Niles: Will a new record lead to a new focus at Six Flags?

"Intamin's Falcons Flight last week opened officially at the new Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia. At nearly 14,000 feet long with a drop of over 500 feet and a top speed of more than 155 mph, Falcons Flight is now the world's longest, tallest and fastest roller coaster. Until last week, those records were held by three separate coasters, with the height record kept by an American coaster Cedar Point's Top Thrill 2."

"The modern era in roller coasters began with Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds, which was the first roller coaster built with tubular steel track. Six Flags Magic Mountain long has held the title for having the world's most roller coasters. But Europe now is home to most of the world's top roller coaster builders, with Intamin and Bolliger & Mabillard headquartered in Switzerland, Vekoma in The Netherlands and Mack Rides in Germany, leaving Rocky Mountain Construction to carry the flag for U.S. coaster builders."

"The world needs more things that bring people together in joy and community. Roller coasters do that. People make friends with other fans at their local park, then one day they are road-tripping across the country or flying around the world to ride coasters that they learned about from other coaster fans online. They often meet and make new friends in the coaster community at each stop."

Falcons Flight officially opened at Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia, becoming the world's longest, tallest, and fastest roller coaster at nearly 14,000 feet, with a drop over 500 feet and speeds exceeding 155 mph. Previously, those records were split among different coasters, with Cedar Point's Top Thrill 2 holding the height record. The United States and Southern California historically anchored the coaster community, with the modern era beginning with Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds and Six Flags Magic Mountain hosting the most coasters. Europe now hosts many top manufacturers (Intamin, Bolliger & Mabillard, Vekoma, Mack Rides), leaving Rocky Mountain Construction as a primary U.S. builder. Roller coasters foster social connections among fans who travel and meet globally.

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