The Doctor Reveals Her Diabolical Plans at Six Flags Fiesta Texas

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originally posted on 8/12/2022 1:23:00 AM

Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.

Members of American Coaster Enthusiasts were in attendance as Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio) pulled back the curtain to reveal the park’s latest thrill at the Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger VIP Event and media day. The ride’s official grand opening was July 30. During the VIP event, Park President Jeffrey Siebert made his way to the stage to officially welcome guests and thank the many people in attendance who were essential in the development and construction of this newest attraction. The formal ceremony was briefly interrupted by the arrival of Dr. Diabolical and her minions to the stage. After taunts and teases from the evil doctor, Siebert regained control of the stage and officially announced the opening of Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger, complete with pyrotechnics and fireworks.

The ride opened at a VIP event with a flair (flare!) of fireworks.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.

After watching the coaster being built for many months, guests can now enjoy the latest creation of the dastardly doctor.

Dr. Diabolical’s victims are coaxed into her trap with the alluring promise of eternal youth by drinking her “Fountain of Youth” elixir. As they are escorted through Dr. Diabolical’s laboratory, the true nature of her intentions is revealed. The twisted villain has created a machine to extract the essence of human fear and adrenaline from her victims to feed her army of menacing creatures and take over the world. And, that machine is Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger!

The helix speeds close to the ground.
Photos: Courtesy of Six Flags Fiesta Texas. View full-sized image.

The hold brake stands right next to the midway.
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As the only installation project for Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) in 2022, Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger, the world’s steepest B&M dive coaster, is 150 feet tall; features a 95-degree, beyond-vertical first drop; an Immelmann inversion; a 270-degree zero-G roll; a 75-foot, near-vertical drop; airtime hill; and high-speed spiral, all at speeds up to 60 mph, providing an astounding punch of both positive and negative G-forces. The coaster also features seven-across seating on the trains — a first for B&M — allowing the center seat to ride directly over the track and heighten the sensation of weightlessness through the zero-G roll.

Photo: Courtesy of Six Flags Fiesta Texas. View full-sized image.

The coaster is located in Fiesta Texas’ Crackaxle Canyon section of the park and includes extensive steampunk decor. The ride’s entrance and queue feature an immersive theming of Dr. Diabolical’s laboratory. Once inside, an animatronic robot touts the amazing accomplishments of the deranged doctor, while a wise, clockwork owl warns the unsuspecting guests of the perils that await them. Once her victims are guided through a secret passage hidden in a bookcase, the doctor’s true intentions are revealed before they must board the “extraction machine.” The pre-show building repurposes the backstage areas of the Sundance Theater, which was removed to create space for the new coaster.

Moving from room to room, the steampunk theming conveys the storyline.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.

Photo: Courtesy of Six Flags Fiesta Texas. View full-sized image.

This dive coaster is the first of its kind in Texas, and B&M’s newest version delivers an exceptionally smooth ride with well-timed elements, giving guests an extremely enjoyable ride experience. The pre-show, seven-across seating and record-setting steepness distinguish this installation from the other four in the United States (or five in North America). Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger is a grand addition to the already spectacular line up of world-class coasters featured at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

— Brian Schrimsher, ACE South Central Assistant Regional Representative