Texas Giant Heads to Rehab

Yesterday marked the final operating day for Six Flags Over Texas' world famous Texas Giant wooden roller coaster - at least in its current form.

The ride will be transformed, to the tune of $10 million, during the next year, and will open in Spring 2011. The park promises the ride will be like brand new, with new trains, track, theming, and more. This article actually makes it sound like large sections of the ride will be removed and rebuilt completely - which brings up the question of whether the layout will remain intact or not.

Take that for what it's worth, however, as the article also does say the ride has a 280 ft. first drop. Regardless, I am interested in how the park is saying the new Giant will have elements never before used on a wooden coaster when it reopens. I'm anxious to see if that's real or just really good marketing by the park.

The Texas Giant has already given 23 million rides since it fist opened in 1990, and Six Flags Over Texas plans to have the new version ready for when they open in 2011.