186 foot drop towards the first tunnel. The riders go through a quick Camelback and into a short break run. The trains then dive through a left hand U-turn and then it's around a banked turn with a dive towards the ground ending it. Then it's through the ride's crowning element. The double helix, ending a with a carousel curve. The trains travel back through the helix and into a 180 degree turn, right into the station.
Photos
Photos by: Ric Turner
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The first drop into the Tunnel.
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Cresting the second hill
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Taking the Dive.
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Entering the Helix
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