Six Flags 'launches' into story for record-setting new coaster
The family roller coaster trend continues in 2027. Six Flags Fiesta Texas tonight announced its new family coaster for next year, Werewolf Gorge.
The San Antonio theme park is billing this Vekoma creation as the "world's longest family launch coaster."
Werewolf Gorge will feature four launches on its 4,120 check feet of track, reaching a top speed of 45 miles an hour. Even with those stats, the coaster will have a height limit of just 39 inches, making it accessible to a wide range of families.
Six Flags is leaning into Fiesta Texas' history as a former limestone quarry to craft a backstory for this new family attraction. According to the new Werewolf Gorge lore, the coaster stands in the former Silver Strike Mining Company now-abandoned mine. Local entrepreneur Jasper Bunyan has turned the site into a roadside tourist attraction with guided mine train tours. Never mind the rumors and tales of missing miners, eerie howls, and even mysterious glimpses of wolves.
“This is a defining addition to Six Flags Fiesta Texas,” Six Flags Fiesta Texas Park Manager Robert Bustle said. "Werewolf Gorge brings together storytelling, innovation and a bold combination of ride elements that truly sets it apart. It delivers an experience that is approachable for families, yet unmatched anywhere in the world."
Six Flags is promising over two and a half minutes of time in the attraction, which will include what the park said is 32 airtime moments. Werewolf Gorge will open next year, though the park has not yet announced a specific date.
Here is the park's hype video for the ride:
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Replies (4)
And this is why we should not too worried why SFFT and KD do not have a Park President at the moment. IMHO I assume they have not settled on who it should be just yet =)
This looks to be an excellent addition to one of the best parks in the chain. I never really considered it, but SFFT is probably lacking in attractions geared towards the entire family, and this coaster fills a real need. If this was being installed at any other SF park in the country, I would be skeptical whether they could deliver this new attraction as visualized, but SFFT is a completely different animal when it comes to delivering top notch themed coasters, and I have little doubt the park will deliver again here. This very much is going to be Big Bear Mountain on steroids, and could be one of the best new coasters of 2027.
This looks like a really good family launch coaster, but I do question if it's a bit overkill for a regional park like SFFT. While I don't know the exact price tag, I would wager this is upwards of $30 million, and I'm just not sure if this will be a big enough draw to justify that kind of spending over a smaller version of the same model. I suppose we shall see if it works out for a park that has historically been a lot more focused on thrill rides.
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This looks really incredible. The theming in the promo video, if they're going through with all of it, will make this a top-tier ride, maybe between Hiccup's Wing Gliders and Hagrid's. I love a coaster that capitalizes on length, so this should be a satisfyingly long ride experience. Sucks that the logo looks like it's just AI.
But if I had a nickel for every time a launches family coaster had a swing launch through a barn with a werewolf in it. . .