Goliath, Wooden roller coaster in Gurnee, United States
Goliath is a wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, featuring two inversions along its track that measures roughly 3100 feet. The ride climbs to a height of approximately 180 feet before descending at a near-vertical angle and accelerating to 72 miles per hour (116 kilometers per hour).
This attraction opened in June 2014, replacing a former steel coaster that had operated on this site since the early 1990s. Rocky Mountain Construction applied techniques developed in the early 2010s to merge wooden frameworks with modern track elements.
The name comes from the biblical story of David and Goliath, fitting for the towering size of the ride. Visitors recognize it from across the park by its layered wooden structure rising above the surrounding attractions.
Two trains run at the same time, each holding six cars with room for 24 passengers secured by lap bars and belts. Wait times tend to be longest around midday, while evening hours are often quieter.
Part of the track runs approximately 15 feet below ground level, adding extra momentum through gentle slopes. Special polyurethane wheels help reduce noise, making it quieter than older wooden coasters.
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