Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger

Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger is a steel roller coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, Texas.^[2] Located in the Crackaxle Canyon section, it was designed as a dive coaster model and was manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard. It opened on July 30, 2022, replacing the Sundance Theatre.^[3] From its opening in 2022 to 2025, it held the record for having the steepest drop on any Dive Coaster model, before it was surpassed by Wrath of Rakshasa.

Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger
Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger's lift hill and drop
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Location	Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Park section	Crackaxle Canyon
Coordinates	29.5981°N 98.6117°W / 29.5981; -98.6117
Status	Operating
Soft opening date	July 29, 2022
Opening date	July 30, 2022
Replaced	Sundance Theatre
General statistics
Type	Steel – Dive
Manufacturer	Bolliger & Mabillard
Model	Dive Coaster
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	150 ft (46 m)
Drop	142 ft (43 m)
Length	2,501 ft (762 m)
Speed	60 mph (97 km/h)
Inversions	2
Max vertical angle	95°
Height restriction	48–78[1] in (122–198 cm)
Trains	3 trains with 3 cars. Riders are arranged 7 across in a single row for a total of 21 riders per train.
Flash Pass available
Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger at RCDB

History

On June 12, 2021, Six Flags Fiesta Texas held the "Roller Coaster Rodeo." At the event, the park started teasing their new attraction. Additionally, the park also confirmed the removal of the Sundance Theatre for the upcoming attraction on June 14, 2021.^[4] The Sundance Theatre was an original theatre venue that opened with the park in 1992.^[5]

On July 28, 2021, Six Flags Fiesta Texas announced Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger for the 30th anniversary of the park in 2022.^[6][7][8] The ride was originally intended for Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, but was given to Six Flags Fiesta Texas instead built because Great America sought plans to build a larger Dive Coaster.^[9]

In November 2021, the first concrete footers were poured.^[10] On February 5, 2022, the ride's lift hill was officially topped off.^[11] Soft opening for the roller coaster began on July 29, 2022 for season pass holders and the news media.^[12][13] The roller coaster officially opened to the public on July 30, 2022 with a grand opening ceremony.^[3][14][15] Its opening marked the first Six Flags park to receive a B&M since X-Flight at Six Flags Great America.^[16] It opened as the steepest Dive Coaster at 95 degrees before it was surpassed by Wrath of Rakshasa at Six Flags Great America in 2025.^[17][18]

Ride experience

Located in the park's Crackaxle Canyon themed area of the park, Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger is 150 feet (46 m) in height, reaches a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h), and a track length of 2,501 feet (762 m). The roller coaster features a 95-degree (a beyond vertical drop), as well as a second 75-foot (23 m), near-vertical drop.^[19][20]

Theme

As guests enter the queue line for the roller coaster, they will find themselves immersed in the story of Dr. Diabolical and her evil quest to create menacing creatures to frighten the world. To bring her creations to life, she has constructed a machine to capture the essence of human adrenaline and fear.^[19]