Kingda Ka, located in Six Flags Great Adventure, was once the tallest and second-fastest roller coaster in the world. On February 28, it was demolished around 7 a.m. after about 20 years of operation. The demolition occurred ahead of time, as the original demolition was scheduled around 9 and 10 a.m. For the past few months, the roller coaster had experienced various routine mechanical failures, causing more people to argue for its closing.
When Six Flags Great Adventure first opened in 2005, it advertised the roller coaster as the ‘King of Coasters.’ From its first day, it garnered a flurry of positive responses. To ride the coaster during its first run, coaster enthusiast Jeremy Delong bid $1,692 on eBay for the right to be on its first ride, which lasted under a minute. The ride hurled passengers at speeds up to 128 miles per hour and up the peak of the roller coaster, which had been 456 feet high. Its record-breaking statistics made it the fastest roller coaster in the world when it was built, and it remained the tallest until its implosion. Five years later, the record was broken by Formula Rossa, a roller coaster located in the United Arab Emirates. There have been an increasing number of problems associated with the Kingda Ka, the most recent being how its launch cable snapped in 2023, leading to an abundance of lawsuits.
“We understand that saying goodbye to beloved rides can be difficult, and we appreciate our guests’ passion,” Brian Bacica, Six Flags’s president, said to Jersey Shoreline. “These changes are an important part of our park’s growth and dedication to delivering exceptional new experiences.” The destruction of the coaster is part of a $2 billion investment by Six Flags, which would continue to be used during 2025 and 2026.
“The investments, which will total between $500 million and $525 million in both 2025 and 2026, will include new rides, attractions, themed areas, dining upgrades, and technology enhancements that are sure to deliver an unparalleled level of fun and excitement to guests of all ages,” Fox News reported.
During the days leading to the demolition, there was a line of cars parked along Route 537 to get a final glimpse of the roller coaster before it collapsed. The implosion happened in roughly nine seconds, leaving bittersweet theme park memories for individuals, as stated by Cinema Blend. Some have voiced their opinions on how the destruction of Kingda Ka didn’t provide full closure.
“A lot of people are still emotionally attached to Kingda Ka,” Matt Kaiser, the New Jersey regional representative for American Coaster Enthusiasts, told USA Today. “It’s a really big deal for it to come down. It’s one of the first things you see when you drive in before you even get to the park. It’s just been so iconic.”
Furthermore, although the demolition of Kingda Ka was announced before its destruction in November, not many are aware of the closure of Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, a drop tower attached to Kingda Ka, which has also been destroyed to provide space for the new roller coaster.
In place of Kingda Ka, The Flash Vertical Velocity, also known as The Flash, will be constructed. Preparing a red carpet ceremony for its new addition, Six Flags is currently marketing The Flash as a “multi-record breaking launch coaster that would open in 2026,” according to Fox News. The ride’s name is inspired by the popular DC Comics superhero and is anticipated to gain popularity among roller coaster fanatics.
