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Kingda Ka was a steel-launched roller coaster located in The Golden Kingdom at Six Flags Great Adventure. It was designed by Vekoma, manufactured by Intamin, and built by Stakotra and Martin & Vleminckx. The ride opened on May 21, 2005, and was the world's tallest roller coaster and the world's fastest roller coaster. It was the world's second fastest and the US's 2nd fastest coaster. It was also the second strata coaster ever built.
Kingda Ka was announced on September 10, 2004 at a special event held for the media and roller coaster enthusiasts. The event revealed the park's goal to build "the tallest and fastest roller coaster on earth", reaching 456 feet and accelerating up to 128 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds.
On January 13, 2005, Kingda Ka's tower construction was completed.
On May 21, 2005, the ride opened to the public. Kingda Ka became the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, taking both world records from Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point.
Guests pass under the jungle-themed entrance sign and enter the queue line, which is surrounded by bamboo, which augments the jungle-themed music that plays in the background. Along the way, there are some safety and warning signs about the ride. Following a long straight section and extended queue area, guests turn left and head into a switchback section. Guests approach some curved paths before entering the station.
At one point, Kingda Ka had a much larger queue line. The pathway located between the ride and Rolling Thunder would be planted with bamboo and other tropical foliage to continue the jungle motif. It contained switchback sections, wooden poles with animal carvings and a tunnel underneath the launch track. A special walkway with shielding was built to keep guests safe in the event of a snapped launch cable because the launch was above the pathway. After an incident occurred on the attraction shortly after opening, that section was reduced. The overflow queue area near the ride's entrance served as the new queue portion and it was extended with ropes and other temporary barriers, along with the fences that led into the Golden Kingdom area in order to accommodate the crowds.
Layout[]
Kingda Ka's layout and experience is nearly identical to that of Top Thrill Dragster. After the train has been locked and checked, it moves slowly out of the station to the launch area, then passes through a switch track which allows four trains on two tracks to load simultaneously. When the signal is given to launch, the train rolls back slightly so that the catch car can latch on to the middle car, and the brakes retract on the launch track. As the brake fins are retracting, a recording announces: "Arms down, head back, hold on!" The train is launched approximately five seconds later.
When the train is in position, the hydraulic launch mechanism accelerates it from 0 to 128 miles per hour (0 to 206 km/h) in 3.5 seconds. During the launch you can experience mild to moderate headbanging, because of the fact that it is a hydraulic launched coaster. The hydraulic launch motor is capable of producing 20,800 peak horsepower (15.5 MW). At the end of the launch track, the train climbs the main tower (top hat) and banks 90 degrees to the right before reaching a height of 456 feet (139 m). It then descends 418 feet (127 m) straight down through a 270-degree, clockwise spiral. It climbs a bunny hill of 129 feet (39 m), producing a moment of weightlessness before being smoothly brought to a stop by the magnetic brakes; it then makes a left-hand U-turn and enters the station. The ride lasts 28 seconds from the start of the launch.
Description[]
Kingda Ka is themed as a mythical tiger, named for the Bengal tiger who lived in an adjacent exhibit before moving to Six Flags Wild Safari. The ride's sign and station have an Indian style. The queue line is surrounded by bamboo, which augments the jungle theme. Jungle music is played in the queue and throughout the Golden Kingdom section of the park, which opened with the ride on May 21, 2005.
Trivia[]
Kingda Ka makes a mascot costume character appearance in the Team Tiger show during Fright Fest wearing attire similar to the series Ghostbusters. He is a part of the "Ghost Blasters".
Ale House • Central Brew Haus • Coca-Cola Freestyle • Fountain Drinks • G.A. Cafe • Johnny Rockets Express • Liberty Snacks • Main Street Pub • Main Street Snacks • Primo's Pizzeria • Main Street Sugar Shack • Sweet Cakes and Cones • Adventure Kids • Coaster Candy • Looney Tunes Shoppe • M-Porium • My Six Flags Photo • Super Hero Cape Cart • Sweet Treats
Kingda Ka at Coasterpedia
