- Ride Review
- RIDE:
Kingda Ka
- PARK:
Six Flags Great Adventure
- DATE:
May 19, 2005
- REPORTER:
Mike Collins
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Back in 2004, when I first got the news that Six Flags Great Adventure was building the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, I was really surprised.
Just one year earlier, Cedar Point had pulled a rabbit out of it's hat by unveiling Top Thrill Dragster - the world's first stratacoaster. People were amazed at a roller coaster with a top speed of 120 mph and a max height of 420 feet.
It was the pinnacle of roller coaster technology and something that people hadn't seen before. I didn't think anyone would be beating that record for a long, long, LONG time! I was wrong.
Flava, E.B. and I met up in DC at 6AM and began our drive up to Jackson, New Jersey. Not many things would inspire us to make a four hour drive so early in the morning. But that day, we were going to the media preview of Kingda Ka, the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster.
As we rolled down the New Jersey Turnpike, we spent some time checking out the stats of Kingda Ka. They're impressive.
* A launch from 0 to 128 mph in 3.5 seconds.
* A max height of 456 feet.
* A 270-degree spiral on the downside.
* A 129-foot "camel hump" hill on the return.
* A dual-loading station with switch track.
* A capacity of 1,400 riders per hour.
As you drive down Route 537 and approach the park, you're eyes immediately are drawn to this thing. IT'S HUGE. If you've been coming to Great Adventure all your life, it's a shock to see this roller coaster because it dominates the skyline. Everything looks puny next to it. I used to be impressed by the size of rides like Nitro, but this dwarfs it by over 200 feet!
We were directed to a special parking area that was right in front of Kingda Ka's camelback hill. As we unpacked our broadcast gear, they began launching test trains. I've seen rocket coasters in action before, but it's an amazing site to see a 30 ton train blast off towards the top of a 456 foot tower with a peak horsepower of 7400. It almost looks unreal.
After seeing that first train launch, we almost ran to the entrance. We checked in, got our media credentials and headed directly to the observation area to watch more trains launch.
First, let me say that The Golden Kingdom is absolutely beautiful. You could tell that the planners of this area wanted to step everything up a notch from the rest of the park. There are tropical plants and bamboo everywhere. The stores are intricately themed and the woodcarvings add an authentic touch.
It's hard to believe that this was part of the parking lot two years ago.
When we finally got to the observation area, we got a chance to see a few more launches. All of us were marveling at the pure speed that the trains achieve. We also liked how the observation area was mostly shaded so family and friends can comfortably watch their loved ones ride Kingda Ka.
Speaking of shade, Great Adventure managed to keep the immense queue line almost completely covered in shade. According to the park, they have enough room in the queue to hold a 4 hour line! They just may need it too.
Eventually, more members of the media began to show up and soon it was time for the big unveiling.
Some of the characters from the new "Spirit of the Tiger" show made their way to the stage and when it was time, they banged a huge gong and the first train was on it's way.
A nice touch to the opening ceremony was that each of Kingda Ka's inaugural riders had won auctions to be the first to ride. All of the money they bid went to support the Children's Miracle Network.
After the first ride was though, it was our turn. We walked though the enormous queue (where they have strategically placed concession stands in every section) and finally made our way to the station platform.
The station itself is very well themed and extremely roomy. It gives everyone enough room to find their row. Also, there is plenty of room for those who want to wait for a front seat ride.
There has been a lot of talk about how the over-the-shoulder restraints on Kingda Ka might ruin the ride. Some people wish that there could be a simple lap-bar system like the one featured on Top Thrill Dragster.
Honestly, it's not that big of a deal. The restraints are thin enough that you can freely move your head from side to side. It doesn't feel like you're wearing horse-blinders at all.
On this day, they were moving two trains onto the launch track at once. We were in the second train so it was really cool to watch the train ahead of us launch while we were just a few feet behind it.
Eventually it was our turn. The train moved forward to it's launch position. Suddenly, you hear an extremely loud air-horn that can be heard all over the park. You feel the catch car lightly pull on the train as it engages. Then, two seconds later.... you're gone.
The launch is intense, but it's not quite as intense as the one on Hypersonic XLC at Kings Dominion. On XLC, you feel like you're head is going to explode because you're accelerating so quickly. The acceleration on Kingda Ka is more fun than intense.
As you barrel down the straightaway, you can feel the train picking up speed - 80...90...100...110..120 and finally 128 mph.
Then, you're pointed towards the sky and you can't believe how tall the tower really is. The top of the tower gets close really, really fast. Before you're brain has time to process what's happening, you're at the top and tipping over.
Intamin engineers hadn't originally planned on adding magnetic breaks to the top of the tower, but they did so we could enjoy the view up there for an extra second or two. If you're brave enough to look around, you can not only see the rest of Great Adventure, but also the skylines of Philadelphia and New York City.
But, just as you are focusing on Philly, you're on the way back down again. You cruise though a 270-degree spiral as you reach 120 mph once more. Then, instead of calmly coasting back to the station, you head up and over a 120 foot camelback hill that lets you float out of your seat, much like Apollo's Chariot at Busch Gardens. It's not the greatest amount of airtime in the world, but it's just enough to give you a rush.
Finally, you coast down the hill and the magnetic breaks give you a smooth deceleration as you head back towards the station.
Kingda Ka delivers an incredible rush in just over 50 seconds.
Of course, every roller coaster has it's downsides. For me, I thought Kingda Ka was a little rough during the climb up the tower. It was also a little rough during the climb up the camelback hill. After multiple rides, I found out that the ride gets smoother the closer you sit to the front. So, if you want a more violent ride, the back is for you.
Also, I'm not sure how long I'd actually wait for this ride on a crowded day. Everyone should ride Kingda Ka at least once. So, if I were visiting the park with friends who had never ridden before, I'd wait as long as necessary. After all, this is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world.
But, if I was alone, I think I'd rather spend my queue time waiting for Nitro or Medusa, only because the ride duration is longer. It's hard to gear up for a 3 hour wait when you know the ride is only 50 seconds.
The arguments have already begun between fans of Cedar Point and Great Adventure as to which stratacoaster is better. Does it really matter? It's all about the speed, the height and the rush, man!
If you don't believe me, stand at the exit of Kingda Ka and take a look at the faces of the people getting off the ride. The expressions are priceless! It's a mix of excitement, terror, shock and amazement.
So for now, Six Flags Great Adventure is the place to be if you want to say you've ridden the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster.
But who's going to break the record next?
I bet the next record breaker is already being discussed in a secret boardroom someplace. I wonder where it will be?
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