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Six Flags has finally announced the fate of Kingda Ka, and while I have mixed feelings, I understand why this is happening

Umito November 15, 2024

At the end of last week, the rumor of closure of Kingda Ka Theme park enthusiasts were wondering if Six Flags Great Adventure was actually closing one of its signature attractions. A former record holder for the world’s fastest and tallest steel roller coaster, I was one of those who thought their fate would not be sealed as quickly and quietly as it seemed to be progressing.

Well, I hate to say it, but I was wrong, my friends. Now it’s time to say goodbye to a global and local legend. It’s true: Kingda Ka is officially dead, condemned to rest in the Valhalla theme park with others the vanished attractions that we wish to return.

The official Kingda Ka logo.

(Image credit: Six Flags Great Adventure)

Kingda Ka is dead, long live… a mysterious coaster

An official statement finally came from Six Flags Great Adventure park president Brian Bacica (via NJ.com), and he confirmed several closure rumors that accompanied reports of the demise of the old, record-breaking steel roller coaster.

The part of Bacica’s statement shared to break the news was as follows:

We understand that it can be difficult to say goodbye to our beloved rides and we appreciate our customers’ passion. These changes are an important part of our growth and our commitment to delivering exceptional new experiences. We look forward to sharing more details next summer.
Brian Bacica, Park President, Six Flags Great Adventure

As president of the Jackson, New Jersey entertainment destination since July 2023, Brian Bacica has been on the job for some time before that. Six Flags/Cedar Fair merger in 2024 made things happen. Now this upheaval is starting to be felt a little more locally, as it’s not just the fate of Kingda Ka that has been confirmed in this vast change.

Those of you wondering about the reported closures of Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, Green Lantern and Twister, as well as the demolition of the skydiving training facility: Edwards AFB Jump Tower and the former Sky Way School , ask no more questions. All this is on the agenda, as part of a vast plan to refresh the park. That’s a lot to lose, which gives me rather mixed feelings about what’s to come.

Six Flags Great Adventure park logo.

(Image credit: Six Flags Great Adventure)

I totally understand why Six Flags is closing Kingda Ka

Let’s start with the positives, namely the fact that a new “multi-world record launch roller coaster” is what’s being touted for this big summer 2025 reveal, teased by Brian Bacica. It’s a vague promise for the future, but I see it as an opportunity for one of our Tom Cruise Theme Park Ride Ideas to finally take shape.

This concept is somewhat made easier by the fact that Six Flags now owns the theme parks that were owned by the defunct Paramount Parks family. So a Mission: Impossible Roller coasters shouldn’t be too foreign a concept. Whatever this new ride is, it meets the mandate of the company to which the supervisor of Six Flags Great Adventure is a part, which is further reinforced by this remark:

Through our commitment to creating unforgettable experiences, the park’s multi-year expansion plans will result in major investments including record-breaking thrill rides, revitalized family experiences, elevated restaurants, expanded events and continued improvements in the entire property.
Brian Bacica, Park President, Six Flags Great Adventure

Next May, Kindga Ka would have turned 20 – and that milestone could still be reached, depending on how you measure it. Even though the hydraulically launched roller coaster designed by Intamin will never operate again, the structure could still stand until May 19 or 21, the soft launch and official opening dates of the Kingdom’s crown jewel, respectively. Gold.

Once the 20th anniversary date is celebrated, you can probably bet that decommissioning will begin soon after, if it hasn’t already. The mystery pull of the 2026 season will have to start increasing pretty quickly afterward, which leads to the sadder half of this equation.

An aerial view of a Kingda Ka car at the top of the loop.

(Image credit: Six Flags Great Adventure)

I wish I could have ridden Kingda Ka one last time

I understand that there has been a huge rumor campaign announcing the closure of Kingda Ka, but there has been no official statement. It’s not like when Walt Disney World announced the closure of Test Track 2.0which gave fans several months to say goodbye.

I’m sure I’m not the only person to say this, but if I had known it was the truth, I would have made a bigger effort to go to Six Flags Great Adventure and take one last ride. This regret is what bothers me about all of this, because it always seems like a sudden decision to make without much official fanfare.

I know time waits for no roller coaster enthusiast, and in all honesty, I didn’t even get a chance to ride Test Track 2.0 one last time with enough notice. But that doesn’t change the fact that I remember Kingda Ka fondly and how it took something as promising as the Batman side of Batman & Robin: The Chiller, to make it a thrilling experience that didn’t have to compete with an inferior headbutt. cousin attached to it.

A view of Kingda Ka, from mid-top hat to the top.

(Image credit: Six Flags Great Adventure)

The future of Six Flags Great Adventure looks bright, and there’s plenty more to look forward to and catch up on at the park. 2025 will finally see The Flash: Vertical Velocity, after delaying its planned opening to 2024. But for now, I will hold a brief vigil in memory of the days when Kingda Ka reigned. Oh, how I would have loved to have one VelociCoaster style restoration before leaving this mortal envelope.

We’ll obviously have to wait and see what replacing Kingda Ka will entail, but I’m willing to bet we should keep those red letter days in May 2025 clearly on our calendars. In the meantime, I’ll keep imagining what might replace the rides we last saw coming to the station.

Apre-salomemanzo

Apre-salomemanzo

Six Flags has finally announced the fate of Kingda Ka, and while I have mixed feelings, I understand why this is happening

Kingda Ka is dead, long live… a mysterious coaster

Umito

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Six Flags has finally announced the fate of Kingda Ka, and while I have mixed feelings, I understand why this is happening

Kingda Ka is dead, long live… a mysterious coaster

Umito

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