If you live in New Jersey, you’ve most likely heard of Six Flags Great Adventure’s most famous roller coaster, Kingda Ka. Standing at 456 feet tall and reaching speeds of up to 128 miles per hour, it holds the title of the world’s tallest and North America’s fastest roller coaster. Just under the massive ride is the iconic drop tower Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, another one of the park’s biggest attractions. If you haven’t experienced Kingda Ka, you better check it out soon.
Over the course of its legacy, Kingda Ka has faced frequent, temporary shutdowns for a multitude of reasons, including shoulder strap malfunctions, mechanical failures, and more. Nonetheless, the ride has been operating as a fan-favorite since its 2005 debut, and has continued to reel roller coaster fanatics into the park for nearly two decades.
Unfortunately for many coaster-lovers, there are rumors that these rides may be shutting down permanently. Though Six Flags has not released an official statement, rumors surrounding the fate of Kingda Ka have been circulating on social media over the past couple of weeks. Local New Jersey sources, including NJ.com and New Jersey 101.5, have recently speculated about the rides’ permanent closure.
As the park was preparing for its annual season closure in early November, word began spreading after ride operators allegedly told guests that it was the attraction’s last day of operation. Furthermore, Six Flags operators and employees are heard to have posed for photos on the platform, commemorating the ride as they listened to NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye,” before taking an employees-only final ride on the beloved coaster.
However, Six Flags Great Adventure has yet to release a definitive statement on the future of the ride, causing public unrest over whether or not the rumors are indeed true. The park “plan[s] to share information about the ride and additional park news very soon,” said a spokesperson for Six Flags told nj.com this week. “We’ll be sure to keep you updated when that information is available.”
With all of the confusion and anxiety, what could a permanent closure of the ride mean for the park’s popularity, public opinion, and the hopes of those who have always dreamed of checking the world’s tallest roller coaster off of their bucket list?
For one, the park, which is usually bustling with activity, could decrease in popularity without the appeal of having the world’s tallest roller coaster. Amusement park rankings, which are surprisingly competitive on many social media platforms, could dramatically shift without the novelty of Kingda Ka’s presence on the grounds of Six Flags Great Adventure.
Nonetheless, it’s important to remember that no official statement has been released from Six Flags themselves. Additionally, the park has a multitude of exhilarating rides which will definitely allow the legacy of the park to endure. Alternative rides such as Nitro, Jersey Devil, and Superman can provide comparable excitement to riders through their own unique twists and turns.
Until then, roller coaster lovers will be waiting patiently for a formal announcement from Six Flags regarding the fate of the adrenaline-packed ride.
