Kingda Ka, which was the tallest roller coaster in the world at 456 feet high, was demolished last week in a series of controlled explosions at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, US.
The Intamin ride has been closed since November 2024 and work has been underway at the park to remove the station and track. On Friday morning, several explosions were set off at the base of the coaster’s tower, causing the structure to collapse.
Second place to Kingda Ka for the tallest coaster record is Superman: Escape from Krypton at Six Flags Magic Mountain at 415 feet high. However, it is unclear whether it will be operating this season. This will also be surpassed by the 420 foot tall Top Thrill 2 when that ride reopens at Cedar Point. Next in line is the Red Force at Ferrari Land in Spain, which is 367 feet high.
When it opens, Falcons Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya will break several records, becoming the longest and fastest coaster in the world.
New ride for Six Flags Great Adventure
The coaster’s demolition comes after Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced that it would be investing more than $1 billion over the next two years across its network of 42 theme parks.
Following last year’s merger with Cedar Fair, the company has said it will spend the money on new rides, attractions, themed areas, F&B upgrades, and infrastructure and technology enhancements.
A record-breaking launch coaster will replace Kingda Ka in 2026, with more details to come.
This year, Six Flags plans include the new AlpenFury coaster at Canada’s Wonderland, an expansion for Carowinds’ Camp Snoopy, the Rapterra coaster at Kings Dominion, and the RiverRacers water coaster at Kings Island’s Soak City.
Six Flags Great America will open a record-breaking dive coaster called Wrath of Rakshasa, and Six Flags New England is debuting the Quantum Accelerator launch coaster.
In addition to new rides and attractions, Six Flags will invest more than $80 million of the overall two-year spend in F&B upgrades, including new restaurant concepts and improved menus.
