David vs. Goliath - A Media Day Trip Report

by: David Drake

It had been almost a year since my last visit to Six Flags Over Georgia, but that is another story for another time. I got some invites to head down for the huge Media Preview day of their newest scream machine, Goliath. I rearranged my work schedule so I could head down to Atlanta and see just what all the hype was all about.

I decided to head through the city on my way down since there was a huge wreck on I-285 that made for a huge parking lot on both I-285 and I-85 coming into the city. It sometimes makes me wonder if anyone listens to free radio anymore. It was all over the Radio to avoid it if possible, yet everyone was drawn to taking that way anyway.

I hit I-20 near the stadium and knew that I was just a few miles away from the park. You have to recall that the last time I was down here, the Great Gasp was still standing. I have always rounded the turn on the interstate and saw it sticking up, but not this time. Instead, I saw this huge lift hill staring out over the area. I even saw a train cresting the lift as I was taking the exit to the park. It made me wonder how many wrecks will be caused on I-20 because of Goliath.

While waiting in the parking lot for abit, I watched the train transverse the downward helix a few times. The park needed some riders that morning so they could shoot some B-Roll to hand out to the various media outlets on Media Day. ACE was invited to fill seats for that filming and it looked like every train was full as it made it through the course. I for one would not have got up at 3am to be here at six in the morning to ride this coaster. It was going to be running till at least eight that evening, so I figured I would get enough rides on it during the day.

After checking in and heading to the USA section of the park, I noticed that they where going over the opening part of Media Day. I decided to duck in with the RideWorld Staff and enjoy a breakfast at the Diner that was open. It was great to sit down and chat with people about other upcoming media days that where taking place till it was time for the media event to start.

As I approached the station, I noticed the huge influx of ACE Members rushing the station for another ride. I guess this only proves that Goliath was a pretty good coaster. I thought it would be best to not be trampled to death, so I let the herd of ACE head up the stairway up into the station before venturing up to find a row to ride. I was on the fourth or fifth train out and got to ride with Chris and Natalee Godsey, two RideWorld staff members that where at the event.

There is a left turn out of the station into the lift hill. As you are going up, you are able to see the city of Atlanta to your right and some of the coaster layout to your left. I also noticed that a plane was landing at the nearby airport and that is why the park has a 200 feet ceiling. I have to say that all the times that I have been to the park over the years. I have not ever seen a plane land at that airport, but I wasn't there to watch planes in the first place.

The train crested the lift and plunged 170 feet down towards the earth at nearly 70 MPH. Before you can catch your breath you assault the second hill. As you reach the apex of the second hill it is then that you head down the curving drop of 175 feet at 70 MPH and to the outside of the park you go.

Looking to your right as you hit the curved turn near the bottom of hill two, you see the people in I-20 slowing down to witness what is going on and hoping not to cause a 20 car pileup. Before you can even make what the cars are doing, it is up the third hill. You gander ahead and see the spiral helix awaiting your arrival, but you plunge down the hill towards the lake. Then comes the huge Spiral Helix as you zoom up the fourth hill and bank to the left into the downward Helix. You do not have enough time to figure out just how close to the ground you as you began your return leg.

It is while climbing the next hill that you really began to wonder if this thing is ever going to slow down as you float over and down once again. The train is again picking back up speed lost while ascending up the last hill and then comes the Hammerhead Turn that steers you back towards the park. A car is seen riding under the track while the train enters the series of smaller camel back hills that give some really great airtime. If you are lucky enough, you might even catch a glimpses of the Scorcher as it hits the brake run under one of the camelbacks.

To finish you off is a curved left turn into the brake run, but not without one last dip that brings you out of your seat before hitting the brake run. The train slows and you reenter the station to exit and think about heading back around for yet another spin.

I have to admit that I was not really expecting a lot out of Goliath, but boy was I wrong. This coaster is a really great addition to the park. Some people in attendance where saying that it just might hit the top ten this year. I will say that it is pretty close and should only get better as the season goes along.

I got a total of about 10 rides the whole time I was at the park. The park was nice enough to even open some of the other areas at 1 pm for a VIP Preview. I have to say that I saw a lot of great changes from my last visit and the new management is really trying to turn Six Flags around. Also, before I close, I would like to state that the new BBQ place where I had lunch at was about the best Six Flag's meal I have ever had.

If you can, I do recommend that you get down to Six Flags over Georgia and see what Goliath is about. I am sure you will not be disappointed in the least.

Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard
Cost: $20,000,000
Height: Over 200 feet at apex of first drop
Drops:
First drop - 170 ft
Second – 175 ft
Third – 129 ft
Fourth – 118 ft
Fifth – 79 ft
Sixth – 56 ft
Seventh – 48 ft
Top Speed: 70 miles per hour
Track Length: 4,480 feet
Ride Area: 8.5 acres
Cycle Time: Approximately 3.5 minutes total from load to unload
Number of Trains: 2 trains, 9 cars each
Capacity: 36 per train - 1,220 per hour
Colors: Teal supports, orange box beam, silver rails.
Station house and train cars also teal, orange and silver
Elements:
GIANT, 170 foot drop
6 camel backs ("zero-gravity" hills)
1 high speed, banked curve
1 double helix (giant spiral)
1 over-banked horseshoe

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.