The world’s most intense roller coaster is almost ready – and it’s set to change the theme park game forever.
This year is a big one for theme parks. Not only is Universal Orlando Resort set to open its newest park, Epic Universe, but another major theme park project is also slated to finally debut at some point in 2025: Six Flags Qiddiya.
Six Flags Qiddiya
Located 40 minutes outside of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Six Flags Qiddiya is part of a much bigger SAR 3.75 billion (US$1bn) leisure destination project known as Qiddiya City.
While it will eventually be joined by other entertainment outlets, Six Flags Qiddiya will be the first to debut. It also holds the title of the first Six Flags park built from scratch since the 1970s, plus its first outside North America.
As with all Six Flags parks, Qiddiya will feature an impressive selection of high-speed thrill rides. The standout attraction is undoubtedly Falcons Flight, which will claim the title of the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster in the world upon its debut.
For years, the concept of this attraction seemed like a pipe dream. However, as updates creep in about the ride’s completion, the reality of thrill-seekers soon being able to experience Falcons Flight feels increasingly tangible – and it’s shaping up to be a true game-changer.
Falcons Flight
When Falcons Flight opens, it will boast a maximum height of 640 ft, a drop of 519 ft, a top speed of 155.3 mph, and a total length of 13,944 ft.
Backed by these stats, it’s ready to take home the title of the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest steel coasters – complete with the longest drop – toppling the likes of Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Superman: Escape from Krypton at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Steel Dragon 2000 at Nagashima Spa Land.
It’s hard to visualize just how extreme this coaster will be by numbers alone. Putting it into context is the fact that the current longest roller coaster (Steel Dragon 2000) is just 8,133 ft long, while Falcons Flight will be nearly 200 ft taller than today’s record-holder.
The ride’s intensity is heightened by the fact that it sends riders plunging over the edge of a cliff, incorporating the area’s natural rock formations to boost the thrill factor.
Intamin shared some photos of the final track pieces being dropped into place at Six Flags Qiddiya Falcons Flight.
Intamin shared some photos of the final track pieces being dropped into place at Six Flags Qiddiya Falcons Flight. pic.twitter.com/j0aJ3ySXxe
— Amusement Insider (@AmusementInside) December 12, 2024
Unlike the current record-holder for the world’s fastest ride (Formula Rossa), guests won’t need to wear goggles to protect their eyes from the high speeds. Instead, the ride’s designer, Intamin, revealed at the IAAPA Expo that the trains will reportedly feature a curved windshield.
City of Thrills
Falcons Flight may be the peak of Six Flags Qiddiya’s thrills, but it’s certainly not alone.
Elsewhere in the City of Thrills – the land that will house the coaster – parkgoers will be able to enjoy Adrena-Line (a suspended coaster) and Sirocco Tower (a 145-meter high drop tower), the latter of which has been touted as the world’s tallest, free-standing shot tower ride.
Are you hyped for Six Flags Qiddiya?
