Six Flags Over Texas Celebrates Construction Milestone of Newest Coaster, The Joker

By Susan Schrock

Posted on Monday, January 30, 2017

Six Flags Over Texas President Steve Martindale and Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams sign their names to the final track piece of The Joker roller coaster on January 30, 2017.

Six Flags Over Texas celebrated a major construction milestone on its newest ride, The Joker, on Monday.

Six Flags Over Texas President Steve Martindale and Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams signed their names on the final track piece of the 12-story roller coaster moments before it was lifted 120 feet into the air and bolted into place. The ride will open at the Arlington theme park later this spring.

"Six Flags has a long history of innovation and bringing something new to the theme park industry. The Joker is no exception. This is one of the wildest rides I've ever seen," Martindale said.

"It's got all the features you can think of and a couple extra to boot. Half the passengers are going to be riding backwards and the cars flip as you go. It's a very exciting experience," he added.

Six Flags Over Texas President Steve Martindale and Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams watch as the final piece of The Joker roller coaster is lifted into place January 30, 2017.

The unique design of The Joker features:

• A massive, imposing, floating and twisting I-box track frame in a unique two-tone design;
• One-of-a-kind onboard magnetic technology featuring smooth head-over-heels free-fly flips providing guests the feeling of weightlessness as they soar outside the confines of a traditional track;
• 4-D wing vehicles that seat up to 8 per vehicle with a total of 5 vehicles;
• Face-off seats that allow riders to face each other as they tumble head over heels;
• A 120-foot-tall, 90-degree hill that is ascended by an elevator-style, chain link lift; and
• Two beyond 90-degree "raven" drops giving the sensation of free-falling.

The Joker will be the latest addition to the Gotham City section of Six Flags Over Texas, which also includes THE RIDDLER Revenge, CATWOMAN Whip, and HARLEY QUINN Spinsanity.

Courtesy: Six Flags Over Texas

"Here in Arlington, we don't dream little dreams. Neither does Six Flags. They've got a big dream of continuing to make this park the best in the country," Williams said.

As both a community partner and a major tourist destination, Six Flags Over Texas has made incredible contributions in Arlington in the decades since it opened, Williams said. Sales tax revenue from visitors helps The American Dream City invest in its streets, parks, libraries and other city services.

"It is amazing the number of visitors that we see coming from all over the country to come to Six Flags," Williams said. "Tourism is so important to our economy. It's important to the economy of North Texas."