The world’s tallest roller coaster (and second fastest) currently resides at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. This green giant is visible from the highway, and the entry way to Great Adventure, and even the Jackson Outlets near the park. I have been on this beast 6 times, so here is my review:
The park has done an excellent job theming this section of the park as “Golden Kingdom”. I wish I had pictures to show you, but as I’ve said before, all my pictures are laying under Nitro. The park has planted large amounts of bamboo plants, making the line of Kingda Ka in a jungle of trees and plants. There are different shops themed as old and Indian-style buildings. All of this really comes to gether to make the area great. One of my favorite parts is the “Tiger’s Leap Market”, which is a very well-themed gift shop, and the Temple of the Tiger, where you can see white bengal tigers.
Now, onto what you’re really here for, Kingda Ka!
Riders enter Kingda Ka’s queue under a stone carving sign. The lines goes deep into the back of the park in bamboo plants, and eventually comes up to a hybrid new-old station. Banners hang from the ceiling saying “128 mph”, “458 feet”, “This coaster eats all records”. There are two sides of the station, with four cars running at a time. The trains come in several different flavors, including “School Bus”, “Blueberry Muffin”, “Gak”
Coming out of the station, you stop on the launch pad. While Top Thrill Dragster has a dragster themed christmas tree-like warning light, there isn’t anything on Kingda Ka except for the car backing up a few inches. When this happens, you can count down “5, 4, 3, 2, 1″ in your head, and then you’re off! As you approach 128 miles per hour, the ride begins to get rough. I hear Top Thrill Dragster is smoother, and I look forward to riding that and being able to compare.
Cresting over the top is amazing. You can see Philly and New York. Coming down, doing the twist is a headchopper effect, and the ride becomes rough once again. The second hill is meant to give airtime, although it really doesn’t deliver. The train then comes to a smooth stop.
So onto the rating. This coaster gets a A-/B+ from me. This coaster is way too short to get an A+, but the insanely fast launch and the atmosphere on the launch pad is so awesome that it makes the ride really fun. The OTSR’s make the ride less scary than lap-bars would be, but the ride is still a very thrilling ride.
Everyone stares in awe at the huge tower is they come in Great Adventure's parking lot. (Image: Dusso Janiadde)
What do you think of Kingda Ka? Leave your comments and park thoughts!
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