Wednesday, Aug 24, 2016

Dubai: Six Flags Dubai will reportedly host the largest roller coaster in the world when it opens its theme park in the emirate to the public in late 2019, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

The thrill ride will be one of an expected three world-renowned rides among 27 rides in total after breaking ground this year.

Six Flags is one of four theme parks located within the mega attraction Dubai Parks and Resorts megapark that is expected to open in Jebel Ali on October 31.

“There will be rides that are bigger, better, faster, broader than any rides in the world,” John Odum, Six Flags senior vice-president of international park operations, told WSJ.

Biggest is not to be confused with fastest, a title already owned by the Ferrari World roller coasters at Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari World amusement park with a top speed of 239km/h.

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, said to be the world’s largest regional theme park firm, jointly announced its opening in April 2010 in partnership with Meraas Leisure and Entertainment LLC in Dubai.

At the time of the opening, Six Flags said in a statement that it was “honoured to be working with this world-class organisation as the first significant strategic step taking the Six Flags brand to growing and successful markets outside North America”.

Meraas officials could not be reached for comment to confirm the coaster’s record-breaking size on Wednesday by Gulf News.

A representative said that Meraass has issued no official statement on the new roller coaster.

by Derek Baldwin Chief Reporter

Gulf News 2016. All rights reserved.