Kigngda Ka Permanent Closure - 11/11/2024

[TV15]

Six Flags Great Adventure has officially retired Kingda Ka, 'The King of all Coasters'. After 19 years of operation, the ride, which opened on May 21, 2005, leaves behind a legacy. It was the coaster that ended the coaster wars. At its debut, it held the titles of the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster, and while it eventually lost the speed record, it remained the tallest coaster in the world throughout its lifespan.

A press release has been issued regarding the future of the attraction:

This makes me wonder about the future of Superman Escape? It’s 19 years old this year and will hit its 20th anniversary next year. Will next year be its last?

[Brad2912]

Plenty of rides survive beyond 20 years… they recent poured money into a station overhaul which wouldn’t have happened with planned retirement on the near horizon 

[downunder]

The 2026 line was intriguing : record breaking multi launch coaster. It would not surprise me if they used the existing structure. It would surprise me if they went after records Falcon's Flight will soon hold - but it would be awesome if they did. They might just stick to North American records.

There's been reports of S & S scoping out the site, but we'll see. I'd love to see a balls to the wall compressed air launch, but they're about as reliable as Axl Rose off his meds.

[franky]

Kinda bummed. Was over in the NYC in Sept/Oct but just couldn't fit in the day trip down to the park, considering there were days the ride didn't open. We got some rides in on Xcelerator though while at Knotts, so I'm gonna call that breaking even.

The park has confirmed that Zumanjaro is being removed as well, and whatever is coming is not going to be a reimagination, so everything you see is being removed apparently. This means DW's Giant Drop reclaims 2nd place for tallest operating drop tower!

 

 

[Tricoart]

1 hour ago, downunder said:

record breaking multi launch coaster.

Not to be a stickler, but it's "multi-record breaking launch coaster.". Very similar, different meanings. And yeah, as pointed out above, Zumanjaro's permanent closure alongside Kingda Ka & other surrounding attractions makes it seem much more like it's being knocked down and replaced with something "completely new" (words they've since used in clarifications after the main press release) moreso than being a TT2 situation. I just really hope that it doesn't end up being this: 

Edited 1 hour ago by Tricoart

[downunder]

@franky it wouldn't surprise me if they look at chopping down Superman at SFMM too, can't be easy to maintain that. And then Giant Drop goes to #1, it's much better drop tower in any case imo.

I was at Knott's in Sept and I had to laugh about Xcelerator. Even though I'm at Knott's every year (except '20 & '21), riding it I realised it was my first time since 2016 because it's been down so much.

4 minutes ago, Tricoart said:

Not to be a stickler, but it's "multi-record breaking launch coaster.". Very similar, different meanings. And yeah, as pointed out above, Zumanjaro's permanent closure alongside Kingda Ka & other surrounding attractions makes it seem much more like it's being knocked down and replaced with something "completely new" (words they've since used in clarifications after the main press release) moreso than being a TT2 situation. I just really hope that it doesn't end up being this: 

Thank you for the correction, I got seriously dyslexic on that lol. I guess we'll have to wait and see. My partner wants to go back to NYC, I'll tell her 2026 would be a good year to go lol (she hates coasters).