Thoughts on Kingda Ka Closing at Six Flags Great Adventure & 2026 New Rides - COASTER-net Update

[@JJJJ-he8bz]

The one difference between Ka and Dragster that no one talks about is the positive G forces going up the tower. It is crushing on Ka and it caused me to black out on one of the rides. Also the launch goes on longer.

[@jeffcoaster-net4633]

The launch was incredible you are correct.

[@flyingsaucerfoundation2766]

Agreed. Dragster did have the faster acceleration and smoother launch but I always loved how on Ka you’re going so fast for just a bit longer than Dragster

[@joeygassmann5595]

You’re absolutely correct, and these reasons have a lot to do with my preference of Ka over TTD

[@billkeithchannel]

I would imagine that King Features Syndicate is a much easier entity to deal with than either of the big comic superhero franchise owners and way cheaper license fees.

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

Over Texas is also taking out their superloop which is right next to La Vibora, so that created more space for the Dive

[@braddougan1919]

Top Thrill Dragster had 18 Million riders when CP announced in September of 2022 they were retiring the ride!

[@COASTERnet]

Better in every way!

[@jeffcoaster-net4633]

​@@COASTERnetexcept in launch, speed, acceleration, height, reliability, and kingda ka was greener, so obviously better.

[@gemnifan6045]

Agree i have riden both ka was rou gh​@@COASTERnet

[@TrueLies23]

​@@jeffcoaster-net4633 to be fair, no one cared about Kingda ka until the rumors of removal started swirling which is proven by ridership numbers even though it was more reliable. Somehow a 105 foot coaster in 2007 ended the coaster wars which tells you all you need to know about stats. One is taller than the other, that height might make it "better" to you, but to the decision makers (the only opinions that matter) all those stats are worse as they are behind high maintenance costs which is the cause for removal. None of the stats really are objectively better. That's all context-driven and highly subjective, might be why a lot of people will rank statistically average coasters way higher than something this tall, fast, with such a quick launch.

[@jeffcoaster-net4633]

@@TrueLies23 Kingda ka consistently had the longest line in the park at any time, and had a large group running to it every morning. It is going to be a real odd sight to see the skyline with that landmark missing

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

NJ became strict on amusement parks after they were way too lenient in the Action Park era in the 80's and 90's, The park was nicknamed Accident Park, Class Action Park and Traction Park(b/c of all the broken bones people received)

[@FahrenheitFan97]

People did find demo permits for Ka and they did a follow up press release confirming Zumanjaro is included as well.

[@jeffcoaster-net4633]

@@FahrenheitFan97 they currently don't have any demo permits for Kingda ka but I expect they are coming. The park did clarify that zumanjaro is also done. I am mend my equal weight to the whole thing is getting demo'd

[@austintayloradt]

This might have been a much different conversation if TT2 opening had gone well...would be pretty amazing to see that Intamin extended layout though. Rather than a swing launch, I would much rather see a turn and launch into the old Green Lantern site, do the extended layout to build speed, then get back over to the original track and get a boost launch to clear the top hat. Also, Dragster did 18 million riders over 19 seasons with a shorter calendar, so more riders per year no matter how you count it. I definitely preferred Dragster to Ka, but probably Ka over TT2 - for me it was all about that initial launch though. Extended Ka layout might take the cake over all of them, even if it's unlikely to happen.

[@timk987]

I don't think Herschend would be a buyer for Lantern. However If they went the way of Drayton Manor and ordered ART Engineering trains for it, it would be a much cheaper stand up to sit down conversion without the expense of the folding floor. Maybe less to market without it being floorless, but would get better RIO as people would actually ride it more than once without OTSR.

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

The SFMM coaster is going to be a Vekoma. Also, X2 ops have become even worse than usual the last few years. Massive maintenance downtime, 1 train op when it is running, even on busy days. Superman is way more likely to go than X2 with it's massive downtown and high operational costs.

[@josephramondelli7421]

I never really understood the hate for Ka. But then again I am from NYC so it was more accessible to me than dragster. I did get several sides on dragster way back in 2010 and enjoyed it. I see the benefit of the T bars for sure, but I always thought the speed hill (it has no airtime) on Ka added a decent amount to the ride experience. Either way I will book a trip to ride Top thrill 2 once it's reliably open.

[@COASTERnet]

I don’t know if hate is the right word, but I always felt Six Flags absolutely stole the record by 30 feet with a ride experience that wasn’t as good. The t-bars were amazing on Dragster especially on the twist down. Yeah, somebody was going to do it eventually but I don’t have to be happy about it. Plus let’s be honest, both versions were one trick ponies that were fun but never considered it in the way people are pretending to love it this week. It’s very disingenuous.

[@josephramondelli7421]

@COASTERnet yea fair enough and I agree six flags definitely stole it from cedar point. But yes both rides were one trick ponies, although I think the one trick they had was better than some current models (some dive coasters). Wish I got a chance to ride dragster some more to give it a fair comparison. But it's a shame neither ride is currently operational in any form.

[@JJJJ-he8bz]

@@josephramondelli7421 people hate it because they were bitter it took Dragsters records

[@gemnifan6045]

I see them making camp snoopy at Great America

[@COASTERnet]

It would be an interesting development. I guess they could drop the looney tunes from their license and expand snoopy. I’d love to see some tiers like, snoopy for small kids & justice league for older kids/family rides.

[@StacyRayl]

I don’t I don’t think they’re at height on top of that top hat because we’re talking almost a 20 year-old structure here If they’re keeping the structure and reusing it and a top hat, why wouldn’t they keep zumanjaro Plus king da ka it’s on the defunct list on roller coaster database also so I believe it’s officially coming down completely

[@ksoccer2415]

Andy's take on Ka is for sure one of the takes of all time. lmao. But for real, the difference between the two was never as dramatic as what people made it out to be. The biggest differences between the two rides were the restraints and the park the rides happened to be in. The loud and proud Cedar Point fanbase did a great job convincing everybody there was HUGE difference between the two experiences, but it was quite exaggerated. And this is coming from a self proclaimed Cedar Point fanboy. Either way this was a sad loss for the industry and the way the park handled it was terrible. Absolutely no recognition and no opportunity for last rides when they knew for at least most of this season that KA was going to close. I'm very interested to see what ends up replacing it and I hope to GOD it isn't that stupid Mack spinning tower coaster thing. Building another gimmicky 400+ foot tall coaster in that plot just feels like its begging for direct comparison to a past ride rather than allowing guests to focus on something all new.

[@COASTERnet]

You’ve inspired me to double down on my always unique take. The recognition will come when they sell $400 track pieces and the people can say “goodnight my king” every night to it.

[@Brandon-qd2lb]

Superman just got repainted so I doubt they will repaint it again.

[@jeffcoaster-net4633]

I think you are correct

[@gemnifan6045]

Axis coaster going to magic mountain

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

Vekoma.

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

Agree Ka was always inferior. It was very rattly if not in front row and it has gotten progressively worse over the years. Top Thrill was always smooth in any row. On not needing to build the spike higher b/c they knew they would close KA, is not really true. TT2 revamp plans were set before the first merger talks commenced in August 2023....the timeline of the talks is in the S-4 SEC disclosures, which is 300 pages.

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

Not even close to Disney level Capex, their new Capex plan is 60B over 10 years. 6 Billion/yr average

[@COASTERnet]

Half the stuff Disney announces never happens.

[@jeffcoaster-net4633]

When Disney announced multimillion dollar plans it is often spreading over two years as well. But this is the most commas we have seen from regional operators this far

[@spentron1]

If you liked Dragster then you should like Ka.

[@DXJDOLCE]

SFMM. 1ST OF ITS KIND COASTER IN NORTH AMERICA

[@goonch7956]

Ka was better than Dragster

[@andrewkowalczyk1156]

by height alone (not drop) Superman being tallest operating coaster in the world is quite a development, also being 2nd fastest (since Formula Rossa also seems to be getting some sort of conversion and is closed)

[@themeparkreconnoiter9787]

Who will join to boycott Six Flags?

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

Lol...

[@COASTERnet]

Count me out.

[@Cheezbat]

Blasphemy against Ka….how dare you! 😂 Anyway, it’s such a shame it’s gone.

[@COASTERnet]

A real shame. I’ve lost tons of sleep so far.

[@ellexking9136]

Green Lantern could be relocated to Michigan's Adventure. That park definitely has the realistate for another Rollercoaster. Give Green Lantern a new color scheme, a new name, along with Kumba Style Trains. As for Kingda Blah, it's going to be imploded.🤣

[@RayBcv1030]

The fact that the chain didn't mention any ride getting a new looping coaster is telling. Green Lantern is getting scrapped most likely.