Kingda Ka has extremely high maintenance/operating costs and is also a liability given the accident that happened when the ride first opened (nobody was hurt b/c it occurred during testing and required the queue line be re-routed), what happened on Xcelerator with the cable snapping, and the Top Thrill Dragster accident... so then add on to that insurance costs. If the ride is indeed closing, I am sure these things all factored into that decision. The rides you mentioned (and empty land) don't cost as much money to maintain...
News The King Is Dead: Kingda Ka (& Zumanjaro) Closure & Demolition
- Thread starter Python_Survivor
- Start date
honestly there's just no good answers imo. nothing is gonna replace losing the tallest, fastest coaster in the US and the tallest drop tower in the world. which is why this whole move is insane to me
That’s actually insane if true, I’d think they’d want to keep the one that is more of a general public draw to their park over the enthusiast draw
Also smoothness, I can ride KK 10 times without a headache while I can barely ride ET twice because its so rough anymore.
Has anyone ridden Maxx Force at Six Flags Great America? I wonder what Six Flags has thought of that air-powered launch, compared to Ka’s hydraulic launch. Is it more reliable or more safe? It looks like that type of launch provides a similar acceleration (Maxx Force actually has one of the fastest roller coaster accelerations with 0-78 in 1.8 seconds) and is much more intense than LSMs. I know S&S (Maxx Force manufacturer) has had a lot of issues with their rides, but hopefully these types of launches pop up in the future.
I also agree with you all on B&M gigas being redundant to B&M hypers. I went to Canada’s Wonderland and I did not feel that much of a difference between Leviathan and Behemoth. If they are looking into a giga, I think a coaster layout similar to Intimidator 305 (doesn’t have to be Intamin, but that would be the best choice) would fill a void in the park: A tall drop (if they can launch it up that lift hill, even better) and then fast, low to the ground hills/twists turns with ejector airtime.
I also agree with you all on B&M gigas being redundant to B&M hypers. I went to Canada’s Wonderland and I did not feel that much of a difference between Leviathan and Behemoth. If they are looking into a giga, I think a coaster layout similar to Intimidator 305 (doesn’t have to be Intamin, but that would be the best choice) would fill a void in the park: A tall drop (if they can launch it up that lift hill, even better) and then fast, low to the ground hills/twists turns with ejector airtime.
Imagine being a decision maker at Great Adventure and suddenly having to make a choice between Ka and Toro (if needed, put enthusiasm to the side for a minute and consider public perception as well). I would lose weeks of sleep both before and after making that decision. That's an excessively cruel call to make, especially with it seemingly coming out of nowhere mid-season.
100% my point as well. i'd be devastated if toro was gone, but you go under any social media post talking about this in non enthusiast circles and the top comment is always "how is el toro still open and this closing," for the gp its literally just a massive headache/whiplash machine
I heard someone predict (no substance to this) that it would take years for Ka to be replaced, and I think that's unacceptable. They better replace Ka as quickly as they can, 2027 is the latest CF can really do so without appearing lazy, atleast in my opinion. Personally I don't care what they replace it with so long as it's a worthy replacement and is also good.
I fully buy into the 2026 replacement rumor for Ka. I think one of the most compelling justifications for this closing timeline would be that they'd be able to fast track something for '26.
If that true they made the wrong call. One ride on El Toro was all I ever need.
See for me, the closing of El Toro for any reason other than it reaching the end of its service life is enough to make me never return to the park again. El Toro and Nitro are by far my two most ridden coasters.
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By any chance, would these removals have anything to do with Six Flags intentions of wanting to build Great Adventure into a resort?
Edit: As in using this space for the resort and its amenities?
Edit: As in using this space for the resort and its amenities?
S&S coasters are NOT reliable. Maxx Force included. That being said, Maxx Force has one of if not the best launch in the whole country. That thing is wicked. SF and S&S may be on some good terms thanks to all those Free Spins, but I can't really see them getting anything else apart from a few Screamin' Swings with all the trouble S&S has had in the past.
If SF knows what's good for GAdv, they'll replace KK pretty quickly. That ride is a major draw for the park and all these random park upgrades would be a waste if the park didn't have a proper replacement lined up.
I mean can’t say I’m particularly surprised, makes sense both of the problem coasters were on the chopping block, as far as the choice between the two….operating costs for Ka have to be more expensive even if you factor in Toro’s retracking. Woodies are also just inherently deferent when it comes to lifespan, if properly taken care of they have no designated lifespan, steel coasters typically can go 30 years before they need complete retracking with is costly. Let’s not act like Ka is glass smooth anymore, it would need that retracking sooner rather then later.
I definitely think this project is in overdrive but I wouldn’t expect a Ka replacement until 2027 at the earliest, that tower could likely sit sbno for a while
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Sorta a meta conversation here, but can I just say that I'm getting really fed up with all of the sub-tweeting and the like happening around this rumor?
A few (of many) examples from people I actually generally agree with and who I believe are generally, genuinely well-intentioned.
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
First off, I don't have a horse in this race. A few friends have told me it's coming down, but I haven't made any public claims. I have seen no evidence and I can't vouch for the sourcing of what these friends have heard. Hence, I haven't staked any claims via ParkFans.
That said, to the influencers like ElToroRyan and CoasterStudios who very much have made bold, firm claims, I feel like there's a really unjust amount of ire being directed their way (often in shitty, indirect ways too). I honestly don't understand what the community wants from people with access to insider information like this.
Obviously no one involved can reveal their actual sourcing because the sourcing is happening via illicit means. Maybe, depending on what these influencers' sources have shared with them, influencers could cite having seen internal documentation or the like. Frankly though, the vast majority of thoosie influencers aren't getting hard documentation from their sources. More likely than not, these people just have a handful of friends in high places who they sincerely trust and those friends, directly, have access to the information and have opted to share it with these influencers.
Ideally these influencers would, of course, cite their sources. That said, assuming they can't (something I have seen them say over and over again publicly), what's the alternative? They almost certainly honestly, sincerely, strongly believe that Ka is closing. They can either keep silent and not tell anyone the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster is closing forever or they can bet their public reputations on it and make the claim.
Why are so many people opposed to the latter and why would anyone want the former?
Whether sourcing is impossible to share or even if they just don't want to share said sourcing, let these people bet their reputations on the story. It's their prerogative. If they get it wrong, roast them, don't believe them in the future—they'll deserve it. That said, if they're right, people better remember that too.
Having been on the other side of this table in the past, putting your reputation on the line like this isn't fun. People will demand to see the evidence you can't share ad nauseum—they'll call you fake news—they'll call you a liar—they'll say you're just an all-around bad person. Meanwhile, no one EVER comes back and says "good job" or "thank you" if/when you're proven right. All the people who threw tomatoes back when the original claim was made keep quiet—just to repeat the cycle the next time something similar comes around.
So yeah, if ElToroRyan, CoasterStudios, etc are proven right, I hope to see some real kudos come their way. This is a big swing. They will have earned the praise if they hit a home run.
A few (of many) examples from people I actually generally agree with and who I believe are generally, genuinely well-intentioned.
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
Direct Link to Embedded Media Source
First off, I don't have a horse in this race. A few friends have told me it's coming down, but I haven't made any public claims. I have seen no evidence and I can't vouch for the sourcing of what these friends have heard. Hence, I haven't staked any claims via ParkFans.
That said, to the influencers like ElToroRyan and CoasterStudios who very much have made bold, firm claims, I feel like there's a really unjust amount of ire being directed their way (often in shitty, indirect ways too). I honestly don't understand what the community wants from people with access to insider information like this.
Obviously no one involved can reveal their actual sourcing because the sourcing is happening via illicit means. Maybe, depending on what these influencers' sources have shared with them, influencers could cite having seen internal documentation or the like. Frankly though, the vast majority of thoosie influencers aren't getting hard documentation from their sources. More likely than not, these people just have a handful of friends in high places who they sincerely trust and those friends, directly, have access to the information and have opted to share it with these influencers.
Ideally these influencers would, of course, cite their sources. That said, assuming they can't (something I have seen them say over and over again publicly), what's the alternative? They almost certainly honestly, sincerely, strongly believe that Ka is closing. They can either keep silent and not tell anyone the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster is closing forever or they can bet their public reputations on it and make the claim.
Why are so many people opposed to the latter and why would anyone want the former?
Whether sourcing is impossible to share or even if they just don't want to share said sourcing, let these people bet their reputations on the story. It's their prerogative. If they get it wrong, roast them, don't believe them in the future—they'll deserve it. That said, if they're right, people better remember that too.
Having been on the other side of this table in the past, putting your reputation on the line like this isn't fun. People will demand to see the evidence you can't share ad nauseum—they'll call you fake news—they'll call you a liar—they'll say you're just an all-around bad person. Meanwhile, no one EVER comes back and says "good job" or "thank you" if/when you're proven right. All the people who threw tomatoes back when the original claim was made keep quiet—just to repeat the cycle the next time something similar comes around.
So yeah, if ElToroRyan, CoasterStudios, etc are proven right, I hope to see some real kudos come their way. This is a big swing. They will have earned the praise if they hit a home run.
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totally agree. if they ended up breaking this story, one of the biggest pieces of news in the industry this year, they deserve props. and ultimately, the blame falls on corporate for the info black hole right now.
that being said, i will laugh my ass off if this reopens next spring like normal after everyone and their mother "heard the park president say it was gone" or had some random highschooler visual scan employee tell them it was closing for sure.
that being said, i will laugh my ass off if this reopens next spring like normal after everyone and their mother "heard the park president say it was gone" or had some random highschooler visual scan employee tell them it was closing for sure.
So here's my educated guess timetable because I'm huffing copium from losing KK.
2025: Flash opens. Flash needs time in the spotlight. The park can use this time to make more infrastructure upgrades.
2026: Phase 1 of Golden Kingdom opens with KK2.0 (or whatever it's gonna be)
2027: Phase 2 of Golden Kingdom opens with *insert fanboy coaster dream here*
Clearing out half of the Boardwalk area, plus replacing KK opens up a LOT of room. Since the park seems to be working towards fixing dead ends, I could see that section of Boardwalk becoming a new entrance portal for Golden Kingdom. The park cleans up and expands the old animal exhibits, adds a few smaller flats maybe? Brings back Temple of the Tiger or maybe adds an expanded tiger exhibit.
I could definitely see Golden Kingdom phase 2 replace Rolling Thunder's old spot. That would help drive increased traffic to that spot, plus it could drive traffic to Zumanjaro too (maybe they can shorten the queue and exit pathway). There's more than enough space back there for a new large scale coaster. GL's old spot is also a good spot for a new coaster. A new coaster there would be a big visual draw and fill the void left there by GL.
Now ideally, I'd love to see KK open early in 2025 then the park announces an official closure (maybe around mid-summer). During that time, they can close the Boardwalk down and start doing full construction work on that side of the park while KK continues to operate. Then after KK gets a proper farewell, they can work on doing what they need to do with the structure.
As for the social media thing, parks should be more open with major ride closures. Everyone praises Jeffrey Siebert for being open with his construction projects. Why can't other parks in the chain be more open about these things. Nobody would have a reason to spread misinformation if the park was honest about this. Nobody would have a reason to spread real or fake rumors if the park actually stepped forward and made an announcement. Maybe this is intentional on the park to misdirect the community and generate hype like RMC's T-Rex model? Maybe not.
2025: Flash opens. Flash needs time in the spotlight. The park can use this time to make more infrastructure upgrades.
2026: Phase 1 of Golden Kingdom opens with KK2.0 (or whatever it's gonna be)
2027: Phase 2 of Golden Kingdom opens with *insert fanboy coaster dream here*
Clearing out half of the Boardwalk area, plus replacing KK opens up a LOT of room. Since the park seems to be working towards fixing dead ends, I could see that section of Boardwalk becoming a new entrance portal for Golden Kingdom. The park cleans up and expands the old animal exhibits, adds a few smaller flats maybe? Brings back Temple of the Tiger or maybe adds an expanded tiger exhibit.
I could definitely see Golden Kingdom phase 2 replace Rolling Thunder's old spot. That would help drive increased traffic to that spot, plus it could drive traffic to Zumanjaro too (maybe they can shorten the queue and exit pathway). There's more than enough space back there for a new large scale coaster. GL's old spot is also a good spot for a new coaster. A new coaster there would be a big visual draw and fill the void left there by GL.
Now ideally, I'd love to see KK open early in 2025 then the park announces an official closure (maybe around mid-summer). During that time, they can close the Boardwalk down and start doing full construction work on that side of the park while KK continues to operate. Then after KK gets a proper farewell, they can work on doing what they need to do with the structure.
As for the social media thing, parks should be more open with major ride closures. Everyone praises Jeffrey Siebert for being open with his construction projects. Why can't other parks in the chain be more open about these things. Nobody would have a reason to spread misinformation if the park was honest about this. Nobody would have a reason to spread real or fake rumors if the park actually stepped forward and made an announcement. Maybe this is intentional on the park to misdirect the community and generate hype like RMC's T-Rex model? Maybe not.
This post violated ParkFans prohibition against identifying park employees. The offending content has been edited out of this post by staff.
Like I understand the criticism against people like Theme Park Prediction (or whatever he calls his channel now) because he makes click bait content 24/7 to get views, but CS and ETR have NEVER come out and made such definitive statements regarding a “rumor” in the industry. [SENTENCE REMOVED BY ADMIN] They won’t come out and say it but he totally knows what is going on and told them. There’s now a long list of other evidence to back up this claim (like the massive staging area that was made yesterday in the parking lot), but the way they handled this on their channel and the connection that they clearly have to this ride should be enough to make people take this seriously.