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The theme park community is abuzz today amid rumors that Six Flags Great Adventure is preparing to close Kingda Ka – the world’s tallest roller coaster – for good tomorrow.
Kingda Ka has been a key selling point for Six Flags since 2005, captivating thrill-seekers with its mind-boggling 456-foot peak and exhilarating 128 mph launch speed, which it reaches in a mere 3.5 seconds.
Credit: Six Flags
It’s rides like Kingda Ka that set Six Flags apart from its biggest competitors. Unlike Disney and Universal, the theme park company (which merged with Cedar Fair earlier this year) has long been focused on adrenaline-inducing experiences. You go to Disney for immersive storytelling, Universal for movie magic, and Six Flags for heart-pounding heights and record-setting speeds – and losing Kingda Ka would be a major hit to that reputation.
The harsh truth, however, is that Kingda Ka hasn’t had the smoothest history. Just a month after opening, a failed bolt caused the launch cable to malfunction, sidelining the coaster for weeks. Four years later, a lightning strike left it out of operation for months. Even nature seemed to challenge Kingda Ka as Hurricane Irene forced additional closures.
It’s also faced operational hurdles, including lawsuits over its extreme forces. Kingda Ka’s latest setback in June 2023 involved yet another snapped launch cable. Each repair has been costly, and though fans have rallied around the ride, some now wonder if the cost of these repairs is more trouble than it’s worth to Six Flags.
Credit: Six Flags
Adding fuel to the rumors is the fact that since merging with Cedar Fair, Six Flags has introduced a cost-saving initiative called “Project Accelerate,” which includes a comprehensive review of non-essential assets.
This program has sparked speculation that certain attractions could face the chopping block. Kingda Ka, with its complex engineering and hefty maintenance costs, could be an easy target for cuts.
And yet, even as multiple voices in the theme park community claim to know for a fact that Kingda Ka is closing on Sunday, we have our doubts. It’s extremely rare for a ride of this magnitude to be retired quietly. Parks often send off iconic attractions with fanfare—farewell parties, commemorative merchandise, and celebrations that draw in fans eager to say their goodbyes.
The idea of removing Kingda Ka without any nod to its legendary status feels out of character for Six Flags, especially when considering the popularity of farewell events for past attractions at Disney and Universal. For instance, Universal’s closure of the beloved Jaws ride and Disney’s long goodbye to The Great Movie Ride were marked by merch and fan-driven nostalgia, not to mention crazy crowds.
Credit: Six Flags
If Six Flags did shut down Kingda Ka, it would also impact Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, the drop tower ride attached to the coaster. Shuttering two major rides without any announcement would come as even more of a shock.
Still, a segment of the coaster community remains convinced that Kingda Ka is on its way out, and the rumors aren’t slowing down. For now, Six Flags has yet to make an official statement regarding Kingda Ka’s fate, but with the ride’s closure date less than 24 hours away, we suppose we’ll just have to wait and see. Watch this space.
Do you think Six Flags will close Kingda Ka tomorrow?
