Six Flags Roller Coasters: A Complete Guide - The Family Vacation Guide (2024)

posted byCharmaine Corteson // last updated on

Nothing compares to riding an epic roller coaster and feeling the world drop away from under you. Whether you’re a first-time rider or an adrenaline fanatic, these Six Flags roller coasters are thrilling and one-of-a-kind.

With so many roller coasters at Six Flags, it can be challenging to narrow it down when you visit the amusem*nt park. In this guide, we’ll go through all the best Six Flags rides, including a few roller coasters that the whole family can enjoy.

Table of Contents:

  • Six Flags Magic Mountain
  • Six Flags Great Adventure
  • Six Flags Great America
  • Final Thoughts: Six Flags Roller Coasters

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Six Flags Magic Mountain is one of the most iconic Six Flags parks. Located just outside downtown Los Angeles, California, it is one of the most visited amusem*nt parks in the world and has some of the best Six Flags roller coasters.

Twisted Colossus

Six Flags Roller Coasters: A Complete Guide - The Family Vacation Guide (1)

Twisted Colossus is one of the oldest roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Despite its age, it is still one of the best. This steel-hybrid coaster is almost 5,000 feet long and has 16 airtime hills.

It reaches speeds of up to 57 mph and has a max height of 121 feet, making it a true challenge even for the most daring rider.

Twisted Colossus is great because it has two roller coasters in one. It has two different tracks that intertwine and crisscross each other. The crisscrossing action means you get twice the thrills and twice the fun. If you are looking for a genuinely epic roller coaster experience, then Twisted Colossus is a must-ride.

Goliath

Goliath is another of the best roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain. This steel coaster is over 4,500 feet long and has a max height of 235 feet. It reaches speeds of up to 85 mph and has a 76-degree drop.

Goliath is one of the most intense roller coasters at Six Flags, and you reach an incredible 4.5 G’s when going around its sharpest turn. This high-speed roller coaster is not for those who scare easily.

Tatsu

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For a long time, Tatsu was a record-holding roller coaster. When it debuted with the world’s highest pretzel loop and a zero-gravity roll inversion, it also held records for length and speed.

Since its debut, other coasters have taken Tatsu’s length and speed records, but that doesn’t make this ride any less adrenaline-pumping. This steel coaster is over 3,000 feet long and has a max height of 167 feet. It reaches speeds of up to 62 mph and has four inversions.

Tatsu is one of Six Flags Magic Mountain’s most unique and thrilling roller coasters. The ride starts with a slow climb up the lift hill, giving you time to take in the breathtaking views. Then, once you reach the top, the real fun begins.

Full Throttle

Full Throttle is another record-breaking roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain. When it opened in 2016, it had the world’s tallest vertical loop at an incredible 160 feet. This coaster also has the distinction of being the first one to have a top hat at the end of the vertical loop.

This steel coaster is over 2,000 feet long and has a max height of 170 feet. It reaches speeds of up to 70 mph, and you experience a maximum of 4.0 G’s.

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Full Throttle is a heart-pounding roller coaster that will get your adrenaline pumping. The vertical loop is truly dizzying, and the top hat will leave you feeling exhilarated at the end. As the ride’s name suggests, this roller coaster will test your limits!

Batman: The Ride

Batman: The Ride is one of Six Flags’ most iconic roller coasters. It is a steel coaster over 2,600 feet long and has a max height of 105 feet. It reaches up to 50 mph speeds, and you experience five inversions.

Like many other rides at Magic Mountain, this ride broke new ground when it debuted. It opened in 1992 and was the world’s first inverted roller coaster. Its design is iconic, and many theme parks worldwide copied its design. It is an intense roller coaster with some genuinely thrilling and heart-dropping moments.

Revolution

Revolution is one of the oldest roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain, but it still delivers heart-pumping excitement. This steel coaster is almost 3,500 feet long and has a max height of 113 feet. It reaches speeds of up to 55 mph and has one inversion.

Revolution is an iconic coaster in roller coaster history because it was the first modern roller coaster to have a vertical loop. It was recently renovated and feature modern amenities that make this older ride just as enjoyable as the newest rides in the park.

Riders can now experience virtual reality while riding Revolution, making this already thrilling ride even more exhilarating.

Ninja

Ninja is one of Six Flags Magic Mountain’s most underrated roller coasters. This steel coaster is just over 2,700 feet long and has a maximum drop of 85 feet. It is the fastest steel-suspended roller coaster worldwide and has a max speed of 55 mph.

This coaster is a thrilling ride that will leave you feeling exhilarated. The twists and turns are absolutely dizzying, and the speed will surely get your heart racing. But it’s also not too intense, so younger visitors can enjoy the ride too.

Six Flags Great Adventure

Six Flags Great Adventure is the crown jewel of Six Flags theme parks. It is the second-largest theme park in the world! This park is home to iconic and popular roller coasters, including Kingda Ka, El Toro, and Nitro.

Kingda Ka

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When it opened, Kingda Ka was the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster. It stands 456 feet tall and reaches speeds of up to 128 mph. It has a dizzying 418-foot drop, and riders experience acceleration from 0 to 128 mph in less than four seconds.

When you get on the ride, the ride slowly pulls you up the prominent lift hill, which gives you time to take in the breathtaking views. Then, Kingda Ka launches you at incredible speeds down a 456-foot drop. The coaster then ascends a hill before going through a series of twists and turns.

Kingda Ka is an extreme roller coaster that is not for the faint of heart. If you ride any roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure, it should be Kingda Ka.

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El Toro

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El Toro is one of the most popular rides at Six Flags Great Adventure. This wooden coaster is just over 4,400 feet long and has a max height of 181 feet; it reaches up to 70 mph and features plenty of jerks and turns.

El Toro is one of the world’s tallest and fastest wooden roller coasters. It is also one of the smoothest rides at Six Flags Great Adventure.

It is also a record-breaking wooden roller coaster due to its steep drop and max speed. Although it was created in 2006, the wooden design makes it feel much older and adds to its charm. This epic experience lasts only two minutes, but you’ll remember the ride for the rest of your life!

Nitro

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Nitro is perhaps the most expensive roller coaster in Six Flags Great Adventure. It cost an incredible 20 million dollars to build. This steel coaster is almost 5,400 feet long.

The highlight of Nitro is the 215-foot drop. At the bottom of the drop, you experience 4.3 Gs, and it feels like you are about to be ripped out of your chair.

Nitro offers more than just speed. After the bottom of the drop, you go through some incredibly tight turns, including:

  • A U-turn
  • An S-curve
  • A 540-degree helix

During the thrilling three-minute ride, you’ll reach speeds of over 80 mph.

Superman-Ultimate Flight

Superman-Ultimate Flight is one of the only roller coasters in the world to have siblings. There are three in total, one each at Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags Great Adventure, and Six Flags Great America.

This iconic ride allows riders to experience the sensation of flying. You ride parallel to the track, and as the ride starts, your harness turns you so your chest faces the ground.

You then experience a series of twists, turns, and loops. The G-force on this ride is intense, and you reach up to 51 mph speeds. Riding Superman-Ultimate Flight is an incredible experience everyone should have at least once.

Medusa

Formerly known as Bizarro, Medusa was the world’s first floorless roller coaster when it opened in 1999. A floorless roller coaster allows riders to swing their feet freely, giving them a sense of freedom and exhilaration.

This ride is almost 4,000 feet long and has a max speed of 61 mph. It features seven inversions, including a Cobra Roll, a Corkscrew, and a Loop.

Medusa is not the tallest or the fastest roller coaster, but the inversions and tight jerks are dizzying. This ride isn’t suitable for riders who quickly experience motion sickness.

Six Flags Great America

Located in Gurnee, Illinois, Six Flags Great America has the distinction of possessing the fourth-most roller coasters in the world. It also has a variety of themed areas, including a water park. Six Flags Great America’s roller coasters include record-breaking and revolutionary rides like Raging Bull and Maxx Force.

Raging Bull

The Raging Bull is not to be trifled with. This coaster is the icon of Six Flags Great America and is one of the most exciting roller coasters you will ever ride.

Raging Bull is a steel roller coaster that reaches speeds of up to 73 mph. It is over 5,000 feet long and features a series of seven drops, the tallest of which is 155 feet. There are also some incredibly tight hammerhead turns that take your breath away.

Unlike many other roller coasters, Raging Bull is designed to look run down and beat up. This aesthetic builds your anticipation as you wait in line to ride. It also adds a level of apprehension. Even though you know it is safe, appearances make you question your decision to get on the ride.

Maxx Force

Maxx Force is one of the newest roller coasters at Six Flags Great America. It opened in 2019 and holds the record for the fastest-accelerating coaster in the world; you reach a stomach-churning 78 miles per hour in less than 1.8 seconds.

Maxx Force also has the distinction of having the world’s fastest inversion at 60 mph and the world’s tallest double inversion at 175 feet. Going through an inversion at 60 mph is an experience unlike any other. You feel the G forces push you back into your chair.

The twists and turns on Maxx Force are so intense that you barely have time to process what is happening. The ride is over in only 25 seconds, but the Formula One racing car lookalike will leave a lasting impression.

XFlight

XFlight is a steel wing coaster at Six Flags Great America. This coaster puts riders on either side of the track, so it feels like you are flying. The G-force on XFlight is intense, and you reach up to 55 mph speeds.

The ride has an air traffic control tower at the center, and you feel like you are on an airplane. In addition to the high speeds, XFlight also features incredibly tight turns. You do barrel rolls and high-speed drops and fly through a nerve-wracking keyhole.

The keyhole is so tight that you cannot help but wonder if part of your body will touch the edge. This sensation adds to the thrill of the ride and makes it one of the most exciting roller coasters at Six Flags Great America.

Final Thoughts: Six Flags Roller Coasters

These are some of the most popular and intense Six Flags roller coasters. They offer riders thrills, chills, and an incredible experience.

Whether you are looking for speed, height, or intense inversions, there is a roller coaster at Six Flags. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and ride!

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Six Flags Roller Coasters: A Complete Guide - The Family Vacation Guide (2024)

FAQs

What roller coaster was in National Lampoon's Vacation? ›

Colossus became well known after appearances in film and television, including the box-office hit National Lampoon's Vacation and the made-for-TV movie Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park. For 19 years, it was the park's main attraction until the opening of Superman: The Escape. 4 (3 max. in use) trains with 6 cars.

Which Six Flags has the most roller coasters? ›

With 20 roller coasters, Six Flags Magic Mountain holds the world record for most roller coasters in an amusem*nt park.

How many roller coasters are at Six Flags, NJ? ›

Six Flags Great Adventure
Attractions
Total58
Roller coasters14
Water rides2
WebsiteSix Flags Great Adventure
10 more rows

What roller coaster goes upside down at Six Flags? ›

BATMAN™ The Ride

Soar through GOTHAM CITY on this inverted roller coaster that features five inversions!

What amusem*nt park was in the movie Family Vacation? ›

In the film, the Walley World theme park is represented by Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California.

Was National Lampoon's Vacation filmed at Six Flags? ›

Hall said he remembers actually trying to beat Chase in the race to the gates, but Chase had eight inches on him at the time. 20. The scenes inside the park were shot at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California.

What is the #1 roller coaster park in America? ›

Amusem*nt and theme parks with the most roller coasters in the U.S. 2022. As of August 2022, the amusem*nt/theme park in the United States with the most roller coasters was Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, with a total of 20 roller coasters.

What is the most extreme roller coaster in the United States? ›

The two scariest roller coasters in the US are Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure and Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point. Unlike other ride compilations, such as the 12 longest coasters, this list is somewhat subjective. What some consider to be thrilling may make you say, “Pffft.

Why are six flags called six flags? ›

Throngs flocked to Six Flags Over Texas when the park opened in 1961. Six themed sections, modeled after the culture of the six countries whose flags flew over Texas during the state's colorful history, created a spectacular and magical setting for guests — and provided the park's name.

Which Six Flags is the biggest? ›

  • 6 Six Flags Fiesta Texas - San Antonio, Texas. ...
  • 5 Six Flags Hurricane Harbor - Rockford, Illinois. ...
  • 4 Six Flags Great America - Gurnee, Illinois. ...
  • 3 Six Flags Great Adventure - Jackson, New Jersey. ...
  • 2 Six Flags Mexico (Mexico City, Mexico) ...
  • 1 Six Flags Magic Mountain - Valencia, California.
Sep 20, 2023

What is the newest roller coaster at Six Flags New Jersey? ›

Ultimate. Race to the sky with the Fastest Man Alive on THE FLASH™: Vertical Velocity, a super boomerang coaster featuring THE FLASH. This coaster is the first-of-its-kind in North America and only the second in the world, making it as unique as the iconic speedster who inspired it.

What roller coaster has no loop? ›

Coasters that have no inversions, or looping elements, are known as "flat rides." These types of coasters typically feature a simple layout with low- to moderate-speed turns, drops, and sometimes elements such as spirals or banked turns. Some examples of flat rides include the Wild Mouse, Scrambler, and Tilt-A-Whirl.

What is the ride where you lay on your stomach? ›

One of the amusem*nt park's most thrilling experiences is to ride the Cliffhanger. You lay flat on your belly and soar at high speeds up and down through the air.

Is Wally World a real amusem*nt park? ›

The new Vacation movie therefore pays homage to the original by keeping alive the dream of a visit to Walley World. The fact that such a place doesn't actually exist just adds another layer of humor to the film.

What was the incredible coaster called before? ›

California Screamin'

What were the original roller coasters at Worlds of Fun? ›

Quite possibly the most missed and most beloved of Worlds of Fun defunct attractions, Zambezi Zinger was Worlds of Fun's first roller coaster.

What was the original name of the stunt coaster? ›

History. The Italian Job: Stunt Track was announced by Kings Island and Canada's Wonderland on August 12, 2004. It replaced the Lex Taxis antique car ride at Kings Island. The ride opened at Kings Island for previews on April 29, 2005, followed by its grand opening several weeks later on May 20.

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