Kingda Ka was a hydraulic-launch steel coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, built by Intamin and designed by Werner Stengel. It opened on May 21, 2005, and instantly became the tallest and fastest roller coaster on Earth, a title it held for years after dethroning its own sister ride, Top Thrill Dragster, at Cedar Point.
The coaster launched riders from 0 to 128 mph in about 3.5 seconds before sending them straight up a 456-foot top-hat tower and back down a 418-foot near-vertical drop. Six Flags permanently closed Kingda Ka on November 14, 2024, and the ride’s tower was demolished in an implosion on February 28, 2025, to make room for a future record-chasing attraction.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey
- Manufacturer: Intamin
- Opened: May 21, 2005
- Closed: November 14, 2024 (demolished February 28, 2025)
- Height: 456 feet
- Top speed: 128 mph
- Length: 3,118 feet
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
Kingda Ka’s signature moment came in its opening seconds: a hydraulic launch system flung the train from a standstill to 128 mph in roughly 3.5 seconds, matching the acceleration of a jet takeoff. Riders then shot straight up the coaster’s 456-foot top-hat tower, twisted through a 90-degree spiral near the top, and plunged 418 feet back toward the ground.
With no inversions, the ride relied entirely on height, speed, and a brief pop of airtime on the return stretch to deliver its thrill, making the roughly 28-second experience one of intensity rather than duration.
A Record-Breaking Legacy
When it opened in 2005, Kingda Ka surpassed Cedar Point’s Top Thrill Dragster to become the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, a distinction it kept for its speed until Ferrari World’s Formula Rossa overtook it in 2010. It remained the tallest coaster in the world throughout its operating life.
Six Flags announced Kingda Ka’s permanent closure in November 2024 without an extended farewell period, disappointing enthusiasts, and the coaster’s iconic tower was imploded in February 2025 as part of plans for a new attraction at the park.
Explore more: Explore more legendary roller coasters.
Kingda Ka FAQs
Is Kingda Ka still open?
No. Six Flags Great Adventure permanently closed Kingda Ka on November 14, 2024, and demolished the ride’s tower in an implosion on February 28, 2025.
How fast did Kingda Ka go?
Kingda Ka’s hydraulic launch system accelerated riders to a top speed of 128 mph in about 3.5 seconds.
Was Kingda Ka the tallest roller coaster ever built?
Yes. At 456 feet tall, Kingda Ka was the world’s tallest roller coaster from its 2005 opening until its 2024 closure.
Get More from Kingda Ka
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Kingda Ka, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Dusso Janladde / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.