GOLIATH

Six Flags Fiesta

This suspended B&M coaster, in its third incarnation (formerly known as Gambit and Batman:The Ride before being transplanted to Six Flags Fiesta) seats four across and ascends the 105-ft. lift hill directly from the station as soon as the train is dispatched. It then drops 80 feet at an angle before traversing the first of two tight loops.  This is immediately followed by a zero-g roll and the second loop.  I thought that the sequence of inversions contributed a lot to the overall ride experience.  Altogether there are 5 inversions including 2 corkscrews and a couple of other nice elements, most notably a helix and a downward turn that gave me the sensation of free flying.  It’s definitely a fun ride but in my opinion nothing exceptional.  3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Fiesta, visit  www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas/‎

BOOMERANG COAST TO COASTER

Six Flags Fiesta

I’d done a similar ride before but on a smaller scale, so that this was to some extent a fresh experience.  A coaster in operation at several Six Flags parks, Boomerang Coast to Coaster goes through the second part of the ride exactly in reverse of the first part.  Although not much fazes me when it comes to roller coasters and I consider myself a seasoned veteran, I must admit that the first part of the ride had me completely unnerved.  Being pulled up the first lift hill backwards made me feel as if I was about to pitch forward at any moment and I had to brace myself hard with my feet. This was slow torture.   Before reaching the top of the 116-foot lift hill - and none too soon, from my perspective - the catch car releases the train, sending the riders hurtling downhill through the loading station before rocketing up into a cobra roll followed by a vertical loop.  The train then ascends a second lift hill, facing forward, and without warning is sent downhill backwards before going through the 3 inversions in reverse.  I found that going down the second hill backwards was a lot easier than going up the first hill backwards but also found the inversions more disorienting when experienced in reverse.   Boomerang is a ride that packs quite a punch - maximum G-force is 5.2 - but it’s not for everyone and I personally found it to be a bit much.   One thing I will say in its favor is that the ride is relatively smooth.   I was comparing it with Flashback at Six Flags New England and while Flashback is a headbanger, Boomerang is not. 2 ½ out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Fiesta, visit www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas/‎

POLTERGEIST

Six Flags Fiesta

This linear induction motor launch coaster is different from anything I had ridden before due to the configuration of the track.   The track is contained within a remarkably compact area, much more so than even the space taken up by a compact twister such as the Coney Island Cyclone.  The ride begins with a launch out of the station from 0 to 60mph and I must say that the launch was a blast. After the launch to just under 80 feet (no, this is not a tall coaster) the train goes through a number of twists and turns within this limited area, so that the rider has the sensation of going around in circles.  The ride features 4 inversions, including a cobra roll, sidewinder, and near the end of the ride, corkscrew.  This was my first time on an inverted coaster without a harness and I decided that it would be good practice for my upcoming ride on Outlaw Run (which has nothing in common with Poltergeist other than a lap bar as the primary restraint).  Of note is that the maximum G force is a whopping 4.5.  Poltergeist is a fun ride with elements that give it novelty value but nothing so exceptional that I would be dying to get back on it.  3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Fiesta, visit www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas/‎

SUPERMAN KRYPTON COASTER

Six Flags Fiesta

Built over the side of a quarry, this  floorless coaster is purportedly the fastest B&M coaster of its type, with a top speed of 70mph.   It features some exquisite scenery and nice, long (4,025 ft.) track.  As the ride is dispatched, the floor drops out and the train, with riders sitting four across, climbs a 168-foot lift hill which hangs over a cliff.   The train then enters a helix, drops 163 feet at a deliciously wicked right angle and shoots up into a pretty impressive 145-foot vertical loop, followed by a zero-g roll.   The vertical loop was the largest on any coaster until 2013. There are six inversions in all, the other four being a cobra roll and double corkscrew.  I thought that the combination of elements in such a scenic setting made for a very good ride.  And at 2:35, you get a lot of ride.  I liked Superman Krypton Coaster enough to ride it three times in succession .and thought that it stacks up well against other inverted coasters I’ve ridden.  4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Fiesta, visit www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas/‎