28 Aug 2019
World's tallest, fastest and longest coaster planned for Six Flags' Saudi venture
BY Andy Knaggs
Six Flags has announced new details for its long-awaited venture in Saudi Arabia, revealing among its planned attractions the longest, tallest and fastest rollercoaster in the world, and the world's tallest drop-tower ride.
When it opens in 2023, Six Flags Qiddiya will be a key entertainment facility in the new city of Qiddiya, which is being built 40km (25m) from the Saudi capital of Riyadh. The park will cover 320,000sq m (3.4 million sq ft) and will feature 28 rides and attractions, with six distinct lands around The Citadel ‒ a central hub covered by a billowing canopy inspired by Bedouin tents, where visitors will find shops and cafés.
The record-breaking Falcon's Flight coaster and Sirocco Tower drop-tower will be situated in The City of Thrills area.
The Discovery Springs area is an "aquatic wonderland" of waterfalls, aqueducts and geysers, alongside exotic plants and trees, with environmental control giving the feel of a dense rainforest, in spite of its location in the middle of the desert. A ride called the Sea Stallion will propel guests over rivers, behind waterfalls and through trees.
Steam Town is a rugged frontier town powered by steam, with the Iron Rattler Mine Train being the signature ride, combining elements of a rollercoaster and a dark ride, dropping riders on a freefall plunge into a steam-filled mineshaft. The area also features the Sawmill Falls Water Coaster, a spinning mechanical ride called the Bull Rider, and a climbing structure called the Treehouse Trek.
In Twilight Gardens, younger visitors and their families can enjoy colourful flowers and friendly creatures, along with rides such as the Twilight Express Coaster, the interactive, dark Critter Chase, which is set in a 3D environment, and the Kaleidoscope hot air balloon ride.
Valley of Fortune is a land of adventure, set amidst architectural ruins of old Arabian masonry, with Spitfire, a triple-launch coaster, Skywatch, a hydraulic boom ride, and the Aeromax, a family plane ride that swings and rotates over the park, among the attractions for thrill-seekers.
Finally there is Grand Exposition: a celebration of innovation, says Six Flags, with rides such as the Gyrospin Pendulum, swinging riders to record heights, Six Flags' most popular coaster, the Colossus, stretching over an 800m (2,625ft) track, the Arabian Carousel, in which Arabian horses march in a circular parade, swinging ride the Expo Flyer, and Automania ‒ with bumper cars themed as London cabs.
"Our vision is to make Six Flags Qiddiya a theme park that delivers all the thrills and excitement that audiences from all over the world have come to expect from the Six Flags brand, and to elevate those experiences with authentic themes connected to the location," said Michael Reininger, chief executive of Qiddiya Investment Company, which is driving the development of Qiddiya.
The city of Qiddiya will include a range of sport, leisure and entertainment facilities, including race tracks, arenas capable of staging international competition, training academies, outdoor and adventure activities, nature and environment experiences, and an array of historical, cultural and educational activities and events. It is a core element in the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which will unfold over three phases.
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