In the theme park world, Disney and Universal are Coke and Pepsi while their closest rivals are barely Royal Crown Cola. Universal Studios Orlando and Disney World set the global standard for theme parks.
More than just a collection of rides, Walt Disney's (DIS) and Comcast's (CMCSA) signature parks offer immersive experiences. Each one sets a new standard for rides while offering visitors a multiple-day experience that's truly unlike anything offered elsewhere in the world.
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Both companies have a lot of rivals, but companies like Seaworld Entertainment (SEAS), Cedar Fair (FUN), and Six Flags (SIX) operate using very different business models. All three of these companies cater to locals selling relatively cheap annual passes with the idea that people will visit often and spend money on food, drinks, and extras during those visits.
And, while Seaworld used to be based around its animal attractions, the "Blackfish" scandal forced the company to downplay that aspect. Now, all three of these companies largely hang their hats on loosely-themed thrill rides. You won't find immersive "lands" like "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge," or "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter." But you will see lots of roller coasters.
None of these theme parks compete with what Disney or Universal offers, but they do offer an alternative for people who want to ride roller coasters and other thrill rides. Now, a new Six Flags park is building a roller coaster that will set multiple records.
Disney
Disney and Universal Aren't Known For Thrill Rides
Disney World, Disneyland, and the Universal Studios theme parks offer some thrilling rides, but they don't try to offer the fastest and tallest rides. Universal with its "Incredible Hulk Coaster," and "Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit" roller coaster offer more thrills than anything Disney has, but both companies have opted for experience over pure speed and height.
Epcot, for example, recently added "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind," a very unique roller coaster that's thrilling by Disney standards, but it's also a ride with a deep story. The same could be said of Magic Kingdom's new "Tron Lightcycle / Run" roller coaster and Universal's "Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure."
Disney and Universal have left the extreme thrill space to its rivals and a new Six Flags park will accept that gauntlet by offering a roller coaster that sets multiple records.
Six Flags Building a Record-Setting Roller Coaster
Six Flags has a global presence and in 2018, the company partnered with the Qiddiya Investment Company to build its most-ambitious park ever in Saudi Arabia. Located about 40 miles outside of Riyadh, the multi-billion project has faced multiple delays and, at times, seemed like it was going to fall through.
Now, after numerous pandemic-related delays, the 75-acre park appears to be back on track. Once completed, Six Flags Qiddiya will offer 28 rides split between six lands, making it "Six Flags’ most immersive and detailed theme park," according to Theme Park Tourist.
One of those 28 rides will be a massive roller coaster, Falcon's Flight.
"This coaster is unlike any coaster ever built and is being manufactured by Intamin. The massive steel structure will be the world's tallest free-standing coaster structure, and they are calling it a "super" coaster. The coaster will break the height record at a whopping 525 feet," the website reported.
But, unlike most roller coasters which have held the record for "tallest" coaster, Falcon's flight won't just be a tall peak.
"This coaster will not be like the current tallest coasters called strata coasters which feature a short layout and a large top hat hill/drop. This will be the longest coaster in the world coming in at almost 2.5 miles long. It will reach speeds over 155 miles per hour and utilize LSM launch technology. The ride experience will be over 3 minutes long," Theme Park Tourist added.
