The Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas should be renamed Two-Face after the Batman villian. The massive wooden coaster
built on a cliff wall has some awesome moments and then some of that vintage wooden coaster abuse that we’ve all come to know so well.
The trek to the Rattler’s station in itself was memorable. After moving past some large boulders that outline the queue, you begin to ascend a sort of switchback ramp that has you walking back and forth for about 5 or 6 stories. I’m guessing Rattler’s station is elevated so that the lift hill can carry you up over the cliff walls. It’s a lift hill that offers one of the most amazing views I’ve ever seen from a roller coaster. You’ve got this great view of the entire beautiful, green park to your left with the cliff walls around it. Then as you begin to crest the hill there’s a glimmering pond below.
The first drop is fun with a bit of air and some great speed. A second drop with a turn follows and the Rattler had a great 
opening. But unfortunately, my smile quickly faded as we began the 900 degree downward helix atop the cliff. Around we went, getting pummeled nearly all the way through it. Instead of just banking us around those turns, the designers figured they would put some small hills on the helix. They didn’t work out so well and after a while I started wondering when it was going to end.
After the lengthy beating, the ride showed another bright spot. We rolled out over the cliff and down an excellent drop as you realize that the massive ride’s not over. At the bottom of the drop, the train is gobbled up by a pitch black tunnel that took us through the limestone cliff wall. This was yet another really cool moment. Unfortunately, Rattler limped to finish line by doing it’s best Mean Streak impression with rough, aimless meandering that could have been fun at some point, but was now just boring and painful. Finally, the train reached the station brakes and we returned to the station.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Rattler has so much potential and could be such a great ride. It’s pretty tough for me to rate, but I’ll give it a generous 5. It’ll probably be one of the best-rated rough woodies I’ve ever encountered, but with my love of terrain coasters and the unique views and experience it provides that’s where I’ve landed on my rating. Final Rating (5.0 – Average)
The Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas is rated ‘TR’ for Traditional. It’s a 2 out of 5 on the Thrill Scale. Even though it’s quite large it offers a pretty standard wooden coaster ride in terms of intensity.
The Rattler’s Infamous Past
I wasn’t aware of the Rattler’s infamous past, but apparently, it was a world-record holder for height when it opened at 179′ tall with a drop of 166′. Enthusiasts are saying it had an in-house design and had some funky curves and transitions in its original form. After re-profiling, the ride’s first drop was reduced to its current 124′. Some feel its greatness was taken away when the drop was reduced while others note that it wasn’t that great from the beginning.
I’d rather post a current video, but I haven’t been able to find a professional version. So, here’s a POV video of the Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas from 1992 before it’s re-profile:
What’s Your Take?
Have you ridden Rattler? What’d you think? Leave a comment below.
James
Awesome – you gonna post a Superman Krypton Coaster / Poltergeist review up soon? Thanks.
P.s. what was your favourite ride at Fiesta Texas?
The Coaster Critic
Yep. I'll have Superman review up later this month. It was my favorite ride at the park. Fiesta Texas is GREAT looking park by the way.
James
K thanks – did you ride poltergeist by the way?
Trent
Superman is fun and is my favorite ride at the park too. Was it as good as you thought it would be.
Quil
Hey James, do you happen to be JaMeS, you write a bit like him.
James
Nah, that's not me.
Quil
Ok, just wanted to be sure. He's been changing his name around recentley.
Trent
The Rattler looks really good on the video and in pictures but it is really painful. The tunnel is fun though (all 5 seconds of it).
Frog
It looks really fun, but that helix seems to waste a lot of speed. It could have spent that speed on some fun drops and airtime, but it instead just winds around and around for ever! I agree that the hills in the helix are kinda pointless too. The rest of the ride is great though!
DC
I remember when it was reprofiled because of a myriad of problems.. Maybe it's a candidate for Texas Giant style makeover. Maybe they could restore the original height then, although the hilly helix could go, LOL! That hurts just thinking about it. The cliffhanger concept makes it unique and it was much anticipated when they first announced its construction.
Prof.BAM
I remember one video of the rattler I saw a few months ago where the Rattler was swaying going up the hill to that helix. Seriously looked like it was going to fall over. Who was this a coaster by?
MDC
RCCA, responsible for such creations as Son of Beast and Coaster Express, as well as John Pierce, responsible for such creations as Twister II and White Canyon @ Yomuriland.
Prof.BAM
wouldn't it be more like irresponsible?
MDC
Yup!
Quil
lol. 🙂
Gearhart
I've heard the topper track they installed on the second drop helped the ride a lot. I've always been intrigued by this ride and with the topper track I want more than ever to try it out and see how much this new tech helps out.
James
Its funny how mounted cameras can be really misleading.
ME
I Love That Ride .
Buuummppyy Ridee !
Matt
I rode the Rattler in it's opening season in 1992, and I have to say that the first drop was definitely the best of any wooden coaster. It's such a shame that it was reprofiled so drastically. It would be amazing if they gave it a TX Giant remake. The potential is there for it to be amazing again.
Timothy Covell
The Rattler is due to be shut down on Aug. 5th for some much needed TLC, scuttlebutt has it that it will be done up like the TX Giant, but SFFT execs are keeping a lid on any details. As far as I know, that overdone, pointless helix that causes so much torture, is being sent to the bone yard, who knows what they have in store, but it's gonna be bigger, badder and meaner than anything else at SFFT, possibly even making the Superman look like a kiddie koaster!!
Joey Till
Rattler, when i rode in 2007 was very thrilling but quite bumpy. The drop was AWSOME, but it was pretty rough. However, the uniqueness of it and how it jumps the cliffs really gave this ride quite a joy for me. But yes it is bumpy. The Rattler is the perfect setting for the New Texas Giant Treatment. Hope it gets it.
John
I just rode the New Texas Giant to get ready for Iron Rattler at fiesta. This rollercoaster will be amazingly smooth and thrilling. The design is intense and this makeover will support the rattler how it should've been. It will be the tallest wooden coaster in the world just like it was 20 years ago and it deserves that title.