After my rainy trip to Cedar Point and the subsequent closing of Top Thrill Dragster, I was looking forward to getting to Six Flags Great Adventure. Not only does Great Adventure have the only other Strata Coaster on the planet, they boast the world record holder for height (456 feet) and speed (128 mph) in Kingda Ka. Top Thrill Dragster and Kingda Ka launch riders in excess of 120 mph. Riders then climb a 40-story hill at 90-degrees only to drop back down, spiraling back to Earth.Loading was very slow going and the park was only running two trains while two more were set off to the side. If I hadn’t had a Flash Pass I don't think I would have waited for a second or third ride. Waits were two hours or more, but with the pass I waited no more than 15 minutes.
While I didn't get to ride Top Thrill Dragster thanks to the rain, I do prefer its theming and integration into the park to Kingda Ka's. The launch area was near a footpath, but exotic foliage partially blocked the view of the launch section. There were onlookers and you could see the launches, but why not highlight them instead of hide them? Six Flags dropped the ball in that regard.Any Last Words?Kingda Ka's intimidating launch and ridiculous height had quite an effect on the park-goers. In the station and aboard the trains people were saying their goodbyes. "If I die, you can have my girlfriend," said one teen-aged rider to a much older gentleman in line.
One girl frantically told her boyfriend that she loved him just before the launch. She begged him to put his arms down for fear that they might be dislocated by the intense launch. Some baggy-clothed onlookers standing near the launch area were yelling to their scared friend waiting to be launched.
"When you hear the click you got five seconds [left]!" They laughed for a moment at the double meaning. If I could have taken excerpts from what people were saying, you would think we were in a war zone, not an amusement park. It was silly, but entertaining at the same time.
A Rocket Coaster IndeedOn my first ride they sounded a horn. On my two later rides there was no horn, just the train shifting backwards a few feet and a small clicking noise. It was the only warning before we started tearing down the long straight track. The faster it got I realized my head was pinned to the headrest and my cheeks were being pushed back. The train felt like it was going too fast.
Article comments
1 - Anatoliy
These entertainments are hazardous to health!
2 - TheCoasterCritic
Your car ride to the grocery store is more hazardous than a ride on Kingda Ka. There's a much better chance you'll get t-boned in an intersection than injured on a roller coaster. Thanks for reading!
3 - swiitgrl
where is kingda ka
4 - The Coaster Critic
Kingda Ka is at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ.
5 - liam in cov GB
Listen i know you guys in the states have godd rollercoasters but serious comer to england and check out a place called Alton Towers
6 - The Coaster Critic
I wish I could. Alton Towers has some great looking rides.
7 - emma
i love u
8 - jessica
i went on kingda ka today and it was the scariest thing i have ever done. i opened my eyes twice, each time for less than a second. the first time i saw the sky at a 90degree angle, and the second, the parking lot at a 90 degree angle. scary scary shit.
9 - shivani
OMG!!!!!!!! i wwent on king adda yesterday i was so dizzy .... i was so scared i never stopped screaming
you should try it even though it is the fastest and the tallest roller coaster on the earth it is VERY FUN!!!!!!!!
10 - lucii
OMG u should go 2 chessington world of adventures and go on ramesis revenge AND dragons fury
11 - lucii
go to thorpe park and go on stelth
I WENT ON IT AND IT WASNT EVEN FAST I DNT GET IT BUT IT WAS AWSOM PEPPZ FROM DE US AND AMERICA COME TO ENGLAND
12 - Emily
i went on a ride just as good in ohio except 8 fett shorter and nothing at the end it is called top thrill dragster at cedar point
13 - Carissa
I absolutly love rollar coasters, my friend used to work there, I'm trying to get him to take me there so I can go on it!
I live in Maine, and well, we don't really have any good rollar coasters, the only one I know is jsut a wooden one, I mean it's the best on in maine, but still haha. I was to go on some more huge ones XD
<3
14 - t
what up
15 - Orlando Roller Coaster
Cant wait until the new Rockit Flip ride opens, looks awesome
16 - ashley
i would love to ride that.. but im saying that just because i havent seen it. haha. my dad prolly would. idk. but i know its pretty cool sounding.
17 - mmlilmama4eva
wow i can't believe that any one would build or ride a roller coaster as big as that 'cause it looks pretty scary and breath-taking
18 - emma
I'm not from or been to new jersy but the ride looks awsome!!! I love roller costers!!!!!!!!
19 - Amy
OMG i went to six flags for free about 12 times, each about weeks apart... and evrytime kingdaka WAS CLOSED! I WAS SO PISSED OFF!! buts it's huge and looks like major FUN!
20 - Liiizzzziiiee
OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!! dis friday [6/5/10] im goin 2 six flags !!!!!! im so excited yet agin nervous. im goin on all da roller coasterz !!!!!! n most of them im goin front row but im scared n
realy badly wanna go on kingda ka but i already made mi decision n i might be goin 3rd 2nd or 1ST ROW!!!!!!!!! LOLxZ!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!! wish mi luck :z
21 - Jason Mosley
The ridiculous height is what grabs hold of your fears and anxiety while waiting to board this ride. What I never considered is that to go from 0 to 128mph in under 3 seconds is pushing the positive G experience to the limit. Just know that the feeling of blood being extruded out of the brain and organs for that time is not exactly pleasant but once the climb begins, the body has adjusted. The rest was absolutely riveting. Go on a Monday and get that ride out of the way before technical difficulties emerge- which tend to happen later as the day goes on.
22 - Ari Rosenbloom
Kingda Ka is da best ride eva! From 1-10 I rate kingda ka 1,000,000!
23 - Alyx
I've been on EVERY rollercoaster in Great Adventure, but I'm still too much of a chicken to go on Kingda Ka! I'm going to go on it at LEAST one time this season... No matter how scared I'll be.