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Six Flags Qiddiya to Open with World's Fastest Coaster

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. iddiya-to-open-with-world-s-fastest-coaster.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, December 19th 2025 at 9:48 GMT by Travel + Leisure

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Six Flags Qiddiya to Open With the World’s Fastest Coaster

Travel + Leisure’s feature on the forthcoming Six Flags Qiddiya park—Saudi Arabia’s latest entertainment‑city masterpiece—offers a sweeping look at what visitors can expect from the region’s most ambitious amusement‑park venture. The article, anchored by the headline “Six Flags Qiddiya to open with world’s fastest coaster,” not only outlines the technical details of the coaster itself but also situates it within the broader context of the Qiddiya project, the country’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, and the global trend toward hyper‑entertainment destinations.

The Qiddiya Project in Brief

The article opens by situating Qiddiya on a 40‑square‑kilometre plot located roughly 45 kilometres south of Riyadh. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify an oil‑dependent economy, earmarks Qiddiya as a flagship investment to attract international tourists and build a vibrant domestic leisure market. The park’s projected cost of $13.5 billion is split between Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) capital and private‑sector partnership, a model that has already seen success with the earlier King Abdullah Economic City development.

The plan is ambitious: 30 theme parks, 20 water parks, 100 hotels, 150 restaurants, and more than 10,000 rides, plus a dedicated “sports and wellness” precinct. In all, Qiddiya aims to host more than 8 million visitors annually by the time its full rollout completes in 2025‑26.

Six Flags Qiddiya and the Fastest Coaster

Travel + Leisure’s article spotlights the partnership between Saudi’s Qiddiya Investment Company and the U.S.‑based amusement‑park giant Six Flags. While the partnership will bring the brand’s “World of Adventure” and “Ultimate Thrill” lines to the Middle East, the headline-making feature is the inclusion of the world’s fastest coaster.

The coaster is described as a “Hypercoaster” prototype that will hit speeds of 155 mph (250 km/h)—surpassing the current record set by the “Takabisha” at Fuji-Q Highland, which reaches 147 mph. Travel + Leisure notes that the ride will stretch 2 kilometres in length, lift riders to an elevation of 350 feet, and incorporate 25 inversions and 12 airtime “loops” that produce negative g‑forces. According to the article, the coaster will also be the first of its kind to feature a dynamic braking system that reduces the braking distance to less than 200 feet, ensuring an unprecedented level of safety for a machine that pushes the limits of velocity.

While the article does not reveal an official name for the coaster, it quotes the Qiddiya press release: “The park’s flagship attraction, the ‘Hypercoaster,’ will be the world’s fastest roller‑coaster, delivering thrills that set a new benchmark for speed and intensity.” The coaster will be positioned at the park’s Thrill Zone, a 12‑acre section designed specifically for adrenaline seekers.

Technical Highlights

The piece breaks down the engineering feats that make the ride possible:

• Track Materials: The coaster’s track is composed of a composite steel‑reinforced material that can withstand the thermal stresses generated at 155 mph.
• Launch System: A hydraulic launch system will accelerate riders from 0 to 155 mph in just 4.7 seconds—a performance metric that rivals the “Goliath” at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
• Ride Capacity: The coaster’s trains will consist of six cars, each holding four riders, with a projected throughput of 1,300 riders per hour.
• Safety Features: The dynamic braking system is complemented by a state‑of‑the‑art monitoring suite that tracks stress levels in real time and automatically adjusts brake pressure if any parameter exceeds predetermined thresholds.

Travel + Leisure notes that the ride’s design is also informed by the local climate; the track will feature an anti‑corrosion coating to withstand the region’s high temperatures and sand exposure.

Beyond the Coaster

While the world‑record‑speed coaster steals the headline, the article gives a broader look at other attractions slated for Six Flags Qiddiya. These include:

• Themed Islands: Six themed areas such as “Pirate’s Cove,” “Galactic Frontier,” and “Arabian Nights” that blend cultural motifs with high‑tech attractions.
• Water Rides: A “River Quest” water‑park featuring a white‑water rapids course and a 150‑foot water‑slide that will launch riders at 50 mph.
• Live Entertainment: A 10,000‑seat amphitheater that will host concerts, theatrical productions, and cultural festivals.
• Retail & Dining: Over 50 specialty shops and 30 eateries offering international cuisine with a focus on local flavors.

The article highlights that Qiddiya is slated to include a sports complex that will host football, rugby, and motorsports events, thereby positioning the city as a regional hub for both recreation and professional sports.

Business & Economic Implications

In a broader economic context, the article examines how Six Flags Qiddiya could contribute to Saudi Arabia’s $300 billion tourism target for 2030. The partnership is positioned as a way to leverage Six Flags’ international brand recognition while allowing Saudi investors to gain experience in large‑scale, high‑return amusement ventures.

The piece quotes a Qiddiya spokesperson: “Our collaboration with Six Flags brings world‑class engineering, creative storytelling, and proven operational expertise, ensuring a world‑premier visitor experience that will attract millions of tourists each year.”

The article also touches on employment, stating that construction alone will create over 30,000 jobs in the coming years, with a significant portion of those roles in specialized engineering, hospitality, and retail.

A Look Ahead

The Travel + Leisure feature closes by noting that construction began in early 2022, and the first phase of Qiddiya—including the Hypercoaster and several theme areas—is slated to open in late 2025. The article invites readers to follow the park’s development via its dedicated website and social‑media channels, where behind‑the‑scenes videos and interviews with designers will be posted.

By pairing the world’s fastest coaster with a sprawling entertainment ecosystem, the Qiddiya project promises to be a landmark not only for Saudi Arabia but for the global amusement‑park industry. The Travel + Leisure piece offers a comprehensive snapshot of what’s on the horizon, underscoring the convergence of technology, culture, and ambition that defines the next era of themed‑entertainment destinations.