Saudi Arabia’s Six Flags Qiddiya to feature world’s fastest roller coaster

In a ceremony in Riyadh on Monday, American theme park operator Six Flags unveiled the designs for its park in Qiddiya, which David McKillips, who manages development of the company’s parks outside the United States, said it will be “the most unique Six Flags theme park ever built”.

“Well here’s what I’ll tell you. There will be twelve world record-breaking rides that will be inside this park. Two of them include in an area called the City of Thrills… Two of the rides are just spectacular. We are going to be debuting the longest, tallest and fastest roller coaster of the world,” he told Arabian Business.

Six Flags Qiddiya will cover 32 hectares and include 28 rides and attractions across six themed lands including The City of Thrills, Discovery Springs, Steam Town, Twilight Gardens, Valley of Fortune and Grand Exposition.

Breaking News! Six Flags #Qiddiya, Saudi’s first theme park, will feature several record-breaking rides. Hold onto your seats tight and experience the longest, tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, “Falcon’s Flight”!#QiddiyaSoMuchMore
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— Qiddiya – القدية (@qiddiya) August 26, 2019

Within The City of Thrills will be two of the major record-breaking rides: The Falcon’s Flight, inspired by the kingdom’s famous raptor, will be the longest, tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, while the Sirocco Tower will be the world’s tallest drop-tower ride.

The Citadel, a central hub area, will be covered by a billowing canopy form inspired by traditional Bedouin tents and McKillips said this was reflective of the park’s plans to embrace its local Saudi surroundings.

“So if you look at all 13 regions within Saudi Arabia it was really important for us to have a reflection within the landscape, within the food, within the retail… to really speak to you through the storytelling,” he said. “In fact we have had a Saudi and a Saudi voice as part of every single design and development phase of the park so far.”

Qiddiya is operated by the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), which was incorporated in May 2018 and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund. The project broke ground on April 28 last year and the first of three phases is due to open in 2023.

“Our vision is to make Six Flags Qiddiya a theme park that delivers all the thrills and excitement that audiences from all over the world have come to expect from the Six Flags brand, and to elevate those experiences with authentic themes connected to the location. As a place that will create indelible memories and moments of delight, telling stories that resonate with our guests is a central notion that will be evident throughout Qiddiya,” Michael Reininger, CEO of QIC, said in a press statement.