Anybody who loves amusement parks likely knows the name Six Flags. Its name is almost synonymous with thrill and entertainment. But have you been to Six Flags Over Georgia? Best known for rides such as Superman: Ultimate Flight, this particular Six Flags is one of the largest and most successful attractions in the state.
Located on I-20, just west of Atlanta, the park is especially packed on weekends (as is to be expected.) Therefore, if you hope to get in as many rides as possible, come on a weekday with a few friends or family members (if you can manage to escape from your job long enough.)
Among its thrill roller coasters, the most popular are probably Goliath, Superman: Ultimate Flight, Mind Bender, The Great American Scream Machine, and possibly The Ninja. On SixFlags.com, the various coasters are rated according to Thrill level. This can range from “mild,” to “moderate,” to “max.” Each of the coasters below was given a “max” rating; none of them apply to young children.
Goliath
“You’ve got a date with an 8.5-acre, 200-foot-tall steel juggernaut,” boasts their website. You need to be at least 54″ tall to ride Goliath, so keep this in mind when inside the park. It features a “giant spiral section,” “breathless 200-foot ascent,” and “zero-gravity floating hills and drops.”
At top speed, it reaches 70 miles per hour, one of the fastest in the park. Its total length equals 4,480 ft., with an elevation of 20 stories tall. One of the best rides in the park, in this writer’s opinion, it is worth the wait. Again, however, it is not recommended for anyone scared of heights or suffering from motion sickness. If this doesn’t daunt you, then go for it.
Batman: The Ride
One of Six Flags’ most famous rides of all time, Batman resides in many of the parks besides Georgia’s, including Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Great Adventure, and Six Flags St. Louis.
According to Wikipedia, its first drop is 109 feet 6 inches long (33 meters), and it reaches speeds of 50 mph (80 km/h). It was also the first inverted roller coaster in the world at its invention in 1992. American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) have awarded it Coaster Landmark status.
Some Six Flags goers, during our visit, said that compared to the other rides in the park, Batman seems tame. It features two vertical loops that are 77 feet and 88 feet tall, respectively, two single corkscrews (40 feet long each), and according to SixFlags.com, “a one-of-a-kind heartline spin producing a feeling of weightlessness.”
Its thrill, perhaps, is not just in the physical details, but in the overall experience and the fantasy-themed element. Try it at least once.
Superman: Ultimate Flight
One of the best rides at Six Flags, in this critic’s humble opinion, Superman was introduced in 2002. At 11 1/2 stories tall, it reaches 60 mph, and once again in the words of SixFlags.com, it’s “as close as an earthling can get to true unassisted flight.”
Although you sit normally when first boarding the ride, once strapped in, the seats lift up so that riders are lying flat, as if flying like Superman. It consists of “a 78-foot pretzel shaped inverted loop, a 360 degree in-line roll and first of it’s [sic] kind dual loading stations.” The ride is only 3 minutes long, thought it may feel even shorter due to the speed!
And the author recommends riding barefoot (particularly if you’re wearing flip-flops to the park), not only because you may lose them, but because it adds to the thrill. You will be able to feel the wind on your feet as you soar over the park.
Again…not recommended for those with motion sickness! That aside, you’ll love the experience, particularly with your husband, wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend next to you. This ride also tends to be one of the most popular, so it’s best to get there early and avoid the lines.
The Great American Scream Machine
The Georgia version of the Scream Machine is wooden, which differs from the steel version found at Six Flags Great Adventure. Its sister coasters, according to Six Flags Over Georgia: The Great American Scream Machine, are Shockwave (which was discontinued in 2002) at Six Flags Great America, and Viper at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California.
“Rocket along the banks of the Chattahoochee and manufacture some screams of your own,” promises Six Flags’ website. The ride, introduced in 1973, is 10 1/2 stories tall, 3800 feet long, and reaches speeds over 55 mph. The site also says that it was once the tallest coaster in the world.
Despite its age, this ride is a classic and still a thrill. The Georgia version, being wooden, tends to be bumpier (and for some, this equals more entertainment.) At times, you may have your head jerked side-to-side; besides this minor flaw, the ride is exhilarating and worth your money.
The Georgia Scorcher
Exclusive to Georgia, of course, this ride is 3000 feet long and reaches a top speed of 54 MPH. The Georgia Scorcher has no seats, meaning yes, you will stand for the entire ride.
Six Flags’ website describes it as “keeping you standing at attention as it barrels through a figure eight, a corkscrew, and two vertical loops at blazing speed.” While fun, it doesn’t quite measure up to Scream Machine and Superman.
However, you may disagree. Give it a go, and rate it yourself!
Ninja
Featuring five inverted turns, “upward spirals and corkscrew dives,” the Ninja is a steel coaster that’s over 12 stories tall. It reaches a maximum speed of 52 mph, and is 2743 feet long.
Though it’s fun, some riders reported getting dizziness and motion sickness; on the other hand, this can apply to any of the rides. Still up for it? The ride lasts only 1 min. 20 seconds, and holds up to 1300 guests per hour. If you have the time, try it at least once, particularly if it’s your first time in the park.
Overall
There are many, many other rides at Six Flags Over Georgia. To see for yourself, come on over and spend the day. If none of the above intimidates you, we think it’s well worth it.
