Video: New Texas Giant rollercoaster opens at Six Flags Over Texas

The New Texas Giant has undergone a radical transformation. Image © Six Flags Over Texas

Six Flags Over Texas has officially opened its updated New Texas Giant rollercoaster, following an extensive $10 million renovation.

The Texas Giant reopened to the public on April 22, 2011, and has undergone a major overhaul during over eighteen months out of action. This included the installation of an all-new steel track, as well as what Six Flags Over Texas claims is the steepest drop of any wooden rollercoaster in the world.

A number of videos have since emerged online showing off the ride's updated circuit. This includes an on-ride video produced by Theme Park Review, embedded below:

The park itself has also released an official point-of-view video of the New Texas Giant in action:

Screamscape attended the media day for the updated ride, footage of which is embedded below. The site reports that a fireball effect will be added to the Texas Giant by the end of May.

Although Six Flags Over Texas has left much of the Texas Giant's wooden support structure in place, the new steel track places it into the hybrid wood-steel bracket. The Texas Giant's height has been increased by 10 feet to 153 feet, with the coaster hitting a top speed of 65 miles per hour following the 79-degree first drop. In total, some 4,700 feet of new track were added during the renovation work.

The Texas Giant opened in 1990 and was the tallest and fastest wooden rollercoaster in the world at the time. However, it has since suffered from frequent complaints by riders that it offers an violent, painful ride. The latest re-work is the second time the Texas Giant has been renovated, following a previous update nearly ten years ago. The cost of the renovation is greater than the original $5.5 million construction cost for the coaster, even when adjusted for inflation.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest confirmed and rumored temporary ride closures through Theme Park Tourist's "Rehab Watch", and by signing up for our weekly newsletter.

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