Calling all Davids — here's your chance to face "Goliath."
Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park in Valencia, Calif., is opening a new high-speed roller coaster — Goliath — this spring and is looking for 1,000 people named "David" to attend a special preview ride on Thursday, Feb. 10.
The first 1,000 Davids registered will qualify for a ride on the new 255-foot-tall, 85-mph coaster, which includes a pitch-black tunnel. Registration must be made by Feb. 3; phone 661-255-4116. Participants must provide their own transportation to the park.
According to roller-coaster historian Paul Reuben of Park World Magazine, Goliath will give Magic Mountain 13 total world-class roller coasters.
For those not named David who still want a sneak preview of the new attraction, a special virtual ride is available at www.sixflags.com.
IN ADDITION TO the new Six Flags ride in Southern California, Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif., will premiere a new ride this spring — the Perilous Plunge, being billed as the longest, steepest water ride in the world.
The new ride will drop 4.5 stories down a 75-degree angle to apparently best Universal Studio's Jurassic Park the Ride's claim as the world's most thrilling water ride.
Knott's is also opening a new water park, Soak City U.S.A., on Memorial Day, with 21 water rides and attractions.
DISNEYLAND IS currently celebrating its 45th anniversary. The park will premiere its new $1.4 billion "California Adventure" next spring, with a water park, large metal roller coaster and other attractions. At about that same time, a $1.1 billion freeway expansion is scheduled to be completed for a 9.5-mile section of I-5 in Orange County.
Disneyland is also building a 10,000-car enclosed parking terrace and is remodeling the Disneyland Hotel. The park attracted 13.7 million visitors in 1998, according to the New York Times.