It’s the end of the line for Six Flags’ Kingda Ka, the tallest roller coaster in the world. However, that doesn’t mean thrill seekers are out of luck when it comes to record-breaking thrills.
Six Flags Great Adventure announced it is shutting down the 456-foot high coaster on Thursday, Nov. 14, after nearly 20 years in service. The move will make way for new additions to the Jackson, New Jersey, park. Great Adventure is removing its Green Lantern coaster as well.
The changes come as parent company Six Flags Entertainment announced an investment of more than $1 billion over the next two years to enhance guest experiences at its 42 parks. This includes Six Flags Great Adventure unveiling a record-breaking launch coaster in 2026.
In a statement provided to Straight Arrow News, Six Flags Great Adventure park president Brian Bacica said, “We understand that saying goodbye to beloved rides can be difficult, and we appreciate our guests’ passion. These changes are an important part of our growth and dedication to delivering exceptional new experiences. We look forward to sharing more details next summer.”
Kingda Ka wasn’t the world’s tallest roller coaster, but also the fastest in North America, going from zero to 128 mph in 3.5 seconds.
For a few years, Kindgda Ka was also the fastest in the world but dropped, as roller coasters do, to No. 2 in 2010. The Formula Rossa coaster in Abu Dhabi claimed the top spot with a maximum speed of 149 miles per hour.
But this all leaves thrill seekers wondering: With Kingda Ka no longer in play, what’s now the tallest coaster on Earth?
As of Friday, Nov. 15, that answer appears to be the Top Thrill 2 coaster at the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio, also part of the Six Flags brand. This coaster has a height of 420 feet.
But this roller coaster ranking is about to be thrown for another loop when Six Flags Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia opens. The launch is tentatively set for 2025.
The park will feature the roller coaster Falcons Flight which will become the tallest and fastest coaster on Earth. It will have a max speed of 155 mph and a height of 640 feet, equivalent to a 60-story building.
